The Nordstil Winter trade fair, held in Hamburg from 11th to 13th January 2025, provided a much-needed boost for the retail sector, with eight halls brimming with innovation, inspiration, and optimism. Over 750 exhibitors from 23 countries showcased their latest offerings, attracting around 14,000 visitors. The event marked a positive start to the trade fair year in Germany, with an increase in both visitors and orders, surpassing expectations.
Julia Uherek, Vice President of Consumer Goods Fairs, noted that 'Nordstil scored highly with an excellent order mood, trends, inspiration, and business galore.' The fair introduced refreshing product ranges that kept customers engaged despite ongoing challenges. The event's relaxed and familiar atmosphere was well-received by both exhibitors and attendees, providing an ideal environment for networking and exploring market trends. The Kitchen & Gourmet and Gifts & Stationery product areas were particularly popular, and the relocation of Jewellery & Fashion helped foster new connections in that segment.
The fair was especially significant given the current climate of increasing consolidations and insolvencies in the consumer goods market. Despite these challenges, exhibitors and retailers alike left the fair with renewed confidence. Beate Schraml, Director of GPK at the German Trade Association Handelsverband Wohnen und Büro, commented that the event's 'combination of an order fair, trend islands, and interesting expert lectures' made it a valuable experience for retailers. The Style & Design section, with its emphasis on Scandinavian design, was a particular highlight, offering a wealth of creative ideas for the home sector.
Exhibitors were similarly satisfied with the event. Christian Schmidt, Managing Director of Gift Company, described the fair as 'the best day of any trade fair in our company's history,' emphasising the high footfall and the positive, professional atmosphere. Other exhibitors, such as Thomas Poganitsch of Formpoet, noted the increased number of visitors and new customer contacts, particularly from smaller concept stores across Germany.
The fringe programme at Nordstil Winter provided further inspiration for attendees, with sessions focusing on visual merchandising, sustainability, and trends such as reduced-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. The Village showcased creative product presentation ideas, while the Nordlichter area highlighted innovations from young designers and start-ups with a strong focus on design and sustainability.
A standout feature of the event was the trend islands, which offered a curated preview of spring/summer 2025 trends. These trends, characterised by contrasts such as vibrant colours meeting soft tones and organic materials, provided retailers with valuable insights into customer preferences. In addition, sustainable offerings were highlighted through the Ethical Style programme, with companies like Fairwerk and Recozy presenting eco-friendly products made from recycled materials.
Overall, Nordstil Winter 2025 proved to be a highly successful trade fair, fostering optimism and growth in the retail sector. The next Nordstil Summer edition will take place from 26th to 28th July 2025, and the Winter event will return from 10th to 12th January 2026.
More information:
Messe Frankfurt GmbH
www.messefrankfurt.com