Bielefeld, 21 January 2026 – What drives today’s consumers? And what does specialist retail need in order to sustainably strengthen footfall, profitability and its market profile? Answers to these questions were provided by the hybrid EK LIVE Spring Fair, held from 21 to 23 January 2026 at the EK Trade Fair Center in Bielefeld and online at www.ek-messen.de.
With more than 200 exhibitors, including all major brands, and a clear focus on implementable solutions, EK LIVE was aimed specifically at owner‑operated specialist retailers. The spotlight was on the EK Home Housewares, EK Home Electrical Appliances and EK Home Baby & Toys assortments, which presented attractive product ranges alongside new ideas and concrete measures for increasing customer traffic and sales. The offer was complemented by numerous service providers—from telecommunications to succession consulting—supporting retailers with both everyday and strategic challenges.
EK LIVE as a strategic meeting point
“The key question for specialist retailers today is: How do I remain relevant to my customers, economically successful, and future‑ready? This is exactly where our EK LIVE Spring Fair comes in. It is not just an ordering event, but a strategic meeting point that shows how assortments, concepts and services work hand in hand,” emphasizes Jochen Pohle, Chief Retail Officer at EK Retail. “Anyone seeking orientation, inspiration and concrete answers for their business will find exactly what they need here.”
EK Home Housewares: Assortment inspiration for more profit and profile
The EK Home Housewares division presented itself at the Spring Fair with a broad and inspiring offer. Visitors discovered an exciting mix of established brands, new suppliers and creative product ideas—ideal for revitalising existing ranges and positioning themselves clearly as competent providers in the areas of kitchen, household and lifestyle.
Around 20 new suppliers celebrated their premiere in Bielefeld, including Bear Design, Design Bite, Enesco, Cookware Company and Sebo—representing the continuous expansion of the EK portfolio with design‑driven and differentiating assortments.
The EK wholesale division also showcased numerous developments. Retailers benefit from exciting products and promotions in Kitchen, Dining, Small Domestic Appliances, Lifestyle & Trend and Household. Trend topics such as camping and wine added strong accents, while attractive January Sale promotions provided fresh momentum.
In addition, retailers found excerpts of EK assortment modules directly in the respective booths on the wholesale floors—practical, inspiring and immediately transferable to their own point of sale.
The EK private label CHEFS & CO remains an important pillar of the assortment strategy. Its presentation in the wholesale showroom was made more modern and emotional, using best‑practice examples to demonstrate how private labels can support profile building and customer loyalty.
EK Home Baby & Toys: Space for new impulses
The EK Home Baby & Toys division presented itself at EK LIVE in the new happybaby showroom in Hall 2.b. The focus was on the holistic happybaby concept with impactful services such as the happybaby welcome bag for new and expectant parents and the child seat safety and stroller mobility guarantee.
New in the EK wholesale warehouse are the strong top brands Little Dutch and small foot, expanding the offer with highly demanded products.
A core component of the happybaby value‑added strategy is the focus‑item campaign, now entering its second year, offering exclusive supplier deals for the first half of 2026. Significant purchasing advantages also come from new performance partnerships with Britax Römer and Dorel Juvenile.
EK Home Electrical Appliances presents “World of HomeTech”
With an entirely new exhibition concept, the EK Home Electrical Appliances division created a standout trade fair highlight. Hall 2.b was transformed for the first time into the “World of HomeTech”—bringing together everything that moves the electrical and kitchen retail sector: top brands, the full electroplus küchenplus concept, practical services, and extensive networking opportunities with key industry players.
Architecturally, the World of HomeTech followed a clearly structured, open arena concept with surrounding brand presence and a central communication area. Along the outer ring were exhibition stands of leading manufacturers of major domestic appliances such as Miele, Liebherr, Bosch, Siemens, AEG and Samsung, as well as partners such as Wertgarantie. Inside the arena, innovative service providers showcased how digital tools can move specialist retail forward: phone AI handling routine inquiries to improve availability, and WhatsApp integration into ERP systems to seamlessly link communication and processes. The result: less effort, faster workflows, more time for customer advice.
Networking & Fair Party
No trade fair without new connections: The trade fair party on 21 January 2026 provided the perfect setting for personal interaction. EK Retail invited attendees to the “World of HomeTech”, where guests enjoyed a cosy winter‑evening lounge atmosphere with a sparkling wine reception, winter buffet and drinks. From 9 p.m., the electroplus store transformed into a karaoke bar.
Overall, the EK LIVE Spring Fair once again combined professional inspiration, personal encounters and tangible added value into a comprehensive trade fair experience for specialist retailers.
