The four days of the show have provided proof of the industry's drive and innovative spirit," commented Dr. Andreas Gruchow, the Deutsche Messe Managing Board member responsible for the event. "The themes selected for DOMOTEX were right on target. Several new initiatives proved highly successful, and the event's keynote theme of 'Customized Living' enhanced its reputation as a furnishings and lifestyle tradeshow."

A total of 1,371 exhibitors were on hand to present their trends and product innovations. The industry revealed itself as more innovative than ever, with unconventional patterns, spectacular designs and bold colors making for some eye-catching displays. "The new design trends for rugs and fitted carpets, parquet and laminate flooring showcased at DOMOTEX 2012 represent the epitome of lifestyle and contemporary interior design," Gruchow said.

High-caliber visitors from around the globe

Exhibitors were clearly delighted with the level of visitor interest in the event. Numbers were well up from Germany and abroad, particularly from Eastern Europe, North America and the Far East. "This confirms the success of our many co-promotional initiatives with exhibitors, associations and the media designed to generate maximum interest on the part of foreign and domestic visitors," Gruchow noted.

The majority of attendees at this year's DOMOTEX consisted of buyers from the retail and wholesale sector, members of the skilled trades as well as architects and interior designers. Numbers were up across all visitor categories year on year. Growth was particularly strong in the retail and skilled trades segments.

Exhibitors expressed strong satisfaction with the caliber of the show's attendees. Roughly 90 percent of these trade visitors are involved in their companies' purchasing decisions. The event's strong international flavor was also praised by exhibitors, with around two-thirds of all attendees coming from abroad. This confirmed DOMOTEX as a truly global business platform with the scope and reach to attract international markets and trends. "The ability to generate international leads here is a real boon for our exhibitors. Only at DOMOTEX can they reach such an international audience, eliminating the need for costly business trips later in the year," Gruchow explained. Yves Bonne, General Manager of the Belgian-based Beaulieu International Group, added: "DOMOTEX has real international charisma. This is the biggest and most significant platform for attracting a global audience."

Trends and design highlights at every turn

This year's DOMOTEX put a bright spotlight on flooring trends and innovative designs for the upcoming season. "With these fresh, contemporary designs, floors are playing a much more important role in interior decoration, as a lifestyle product in their own right," Gruchow noted. The displays in the different halls also highlighted a trend towards individualization, or 'customized' living. Whereas previously, carpets and floor coverings were only expected to be practical and easy to clean, these once-utilitarian items have now advanced to becoming unique objets d'art which make a statement of their own.