Frankfurt Music Fair faces challenges
In the coming days, countless musicians will once again be making the pilgrimage to Frankfurt for Europe's largest music fair. However, the event is struggling with changing dealer and user habits.
For example, the world's first violin created using 3D printing technology will be presented at the fair - as will the first carbon flugelhorn. A trend that is also evident at this year's Musikmesse is hybrid instruments that combine the advantages of analog and digital sound generation. Visitors can experience the products of a total of 972 exhibitors at the fair.
A number of brands, some of which have not had their own stand at Musikmesse for several years, will be back in 2017, including Ibanez, Warwick, Sonor, Tama, Meinl Cymbals, Remo, Orange and Beyerdynamik, the trade fair continues.
The market for musical instruments is currently looking positive. However, changes in the general conditions are jeopardizing growth: the CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which recently came into force, has far-reaching consequences for the sale of certain types of wood. In addition, e-commerce is benefiting far more than average from the positive economic situation in the sector, while bricks-and-mortar retailers are increasingly having to fight for their market share.
The best-price competition is squeezing margins for retailers and manufacturers alike, accelerating market consolidation. This manifests itself in numerous business closures. According to the trade fair organizers, the key to success for retailers lies in "intelligently combining the advantages of in-store sales with the opportunities offered by digital marketing channels".
