Biggest Dallas June Market in More Than a Decade: 45% Increase in Attendance; Record Number of New Buyers; Sold Out Exhibition Space
—Retailers from across the country descended on Dallas for inspiration and order writing among a record number of exhibitors—
DALLAS – June 16, 2021 – June Apparel & Accessories Market is on pace to set two records: the best-attended summer show in more than a decade and the highest number of exhibiting companies in seventeen years. Dallas Market Center reported a 45% increase in buyer attendance versus June 2019. Buyers from every region of the country attended the show, which also welcomed a record number of first-time buyers. At the same time, exhibit space was sold out with overflow exhibitors occupying temporary tradeshow space created to meet demand.
“What we are seeing is phenomenal and historic,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Dallas is truly a national marketplace welcoming more buyers from across the country and serving as the center of commerce for the business of fashion. New buyers from every state are coming to Dallas, matched by a record number of brands. There is a strong pulse of energy, excitement and confidence that’s tremendous.”
Thousands of independent retailers from across the country were joined by multi-location retail, buying groups, and major stores including Cavender’s, Buckle, Apricot Lane, Von Maur, and many others.
Among the buyers was Lisa Doss, owner of Muse Inspired Fashion stores in Tennessee, Louisiana and Florida: “The reason I choose Dallas is that there’s everything under one roof. I’m in Nashville so I’m Western, I’m in Memphis so I’m funky, I’m in New Orleans so I’m contemporary, and now I’m opening in Florida, so everything I need is right here, on specific floors and I can go right to it and get what I want.”
Added Keith Manoy, co-owner of Dallas boutique Indigo 1745: “The one thing I really like about the Dallas Market is it’s a comprehensive shopping experience. We are an apparel store, but we also try to find unique gifts and accessories, and at Dallas Market we have it all.”
Inside the marketplace, dozens of new and expanded permanent showrooms joined hundreds of Temps on sold-out floors. Exhibitors echoed the buyer enthusiasm. “This show has been amazing,” said Mike Stevenson with the Dressed2Kill showroom. “We are seeing stores from all over the country, including stores come in from all over California. This has been phenomenal, compared to last June we are up at least 60 percent on orders.”
Priscilla Kim, owner of the Before You Collection showroom, observed, “Sales have definitely increased, doubled, tripled. . .. We’ve seen a lot of buyers from the West Coast [and] more buyers coming in from the East Coast. Even though we have a showroom in Atlanta as well, we are seeing a lot more of our Atlanta buyers here in Dallas, so from the North Carolina, Florida, [and] South Carolina areas.”
“Our buyers are coming from all over,” said Daniel Kang with Blu Pepper in the 12th floor Temps. “Texas of course, but also from the West Coast and East Coast. We go big here, so it’s been great for us, we’ve been getting a huge response, and we’re excited.”
The summer edition of Apparel & Accessories Market includes more than 1 million square feet of styles and trends at all price points. Meanwhile, in anticipation of the Total Home & Gift Market taking place June 23-29, many gift showrooms welcomed a range of retailers.
“Buyers from many states are placing orders confidently,” said Monica Loving, vice president with Ivystone. “We’re easily going to double our sales over last year. We saw a strong combination of buyers: apparel buyers getting a jump on gift purchasing and gift buyers already ordering ahead of the show next week. It’s going to be a great month in Dallas.”
Health & Safety Guidelines Supporting Buyer Comfort
Supporting the comfort, health and safety of all attendees, the market center continues measures but no longer requires face masks. A complete overview of health and safety efforts is available via the front page of the Dallas Market Center website.
Additional Summer Trade Events
The marketplace will welcome buyers in the coming weeks for Total Home & Gift Market (June 23-29), KidsWorld (June 23-29), Lightovation (June 23-26), and the Dallas Men’s Show (July 31-August 2).
For upcoming markets, visit 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.
###