The reconceptualised imm cologne will launch the 2026 furniture year with robust international participation, as exhibitors from 27 countries have confirmed their attendance approximately four months before the trade fair opens. The event, scheduled for January 20-23, 2026 in Halls 4, 5, 10.1 and 10.2 of the Koelnmesse trade fair grounds, will feature particularly strong representation from suppliers in China and other Asian nations.
Positioning itself as the central sourcing platform for consumer-oriented interior design in the mid-range segment to entry-level price points, the trade fair adopts “World of Interiors” as its central theme. The event reflects current market developments as it brings the international industry together at the furniture destination of Cologne.
Market dynamics drive international sourcing
Recent official foreign trade statistics reveal that international supplier countries are becoming increasingly important in the German market. Imports from China have shown particularly dynamic growth, increasing by 25 per cent to 1.7 billion euros in the first half of 2025 alone. A considerable 30 per cent of German furniture imports now come from China, while overall imports account for approximately 60 per cent of the German furniture market — a clear indication of the growing importance of global sourcing markets.
This dynamic is having a tangible impact on the supply landscape, as Asian producers are increasingly looking for sales markets in Europe while the retail sector and purchasing groups are realigning their ranges. Against this backdrop, imm cologne is positioning itself as a platform for initiating concrete business deals, with the event’s new direction receiving broad approval within the international industry.
Twenty-seven countries confirm participation
Suppliers from Asia will have a particularly strong presence at the event, featuring companies from China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. The organisers have also announced international group stands representing suppliers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Japan, Romania and Taiwan. Among other European exhibitors, Denmark and the Netherlands will be particularly well represented.
“A situation dominated by economic challenges calls for a platform for efficient sourcing. This is exactly where imm cologne comes in. The strong presence of Asian suppliers confirms the trade fair’s continued position as a crucial gathering for the global furniture trade — an event that bridges continents,” explains Bernd Sanden, imm cologne’s director. “These long-term partnerships create planning certainty — for both sides. Our exhibitors are immediately able to deliver worldwide.”
Structured approach to targeted sourcing
True to the event’s central theme of World of Interiors, imm cologne will cover the entire spectrum of the international interior design market, focusing on market-ready, high-demand solutions for the international furniture trade — from furniture store chains to purchasing groups and online retailers. The hall layout has been carefully planned to respond to current market conditions and provide orientation to help buyers stay focused during their visit.
Asian suppliers will be represented in Halls 4.2 and 5.2, reflecting the growing significance of international sourcing markets. Hall 10.2 will primarily showcase home and upholstered furniture from European suppliers, while mattresses and upholstered furniture will be presented in Hall 10.1. According to recent analysis by the Association of the German Furniture Industry, these segments have been particularly affected, with German upholstered furniture manufacturers reporting an eight per cent fall in turnover in the first half of 2025, while the mattress industry declined by 18.8 per cent.
