BRAZIL - Postponed in March due to the worldwide advance of Covid-19, a new date has been announced for Movelsul Brazil, the largest furniture fair in Latin America for retailers and importers: September 14 to 17, in Bento Gonçalves (RS).

Thus, the Furniture Industry Association (Sindmóveis), the organizer of the exhibition, hopes to minimize losses in the furniture sector and contribute to the recovery of the sector as of the last quarter of this year.

Sindmóveis understands that it will be an important moment for exhibitors to present their interpretations of this new market scenario that has been outlined, with more connection between physical and digital consumption models. The show will feature 251 high-end exhibitors showing high-end decor items, custom designed furniture, technologies and services to shopkeepers and sales representatives.

The president of Sindmóveis and Movelsul Brazil, Vinicius Benini, admits that the furniture industry is likely to be one of the most impacted by the pandemic among the durable goods industries, where real losses ranged from 10% to 20% this year. "Since March, the association has managed the situation of a fair already set up and the concerns of the furniture sector. Faced with a cautious recovery scenario, we understand that in September it will be safer for people to move around and the fair will be ready to take place", he says. "We need to consider that the furniture industry is essential for the city of Bento Gonçalves, while Movelsul is essential for our business tourism and for the business of the national furniture industry," says Vinicius Benini.

The Brazilian furniture industry had been expecting a recovery in 2020 from the crisis and the low economic activity of previous years, in 2018 and 2019 there was no actual growth. Although the turnover of the furniture industry in Bento Gonçalves did not fall last year, it stagnated in real terms. This year, its performance was positive in January and February, and before the pandemic, the forecast was for growth. However, between March and April, sales of the local industry fell by almost 25%.

Sponsored by Banrisul and Sayerlack, Movelsul Brazil has been organized on a biennial basis by Sindmóveis Bento Gonçalves since 1977 as the largest furniture fair in Latin America for importers and retailers.