01、Why Are Sofas Worldwide Embracing a More Relaxed Way of Living?

If there is one word that best defines the global sofa trend in 2026, it is relaxation.
Look at Scandinavian brands, and the focus is on nature and comfort. Look at Italian brands, and the conversation centres on craftsmanship and design. Look at American brands, and they champion freedom, casual living and the idea that the best seat is the one you can truly sink into. While these approaches differ in style, they point to the same underlying trend: sofas are shifting from formal seating to relaxed living.
HTL draws inspiration from the elegance and charm of Audrey Hepburn in its designs. Asiama explores the possibilities of modularity and multifunctionality. Skyline brings cloud-like comfort through responsive cushioning, while Lazboy delivers a near weightless seating experience through its comfort technologies. ARIS focuses on ergonomic support, making every moment of relaxation feel more comfortable and effortless.

HTL

Asiama

Skyline

Lazboy

ARIS

02、How Are Chinese Sofa Brands Gaining a Global Foothold?

China's furniture brands have been expanding overseas for years, but the rules of the game are changing. In the past, “Made in China” was closely associated with cost-effectiveness. Today, leading brands such as KUKA Home, Man Wah and DeRUCCI are increasingly competing through design, product quality and brand value. Consumers are no longer choosing Chinese sofas simply because they are affordable. They are choosing them because they offer attractive design, reliable quality and a better user experience.

KUKA Home

Man Wah

DeRUCCI

This is no longer about individual products succeeding overseas. It is about the internationalisation of an entire industry. From stronger product development and brand building to the transition from OEM manufacturing to self-owned brands, China's sofa industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Supporting that transformation requires a platform capable of connecting brands with global buyers.

To strengthen international business opportunities, CIFF Shanghai has established dedicated cross-border trade zones and leverages its extensive overseas buyer database and global partner network to attract international buyers and purchasing decision-makers. Through organised buyer delegations and targeted business matchmaking programmes, the journey from first contact to commercial cooperation becomes shorter and more efficient.

The results speak for themselves. In 2025, CIFF's business matchmaking programme facilitated more than 470 in-depth meetings for over 100 exhibitors, generating intended orders worth more than USD 8.14 million. The number of overseas visitors reached 11,873, representing a year-on-year increase of 13.23%. Notably, distributors and purchasing professionals accounted for 70.36% of international visitors, highlighting the strong commercial value of the exhibition.

As Chinese sofa brands move from competing on price to competing on quality, what they need is no longer just exhibition space, but a platform that understands the realities of global business development.

03、Today, the Real Competition Is No Longer Between Brands

Competition in the sofa industry is no longer simply brand versus brand. Increasingly, it is supply chain versus supply chain. Access to higher-quality leather, more sustainable filling materials, quieter and more precise hardware components and advanced manufacturing capabilities all contribute to the quality consumers ultimately experience.
One of the key highlights of Hall 2.1 at CIFF Shanghai 2026 is the launch of a dedicated Industry Connection Zone, designed to bring together suppliers from across the sofa industry value chain. Products and solutions on display will include lounge chairs, living room furniture, sofa accessories, premium leather, innovative fabrics and environmentally friendly filling materials. By bringing leading suppliers and manufacturers together on a single platform, the exhibition helps reduce communication costs, improve sourcing efficiency and create new opportunities for collaboration throughout the industry.

04、Sofa Brands Are Rethinking What It Means to Exhibit

CIFF Shanghai is more than a showcase of products. It also provides a comprehensive business empowerment platform, combining exhibition-store linkage programmes, integrated media promotion, influencer engagement, buyer recommendation initiatives and international delegation programmes. Through these diverse resources, brands can achieve more precise market exposure, stronger communication impact and greater commercial opportunities.

01 Deep Integration with Retail Channels
CIFF Shanghai works closely with leading home furnishing retailers across China, including Red Star Macalline, Yuexing Home and Easyhome, creating a two-way connection between the exhibition and retail market. Dealers are engaged before the show, participate in product sourcing activities during the exhibition, and gain access to premium retail placement opportunities afterwards. Dealer groups from across the country visit the fair, helping exhibitors connect with the right partners and accelerate market expansion.

02 An Integrated Media Ecosystem
From domestic social platforms such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu to global channels including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, CIFF Shanghai attracts extensive attention from influencers, content creators and professional buyers. Nearly one hundred influencers and buyer representatives attend the exhibition, generating millions of online impressions. From immersive booth experiences and product reviews to livestreaming and long-term content distribution, brands benefit from both increased visibility and stronger commercial engagement. At the same time, coverage from leading media outlets, combined with ongoing exposure across international social platforms, helps position CIFF Shanghai as one of the industry's most influential communication platforms.

03 Attracting Buyers and Industry Voices
CIFF Shanghai actively invites international buyers and purchasing decision-makers while organising overseas buyer delegations from multiple markets. The exhibition also brings together mainstream media and leading trade publications to provide on-site coverage and industry insights. These diverse visitor groups contribute not only to effective business matchmaking and broader market exposure, but also to the credibility and influence of the exhibition. Through professional perspectives and direct market feedback, they help strengthen CIFF Shanghai's role as a bridge connecting brands with global opportunities.

The transformation of the living room reflects much more than changes in interior design. It mirrors broader shifts in the way people live—from spending more time at home to placing greater value on comfort and well-being.
As the centrepiece of the living room, the sofa both reflects and responds to these changing expectations.
CIFF Shanghai is where these changes take shape.