Thursday, January 29, 2026
With a sharper focus on efficiency, sourcing, and international business development, imm Cologne 2026 successfully repositioned itself as a B2B-only trade fair, delivering four highly targeted days of range planning and deal-making for the global furniture industry. Held from 20 to 23 January 2026 in Cologne, the event demonstrated how a streamlined format can effectively respond to current market conditions.
A total of 339 exhibitors from 28 countries presented market-ready home furniture solutions spanning entry-level to mid-range price segments. More than 10,000 trade visitors attended, with feedback consistently highlighting the high quality of business discussions, shorter decision-making processes, and the ability to place orders efficiently. The revised concept clearly resonated with buyers seeking a reliable and focused start to the new business year.
“In a challenging market environment, efficiency is what matters most,” said Matthias Pollmann, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse. “With imm Cologne 2026, we deliberately created a compact B2B sourcing platform where visitors could quickly gain an overview, make strategic purchasing decisions, and build new business relationships. Exhibitors and visitors made full use of this opportunity.”
Operating under the World of Interiors umbrella, imm Cologne provided a central marketplace for comparing collections, developing assortments, and initiating supplier partnerships early in the year. The trade-only positioning attracted a highly relevant visitor profile, including key decision-makers from purchasing groups, retail chains, wholesale and specialist retailers, e-commerce platforms, and mail-order companies.
Well-known companies such as ALDI, Amazon, IKEA, XXXLutz, POCO, Westwing, Alliance Verband, Europa Möbel Verbund, GARANT Holding, porta, and Zurbrüggen Wohn-Zentrum were among those represented. International attendance was particularly strong, with the largest European visitor groups arriving from Belgium, France, Great Britain, and the Netherlands.
Participants reported a high number of concrete business leads, with many discussions progressing directly into signed agreements. “Cologne is an ideal trade fair location thanks to its excellent transport connections and international appeal,” said Fritz Bleilinger, Sales Manager DACH at Man Wah. “Our decision to participate in imm cologne 2026 proved absolutely right—we established valuable new international business contacts.”
The exhibitor landscape at imm Cologne closely mirrored current developments in the furniture market. Changes in sourcing strategies and the growing relevance of international procurement were evident across the halls. According to German foreign trade statistics, imports now account for around 60 percent of the German furniture market, with imports from China reaching €2.4 billion between January and September 2025. Approximately 30 percent of German furniture imports now originate from China.
These dynamics were reflected in the exhibitor mix, with Asia strongly represented and China leading with 252 exhibitors. To further diversify the offering, national pavilions showcased furniture manufacturers from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Japan, Romania, Taiwan, and Turkey, highlighting the increasing globalisation of furniture supply chains.
Beyond sourcing, imm Cologne also created space for dialogue and networking. An interior after-work event on the first evening provided a relaxed environment for exhibitors, buyers, and media to connect, while complimentary coffee services throughout the fair enhanced the visitor experience.
“imm Cologne 2026 demonstrated how essential it is to adapt trade fair formats to market realities,” said Bernd Sanden, Director of imm Cologne. “The strong response from exhibitors and visitors gives us confidence as we continue to refine the fair’s profile for 2027.”
The next edition of imm Cologne will take place in Cologne from 19 to 22 January 2027, with exhibitor registration already open and early-bird rates available until 30 April 2026. With its renewed B2B focus, imm Cologne has cemented its position as a dependable kickoff event for the international furniture industry.
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Tags: B2B furniture sourcing, Cologne furniture fair, furniture imports Germany, furniture industry trade fair, interior design trade fair, international furniture market
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