The year 2025 has once again closed with significant turnover declines and a deteriorating market situation for the German textile and mattress industry. According to industry associations, the sector remains in a prolonged economic crisis, with companies facing an increasingly precarious position.
© Messe Frankfurt/Thomas Fedra
In addition, the German economy is experiencing its longest period of negative business expectations in twenty years. Since 2005, there has been no comparable extended phase without a visible recovery in confidence or a clear cyclical turnaround. Geopolitical tensions are further reinforcing this trend, with the conflict between the US and Iran cited as a key factor increasing uncertainty in global markets. Energy-intensive production stages within the mattress industry are under growing cost pressure due to rising energy prices.
Despite existing government measures, such as investment incentive schemes, a sustained recovery in investment activity has yet to materialise. According to the Kompetenz-Zentrum Textil + Sonnenschutz, support measures are perceived by companies as insufficient or poorly targeted. In a press statement it was noted: "Tegelijkertijd ontbreekt het aan een consistente, op elkaar afgestemde algemene economische agenda."
In addition, import pressure from China is increasing, with producers entering the German market using aggressive pricing strategies. According to the sector, this further increases the need for action.
At segment level, several areas show declines. In the home textiles sector, turnover in bed linen fell by -6.3%, while upholstery, decorative and curtain fabrics recorded a decline of -12.4%. The mattress industry reported an overall turnover loss of -5.1%, with the exception of foam (+1.1%) and other products (+5.6%).
The interior shading sector also closed the year with a decline of -1.9%, despite growth in segments such as pleated and Roman blinds (+8.8%) and roller blinds (+6.9%). Double roller blinds (-12.7%) and several project market segments showed clear declines.
During Heimtextil 2026, however, a more optimistic tone was observed. The industry association's presentation in the Sleep & Meet zone attracted numerous visitors. According to the organisation: "De gezamenlijke presentatie was een krachtig signaal van hoe effectief netwerken en gebundelde branchekennis zijn. Maar daarmee alleen is een uitweg uit de crisis niet haalbaar. Er is betrouwbare steun van de bondsregering nodig in de vorm van uitgebreide economische en structurele hervormingen die bedrijven langetermijnperspectieven bieden, het concurrentievermogen versterken en daarmee Duitsland als productielocatie veiligstellen," warned the trade association.
Source: InterieurJournaal.com
