A buoyant mood following a busy start to the new trading year saw the vast majority of exhibitors at the January Furniture Show report strong sales.
Show co-director Laraine Janes comments: "Overall attendance was up, and Sunday trading proved an important addition to the show for independent retailers, evidenced by the 20% increase in first day footfall.
"Exhibitors reported exceeding expectations - some by a considerable margin - and our on-show re-bookings were higher than anticipated. Several new, major brands are also looking to take serious space at the 2017 show."
As the doors closed on the UK's biggest furnishing event, at which some 450 exhibitors presented the latest in cabinet, upholstery, beds, floorcoverings, accessories and fabrics, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Clive Kenyon-Brown, chief executive of Duresta, commented: "We've had a very good show - better than last year, which was also a good year for us, in terms of footfall and orders."
Irish-based Alfrank Designs' CEO Alan Sweeny said it was his company's best show in five years, commenting: "The quality of customer has really improved this year and there's been a very clear turnaround in confidence. We've also spoken to more Irish customers here than we have in the past 10 years which shows people are ready to invest."
Commenting on the re-introduction of hall 5 was Alan Cozens, MD of Steens: "Hall 5 is where we used to be and where customers expect to find us so it was good to be in familiar territory and being back here plus the Sunday opening has been a great improvement on last year's show for us."
Overseas visitors reported a successful show and improved UK sales. Javier Palao Chirlaque of Spanish sofa company Fama said: "We've been very happy with the show and the first two days were incredibly busy."
"Our new position, with other bedroom specialists nearby, has worked very well for us. In fact at this stage it may prove to be our best show ever," commented Wiemann's export director, Kai Schwenke.
The winners of the 2016 edition of The Furniture Awards were announced at the event, Think Rugs' Hong Kong 7526 crowned the winner in the Value Category, Bentley Designs' Cadell dining and occasional range in the Mid-level Category, and Nicoletti Home's Allure sofa in the Upper-level Category.
Read a full review of the event in the March issue of Furniture News magazine. Next year's show will take place from 22nd-25th January at the Birmingham NEC.
