Trade fair season 2020 is in full swing and some of our team members had some serious trade fair visiting to do in the last few weeks. Fruit Logistica, Ambiente, Biofach & Vivaness, we’ve seen them all.

With so much to do, taste and experience, we returned with many new ideas. We are happy to share some of the trends seen on Ambiente and Biofach & Vivaness with you.

Ambiente – Pantone 2378 C is the new black

Ambiente in Frankfurt is the world’s leading trade fair for consumer goods. For 2020 shapes, materials and colours are combined to reach creative diversity and it leads to three different trend worlds: shaped+softenend, precise+architectural and artistical+diverse. An interesting phenomenon is also the co-creation and co-branding. For example, by Diesel Living and Moroso. Together they launched the aero zeppelin sofa, a perfect example that fits in the shaped+softened trend.

The cocooning trend is still hot, just as natural products. This fits in the ecological movement, together with fireplaces working on bioethanol, rugs made of recycled plastic bottles and bags fabricated of leftover yarn or cement. It’s clear that sustainability is truly mainstream.

Reaching generation Z through influencers and omnichannel approach

During the trend lectures, it was emphasized that retailers should keep a close eye on the needs of generations Z. They want a hybrid customer journey with an omnichannel approach. This type of customer is persuaded by the story of products, preferably in images and not so much in text. For designers and manufacturers in developing countries this means they should closely follow international influencers. Both to learn from and to collaborate with them. They are a reflection of generation Z and important driver of trends.

Biofach & Vivaness – What’s your eco?

Organic traders met at the organic exhibition in Nuremberg from 12 to 15 February 2020. Here we got two exhibitions for the price of one: Biofach, covering organic food, and Vivaness, which is all about organic beauty.

What moves the organic food world in 2020 is the market for vegan products: it continues to grow and runs through all product groups. Milk alternatives, almond-based butter with algae, coconut whipped cream and jackfruit salads are some examples of vegan products.

Natural and more natural, that is the common thread looking at changes in the cosmetic market. While the underlying themes differ – clean, green and ethical; natural and organic; free-from or phyto cosmetics – one thing is clear: the trend is toward more and more natural products. Dry beauty products are also enjoying a growth trend. Instead of conventional liquid products, shampoo bars, cleaners in powder form or even tablets for brushing your teeth were widely presented.

General trend – Environmental-friendly packaging

At all trade fairs, it was confirmed that packaging still is becoming more environmental-friendly. It’s important to consider that eco is more than a matter of the content. Many exhibitors are jumping onto the trend of offering products in environmentally friendly packaging or leave them completely unwrapped.

Looking forward to visiting Brussels

There’s never a dull moment, and we’re getting ready for the Seafood Expo Global in Brussels in April. We’re sure to find some more interesting trends and developments over there!

Curious about what we have to offer in terms of trade fairs and missions?