Italy eyes India for new furniture, décor opportunities

NEW DEHLI — Representatives from Salone del Mobile.Milano are looking to India for new global expansion objectives for Made in Italy products and design.

With the 63rd edition of Salone del Mobile scheduled to take place in April, officials of the fair noted that India represents a “hugely important strategic market for Italian furnishing sector companies.” The officials noted India’s “favorable economic situation” as well as an increase in purchasing power and a growing demand for high-end design and products, and visited during the India Art Fair to “renew synergies and strengthen ties with what is a fast-growing market of great interest to Italian companies.”

According to Salone representatives, 4,890 professionals from India attended the 2024 edition of Salone del Mobile. The India Art Fair in New Dehli “represents an important step towards an ever closer collaboration between Italian companies and the Indian market, with the Salone del Mobile as the leading benchmark design hub,” officials said, adding that India is emerging as one of the most dynamic economies in the world with a forecast growth rate of 6.5% in 2025.

“The presence of the Salone del Mobile in India offers unique opportunities to consolidate trade and cultural relations between the two countries,” said Maria Porro, president of the Salone del Mobile.Milano. “The performance of Italian exports in the wood-furnishing sector confirms the interest and growth potential in this market, making it a crucial destination for the internationalization strategies of Italian companies within the sector.”

Antonio Bartoli, Italy’s Ambassador to India and Nepal, emphasized the central role of the Salone as a platform for dialogue between the two countries.

“Almost 2,000 exhibitors from all over the world, more than 350,000 visitors and around 2 million interactions between people — these incredible figures make the Salone del Mobile.Milano a global reference brand,” said Bartoli. “The ability to combine style, elegance, tradition and innovation is a common trait of both Indian and Italian design. The presence of the Salone del Mobile at the India Art Fair will surely foster further synergies and collaborations between our design industries.”

“Italy remains firmly positioned as the third largest supplier of furniture to India,” said Antonietta Baccanari, director of the ITA-Italian Trade Agency Office in New Delhi and coordinator for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. “The presence of representatives from the Salone del Mobile in New Delhi is testament to the enduring ties between Italy and India, celebrating a shared passion for creativity, beauty and quality. We are keen to help support new collaborations and strengthen Italy’s commitment to shaping the future of design in India.”

Andrea Vaiani, exhibition director of the Salone del Mobile.Milano, noted that India is an increasingly key market for the Salone as well as for the total Italian furniture sector.

“In 2023, the Italian Furniture Macrosystem saw a brilliant performance that placed it in 27th place among the main destinations, with growth of 19.1% since 2022 and a total value of 112 million euros,” said Vaiani. “Furthermore, India has steadily positioned itself among the top 10countries in terms of number of visitors to the Salone del Mobile in recent editions. This is why we are here: to strengthen dialogue, create new connections and accompany Italian companies in an increasingly dynamic and receptive context.”

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