Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market
Breaks Records For Brands and Buyers
–Largest Dallas Show in Years for the Largest Marketplace in the U.S.–
DALLAS – February 14, 2023 – Dallas Market Center announced that its recently held January Apparel & Accessories Market broke records for the number of exhibiting companies and buyers attending the show. The January 10-13, 2023 event enjoyed an overall attendance increase versus pre-pandemic shows and also featured an expanded marketplace featuring new permanent showrooms and new temporary exhibitors. The show continues to be the largest marketplace in the country for women’s apparel, accessories, and footwear.
In addition to overall attendance gains, the January show increased its reach by welcoming more buyers from key U.S. regions including the southeast and upper midwest as well as international buyers. This attendance surge was on the heels of shows in 2022 that were up almost 20% compared to 2019.
“The year began with a big show in Dallas, marketplace enthusiasm, and strong order writing from retailers visiting from coast to coast and internationally,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “We are thrilled with the momentum and the new buyers who are choosing to do business in Dallas. They tell us they feel inspired and supported by our marketplace and its exhibitor community.”
Taking place at the same time as the Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market were the WESA International Western and Equipment Market (January 12-15) and the AETA Equestrian Show (January 12-15), which also experienced significant gains in attendance.
Charlene Harrison with Apricot Lane in Colorado Springs, Colorado commented: “Everyone says this one’s the best so we don’t have to go anywhere else. There’s…a lot of new brands here. We are having such as good time, it’s exceeded our expectations.”
Said buyer Mary Williams with Haven Looks in Chattanooga, Tennessee: “This is really easy. It has more space to see things. It’s very convenient to walk around and get to know the gift exhibitors as well.”
Footwear was on the mind of Kelly Harrell of 41:10 Mercantile in Crosby, Texas. “This is the largest footwear show, and we carry shoes and sandals and boots. We’ve started on the top floor and working our way down.”
Marketplace Additions and Expansions
In preparation for strong attendance, the marketplace expanded its footwear neighborhood, with the number of exhibitors up 45% compared with 2021. Apparel and accessories options also continue to grow, including Young Contemporary on the 10th and 12th floors as well as new and expanded permanent showrooms on the 13th and 15th floors. THE GOODS by Brand Assembly debuted in 17,000 square feet on the 10th floor with more than 40 exceptional and elevated brands. Ready to wear from Aqua Bendita, Alyson Eastman, Place Nationale, Marine Layer, It is Well and dozens of others were complemented by accessories from KUU, Sierra Winter, Nash & Ivy, Wanderlust & Co, and others, as well as select footwear lines and western collections from Daniel X Diamond, Kit Santa Fe, Dixon Rand, and others.
Market Events Inspired and Entertained
Event highlights included a contemporary fashion show on Tuesday evening, January 10 with the theme of Enter The Multiverse, which welcomed hundreds of buyers to the World Trade Center atrium. On Thursday, January 12 the Western and English Fashion Show took place again welcoming hundreds of guests for the show and live music.
The show also welcomed key social media influencers who served as Style Eyes, tracking new products and trends across the marketplace and then sharing their selections to hundreds of thousands of followers.
Major Stores, Buying Groups, and Associations Descended on Dallas
The January show welcomed major stores representing hundreds of millions of dollars in purchasing power. Those special partners include Boot Barn, Buckle, Choctaw Casino Retail, Landry’s Retail, Cavenders, Scheels, Tylers, and Von Maur. Retailer Apricot Lane hosted franchise meetings for all 100+ franchise locations/owners.
Georgina Sussewell of Apricot Lane in Huntersville, North Carolina commented: “Everything was top notch, very pleasant and friendly. We have found a lot of new vendors, it allows us to touch and feel the quality of the products.”
Upcoming Trade Events
March Apparel & Accessories Market + Total Home & Gift Market takes place March 21-24. Ahead of the show, special partner Boutique Hub hosts their Boutique Summit on March 19 and 20. KidsWorld Market takes place March 21-24.
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.
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