From Germany to Estonia, from Latvia to Spain, from Dubai to Canada and from France to Poland, the HOMI buyers agreed on some key points.

Starting from the observation that, after experiencing confinement, people’s approach the home has changed as they are looking for more home comfort, potential customers are actually more responsive to artisanship, Made in Italy, sustainability and circular economy, as well as being more willing to buy online. This last factor has been a deciding one for, for example, Federico Civitillo, co-founder and head of Vackart, a furniture e-commerce based in Barcelona.

“HOMI’s strength compared to other similar events”, says Civitillo, “is its level of Made in Italy brands with competitive prices that are accessible to a varied audience. In terms of spreading the e-commerce system, he also notes: “the first time we visited HOMI in 2015, when I said I was an e-commerce owner, I was looked at with suspicion. Now I noticed that it's exactly the opposite (the pandemic has done its thing): the rise of e-commerce is plain to see, and companies are interested in expanding their sales channels with online sales. Bear in mind that, although e-commerce is mainly geared toward B2C, there’s also growing interest from the B2B market (restaurants, bars, hotels) which used to turn to traditional retail. They now recognise the greater ease of e-commerce, both in terms of catalogue and delivery time. An incredibly important factor in the interior design industry.”

Civitillo points out: “an Italian label is an unquestionable sign of guaranteed quality products. The problem that there has always been - speaking for the Spanish market - is that it has always been associated with high prices. The opportunity offered by HOMI is finding quality Italian brands with affordable prices that can be sold to a middle-class market. From this experience, I would like to take several Italian brands back home, finalise collaborations to allow them to enter the Spanish market and become an e-commerce that represents Italian brands abroad.”

How the sustainability of products on show is perceived is also interesting: “the added value of HOMI is the great strides brands have made in terms of sustainability and upcycling. As of today, we should no longer be working with brands that do not live up to these standards.” Civitillo then concludes: “I'm glad to have found several enterprises whose core business revolves around the value of these features and standards”.

Maria, the Polish representative of e-commerce platform Westwing, also discusses these aspects: “at HOMI, I enjoy the variety of products and their quality. I was struck by the focus on sustainability and the recyclable and multifunctional products. Made in Italy is always in great demand on the Polish market.”

Annick Boucher, buyer for the Parisian department stores Galeries Lafayette and BHV Marais, also concentrates on the importance of Made in Italy. “I'm excited to discover brands here that you can't find at international trade fairs. This exhibition centres on Italian brands with a focus on artisanship, which allows us to set ourselves apart from globally renowned names on the market. I've also noticed that there are products made from recycled and recyclable materials, and it’s important to find new suppliers that are consistent with this trend.”

Following the same approach, German Daniela Lendzion, buyer for Casa Vivendi, is satisfied to have found excellent ideas that are also economically good for the environment, which can be used for different things without waste. “That's exactly what our customers are looking for”, she says.

Canadian Adriana Bolzan, who represents a distribution company based in Toronto, also expressed her appreciation of and interest in innovative products, particularly artisan ones. “I like HOMI because you can find products that we don’t have. Following the pandemic, people have become more interested in the home, looking for artistic and handmade products, with an eye to the world-famous Made in Italy, which I like because I know I can find it here.”

Buyers at HOMI also relish the intimate setting: “it's a trade fair where you can find companies that don't exhibit at international fairs. You can find beautiful textile and natural material enterprises”, says Svetlana of Muster (Skandi Sisustus OÜ), “here you can discover trends and small production companies like those that make Murano glass, so it’s interesting and lovely to be here again... Customers are looking for comfort and sustainable products, especially after the pandemic”.

The Lithuanian company Alma, which represents six home and interior design stores, is also on the same page. “It's great to be here. In HOMI you can find trends and small production companies for those who, like us, are looking for home interior products, glass, gifts..."

Sulagna from Dubai, a buyer for Home Centre, the largest retailer in the Middle East, is looking for new markets. “We previously imported a lot from China. We want to explore the Italian, Dutch and Polish markets and I see a lot of potential for good business, and I really hope I’ll be able to take part in the next edition. It's good to be here”, he concludes.