Strong results for the 56th edition of the China International Furniture Fair (CIFF), held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai Hongqiao. With 1,500 exhibitors across 300,000 square meters of exhibition space and 92,709 professional visitors, the event confirmed its position among the leading Asian platforms for furniture and design.
International participation was particularly noteworthy: 11,873 overseas visitors, marking a 13.23% increase over the previous year, underscoring CIFF Shanghai’s growing appeal as a meeting point for the global furniture and design industry.
Six thematic sections and a cross-sector approach to design
Developed around the theme “Design Crossing Boundaries,” the fair brought together six concurrent exhibitions: WMF (dedicated to woodworking machinery), Upholstery Tech, Design Eden – Contemporary Design Trade Fair, Offices & Public Spaces Exhibition, Urban Outdoor Furniture Exhibition, and Home Textiles & Accessories Lifestyle Exhibition.
The offering covered eight main product categories, ranging from upholstered and sleeping systems to office furniture, decorative accessories, production machinery, and outdoor solutions.
Among the key additions was the debut of the New Retail Pavilion, an area dedicated to emerging models of sales and distribution in the furniture sector. More than 1,000 new products were presented, about 90% of them world premieres. Design remained a central focus, with particular attention to materials research, sustainability, and user experience. The participation of 15 emerging design studios alongside established brands contributed to a dynamic and diversified exhibition landscape.
Forums and exhibitions: design as a cultural and industrial driver
The fair hosted around 40 curated forums and exhibitions, organized into three main thematic areas: Design Eden, Design Industry, and Office Space. Among the highlights were The Italian Lounge, East Design Show, DDS × LT Live, Nomadic Store (re:store), and the Jintang Prize Winning Design Works Showcase, which offered insights into new creative languages and production models.
Shanghai also marked the debut of the Golden Creation Award, a recognition dedicated to outstanding products in China’s intelligent manufacturing sector, based on a multidimensional evaluation system. In the same context, the 16th edition of the Jintang Prize brought together designers and industry professionals, reaffirming the connection between innovation and design culture.
