01. More Information Makes Real-World Experience More Essential

Consumers can spend hours scrolling through social media, reading reviews, and filling their online shopping carts, yet many still arrive at the same conclusion: they want to experience a product in person before making a decision. This captures one of the defining shifts in consumer behavior in 2026. As online information becomes increasingly abundant, physical interaction becomes more valuable. The role of new retail is therefore not simply to add another sales channel, but to create a seamless consumer journey-where digital engagement sparks interest and offline experiences build confidence.

According to the latest data from Red Star Macalline, the retailer has partnered with more than 35 new retail furniture brands, with dedicated new retail furniture spaces across its malls reaching 217,000 m2 nationwide, representing a 60% increase compared with 2024. In 2026, the company plans to launch 20 additional New Retail Furniture Pavilions. Behind these figures lies a broader transformation in the furniture retail landscape.

Following the launch of China's first New Retail Furniture Pavilion in 2025, CIFF Shanghai will once again partner with Red Star Macalline in 2026 to present the country's largest and most comprehensive exhibition zone dedicated to new retail furniture. Covering 8,000 m2, the exhibition is expected to bring together 15 leading brands, with both exhibition space and participating brand numbers doubling compared with the inaugural edition. During the fair, dedicated business matchmaking events will connect brands, distributors, retailers and channel partners, providing end-to-end support from exhibition exposure to market expansion. The Home Furnishing New Retail Summit will also bring together industry leaders to explore new opportunities and future directions for retail innovation. From emerging innovators to established market leaders, CIFF Shanghai continues to strengthen the visibility, influence and commercial momentum of the new retail furniture sector.

02. The Smarter It Gets, the More It Returns to the Body

The biggest challenge for smart mattress brands today is making technology disappear. This is the defining paradox of the sleep industry in 2026: the more advanced the technology becomes, the simpler the experience should feel. The goal is not to impress consumers with flashy features, but to help them fall asleep naturally. The best sleep technology often goes unnoticed-you simply lie down, drift off, and wake up feeling better.

At the same time, sleep products are undergoing a fundamental transformation, evolving from individual products into complete sleep solutions. What was once a mattress purchase is now an investment in an entire night's rest, where every factor that influences sleep quality is taken into consideration.

At Hall 3's Sleep Technology & Ecosystem Zone, nearly 100 leading sleep brands and innovators will come together across 10,000 m2 to showcase the convergence of technology and healthy sleep. More than a display of mattresses and beds, the zone serves as a platform for integrated sleep solutions, covering mattresses, upholstered beds, sleep textiles, and complementary sleep products. Bringing together global innovators and cutting-edge sleep technologies, the exhibition aims to redefine the modern sleep experience. The zone will be organized into four dedicated sectors-International Sleep, Sleep Technology & Ecosystems, Sleep Brands Going Global, and International Home Decor & Textiles-demonstrating how technology and wellness are driving the evolution of sleep products from standalone items to integrated ecosystems through the combined momentum of domestic and international markets.

03. In the Fast-Consumption Era, Slow Down and Look at Materials

Would you check the material label hidden beneath a sofa? Perhaps not in the past-but increasingly, consumers do today. This reflects another shift in the market: while consumption is becoming faster, people are paying closer attention to what products are actually made of. More and more consumers recognize that the materials you cannot see ultimately determine the quality you can.

The home is no longer simply a place to live; it has become a space for self-expression. As a result, consumers are looking beyond functionality alone, placing greater value on quality, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design.

Home textiles, art objects, original wall art, handcrafted rugs, floral arrangements, smart mirrors-elements once considered optional finishing touches are increasingly taking center stage in the modern home. Nearly 50 brands will gather at the CIFF Lifestyle Aesthetics Exhibition, showcasing a curated selection of designs and decorative pieces across a 2,000 m2 exhibition space dedicated to enhancing the beauty and individuality of living environments.

CIFF Shanghai 2026 will also introduce a dedicated Furniture Materials & Components Zone spanning 3,000 m2 and featuring more than 100 exhibitors. From FSC-certified timber and recycled sustainable materials to biodegradable performance fabrics and high-performance hardware components, materials that were once known primarily to industry professionals are now attracting growing attention from consumers. Through comprehensive displays and transparent sourcing stories, the exhibition highlights the increasing importance of material transparency across the home furnishing industry. By showcasing quality from the source and establishing traceable material systems, the zone will serve as both a business platform for industry collaboration and a trusted destination for consumers seeking greater confidence in their purchasing decisions.

04. Reading Industry Chain Opportunities Through Paradoxes

These three seemingly contrasting trends ultimately point to the same conclusion: people are no longer simply buying furniture-they are making conscious choices about how they want to live.

The success of new retail depends on the strength of the product itself. Data may help consumers make decisions more efficiently, but trust is built through real-world experience. The evolution of sleep solutions is driven by the integration of materials and technology; intelligent systems rely on high-quality materials just as much as premium materials benefit from technological innovation. Products, channels, materials, and brands are not separate conversations-they are interconnected parts of the same value chain.

At Hall 3, every link of that chain comes together. Sleep innovation, new retail, lifestyle aesthetics, and material innovation may appear to be distinct themes, but they represent different dimensions of the same industry transformation.

Hall 3 at CIFF Shanghai is where these changes converge.
Are you ready to experience them for yourself?

The 58th China International Furniture Fair (Shanghai)

September 5-8, 2026

National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai Hongqiao)

Hall 3 New Retail · Smart Sleep · Lifestyle Aesthetics · Materials