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ec Lis omp tin let gs e M - p oO .26 D
Volume 23, Number 4
Autumn 2013
The Global Home & Contract Furnishings Newspaper
Indonesian Wholesalers Rack Up 15-20 Percent Increase in 2013, Hotel Business Strong, Middle Class Drives Residential Sales Tourism Buoys Furnishings Fabrics Market in Southeast Asia, Including Malaysia, Singapore by Vishwanath.S
J
AKARTA, Indonesia — The Southeast Asia’s biggest economy has been ‘quietly’ growing around 6.5 percent a year and residential demand in the past four years has been growing around by six to seven percent annually.
Fabric wholesalers are having a ‘field day’ with the business according to those surveyed by Fabrics & Furnishings International. Fabric sales are being driven by a burgeoning middle class, and an increased focus on both domestic and inbound tourism. Indonesia is one of the most exciting hotel
markets in the world today due to the influx of budget airlines in Asia and within Indonesia. This has increased affordability of air travel. Santika Indonesia Hotels and Resorts with 57 hotels is seeing demand for rooms due to the inflow of business people. It is adding 53 hotels and is targeting
to reach 100 hotels in the coming two years. The Best Western International chain is on track to open 25 new hotels in the next three years. The list is endless. (continued on page 22)
Vikesh Nanwani and Sohan Nanwani Amardeep Interior Collections
Brazil’s Donatelli, Beraldin, Artefacto Lead South American Fabric Importers Brazilian Economy Slowing but these importers still do major business. Sipco News Network
S
AO PAULO, Brazil — The Brazilian economy is growing at a 2.5 percent growth rate this year following a one percent increase in 2012 in sharp contrast to greater growth in previous years. Inflation is also heating up in Brazil to about six percent but this has not slowed down
the activities of important Brazilian fabric importers. Major decorative fabric wholesalers, namely Donatelli and Beraldin and upholstery king Artefacto are still expanding their businesses by focusing on the higher end of the market. These three companies prefer to bypass Chinese goods for the mass market according
to those interviewed by Fabrics & Furnishings International. The weakening Real however, has meant that prices for these imported goods are going up. The Brazilian currency has dropped 2.5 per US dollar in January, 2013 to 2.16 in the third quarter according to statistics provided by the Central Bank of Brazil. F&FI
Valdese Weavers Announces Major Capital Investment Campaign As Sales Exceed Pre-Recession Levels Sipco News Network
V Michael Shelton
ALDESE, North Carolina — Valdese Weavers upholstery fabric sales have returned to approximately pre recession levels of $150 million and now promise to go even higher, according to Michael Shelton, CEO and president.
The company has five divisions today: Valdese Weavers, Home Fabrics, Valdese Weavers Contract, Valdese International Products (VIP) and Circa 1801. All divisions produce products adhering to a mass customization concept, which represents a maximum (continued on page 11)
Roberto and Antonio Carlos Donatelli
Valeria and Zeco Beraldin
Donatelli Expects Sales Boost with Opening of 11th Store in Sao Paulo, Brazil • p.8
Emporio Beraldin Seeks High End Brazilian Market • p.10
USA Office and Showroom 411Aviation Parkway Morrisville, NC 27560 Tel. (919) 234.8025 • Fax (919) 234.8030 • info@classicalelements.com • www.classicalelements.com USA • Italy • China w w w. F a b r i c s A n d F u r n i s h i n g s . c o m