Recap: 51st IHGF Delhi Fair 2021 - Virtual
Furniture World News Desk on
6/2/2021
The 51st edition of IHGF Delhi Fair, held virtually from 19-23 May 2021, concluded after connecting its 700+ exhibitors with 2400 buyers from 110 countries as well as volume retail buyers and buying agents from within India. The show featured 12 well- defined categories offering plenty to choose from.
Theme Pavilions of Jammu & Kashmir and India’s North East Region with substantial representation of artisanal products added to the sustainability quotient. The show featured informative webinars offering plenty of insight on topical issues relevant to trade in the present times. While the enthusiastically planned physical show had to be cancelled in light of the second surge of the pandemic in India, this virtual edition with several engaging onsite experiences continued the sourcing cycle for buyers uninterrupted and helped capture global opportunities for manufacturers in India. Worthwhile to mention here is that manufacturing units of these exporters are fully functional with all Covid related SOPs in place.
Product offerings in a wide variety of categories in line with the lifestyle changes given the new normal comprised the ever popular soft and hard goods that exude the latest international design trends alongside those that boast of unique traditional workmanship & techniques. There was a wide variety and new innovations in Gifts, Decoratives, Furniture & accessories, Houseware & Utility, Lamps & Lighting, Christmas & Festive Décor, Carpets, Rugs & Floor Accessories, Garden & Outdoor, Handmade Paper Products and Stationery, Candles, Incense & Potpourri, Leather Bags & Cases, Fashion Jewellery & Accessories and plenty of Sustainable as well as responsibly manufactured products and new introductions - artistically crafted face masks and face covering accessories as well as artisanal products.
Buyers represented at the show were from 2XL Furniture & Home Décor, The Cotton Basket and Redtag from UAE; Barak Importaciones S.A., from Argentina; Boyd Blue pty ltd., Florabelle Imports Pty Ltd. and Bed Bath n Table from Australia; My Ocean Ltd., from Bahamas; TJX, D.O.T. Furniture Ltd, Home Depot, Blue moon emporium, Creative Design Ltd and Frankly Scarlet Designs ltd. from Canada; Myris Trade Ltd. from Czech Republic; Casablanca GmbH & Co. KG, Kangaroo KG, Crispe home & garden and Atlas GmbH from Germany; Zara Home from Spain; London Ornaments from United Kingdom; Tomo Corporation from Japan; as well as Ashley Furniture Inc , Benzara Inc, ELK Home, Walmart and Homeroots from USA, among others. Major Indian domestic retailers who visited the fair were Hometown - Praxis Home Retail Ltd.; Westside; @Home; Furniturewallla; Chumbak;
Reliance Retail Ltd; Onestop Retail Pvt Ltd, Godrej; Shoppers Stop; and Grasim Industries Ltd. Speaking about buyer response, Chairman, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (organisers of the show), Mr. Ravi K Passi, said, “the fair, though in a virtual mode, was a success, both in terms of exhibitor participation as well as buyer visits and subsequent business generated.” Reflecting on the success, Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, shared, “the pandemic has driven people to rethink their indoor spaces, and consequently there is renewed interest and inclination towards furniture, home furnishings, décoratives and garden products. Also, as the situation is easing out in major sourcing markets of Europe and USA, overseas retailers are keen to replenish their stores and step up their sourcing.”
After five energy-charged eventful virtual days, this comprehensive show for home, lifestyle, fashion, textiles & furniture and the only one of its kind, IHGF Delhi Fair, signed off on 24th May 2021. Selected participants were awarded the Ajai Shankar Memorial Awards for best virtual display; Gold, Silver and Bronze in various product groups.
The fair concluded with announcement of IHGF Delhi Fair - Autumn ’21 dates; 16-20 October 2021.
Major Product Groups at IHGF Delhi Fair
Home Textiles & Furnishing | Furniture & Accessories | Gifts & Decoratives Houseware & Home Utility | Lamps & Lighting | Carpets, Rugs & Floor Coverings Christmas & Festive Décor | Handmade Paper, Gift Wraps | Spa & Wellness Bathroom Accessories | Lawn & Garden Ornaments | Fashion Jewellery & Accessories.
About the Organizers: IHGF Delhi Fair is organized twice every year in Spring and Autumn editions, by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the apex organization representing handicraft manufacturers & exporters in India. EPCH facilitates its 11,000+ members to customize and offer unique styles and quality products to the global sourcing community. Beyond providing unparalleled business platforms to buyers & sellers, EPCH also provides comprehensive information about the sector to international buyers and ensures optimal interface between the Indian handicrafts industry and international buyers, facilitating harmonious business. Website: www.epch.in