São Paulo – The nine firms featured in the Brazilian Pavilion of Index Design Series, the furniture and décor fair held last week in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates were able to strike deals worth USD 5 million, according to a preliminary survey conducted by the Brazilian Furniture Manufacturers Association (Abimóvel). Although the sum is less than the USD 6.4 million in deals seen in the past edition two years ago, it was still deemed very good by Abimóvel executive director Cândida Cervieri.
“We must consider that there were less companies participating: nine this time around, as against nineteen in 2015. Plus the floor space itself was 30% to 40% smaller this time,” the executive explained, adding that this is a worldwide trend: “Our pavilion, for instance, went from 700 to 400 square meters. This means costs were smaller as well.”
According to Cervieri, featured companies said fairgoer profile improved this edition. “The final result was very positive, with good sales results,” she said.
Abimóvel is already working on next year’s edition of the expo. The plan is to bring in more firms without increasing floor space, offering a seminar, and finding local buyers to match them with suppliers at Index. “Work on this project has already begun,” says Cervieri.
This year’s Index expo featured nine Brazilian companies: Artesano Móveis, BRV Móveis, Cristais São Marcos, Marilza Ramos, Móveis Carraro, Multimóveis, MZ Artes, Politorno Móveis, and Telasul. They are affiliated with the Brazilian Furniture project, a partnership of Abimóvel’s with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
