Indian furniture makers connect with global buyers
From 1 to 3 September 2026, the first edition of imm india was held at Yashobhoomi in Dwarka, New Delhi. Organised by Koelnmesse Pvt. Ltd., the debut marked an important milestone in establishing an international platform for India’s furniture, interiors and design industry. The first edition brought together more than 100 exhibitors, 5,162 trade visitors and 72 international buyers from 26 countries. Against the backdrop of a rapidly growing Indian furniture market, imm india established an international B2B platform connecting Indian manufacturers with buyers and business partners from global markets. The Indian furniture market is projected to reach USD 45.5 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.63%.
A central element of the first edition was the International Hosted Buyer Program, which focused on creating direct business opportunities between international buyers and Indian manufacturers. The program facilitated curated meetings and connected international procurement delegations with important Indian production and sourcing clusters, including Jodhpur, Moradabad, Jaipur and Kirti Nagar. The Hosted Buyer Program marked an important first step in strengthening the international B2B dimension of imm india and creating direct connections between Indian manufacturers and global markets.
The debut edition was supported by key industry associations and representatives from important furniture and handicraft clusters. Their participation underlined the relevance of bringing together the different parts of India’s furniture and interiors ecosystem – from established manufacturing and export clusters to designers, retailers, buyers and international business partners.
The importance of strengthening the international visibility of Indian design, craftsmanship and manufacturing was also reflected in the visit of Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh to the exhibition. During his visit, Singh highlighted the role of imm india in showcasing India’s design, craftsmanship and manufacturing capabilities to an international audience. His tour of the exhibition also highlighted the growing convergence of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design and modern production standards. For Koelnmesse, the launch of imm india represents a long-term commitment to the Indian furniture and interiors market. The launch of imm india comes at a time when India’s furniture and interiors sector is undergoing significant structural change.
Urbanisation, the growth of organised retail, increasing demand for modular living solutions and a growing interest in design-led interiors are creating new opportunities across the market.
At the same time, India’s established manufacturing and craftsmanship clusters offer considerable potential for international sourcing. Together, these developments provide a strong foundation for an international B2B platform connecting Indian suppliers with buyers from global markets.
The successful debut of imm india has laid the foundation for further strengthening international business connections within India’s furniture and interiors sector. Future editions will build on this initial platform by further expanding the international buyer network and strengthening the connection between Indian manufacturers, designers and global markets.
