Furniture City hosts show for local market

An upsurge of renewed growth in Cebu’s furniture export sector prompted a local furniture firm to organize a furniture show here in Cebu City.

Dubbed the “Sugbo Furniture Fair,” the show will be held at The Furniture City located at 1133 Hernan Cortes St. in Mandaue City on April 26 to 28.

“Recently, there seems to be a gradual, but observable return to the quality manifested by Cebu companies, by buyers of high-quality furniture. With the recent upturn in exports, it appears to be timely to resume furniture shows that can be pivotal in meeting the requirement of buyers for export and at that same time, satisfying the needs of local consumers and hospitality groups,” said Jim Cassels, marketing director of The Furniture City.

Furniture capital

Cebu City, which has long been known as the “Furniture Capital of the Philippines,” had been the host of annual furniture shows. Unfortunately, in 2009 the export market saw a collapse in the world economy that led to the drop in attendance to shows and furniture production by at least 40 to 50 percent among all types of goods.

This led manufacturers to shift their focus from solely serving the export market to including the demand in the local market. The Cebu furniture show was stopped in 2011 due to poor buyer attendance.

However, local retail markets could never replace completely the need for exports, which has multiple economic benefits to the manufacturer and the country.

Sugbo Furniture Fair

It is for this reason that Furniture City, under the umbrella of Lenbert Manufacturing Inc., has decided to host a return of the furniture show in Cebu.

Each day of the “Sugbo Furniture Fair” will have at least 25 permanent companies displaying in a lifestyle or semi-lifestyle booth, new designs and products.

The show will also have activities and presentations on a theme of hospitality, interior and exterior design as well as real estate and construction trends.

Organizers are currently accepting companies interested in joining the Sugbo Furniture Fair.