It is easy to dismiss furniture in a home as a utilitarian presence that is just there to satisfy a purpose. A dining table, however, is not just a large surface, and a couch is more than a comfortable place to sit. So much of an owner’s personality is reflected through their choice of furniture, and the higher the value of the furniture items in a space, the more of a home it is.
Over the years, an increasing number of people have rooted themselves in the UAE, creating a place of residence for their families and investing in their ‘forever homes.’ This transition led to the continuous growth of the regional furniture industry as no one wants tables and bookcases made of particle boards in their owned homes.
As per a report by Mordor Intelligence, people in the UAE are increasing their spending on renovating homes and investing in higher-quality products. The UAE home furniture market is anticipating a CAGR growth of over 6% in the next five years.
Another important metric to take note of that has further driven the regional furniture industry is the increased activities that the real estate industry has witnessed since last year alone. A report by Core Consultancy stated that nearly 36,000 units are estimated for handover in 2022. The increased construction activity — both in residential and commercial properties — rising urbanisation and the increase in disposable income are some of the major factors attributing to the growth of the GCC furniture market.
There is an increased penetration of imported furniture by regional countries, with the majority of imports coming from countries such as Turkey, China, Italy, and Malaysia, to name a few. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates host the biggest furniture markets in the region, with the latter relying on re-exports of furniture products and the former on the domestic consumption of furniture products.
Addressing this market demand, especially given the slowdowns that the world experienced over the past two years, limiting people’s choices to whatever furniture stock was available at any given moment, Hive Furniture Show launched in 2021 to change the way business is done in the furniture industry. The show, however, is not just a platform for exhibitors; it is a way for the industry and its players to participate in a refreshing experience that generates real, meaningful growth for all those who attend.
Hive Furniture Show is an exhibition that caters to big-box retailers and wholesale traders, granting furniture manufacturers the opportunity to showcase their collections to traders. The show’s first edition proved to be a huge success, witnessing the participation of over 50 global exhibitors and encouraging us to expand our ambitions for this year’s show. The 2022 Hive Furniture Show, taking place at Expo Centre Sharjah from 13 to 16 June, will host more than 100 exhibitors showcasing their products.
Visitors will gain the opportunity to explore the latest furniture trends and network with manufacturers from across the globe under one roof. Collections will include furniture pieces for offices, living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and outdoor furniture. Over 2,000 visitors from 25 countries are expected at the event to explore the inventories of global buyers from the UAE, Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania, and India, to name a few.
On our journey to consolidate Hive Furniture Show’s position as the Gulf’s leading curated trade home furniture show, we will continuously cater to the rising demand for high-quality furniture, subsequently growing our exhibitors and adding new categories in future editions, including textiles, home accessories, as well as, expand to other countries in the region and North America.
Manish Bhatia, Co-Founder of Hive Furniture Show.