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On September 7, the 32nd Guangzhou International Furniture Fair officially kicked off. This major event drew participation from renowned exhibitors across China, including key furniture production bases such as Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shandong, and Beijing. International brands from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other countries also joined the exhibition, showcasing their latest designs and innovations.
The fair featured 13 exhibition halls divided into four main areas: modern civilian furniture, classic civilian furniture, outdoor furniture, and home accessories along with textiles. Leading brands presented their most advanced products, offering a rich visual and sensory experience for visitors. Despite the impressive display, the first day of the event saw unexpectedly low attendance.
Many exhibitors and attendees noted that the foot traffic was significantly lower compared to this year’s spring edition and the same period last year. Some described the scene as quiet, far from the bustling atmosphere they had expected. “I remember the spring exhibition was very lively, with people everywhere,†said Mr. Li, who visited the event at 11 am. “Today’s turnout is much less—maybe half of what it used to be.â€
As reporters walked through the exhibition halls, they observed sparse crowds, especially in the classic furniture zones. In Hall 4 and Hall 5, which housed several well-known brands, many booths remained largely unvisited. Mr. Huang, a business manager at Xueyou Furniture, expressed disappointment but hoped for an improvement in the coming days.
Hall 2.2, home to high-end brands like Red Apple and Styroland, saw slightly better attendance, but still fell short of previous years’ levels. The subway station near the venue, usually crowded during the event, was nearly empty, further highlighting the drop in popularity.
Exhibitors have offered various explanations for the decline. Mr. Gao, Regional Manager at Federal Group, pointed to the timing of the event, coinciding with the “golden nine silver ten†period—a busy time for dealers preparing for marketing campaigns. He also mentioned that product innovation has been lacking, leading to decreased interest among new dealers and agents.
Hu Yixiang, Executive Vice President of Styroland, took a more optimistic view. While acknowledging the lower foot traffic, he believed the market wasn’t necessarily in trouble. He pointed out that both exhibitors and buyers were more rational this time, with more mature and refined products on display. With the house-buying season approaching and the wedding season on the horizon, he remains confident about the second half of the year.
Some exhibitors were still setting up their booths on the first day, which may have contributed to the slow start. Miss Wu from The Castle noted that the full impact of the exhibition would likely be seen in the following days.
Mr. Huang, Manager of Classical Furniture Development, added that the shift of some companies from export to domestic markets has affected the number of international visitors. Additionally, rising competition from Southeast Asian manufacturers has made it harder for Chinese firms to attract overseas buyers.
Tianlang Furniture’s Miss Sun also highlighted the impact of the concurrent Dongguan Famous Furniture Exhibition, which may have drawn away some visitors. She noted that the overall domestic market is struggling, and the rise of cheaper foreign competitors has further reduced demand for Chinese furniture.
Despite the challenges, the Guangzhou Furniture Fair continues to play a vital role in the industry, reflecting broader economic and market trends. Whether the event will recover in the coming days remains to be seen.