Even with challenges in Western markets, the Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition drew not only a slight increase in visitors, compared with the 2012 event, but also a record number of countries took part this year.

In all, there were 1,321 exhibitors from 31 countries and regions and 39,189 visitors from 97 countries and regions taking part Aug. 27-29 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

Wendy Wen, senior general manager of fair organiser Messe Frankfurt, said China was the ideal platform for countries looking to get into the market.

“Speaking with domestic and international exhibitors over the last three days, I got the sense that there is still room for growth in the Chinese home textiles market,” Wen said.

She added, “Overseas suppliers have also confirmed the strong demand for overseas brands from Chinese consumers, and the features of this fair, such as the European and International Halls, the bedding & towelling halls, the sun blind product area, the Intertextile Design Boutique and the Carpet Zone have really helped them to promote their products much more effectively to domestic and international buyers.”

One of the most popular areas was the European Hall, in which buyers were drawn to high-end goods.

“All visitors were drawn to the Made in Europe brand, and European interior decoration is evidently a model that Asian visitors are keen to follow now that they are pursuing more refined lifestyles,” said Piercarlo Viganò, president of Proposte, a first-time exhibitor from Italy.

A highlight for many buyers at the fair was the new collections that were offered from industry-leading editors such as the JAB ANSTOETZ Group from Germany, LaCanTouch Decoration from China and Pasaya from Thailand.

Li Zheng, of JAB ANSTOETZ, said of the recent changes in buying habits in the domestic market; “Mid-range customers used to like classical products, but currently modern and contemporary designs are more popular, as they are in Western markets.”

The feedback from Chinese exhibitors also was positive and suggested exports to Western markets are beginning to recover.

“We have exhibited here for many years, and this edition is very good. A lot of export customers have come to our booth, and we have received many orders so far,” said Hantao Yi from Heye Time Spinning, a decorative fabrics supplier. “In fact, our export orders at the fair are double what they were last year, with buyers from the US, Europe, Russia and the Middle East.”

The 2014 spring editions of this fair will be held March 3-5 in Shanghai and March 18-22 in Guangzhou. The next Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition will be held Aug. 27-29.