High international reach and decision making quality

Heimtextil 2026 brought together 148 participating nations and 3000 exhibitors, reaffirming its role as a stable platform for the textile and interior sectors. Rising geopolitical tensions and recalibrated trade flows shaped the backdrop in Frankfurt. Against this setting, the fair delivered the clarity that many market players were seeking. Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt, underlined this:

"Volatile tariff policies and geopolitical uncertainties are reshaping global sourcing and trade structures. At the same time, markets in ASEAN and Europe are gaining in importance. The need for orientation, market transparency, reliable partners and new business opportunities is increasing. Especially in the current climate, a dependable platform such as Heimtextil is indispensable as a central meeting point for the global industry."

With an 86 percent international visitor rate and a significantly increased 78 percent share of top level decision makers, Heimtextil strengthened its position as a key hub for strategic sourcing, market exploration and networking. Senior representatives from companies including Harrods, IKEA, Marriott Hotels, Sainsbury’s and XXXLutz reflected the calibre of the audience. A repeat visitor rate of 68 percent further emphasised the fair’s relevance in a demanding market.

Interior design and hospitality as growth segments

The event again served as a global hotspot for textile and non textile interior solutions. Curated concepts addressed retailers, manufacturers and the contract sector alike. Under the theme Craft is a verb, the Heimtextil Trends 26/27 explored the intersection of AI technologies and traditional craftsmanship, offering impulses for design teams and development departments. Patricia Urquiola’s installation demonstrated how AI, material innovation and sustainability can interact, presenting textiles that respond to human needs and open new approaches for design and hospitality projects.

Heimtextil expanded its role as a creative international platform by showcasing established studios and emerging talent with sustainable, experimental and market ready textile designs. With growing demand for functional contract textiles and shifts in customer requirements, the Interior Architecture Hospitality programme provided targeted insights into project driven interior solutions across hospitality, office, healthcare and wider contract markets. From 2027 onwards, cooperation with Hospitality Interiors Europe will offer an additional dedicated format for high end contract design.

AI as a practical business enabler

New consumption patterns, market shifts and emerging application fields formed the foundation for further discussions around artificial intelligence. Under Texpertise Focus AI, Heimtextil demonstrated how AI is already influencing the industry as a creative partner for design concepts and visualisations and as a tool for data migration, workflow support and personalised customer engagement. Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles and Textile Technologies, emphasised the aim of making these applications tangible and actionable for the industry.

A consistent anchor in a changing landscape

Stable exhibitor numbers, broad international participation and continued confidence from the industry illustrated Heimtextil’s role as a long term partner. In a period shaped by shifting trade structures and varying consumer sentiment, the fair provided orientation on global developments and emerging opportunities and reinforced Frankfurt’s position as a central meeting place for the textile world.