Premiere a huge success

The first Asia-Pacific Sourcing fair in Cologne for Asian products in the house, garden and leisure segments was a hit with both exhibitors and visitors. From 27 February to 1 March 546 manufacturers and retail companies from 15 countries exhibited hardware/DIY, garden and ambience products in an overall exhibition area of 32 000 m2. More than 7 000 trade visitors from approximately 60 countries were registered, over two-thirds of them from abroad. According to a visitor survey 21 per cent of those attending were from the retail trade, 38 per cent were engaged in wholesale and foreign trade and 25 per cent came from industry.
The key national and international players from the major retail groups were in attendance, including buying commissions from Home Depot, Carrefour and Baumax, along with representatives from the German sector, for example from Obi, Hornbach, Metro/Praktiker, Rewe and Bauhaus. Buyers from the discount and mail order trade were also there.