Heading for a new record: Ambiente starts today more international than ever

Economic signs set to go: good prerequisites for successful order days at the world's leading consumer-goods trade fair. Ambiente 2016, the world's biggest consumer-goods fair, is set to be the most international ever. With 79 percent of exhibitors coming from outside Germany - from a total of 96 nations - Ambiente is the global hub for trade visitors from over 150 countries.

Due to the construction work for the new Hall 12, which is just beginning, this year's fair brings together 4,387 exhibitors on 308,000 square metres of exhibition space (gross) (2015: 328,400 square metres (gross), 95 nations, 4,811 exhibitors[1]). “As the world's leading trade fair, Ambiente is the heart of the global consumer-goods market”, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt. In Germany alone, the products covered by Ambiente stand for a market worth € 27.6 billion (IFH Retail Consultants, Cologne). “The economic signs are set to go - globally and here in Germany. In other words, good prerequisites for five successful order days here in Frankfurt.”

With its three main sections - Giving, Living and Dining - Ambiente covers the entire spectrum of consumer goods. ‘The Show’ reflects the latest design trends in a variety of special exhibitions and thus provides visitors within practical insights into global consumption tendencies. “Ambiente showcases what people will be consuming in the future”, emphasises Detlef Braun.

The retail trade a vital economic pillar

According to the current edition of the ‘Metro Handelslexikon’, the worldwide consumer-goods market was worth around € 14.8 billion in 2014, which represents growth of approx. 8.8 percent over the previous year. Leading economists regard consumption as being a reliable pillar for the economy. Germany's ‘ifo’ Institute also sees the slight increase in overall production in 2015 as primarily being the result of domestic demand, the bulk of which was consumption. According to a forecast by the institute private consumption will increase by around two percent in 2016.

The Federation of the German Retail Trade (Hauptverband des Deutschen Einzelhandels - HDE) also shares this outlook. Altogether, Germany's retailers rang up their biggest sales increase - over three percent - for 20 years in 2015.[2] According to HDE, this is the result of the good economic conditions in the wake of increased employment, higher real wages and lower inflation.

New synergies for buyers in Hall 9.2

Accessories & Jewellery is the name of the new product segment in Hall 9.2. Part of the Giving segment, this is where international manufacturers present fashion accessories, watches and jewellery. By bringing together the exhibitors from Halls 9.2 and 9.3, the new segment generates new synergies for buyers. Advantages for exhibitors and visitors in this context come from the new parking area in Hall 9.3. “In the interests of our visitors, we have deliberately opted for an increase in the area set aside for services at the expense of exhibitor numbers and exhibition space for a limited period of time”, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt. The restructured layout of the fair in Hall 9 is the result of preparations for the construction of the new Hall 12, a permanent building to replace the former temporary, lightweight Hall 12 during Ambiente.

La Dolce Vita: Partner Country Italy

Like no other country, the republic to the south of the Alps stands for ‘la dolce vita’ and outstanding product design. To pay homage to Italian product design and lifestyle, Monday, 15 February 2016, will be ‘Italy Day’ with the spotlight on enjoying Italian cuisine, creative ideas and outstanding product design. The significance of Italy for the consumer-goods sector will be underscored by a special exhibition by star designer Paola Navone in the foyer of Hall 4.1. There, visitors can see products that have made Italy renowned as an export nation, i.e., dishes, glasses, porcelain, pots, pans, kitchen aids, etc., with everything being displayed in the colours of the national flag: green, white and red.

Overture: The Show begins!

Ambiente opens at a ceremony at Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre with representatives of the world of politics at 10.00 hrs on 12 February 2016. They include Peter Feldmann, Mayor of the City of Frankfurt am Main, and Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe in the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mario Giro, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will speak on behalf of this year's Partner Country, Italy.