Furniture Trade Show IMM Cologne Cancelled for 2025

One of the largest and most influential furniture trade events in Europe will no longer take place next year.

Show organizer Koelnmesse, in collaboration with the Association of the German Furniture Industry (VDM) and the German Furniture and Kitchen Retailers Association (BVDM), has decided to skip IMM Cologne‘s January edition because of the challenging conditions the furniture industry is currently facing.

“It was unavoidable in order to show our international customers some consideration,” says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Böse about the cancellation. “Due to its January date, IMM Cologne did not take place three years in a row during the pandemic. This lack of continuity, coupled with the current economic environment, makes it impossible for us as event organizers to guarantee an attractive range of exhibitors for the retailers in Cologne in January 2025.”

In making its decision, Koelnmesse specifically pointed to the many German furniture manufacturers that are in troubled waters, as there is scarce domestic demand for furniture. As a result, they are keeping a close eye on spending.

“Unfortunately, the industry’s current situation is forcing many companies to change course,” says VDM president Leo Lübke.

According to the latest VDM industry figures, the entire market recorded a significant fall in turnover in 2023, as well as in the first six months of 2024. It dropped by 9.7 per cent for all furniture and by 11.2 per cent for upholstered offerings. Employee and company numbers are also going down.

VDM and other industry stakeholders are currently working with Koelnmesse on the development of a new, more viable future trade fair format.

“More than ever before, we must now concentrate on securing and strengthening our position,” says BVDM president Markus Meyer. “The industry needs a strong platform like IMM Cologne in order to restructure itself in a way that ensures its future viability.”