• Largest international Interiors & Lifestyle trade fair in summer
• Stable number of attendees and more trade visitors from outside Germany
• Successful start to the order season of the second half of the year

It was the first opportunity for the Interiors & Lifestyle sector to purchase new merchandise for Autumn/Winter 2023/24 and the upcoming Christmas business: TrendSet Summer 2023! Over 20,000 trade visitors from Germany, Austria, Italy, and additional neighbouring european countries took advantage of the opportunity to order and network at TrendSet Summer 2023 in Munich, Germany. In six exhibition halls well filled with attendees, exhibitors, and products, the manufacturers and designers showed what will sell in Autumn/Winter 2023/24 in the Interiors & Lifestyle sector. In addition, the region of southern Germany with its neighbouring European countries – and Munich in particular – has shown itself to be a stable location with above-average purchasing power, especially during times of crisis.

Three days long, from 15 to 17 July 2023, at TrendSet in Munich, Germany, the motto was “Meet the trends, discover the future.” Trade visitors from many countries discovered, examined, and directly ordered the latest on-trend products and articles for the upcoming season and Christmas business. TrendSet is important to the Interiors & Lifestyle sector not only as a platform for trends and ordering, but also as a base for networking. Accordingly, TrendSet Summer 2023 was a meeting point for trade visitors and exhibitors for discovering, inspiring, ordering, and networking. TrendSet Summer 2023 also provided an outlook on trends and opportunities for the sector. The basic mood of attendees and exhibitors was positive despite the currently challenging conditions in the trade. This was shown by the stable attendee figures and good, if somewhat cautious, ordering behaviour. The situation in the trade is changing drastically and multiple crises are creating reluctance on the part of consumers, which, as expected, resulted in a somewhat noticeable caution in order volumes. The exhibitors were, as usual, satisfied with the course of the exhibition. During these challenging times, TrendSet has once again shown itself to be a stable anchor for the industry sector in southern Germany.

Visiting a trade fair has seldom been as important as it is today. Especially during a time of upheaval, in which the trade wishes to find new directions and solutions for how to address customers and sell products and services, exchanging ideas with one another and discovering new, promising products is absolutely essential. TrendSet offered the possibility to do just that once again to the Interiors & Lifestyle sector in Summer 2023. The good attendance figures support the image of the fair as a place for new ideas. “The trade, especially the stationary retail trade, has some turbulent times behind it and challenging times ahead. Growth is hardly achievable in most areas at the moment, while consolidation is still the most positive expectation for many. As a trade show, we naturally cannot solve the prevailing challenges such as inflation, cost pressure, staff shortages, and cautious consumer behaviour. But we do give the contacts from the retail, wholesale, online retail, hotel, and catering sectors new impetus at TrendSet, a platform for networking with other professionals, and, with the new trend products, also new opportunities to generate more sales. We are all in the same boat at the moment and have to deal with the same cost pressures. TrendSet also has to deal with rising prices for energy and other items. We try to keep the costs that we can influence as low as possible for our exhibitors and visitors,” said Tatjana Pannier, Managing Director of TrendSet.

Well-filled halls, new products, interesting conversations – TrendSet Summer 2023 is not only the largest international Interiors & Lifestyle trade fair in summer, but also the first opportunity to order and network in the second half of the year. A maximum of variety in areas, sectors, products, and trends, clearly arranged and presented in 15 Interiors & Lifestyle Fair Areas and three Topic Areas, provides space for new products and ideas and a lot of inspiration.

Already thinking about Christmas – in July, only retailers do that! At TrendSet Summer 2023, there was plenty of new merchandise and many new trends to discover for the upcoming Christmas business. The dampened consumer mood is causing a drop in sales in the retail sector. Particularly with a view to the year-end business, consumer uncertainty is generating reluctance to buy new merchandise. Nevertheless, visitors at TrendSet ordered new products for the busiest time of year in terms of sales. Hopes of an improved consumer mood during the second half of the year and an outlook for more willingness to shop and buy at Christmastime provided for good business in all product ranges at TrendSet Summer 2023. The exhibitors were satisfied with how the trade fair was going and with their order figures. Stable numbers of attendees, Munich as an ideal trade fair location, and the high quality of contacts at TrendSet made TrendSet Summer 2023 a success for everyone. Once again, everyone agreed that there is no substitute for the live experience of an exhibition with personal contact, especially in challenging times.

Special offers and much sustainability in the TrendSet Topic Areas

The Topic Areas TrendSet Newcomer, TrendSet Fine Arts, and TrendSet Bijoutex won over trade visitors with special, focused, and innovative novelties and products from Living & Giving. The small, innovative, new, and local companies at TrendSet Newcomer displayed promising, regional, fair, handmade, and sustainable products. At TrendSet Fine Arts, artists from the fields of painting, sculpture, photography, and graphics presented their contemporary art. Many trade visitors seized the opportunity to talk to artists and buy new art at fair prices from promising artists as an investment, to build up their own art collections, or to use as merchandise for their businesses. TrendSet Bijoutex was again well frequented with its attractive range of fashion, costume jewellery, and accessories.

The Topic Areas TrendSet Newcomer, TrendSet Fine Arts, and TrendSet Bijoutex won over trade visitors with special, focused, and innovative novelties and products from Living & Giving. The small, innovative, new, and local companies at TrendSet Newcomer displayed promising, regional, fair, handmade, and sustainable products. At TrendSet Fine Arts, artists from the fields of painting, sculpture, photography, and graphics presented their contemporary art. Many trade visitors seized the opportunity to talk to artists and buy new art at fair prices from promising artists as an investment, to build up their own art collections, or to use as merchandise for their businesses. TrendSet Bijoutex was again well frequented with its attractive range of fashion, costume jewellery, and accessories.

Well-being, nature, and sustainability are the focus of trends in Autumn/Winter 2022/23. The designs are designed to relax, harmonise, and inspire. Colours, shapes, patterns, and materials are implemented differently, but all of them interpret calm, relaxation, and balance at their core. Vintage decors meet glamorous metallics. Organic shapes, natural materials, and pure designs have both a cosy and modern effect. Colours, too, aim for positive emotion. Green and earth tones exude natural calm. Lively red brings depth and warmth into play. Bright orange and yellow shades show light and joy. Natural aesthetics, harmonious designs, and cheerful colours create new products with a high comfort factor in the Live & Give, Cook & Eat, Decorate & Create, and Work & Play areas.

Cosiness is the trump card: the trends for Christmas 2023

Classic Christmas themes with cosy designs and soft materials are prominent in Christmas 2023. Knits, flannel, fake fur, and velvet set luxurious and yet cosy accents in Christmassy green, white, and red. Christmas decorations in the farmhouse and cottage style bring rustic flair to rooms. Rustic patterns, natural designs, and robust materials provide cosy comfort during the cold season. Those who like it more modern during the holidays will reach for wreaths and baubles with glossy surfaces and candy-bright colours such as magenta, pink, and cheerful primary colours. Elements in antique designs demonstrate class. A bright lightness is ushered into the Christmas rooms by modern boho and minimalist natural decorations. Glittering decorations in gold and silver, excitingly combined with black, white, or pink, exude festive glamour.

Classic Christmas themes with cosy designs and soft materials are prominent in Christmas 2023. Knits, flannel, fake fur, and velvet set luxurious and yet cosy accents in Christmassy green, white, and red. Christmas decorations in the farmhouse and cottage style bring rustic flair to rooms. Rustic patterns, natural designs, and robust materials provide cosy comfort during the cold season. Those who like it more modern during the holidays will reach for wreaths and baubles with glossy surfaces and candy-bright colours such as magenta, pink, and cheerful primary colours. Elements in antique designs demonstrate class. A bright lightness is ushered into the Christmas rooms by modern boho and minimalist natural decorations. Glittering decorations in gold and silver, excitingly combined with black, white, or pink, exude festive glamour.

We have a high number of visitors at our stand and good order figures. The atmosphere is great and the customers are in a mood to buy. Maybe a little less than usual, but that was to be expected during the current times. I would say that the trade is optimistically realistic. The mood at TrendSet was, as always, super. Our staff members always all want to go to TrendSet in Munich. The fair is well organised and streamlined, and besides this, its team has remained human. That is worth so much!
Philip Wurm (Managing Director, G. Wurm)

TrendSet Summer 2023 had a high number of visitors, as always in summer. Everyone’s in a good mood and ordering is taking place. We also expect that here in Munich, because TrendSet is the fair that we really always back with sales. That’s why Munich as a trade fair location is very relevant. For us, the fair is going very well. We are all really positive about our taking part in TrendSet. The audience is very international, with a lot of visitors from the DACH region, too. We are very satisfied.
Jochen Becker (Country Manager DACH/Benelux, DESIGNLETTERS)

We do have fewer visitors at the stand than last year, but the same good sales situation in spite of it – so quality ahead of quantity. All in all, despite the crisis, including from the visitors from DACH and Europe, it is comparable to the last TrendSet Summer. The fair, the organisation, setting up, and dismantling are all going well and without a hitch, as always here in Munich.
Christian Foitzik (DACH Sales Manager, BOLTZE Home Collections)

TrendSet Summer 2023 is maintaining the absolutely high level of 2022. The attendance is good, despite the extreme temperatures. We are having the best Sunday in years, and we are satisfied.
Lars Adler (Managing Director, HOFF Interieur)

Innovation sells. We have a lot going on. Orders and attendance are at the same high level as at TrendSet last summer. We arrange many appointments before the fair and work on them here at the fair. Our regular customers come and we have gained over 10% new customers. For us, it’s not about having so many people here, but the right ones. And we meet them here.
Michael Rossmann (Managing Director, Pad Home Design Concept)

Munich is simply a good location. The flair in Munich is super. We do have slightly fewer visitors than last summer, but high sales and the same situation with orders. Many Swiss people are visiting our stand. The mood and atmosphere at TrendSet are very good.
Werner Meisner (Commercial Agency 2HAVE)

We are satisfied with how the fair is going. TrendSet Summer 2023 is going well; we have orders and are selling well. Sunday, especially, was super. We serve mostly visitors and customers from the Alpine region. Our products very much cater to the trend toward more sustainability. Our products are very much in demand here. At TrendSet, everything is great.
Katharina Ganseneder (Sales and Distribution, Allgäu Kräuterwerkstatt [Allgäu Herbal Workshop])

These days, customers are buying in a more targeted and aware manner. The ordering behaviour is a bit more cautious owing to the general economic climate, but people are coming despite that and are very interested in our new products. We are selling here well and pass on discounted purchase prices to our customers to be able to offer our top-quality articles at consumer-appropriate prices. The trade show location here is a must. We also reach many new customers at TrendSet. And the proportion of Swiss visitors has increased significantly this time.
Peter Kwoka (Managing Director, Kwoka Floristik)

We have a lot of traffic here; especially Sunday was really busy. We are seeing very good orders. The atmosphere is great and our customers are so happy that it’s trade fair time again and that they can find us here. They’re happy that they can see, feel, and experience our products live. We come from Finland and this is where we do our acquisition and take care of our customers from the DACH region and Europe. We are very satisfied.
Jaana Hjelt (Marketing Director, LAPUAN KANKURIT)

The fair is truly running well. Most of our visitors are Germans, Austrians, and Swiss. The visitors want new products and are ordering. Christmas products are being ordered especially well. And working together with TrendSet always works smoothly anyway.
Ute Vosteen (Managing Director, VOSTEEN)

Despite the heat on the first day of the fair, we had a lot of traffic on Saturday already. And starting on Sunday, it was even better. Christmas is our main business and the trade is ordering for it well here. Especially our seasonal gift sets are a real hit, because people always need to give or bring along a present during the holidays. We are very happy to come to Munich to TrendSet. The atmosphere is great, visitors and exhibitors are relaxed, and it simply all runs well with and at TrendSet.
Annika Wilk (Sales and Distribution, Accentra)

TrendSet is going well. Our regular customers and also a few new customers are ordering here. TrendSet is simply always positive.
Florian Hofer (Executive Management, Florex)

It is noticable that the trade is more cautious at the moment because of the crisis. Despite that, the important people are here. We have already welcomed the majority of our regular customers at our stand and even some new customers. Ordering is taking place and our new products are being well received.
Nico Attasio (Managing Director, DECORAMA)

There is a crisis and it can be seen in the ordering behaviour; the customers are more cautious and that is definitely sensible in light of the situation at the moment. That means it is even more important to meet in person, talk, and exchange at the fair. Touching and experiencing products is also important. But in addition, one needs a clear brand DNA and should also use social media, especially Instagram, for presenting one’s products.
Paul Christian Knudsen (Sales Director, Broste Copenhagen)

Last year in summer, it went a little better for us, but now, as well, we have traffic. How the stands are designed and offered here at TrendSet Newcomer is super.
Susanne Peuker (Managing Director, SCENTORIE.) – Topic Area TrendSet Newcomer

Personal contact at the fair is so important. People are just meant for analogue and not digital. People want to speak in person and touch and experience the products. There is no substitute for that. We have a lot of regular customers and new customers at our stand that wish to do exactly that. And then they order well as well.
Thomas Paschen (Managing Director, TATEETATA)

Sunday is going very well here. The shops are closed and the retail trade can visit the fair. The attendees from the trade come to be inspired by the new products and to order.
Verena Vorholt (Head and Creative, heldenglück.de)

Everything is OK here at TrendSet. It is noticeable that the trade is more cautious than usual. About 70% of our visitors order directly, while the remaining 30% have a look around and gather information. Most at our stand come from Germany, with about 10% from Europe outside of Germany. We have many new items that we present, which is why the fair is very important to us.
Jürgen Hüser (Sales  Management, Wajos)

It is noticeable that the retail trade is changing; it’s becoming more cautious and orders more cautiously. There are fewer people coming to our stand, but our turnover here is OK despite this. And TrendSet is, as always, a well organised fair.
Valentina Lo Tito (Area Manager, RICE)

You can see in the order figures the reluctance to consume in the trade, but we knew that and expected it. Otherwise, orders are coming in, but because of the general uncertainty, there are slightly fewer. Nevertheless, the mood at TrendSet is good and the clientele is, as always, very pleasant. Our regular customers are here. So, as always, all is well at TrendSet.
Tim Maier (Executive Management, AM-Design)

TrendSet is well attended. Customers are ordering; our average order values are about the same as in the previous year. The fair is, as always, good.
Darwin Molenaar (Internal Account Manager Large Accounts, Light & Living)

There are fewer orders coming in as usual, but that was expected, and the mood at TrendSet is, as always, good.
Ferry Mulder (General Manager, Cor Mulder)

At TrendSet Summer 2023, we have a good number of orders, as always at TrendSet Summer. We were able to attract the interest of many new customers. TrendSet is simply a good trade fair.
Elke Hermann (Commercial Agency, moses.)

TrendSet – 121st International Trade Fair for Interiors, Inspiration and Lifestyle from Saturday, 15 July to Monday, 17 July 2023 at Messe München (Munich Trade Fair Center) in Halls A1 to A3 and B1 to B3.