This month we’re asking retailers: What were your thoughts on this year’s January Furniture Show and INDX Furniture Show?
Style Furniture and Relax Sofas and Beds
The quality of presentation from the vast majority of exhibitors at JFS was exceptional. I found the show very professionally organised, both outside and inside the exhibition halls, and the quality of the vast majority of exhibiters stands were beyond reproach.
Home World – Mattress & Bed Centres
This year we visited the JFS at the NEC but not the INDX, I enjoyed the visit, it was worthwhile for us, I managed to find some products that we were lacking. Looking forward to selling these new products when they arrive, they will help us elevate our range. Great to see people & catch up on what is happening too. I always look forward to the JFS at the NEC show & will definitely go again next year. I only go for the day nowadays though; there’s no need for us to stay over.
Sopha
Wasn’t it great to see the halls carpeted again at this year’s January Furniture Show? It really helped restore the sense of polish and inspiration that should define our industry’s flagship event — something that was sorely missed last year. That said, the improved presentation didn’t necessarily translate into industry optimism. It was hard not to notice that the halls still weren’t full, which inevitably brings back memories of a much larger and more vibrant show in years past. The subdued atmosphere and quieter corners of the halls seemed to reflect a cautious industry outlook, possibly mirroring broader concerns about the economic landscape.
This caution was also evident in the products on display. While there were some fantastic designs, it felt like many designs this year are playing it safe — prioritising commercially proven pieces over more daring innovations. Every square metre of stand space and that of retailer’s floors has to be justified, leading to a more conservative product offering than we might have seen in more optimistic times. That said, there were still many highlights, especially in Hall 1, where we saw some beautifully designed stands and furniture clearly created to repeat. It was also great to see a mix of familiar faces and new exhibitors investing in high-quality displays, demonstrating resilience and confidence despite the highly talked about challenges ahead.
Dreamland Bedding Centre
The show’s offered us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the latest industry developments, not solely from a product acquisition standpoint but through a broader lens of trend analysis and visual merchandising inspiration. While the volume of new product launches was somewhat restrained, this did not detract from the exhibition’s fundamental purpose—identifying emerging market directions and drawing creative influence from the meticulously curated stand designs for in-store POS enhancements.
The atmosphere was particularly engaging, fostering an undeniable sense of camaraderie among exhibitors. This year, more than ever, there was a palpable synergy between representatives, each contributing to an environment of collaboration rather than competition. The show itself was thoughtfully arranged, allowing for seamless navigation. Attending on the final day, while resulting in a more subdued footfall, afforded us the significant advantage of dedicated time with each representative and agent, facilitating deeper discussions and strategic insights.
Fairway Furniture
JFS was rather underwhelming and disappointing. It didn’t seem very busy, and there were notable absentees. Plenty of manufacturers seemed to be playing it very ‘safe’, with uninspiring ranges and simpler stands, which is perhaps understandable given the rather subdued UK economic outlook. INDX was beautifully set out as a show but also quieter albeit we attended on the Sunday. We found it a more interesting and inspiring experience overall, even if some suppliers were similarly risk averse.
