ORNARIS Bern – Consumer goods and design

ORNARIS in Bern is a trade fair for consumer goods and design aimed at retailers, buyers and designers from the retail sector. In the Swiss capital, brands, manufacturers and young labels meet a specialist audience that curates product ranges and evaluates trends. The focus is on products for living, gift-giving and lifestyle that combine functionality with design appeal. Bern offers a central location and modern trade fair infrastructure. The retail trade in Switzerland is strongly characterised by independent specialist shops that focus on carefully selected consumer goods. ORNARIS reflects this structure and sees itself as a platform for inspiration, ordering and networking within the industry.

Consumer goods between everyday life and aesthetics

Consumer goods are more than just everyday items. Design influences purchasing decisions just as much as materiality, origin and sustainability. ORNARIS shows how much consumer behaviour has changed in recent years. Customers are increasingly paying attention to quality, durability and design originality. Typical product segments at the trade fair are:

• Home accessories and decorative items
• Stationery and gift items
• Textiles and fashion accessories
• Kitchen and household products
• Jewellery and lifestyle objects

Design as a distinguishing feature

Design is a key differentiator in a highly competitive market. ORNARIS offers manufacturers the opportunity to present their concepts in a professional environment. Material selection, colour concepts and production methods are discussed, as are pricing and distribution. The focus is particularly on smaller brands and independent designers who focus on individual design. For many specialist retailers, the trade fair is a place to discover new labels and establish long-term business relationships. Direct contact between producers and buyers creates transparency about production conditions and quality standards. At the same time, trends play an important role. Colours, shapes and materials are subject to seasonal and cultural influences. ORNARIS acts as a seismograph for developments in the field of consumer goods and design, without focusing exclusively on short-term fashions.

Sustainability and regional production

Sustainability has become an integral part of the industry. Consumer goods are increasingly being evaluated from an ecological and social perspective. ORNARIS is responding to this development by presenting suppliers who focus on sustainable materials, fair production conditions and transparent supply chains. Topics of discussion include:

• Recycled and natural materials
• Regional manufacturing and short transport routes
• Durable product concepts
• Reduced packaging solutions

Retail in transition

Brick-and-mortar retailers are under pressure from digital sales channels. Online platforms and global providers are changing consumer behaviour. ORNARIS provides a forum for discussing strategies for brick-and-mortar retailers. Experience-oriented store concepts, personal advice and curated product ranges are seen as the alternative to anonymous online ordering. Bern is the meeting place for decision-makers who want to strategically. In addition to new products, issues such as presentation, merchandise management and customer loyalty are also on the agenda. Design and consumer goods are not viewed in isolation, but in the context of a changing market.

Bern as a meeting place for the industry

Bern has a well-developed infrastructure for trade fairs. Its central location makes it easy to reach from different regions of Switzerland. ORNARIS benefits from this accessibility and acts as a national platform for consumer goods and design. In comparison to major international events, ORNARIS focuses on the Swiss market and neighbouring regions. This focus enables intensive technical discussions and a clear orientation towards the needs of the retail trade. Consumer goods and design are an expression of social developments. Materials, forms and functions reflect cultural trends as well as economic conditions. In Bern, these aspects are brought together in a compact format. ORNARIS thus offers a structured overview of products and concepts that shape trade and shape the everyday lives of consumers.

Further information can be found on the organiser's website: www.ornaris.ch