Great news for visitors attending Maison&Objet Paris this September, as the Objet Hub in hall 6 has been restructured and now consists of three major sectors: Cook & Share, Home & fashion Accessories and Smart Gift.
After gathering feedback on the show it was revealed that the Objet Hub needed to be better divided into sections. As the largest space at the fair―with more than 1,000 exhibitors occupying a space of 45,500 square metres―the organisers decided to reorganise the space.
Founder of Merci concept store, Jean-Luc Colonna who contributed to the reconfiguration of the Objet Hub, says the fair needs to adapt to changes in the market.
“The market has evolved and we are now exhibiting to more open boutiques, less formatted, that think in a lifestyle way, and not in product categories,” he explains.
“Today, end consumers are uber-connected and continually exposed to stimuli, which is why they are looking for unexpected retail experiences, new propositions and unique products. Retail businesses need to make the right choices to meet these expectations.”
The retail industry has changed and the segmentation is now much more fluid than it used to be. Many stores have branched out into different product ranges i.e. fashion stores are now selling homewares as well.
Colonna says the focus has shifted from the products to the customers and the question is no longer ‘what do I want to sell?’ but ‘who do I want to talk to?’
“This is why it has become essential for buyers to make bold choices to boost their businesses. Making bold choices means buying unique products―‘gems’―exactly the kind that they will find in hall 6.”
Maison&Objet Paris runs from 8-12 September.
By Marion Gerritsen
