2007　4〜6月

2007　1〜3月

2006　8〜12月

2006　4〜7月

2006　1〜3月

2nd World Furniture Congress is held in Shanghai

Held in Shanghai International Convention Center

During 11 to 12 September, 2nd World Furniture Congress is held in Shanghai International Convention Center, which is held by World Furniture Federation and China National Furniture Association. As the first international furniture exhibition held in China, it is a good opportunity to build and improve business relationship with the partners of furniture industry.

The only undertaker of this congress is Shanghai Bohua International Exhibition Company. The aim is to improve the cooperation in world furniture Industry, establish a platform for trade communication, strengthen trade relationship, analyze the trend of international furniture market and discuss how to improve cooperate governance.

That 2nd World Furniture Congress and The 13th China International Furniture Expo are held together not only support the top-drawer congress of furniture industry, but also indicate that 13th China International Furniture Exhibition will have higher grade. Organizational principals and corporation representatives from all over the world and domestic representatives in furniture industry will attend this congress, the number of which is up to over 700.

As an international congress which is highly paid attention to by furniture manufacturers and representatives from all over the world, this congress will put 13th China International Furniture Exhibition into a new level. Meanwhile, this is an important opportunity to establish brand effect and upgrade brand presence for all the media and enterprises.

Mr.Yasumasa Kosuga and Mr.Minoru Nagahara made speech at 2nd World Furniture Congress　held in Shanghai at the Shanghai International Convention Center.

<Mr.Yasumasa Kosuga>

• Chairman of International Development Association of Furniture Industry of Japan
  
• ◇PRESENT FURNITURE MARKET IN JAPAN AND ITS FUTURE PROSPECT
  (1) Trend of furniture market downed half but slowly recovering
  1991 Furniture market $60billion　　2004 Furniture market $30billion
• (2) Import grow rapidly. Domestic manufacturer facing difficulty
  1990's Upper market - European,American 10%
  　　　　Middle market - Domestic 60%
  　　　　Lower market Asian 30%
  2000's Upper market - European,Domestic 20%
  　　 　　Middle market - Domestic 30%
  　　　　Lower market - Asian 20% 　China 30%
  Twin peak market
  Young - Less interested in design more in price
  Baby boomer- QuaIity conscious
  Price structure destroyed by China import
  
• (3) Notable phenomenon of winner in retail market
  (a) Home center (DIY) with furniture floor and home fashion store with furniture floor grow
  fast by chain operation
  Key of success - Manufacturer retailer
  - Low price marketing
  - Fashion store image
  - Entertainment
  (b) New evolution
  Life style store with apparel floor - MUJl
  (c) House developper active in upper furniture market by enploying interior decorator
  
• (4) Future Prospect of Economy
  (a) Economy flat growth. Food and clothing market declining but only dwelling market will
  grow
  (b) Low birth rate
  
• (5) Key factors in future market
  (a) Success of voluntary chain
  (b) Life style store or speciality store in big shopping mall
  (c) Evolution of new Japan design

<Minoru Nagahara>

• Chairman of Federation of Japan Furniture Manufactures Association
  
  ◇The Japanese furniture industry is estimated to have decreased its amount of production and shipments by approximately 50 percent in the ten-year period between 1 995 and 2005, and thereafter sinking below one trillion yen in 2006. The reason for the decrease is obviously the market entry of lower priced products imported from various other Asian countries including China. However, it was Japan's commercial capital that promoted this drastic
  change at large shopping centers.
  
  ◇Today, several issues have been pointed out regarding the direction of the Japanese industry.
  1 Mass-production of low quality products is a waste of timber resources.
  2 Mass-consumption of timber deteriorates the global environment, as well as evokes a sense of resource nationalism that could trigger new international conflict.
  
  ◇In response to these points, we, the Federation of Japan Furniture Manufactures Association, advocate the following:
  1 We manufacture only necessary amount of higher-quality furniture and do not mass-produce.
  2 For domestic products, we encourage extending the lifetime of products by providing the necessary repairs and reproduction.
  3 Any companies or individuals involved in the furniture industry shall participate in foresting operations, as well as perform tree-planting activities to the best of their ability.

2nd World Furniture Congress

ＵＲＬ　　　http://www.worldfurniture-congress.com/

（2007/09/28）