Heimtextil to talk about latest in textile furnishings

Olaf Schmidt, Vice President of Textiles & Textile Technologies at Messe Frankfurt: “With the relocated ‘Let’s talk about…’ presentation area, we are able to offer architects, planners and decision-makers from the contract business, specialist retailers and interior decorators a central venue where they can find out about the latest developments in their sectors.”

E-commerce and online marketing

The very first day of the trade fair offers a highlight for bed retailers, interior decorators and anyone else looking for some initial insight into the topic of e-commerce and online marketing: “WebChance”, an expert forum featuring important information and a comprehensive overview of the process of online sales and advertising tailored to the needs of bricks-and-mortar retailers.

This allows Heimtextil to address a subject that simply cannot be ignored in today’s retail landscape, one that offers numerous opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Axel Augustin, Managing Director of the German Textile Retailers Association (BTE): “Retail means change – at all levels. Increasingly, purely bricks-and-mortar businesses are being replaced by multichannel enterprises featuring both a physical store and an online shop.

“As a result, classic forms of advertising such as newspaper adverts and brochures are being supplemented, or even replaced, by marketing measures in new media.” This is where the expert forum comes in, which will be highlighting synergies and new opportunities.

“The BTE association welcomes the ‘WebChance’ forum at Heimtextil, as it offers a chance for bed retailers to find out more about e-commerce, social media and other related topics.” In addition to reports on experiences and actual practice from the industry, “WebChance” will also be providing basic concepts, plans of action and success factors for professional e-commerce and online marketing.

Hotel of the future

On the morning of 10 January, the second day of the trade fair, the topic will be “Planning furnishings for the hotel industry – from ambience to room interiors”. Hotel furnishers and contract business experts will report on the latest findings on hotel beds and bathrooms as long-term success factors, among other things.