Houseware companies are optimistic after Hong Kong's Census and Statistics Department recorded a 17.6 per cent rise in exports of household products in the first two months of this year.
Exhibitors at this year's Hong Kong Trade Development Council's (HKTDC) Hong Kong Houseware Fair are also confident about the recovering market.
'Buyers at overseas international houseware fairs have shown increased interest in the products, which means they foresee that the market is going to recover from the economic downturn soon,' says Donathan Chan, brand manager of exhibitor Loveramics.
Asia's largest houseware fair, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is being held from today until Friday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, with more than 2,100 international exhibitors from 32 countries and regions. The HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles Fair, which is a spin-off from the houseware fair, is being held concurrently.
The houseware fair features various product zones and new product zones entitled Home Accents, Home Living, Outdoor Living and World of Fine Dining. The aim is to make sourcing easier for buyers.
The World of Pet Supplies zone is back once again, showcasing pet-related products and services of more than 100 exhibitors, 43 per cent more than last year. New participating countries are Japan, the Netherlands and the United States.