With coronavirus forcing the cancellation of Asia’s furniture exhibitions, the decision to run this year’s Meble Polska a few weeks earlier than usual proved fortuitous, writes Paul Farley …
The Polish and UK furniture markets have long been partners. Eastern Europe’s manufacturing powerhouse may not be a particularly cheap source of imports, but its high-quality fabric upholstery and on-trend flatpack cabinet feature in many a retail portfolio, driven by the exporter’s fast-evolving industry and attractive lead times.
In recent years, Meble Polska defiantly took place in mid-March, clashing with various Far East fixtures – but this year saw it pulled forward to 25-28th February, in a move calculated to entice global buyers.
“Meble Polska’s main strength is its visitors, who come to Poznań every year from all over the world,” says show director, Józef Szyszka. “That’s why it’s so important that the fair takes place when it’s most convenient for them.”
Pre-registrations saw a +20% uplift, which was borne out in the show’s opening days, before flattening somewhat as coronavirus reared its ugly head. The outcome was a total of 21,949 attendees (up almost +2% YoY), 38% of them from abroad (from 69 countries).
“Judging by our conversations with exhibitors (and despite earlier declarations of individual retail chains cancelling their involvement at the last minute), most furniture manufacturers participating were satisfied with the number and quality of visitors,” says Józef. “This is confirmed by the fact that we’ve already accepted a large number of enquiries and reservations for the next edition [scheduled for 23rd-26th February 2021].”
Crucially, the show’s earlier staging enabled it to deliver a solid performance, when it may not have taken place at all. It also offered buyers already suffering the adverse effects of China’s disrupted supply chain an opportunity to explore alternative sourcing options.
However, for most, this year’s excursion would have been a return visit. This was my third time in Poznań, and I’ve seen the show become more representative, more content-rich and better attended at each turn.
This exhibitors (around 500) are almost exclusively Polish, and very much export-oriented, adding solid wood cabinet and mattresses to those product mainstays already referenced, plus an array of home decor lines and design-led creations. Meble Polska unashamedly champions original Polish design, and various seminars, installations and competitions reflect the country’s vibrant creative community.
Panel discussions and presentations on topics such as international branding, start-ups, interior design trends and visual merchandising added depth to the proceedings, while organiser MTP Group’s decision to host the International Alliance of Furnishing Publications’ (IAFP) AGM ensured the cream of international trade media was present to experience Meble Polska’s unique qualities for themselves.
Yet the real draw of any trade show is its exhibitors – and when it comes to Polish suppliers, Meble Polska boasts the most comprehensive roster around.
Exhibitors include sector giants Black Red White, which sees the UK and Ireland as “developing markets”, and the ever-expanding Szynaka Meble, which has grown as IKEA’s favoured partner to having a €250m turnover and some 3500 employees.
Meble Wojcik showed off its latest 3D-effect printed foils, while Bydgoskie Meble revealed new upholstery lines filled with hidden storage and subtle mechanisms.
Meble Polska is also home turf for businesses with clear visibility in the UK marketplace, such as Lenart, whose stylish pull-down Bed Concept saw it highly commended in The Furniture Awards at this year’s January Furniture Show, and Gala Collezione, whose comprehensive range of sofas and sofabeds (plus COM service) is fast finding favour in our marketplace.
In short, there’s no better place to see what Poland’s furniture manufacturers are capable of, all of it set within easy reach in a welcoming environment.
But prospective buyers should not wait too long, warns Józef, as the country is looking to match the quality – and prices – of German and Italian goods in the not-too-distant future …
