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With over 50,000 new products and collections on display, January Furniture Show is the perfect trade show for your new year trend spotting.
Our wide range of exhibitors cater to every budget, style, and level of the market, so you can find products and brands you love.
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29/01/24
JFS 2024 ends with a 6% rise in visitors and a record-breaking rebook!
The 2024 edition of the January Furniture Show closed on a high with not only a 6% 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% 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 4 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 that ‘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% conversion on VIP visitors, exhibitors had access to some of the top buyers from across the industry, with buying power +£1 million, up 18% 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, Fenwick, Furniture Village, Furniture World, FW Homestores, Glasswells, Habitat, Harbour Lifestyle, Homebase, Hopewells, Jarrolds, John Lewis, KEENS Belfast, La Redoute, Laura James, Leekes, Lenleys Home, Marks & Spencers, Morleys, NEXT, Nisbet, Oliver Bonas, Sainsbury’s, SCS, Sofa.com, Sofology, Sterling Furniture, Stokers, Swoon, Taskers, The Cotswold Company, The Very Group, Vale Furnishers, Ulsters Stores, Wayfair and lots more! Across all retailer groups there was a significant growth in attendance in particular: department store attendance up by 18%, distributor attendance up 25%, wholesaler attendance up 16%, interior designers attendance up 8%, and contract buyer attendance up 40%. 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.
This year’s edition was enhanced with the introduction of the Champagne Bar in Hall 1 and the Festival Food Court in Hall 2. Both of these locations were perfect to relax, unwind and catch up with clients. The high-end setting of the Champagne Bar was an excellent asset for those looking to hold meetings onsite or treat clients to a drink or two. While the Festival Food Court offered a variety of lunch options and was conveniently located in Hall 2. Plus, VIP’s got to enjoy exclusive access to the beautiful VIP Lounge when they could enjoy complimentary lunch, wine and refreshments. These new additions strengthened the show’s overall experience, making it a more enjoyable event for visitors.
The Crafting the Future Networking Hub hosted a variety of talks throughout the show along with live craft demonstrations in partnership with The Furniture Makers’ Company and the AMUSF. Visitors were able to see pieces come to life as talented designer-makers worked on woodwork pieces and upholstered chairs during the show.
Networking was a key theme at this year’s JFS with the multiple social events across the show. Sunday night kicked off with the Show Party and celebration of the Furniture Awards in collaboration with Furniture News. The industry came together and raised a glass to the talented collection of winners:
Best of British
Winner: Alpha Designs Upholstery
Highly Commended: Lebus Upholstery
Global Player
Winner: Qualita
Highly Commended: Tomasella Industria Mobili
Design Innovation
Winner: Whitemeadow Furniture
Highly Commended: A.L.F. UNO
Superior Service
Winner: Iconography
The networking continued at Monday evening’s Women in Furniture Network: Speed Networking event, which saw an expert panel take to the stage including Donna Bellingham, CEO of Shackletons, Laura Newbold-Breen, COO of ACID, Farkhanda Hussain- Butt, Director at Shire Beds and Ingrid Lohse, CSO of Forte, led by Clarion Retail Portfolio Director Zoe Bonser. Women from across the industry came together to not only hear from industry figureheads but also meet and connect with other women from across the industry as they participated in the Speed Networking part of the evening. Victoria Ross, National Sales Manager for Forte Furniture, spoke highly of the importance of the Women in Furniture Network saying ‘I would certainly recommend any of my contacts in the furniture industry, whether you are new or have been around a while, to have a look at joining this network where I had the opportunity to meet, not only lovely, but insightful, interesting women who, without this event I would probably never encountered. Who knows what that random connection might turn into.’
Rounding off the show was Tuesday’s Happy Hour where the winners of the Best Stand awards were announced. Stands were judged on their design aesthetic, innovation, use of materials and the wow factor. It was clear from walking round the show that there was stiff competition, however, the winners were:
Hall 1
Winner: At the Helm
Runner up: Joint Tie with Himolla Polstermoebel GmbH & Whitemeadow
Hall 2
Winner: Febland
Runner up: Fifty South / Premier Housewares
Hall 4
Winner: Forte
Runner up: LPD- Ltd
Hall 5
Winner: Buoyant Upholstery
Runner up: Lebus Upholstery
Buoyant Upholstery’s Development Director, Glen Ainsworth, said ‘We really enjoyed exhibiting at the JFS, it was great to see all our customers and the feedback to our new ranges was amazing. The icing on the cake for us was winning Best Stand in Hall 5. Well done once again to the entire Buoyant Team.’
Ending JFS on such a high with the show’s best ever rebook, signals the importance of the show and desire for the industry to unite at this time every year in Birmingham. Mark your diary for the 19-22 January 2025, but in the meantime the Manchester Furniture Show will soon be here from the 10-11 July. The Furniture Show team are gearing up to relaunch the furniture industry’s favourite summer sourcing event which will once again bring together the sector, in a sociable and fun setting.
See you in July!
The January Furniture Show Image Gallery can be found here.
For Press enquires please contact Franky Sequeira here.
06/11/23
JFS enhances the visitor experience, as Hall 1 sells out!
The countdown is on for the January Furniture Show’s (JFS) grand return to the NEC Birmingham from the 21-24th January 2024. The 2024 edition is gearing up to be the best yet not only with the best brands exhibiting - Hall 1 is already sold out - but there will also be an exciting array of new additions to the show that are sure to enhance the visitors' experience.
JFS will see 20,000+ quality buyers flocking to the NEC Birmingham over the show’s 4 days to explore the latest products from over 400 brands. Registration is significantly ahead of last year with 1000s of key buyers already signed up from the likes of Argos, Blue Diamond, DFS, Marks & Spencers, Kenwood Furniture, Oak Furnitureland, NEXT, Sainsburys, Stokers, The Cotswold Company and lots more. Alongside their sourcing, visitors will be able to enjoy an atmosphere filled with a passion for innovative design and effortless style. 2024 will see JFS enforce its reputation as the destination for the furniture industry to connect, source and collaborate.
Here are the new elements being added to the show:
VIP Club
By invite only, a selection of buyers will be granted access to the VIP Lounge where they can relax and unwind with a complimentary light breakfast and refreshments throughout the day. VIPs will also be able to use a private car park, private entrance, cloakroom, and early show access. They can also enjoy a bookable sit-down lunch giving VIPs the chance to recharge and recount on the day's deals and meetings.
Champagne Bar & Show Bar
The brand new Champagne Bar in Hall 1 will be the perfect place for networking offering a chance for visitors and exhibitors to relax after a busy day of successful sales and sourcing. On the Sunday evening from 5:30pm visitors and exhibitors can join the JFS team at the Show Party to celebrate the winners of the Furniture Awards, in partnership with Furniture News.
Festival Food Court
Hall 2 will see the introduction of the Festival Food Court where visitors will be able to purchase delicious lunch options and take a well earned break from sourcing. Across the show’s 4 days visitors will be able to choose from a wide selection of styles and flavours at the Court’s different vendors.
Workshop Sessions
Away from the show floor both brands and attendees can enrich their knowledge and gain valuable insights through a diverse range of workshops and sessions. The agenda will feature key industry leaders from ACID, FIRA and The Furniture Maker’s who will host engaging sessions covering a variety of topics and challenges currently facing the industry.
Product Showcase & Experiential Stations
As visitors enter each hall they will be greeted with brand new product showcases offering design innovations from the JFS’ most cutting-edge brands. These showcases are sure to spark inspiration along with new immersive experiential areas to explore presented by Young Furniture Makers (YFM), The Furniture Makers’ Company, and the British Furniture Makers (BFM).
Women in Furniture Network
The Women in Furniture Network (WIFN) will be bringing their 3rd event to JFS for a Speed Networking session open to women from across the industry. On Monday 22nd January from 5:30pm at the Networking Hub in Hall 5 women can join the fast growing WIFN community where they will find a supportive space for growth and professional development.
WIFN events are tailored to advance women in the furniture industry, offering them a key opportunity to build new connections, cultivate collaboration, expand their professional network and access mentoring support.
International Pavilions
Visitors will be immersed in a global showcase of design and innovation in Hall 4, which will feature international pavilions. They will be able to journey around the world discovering the latest furniture, trends and creations from leading manufacturers from Romania, Poland, China, Vietnam, and Portugal.
Crafting the Future Networking Hub
See furniture come to life in the brand new immersive Crafting the Future Networking Hub. Here visitors can attend a series of networking fringe events, as well as finding a vibrant space to conduct business meetings. Within this space there will also be The Furniture Makers showcase of Young Furniture Makers (YFM) and live craft workshop hosting sessions and demonstrations across the four days of the show.
A reimagined look and show edit.
Following JFS’ colour palette update earlier in the year which saw the introduction of a clean and contemporary muted colour palette, it only seemed right to revamp the show floor as well. This year the show floor has been reimagined to optimise the visitor journey across the show’s core areas: Premium Design (Hall 1) our newest edition the Home & Lifestyle Show (Hall 2); Living, Dining & Cabinet (Hall 4); Upholstery & Beds (Hall 5). As visitors explore each hall, the products will be showcased to show their features and design to their full potential.
This is just a glimpse of what awaits you at JFS, so get your badge now and join us in Birmingham next January.
For more information about the event, please visit https://thefurnitureshows.com/ and regsiter for your free badge here.