Mood of optimism at the 48th PSI
48th PSI 2010
The 48th PSI ended in Düsseldorf on Friday with positive signs for the promotional products industry. The good atmosphere in the halls of the fair was not the only thing indicating that the downward trend has now finally been broken. The most visible sign of confidence was the level of orders at this year's leading trade fair of the promotional products industry: Almost 35 per cent of the promotional products distributors have calculated orders to a value of over 250,000 euros so far, a total of 13 per cent ordered promotional products with a total value of more than a million euros. "The present upward trend can be seen as clearly as anything from the current economic barometer that was put together at the PSI," according to PSI director Michael Freter. The barometer shows that just 14 per cent of the promotional products distributors surveyed expect a continuing decline in the sales trend; almost half anticipate a noticeable rise in demand. A further 33 per cent assume that the business development will at least remain the same.
A total of 16,464 visitors came to the PSI this year to see the diverse range on offer from a total of 883 exhibitors from 31 nations. "The PSI remains the most stable promotional products trade fair in Europe and was able to prove its leading role more than ever now in the current difficult straits," says Freter. This fact is not surprising, considering the 50-year history of the leading institute of the promotional products industry. For throughout all the economic crises since 1960, the PSI institute and trade fair have only known one direction: upwards.
The dramatic economic crisis of 2008/2009 has managed to arrest this trend for the first time and even cause a slight decline in the number of visitors. The main reason for this is the weak markets in the countries of Greece, Spain, Portugal and England. Freter appeared confident that, as these markets gained strength, the PSI would likewise emerge from the crisis strengthened. This year's PSI has already shown clear signs of this. Despite a slight drop in the number of visitors, exhibitors across the board were very satisfied with the orders placed. More time for advising and therefore more quality led to people being more in the mood to buy, according to their comments. Michael Freter announced that the PSI would be providing important stimuli and instruments for the market again in 2010 by means of new services, new platforms, seminars, online services and market research.
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