On with the show Trade show updates from home and abroad January Furniture Show ends with a 6 percent rise in visitors and a record-breaking rebook! The 2024 edition of the January Furniture Show (JFS) closed on a high with not only a 6 percent rise in visitors but a record breaking rebook for the 2025 edition. A vibrant feel to the show was reflected in the buzz of the halls as top buyers flocked from across the world to the NEC Birmingham with over 25 percent of these buyers visiting for more than one day. Positivity for the show was evident, signalling the importance of JFS in reuniting the industry and embodying the show’s ethos of ‘building the future of furniture, together.’ With multiple opportunities at the show for networking and an emphasis on connecting with the industry, JFS brought brands, buyers, designers, architects, manufacturers, and distributors together in their passion for quality, innovative furniture. As the UK’s biggest furniture and home interiors trade show, the industry united for four days of product sourcing, networking and inspiration from top brands from across the globe. Peter Harrison, Executive Chairman at Furniture Village, explained why attending JFS is so important for himself and his team as they aim ‘to meet people as there are some terrific suppliers here and to find new products, see trends for colour pallets, finishes - anything that will help us to stay with it.’ While DFS Quality Manager, Kim Sprott, said there was: “great networking opportunities throughout the show. I’ve seen lots of new brands that we haven’t seen before, and JFS is the perfect place to see the new trends for the year.” Also, Natasha North from Dunelm said that JFS, “ticked all our boxes and we saw all the brands that we needed to see - mission accomplished.” Visitors weren’t the only ones who were pleased with the show, exhibitor Nichola Bell, the Sales Director for Alpha Designs, said: “JFS has been our best ever show, with high sales from very enthusiastic buyers and we’ve seen a good mix of new and existing customers.” Siobhan Walsh, the Strategic Planning Director for Scatter Box, said: “JFS has been a good show, as we’ve met new, quality customers’ which is evident in the show’s increased VIP attendance. With 83 percent conversion on VIP visitors, exhibitors had access to some of the top buyers from across the industry, with buying power +£1 million, up 18 percent since 2023.” Over the show’s four days, JFS saw top buyers attend from Argos, Arthur Llewellyn Jenkins, B&M Retail, Bensons for Beds, British Garden Centres, Daniels Stores, Debenhams, DFS, Dunelm, Fabb Furniture, Fairway Furniture, Wayfair and more. Across all retailer groups there was a significant growth in attendance in particular: department store attendance up by 18 percent, distributor attendance up 25 percent wholesaler attendance up 16 percent interior designers attendance up 8 percent, and contract buyer attendance up 40 percent. Plus, JFS proved to be an international affair with visitors coming from 53 countries including Belgium, Brazil, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Turkey and more. www.thefurnitureshows.com THE FASHION INDUSTRY SUPPORTS THE FIRST PURE LONDON X JATC The inaugural Pure London x JATC, the London festival of fashion, closed on a high following three highly productive days combining trend-led fashion, inspiring and educational content, global networking and game-changing new business opportunities. Retailers including John Lewis, Galeries Lafayette, Debenhams, ASOS, Liberty London, V&A, Marks & Spencer, Next, McElhinneys, Macbees, QVC, Cordelia James, Morleys, Jago, Rosypenguin, Agatha Boutique, Voisins, Urban Outfitters, Frasers Group, New Look and many more attended Olympia London across the event taking advantage of everything the show has to offer and buoyed by the new categories and destinations, edit of new and returning brands and inspirational trends. Leonie Burke, Leonies, Tipperary said: “The show feels better this year, it feels much more cohesive. I have found some great newness! I wasn’t looking for a perfume brand, but I found Ampersand. You will always be inspired at a trade show, it’s so good to browse the brands now the shows have combined you can see so much in one place!” Event Director at Pure London, Gloria Sandrucci welcomed record numbers of new brands to the show this season and commented, “We have been blown away by visitors’ reactions to the first combined Pure London x JATC. Together we have been able to champion new and emerging brands as well as showcasing established brands from all over the world. It has been a pleasure to welcome so many retailers from across the country and internationally and to hear their positive feedback!” www.purelondon.com 17 NEWS & EVENTS
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