August Events Including Apparel & Accessories Market, KidsWorld, and Western & English Market See Strong Attendance and Orders, Increase in New Buyers
—retail demand drives successful Dallas events with 75% year-over-year attendance—
DALLAS – Sept. 10, 2020 – Dallas Market Center, the most complete lifestyle marketplace in North America and home of the largest and most successful summer events for apparel and accessories, announced details of its recently held Apparel & Accessories Market, KidsWorld Market, and Western & English Market held Aug. 25-28. The results exceeded all expectations with attendance more than 75% of the previous year, a sharp increase in new buyers, and consistent order writing throughout the marketplace.
The show featured new brands and bestsellers in women’s and children’s apparel, fashion accessories and footwear in permanent showrooms of the World Trade Center as well as the only major presentation of temporary exhibits in the U.S. The market center reported that 98% of the showrooms participated in the show.
“Our August show, proudly supporting retail renewal, welcomed eager buyers placing consistent orders,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “We were extremely pleased with attendance and feedback from exhibitors. Over the past 90 days, we have served as the most important B2B hub in North America serving the business of fashion. This is an important moment for Dallas as we demonstrate our unique ability to create a dynamic show that balances good business with good health. We are looking forward to a successful October show and 2021.”
Inside neighborhoods of hundreds of permanent showrooms exhibitors welcomed buyers ready to re-stock and order for the seasons ahead.
“I’ve had such great feedback from new buyers saying that Dallas is a great first-time experience, and they’ll be back,” said Priscilla Kim, co-owner of Before You Collection. “I think there is brighter energy here, and our show numbers are good.”
“The market’s been strong in our new brand-spanking-new showroom,” said Michele Doty, sales director of French Kande. “We’ve opened a lot of new stores and seen many of our buyers come in. I feel that the Dallas Market Center did everything they could do to make people feel safe.”
“Our children’s show went really well and we’re looking forward to the January 2021 KidsWorld market,” said Bob and Patti VonTour, co-owners of The VonTours.
“The excitement up here is amazing,” said Doug Naylor, national director of key western accounts, Wrangler. “Having all the new showrooms and brands together has been a great move for us. We recently doubled our square footage … and can serve customers like never before. Business is strong for us.”
“We had a great show, definitely way ahead of last year’s numbers,” said Susanne Taylor, owner of Susanne Taylor & Associates.
“A lot of people shop local in smaller communities in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Mississippi, and those buyers are very positive and their businesses are actually dynamic,” said David Rhea, owner of Indigo Agency. “It’s really encouraging.”
Buyers attending the show noted the need to return to in-person markets and the health and safety measures in place.
“Dallas is my absolute favorite place to come,” said Jeanne Rush, owner of The Secret Ingredient in Indianapolis, Richmond, Ind., and Ave Maria, Fla. “Everybody is so hospitable, and I felt very safe. I bought current goods, gifts for holiday and spring goods; and I’ll be back in October.”
“The market was very busy – and that was encouraging,” said Connie Sigel, owner of Elements in Dallas. “We’ve added some home goods; and I found great collections, like Gien dinnerware.”
“The August show was … more upbeat than the one in June,” said Kathi Cryderman, owner of Harem & Co. in Springfield, Mo. “I much prefer buying where I can see the quality and the true color of the fabric. I dislike buying virtually.”
“I try to go to every market so I don’t miss any offerings and to feel the pulse and camaraderie of other buyers,” said Patty Hoffpauir, owner of The Garden Room in Austin, Texas. “The sales reps were very clued in to making sure that we had what we needed for fall and exposing us to spring so we could keep that in mind.”
New, expanded, and relocated showrooms included: Diba True (15208), David & Sons/Camoon (15634), Lace Collective (15016), Berlin Custom Leather (14836), The Whole Herd (14068), Ariat (14727), Rafter T Ranch (14080), Clint Orms (14458), Before You Collection (13729), French Kande (13434), and She + Sky (13325). In KidsWorld on the 8th floor Leslie Lewis (8224) expanded into new space. New exhibitors in KidsWorld Studio included Mia Shoes and Clover Cottage. On the 7th floor new and expanded showrooms included Sandra Ling Designs (7242), J Coons (7254) Raisin Arrows (7050), Turquoise Haven (7235), A Rare Bird (7117), and American Darling (7228).
Dallas was the only U.S. summer show offering Temps, where buyers headed for trendy new items and ready-to-ship resources. Expansions included Listicle Clothing, Eesome USA, Cotton Bleu, White Birch USA, Main Strip USA, and Adrienne Inc.
Outside of the show, Dallas County continued to report a significant decline in local COVID-19 cases; the latest reports indicate the lowest daily case counts since April. Inside the marketplace and supporting the comfort and the health and safety of all attendees, the market center continued strict new measures that began earlier in the summer and will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
The protocols, available for review via a link on the front page of the DMC website, included mandatory face covering and temperature screening of every person entering the marketplace each day. Other efforts included low-contact entry via the MarketFast Pass, which saw a dramatic adoption in the weeks prior to the show; as well as enhanced cleaning with hospital-grade products; hundreds of hand-sanitizing stations; limited food service; no gatherings; and signage about social distancing. Along with these new steps, there are safety measures that are part of the design of the marketplace: open parking, large entryways, quick registration in multiple areas, wide hallways, multiple escalators and showrooms with controlled access to allow for the appropriate distance between customers.
The next Apparel & Accessories Market takes place October 20-23 including Temps and KidsWorld as well as a Total Home & Gift Open House. And in January the world’s largest marketplace for western and English debuts with the International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Trade Show, January 14-17, and AETA International Trade Show, January 14-17. To make plans for an upcoming visit, check the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center mobile app. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the DMC Daily Dose.
About Dallas Market Center
Dallas Market Center is a global business-to-business trade center and the leading wholesale marketplace in North America connecting retailers and interior designers with top manufacturers in gourmet and housewares, home décor, holiday/floral, gifts, lighting and apparel. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products from exhibitors throughout the year via dominant trade events for gift, home décor, holiday and floral; the nation’s most comprehensive apparel and accessories markets featuring the latest styles from East Coast and West Coast designers; the largest residential lighting trade event in North America; and the largest and most successful open-daily design center. The marketplace is located in the strongest economic zone in the country. In addition, more than 80% of Dallas Market Center buyers report that they do not shop other market centers. To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center App. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the Dallas Market Center blog.
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