Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld – opened the new business season with topics of current relevance to the DIY sector. 3,051 exhibitors from 74 countries presented their latest products for seasonal and festive decorations, paper, office supplies and stationery, as well as hobby, crafts and artists’ requisites, to the national and international trade. 

The three trade fairs attracted around 84,000 visitors from 163 countries to Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre with numerous new products, product presentations and a future-oriented complementary programme of events.

“Besides future-oriented, sector-specific themes, it is the high level of internationality and the outstanding visitor quality that make the three fairs an indispensable platform for the trade and industry. Our fairs bring together the sector’s global players at the same time and place for personal contacts that represent the key to success for the entire consumer-goods sector in this digital age”, said Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt.

This year’s Creativeworld celebrated freedom wholeheartedly. The focus is on the need to combine the old and the new: furniture, accessories and clothing are given an update with chalk paints, glitter and coarse embroidery, making them new favourite items. 

Behind the new enjoyment of upcycling and the innovative treatment of objects taken from flora and fauna, there is also the need in the creative sector to move in harmony with nature. This approach is reflected in the focus on recyclable materials, biodegradable ingredients, reduced packaging, refillable cartridges and certified wood.

"The theme of sustainability has definitively arrived in our sector", says efco CEO Martin Erler. "This began with papier-mâché objects made from scrap paper, beeswax cloths and fully compostable ironable beads made from certified plastic. Specialist retailers are reacting very well to the products because demand for them is growing."