Confidence Drives Textile Industry As Heimtextil 2026 Sharpened Global Market Relevance
Heimtextil 2026 reinforced its global relevance and industry confidence by attracting a higher share of top-level decision-makers and maintaining strong international participation despite a volatile market environment.
With 148 participating nations, 3,000 exhibitors and over 48,000 buyers, the world’s leading home and contract textiles fair once again proved to be a stable and reliable business platform. Under the motto ‘Lead the Change’, the fair spotlighted evolving market dynamics, the role of AI in design and operations, and new business opportunities across retail, interior design and hospitality.
In a climate marked by geopolitical tensions, shifting sourcing patterns and changing consumer behaviour, Heimtextil demonstrated its importance as a central meeting point for the industry.
“Volatile tariff policies and geopolitical uncertainties are reshaping global sourcing and trade structures. The need for orientation, transparency and reliable partners is increasing. Especially now, a dependable platform such as Heimtextil is indispensable,” said Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.
Exhibitor internationality reached 96 per cent, with China, India, Pakistan, Türkiye, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the UK and the Netherlands among the leading exhibitor nations. Visitor internationality stood at 86 per cent, with noticeable growth from the US, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland and Peru. The share of top-level decision-makers rose to 78 per cent, underlining Heimtextil’s value for strategic sourcing and market development. Senior executives from major retailers and hospitality groups including Harrods, IKEA, Marriott Hotels, Sainsbury’s and XXXLutz were present, contributing to high satisfaction levels and increasing repeat attendance.
Interior design and hospitality emerged as strong growth drivers, with Heimtextil presenting curated solutions for retail, contract and design sectors. The Heimtextil Trends 26/27 under the theme ‘Craft is a verb’ connected AI with craftsmanship, offering impulses for design and product development. Designer Patricia Urquiola’s ‘among-all’ installation showcased how responsive textiles, material innovation and AI can shape new concepts for retail and hospitality. Functional contract textiles also gained prominence through the expanded Interior.Architecture.Hospitality programme, which addressed project-based needs across hotels, offices and healthcare. From 2027, a new partnership with Hospitality Interiors Europe (HINT) will further strengthen Frankfurt’s role as a core hub for hospitality sourcing and design.
AI emerged as a practical business enabler throughout the fair. Under the initiative ‘Texpertise Focus AI’, Heimtextil demonstrated how AI is becoming embedded in design workflows, data management and customer engagement. “Artificial intelligence is already part of economic reality, as a creative partner for design concepts and as an efficient tool for workflows and personalisation,” said Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies.
Heimtextil 2026 closed with a tangible sense of confidence across the industry, reaffirming its role as a strategic global platform advancing the textile sector’s transition toward digitalisation, sustainability and new business models.
