Manufacturers and exporters of furniture products have survived the impact of the global recession by shifting their marketing strategy to the domestic market.

Emmanuel P. Padiernos, vice president for market development of the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines, said offering goods to the local buyers is an option for some exporters to sustain operations as the exports sector continues to reel from global recession.

“Many of those businesses closed because they have no fallback position," said Padiernos. The holding of domestic shows similar to the furniture and furnishings festival is especially designed for other companies intending to open up a local market and those keen on expanding their domestic market especially in Manila.

“There were many indicators that the market has already recovered especially the United States and Europe, although recovery is slow. Some are saying that full recovery may take another two to three years,” he said.
Padiernos pointed out that the result of the October Manila FAME trade show may confirm this, as many foreign buyers came but only a number of them placed orders.

“They are very cautious and still watching the domestic market. Many of the foreign buyers were here to find new products and suppliers. Some only asked for prices, while others were on the look out for their competitors and what they are buying,” he said. Apart from selling to the domestic market, Padiernos said furniture exporters are also organizing trade missions abroad to gain more customers, adding that they have their sights on the emerging markets like Brazil, Russia, India and China that have buoyant economies.

“These are countries we are penetrating now. We don’t rely only on the US and Europe because we know it would still take two to three years for these countries to fully recover,” he added.