The Hong Kong Houseware Fair and Hong Kong International Home Textiles Fair will open April 20th at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and continue through April 23rd. The fairs will take place one week prior to the 27-30 April Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, also being staged at the HKCEC, and the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair at AsiaWorld-Expo.
These four events organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), are expected to attract more than 6,600 exhibitors.
Global Green Trend
At a press conference today, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said consumers from around the world are becoming more conscious of environmental protection and low-carbon living, driving a fast-growing demand for green products.
"Companies from every industry are researching new green solutions to tap the consumer market," he said. "To respond to this market trend and better meet industry needs, we continue to enhance our fairs by setting up a themed zone to promote green products."
The 26th edition of the Houseware Fair will feature a new Green Living Zone to showcase a spectrum of innovative green houseware items for homes and buildings. Green products include items such as bamboo bowls and biodegradable garbage bags.
At the second Home Textiles Fair, visitors can find many eco-friendly products, which are made of biodegradable material or made using green manufacturing techniques. "The Gifts & Premium Fair will also include a new themed zone for Green Gifts; and the sixth Printing and Packaging Fair will present various green solutions for the industry."
Connecting with Creative Design
Jeffrey Lam, Chairman of the Houseware, Home Textiles and Gifts & Premium Fairs organising committee, said that with increasing operational costs, companies should add value to their products by working on design and branding.
"Developing ODM and OBM is the market trend, and the Hong Kong Houseware Fair is an ideal platform to promote branded products with innovative designs to the global market," he said. "Today s consumers tend to focus on the extrinsic value of a product, including its design and branding. So, a creative design along with functionality become indispensable for successful products."
Reflecting that market trend, the HKTDC will introduce themed zones at the fairs to bring together creative designs with practical utility. The Hall of Elegance at the Houseware Fair; the Hall of Glamour at the Home Textile Fair; and the Hall of Fine Designs at the Gift Fair are designed to promote branded products and innovative designs. Among the many interesting products which will be on display are blinds made of bamboo, grass or seaweed; carpets made of natural fibre extracted from the husks of coconuts; a chair-like egg cup made of silicone; USB memory sticks with various creative designs and a paper greeting card which delivers a video greeting.
Rising Living Standards, Rising Demand
The Hong Kong Exporters Association Vice-Chairman Benson Pau noted that The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair "is the biggest gift fair in the world," and predicted that the 26th edition of the event will attract more than 4,030 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions. "We will also co-ordinate over 380 local exhibitors to set up the Hong Kong Exporters Association Pavilion," he said.
As living standards continue to improve, consumers are increasingly conscious of their health. This year s gifts fair will respond with a new Personal & Well-being Gifts Zone to help companies capitalize on the trend.
The pet supplies market is also growing in parallel with consumer market trends and improving living standards. Data from the Euromonitor research institute reveals that global sales of pet supplies recorded growth in recent year, especially the food and health products for pets are capturing a rapidly growing customer base. In response, the World of Pet Supplies at this year s fair will feature a new Pet Food & Supplements section.
