Oct 29, 2020

Dallas Market Center becomes national resource for apparel and accessories

Marketplace expanding to meet demand

Dallas Market Center concluded its year with a strong October Apparel & Accessories Market, held October 20-23, continuing the momentum of Dallas events. Planning is already underway to expand the marketplace to accommodate more exhibitors for what will be the largest U.S. show in January 2021.

The October show exceeded all expectations with attendance by retailers 10% ahead of last year’s event. An increasing number of retailers from across the country seeking an inspiring, safe marketplace are heading to Dallas—and brands are following suit.

In addition to attracting loyal retailers, the number of new buyers in Dallas was up 60% for the October show and the buyer base is expanding as retailers from more states choose to do business in Dallas. Buyers from 47 states have attended recent markets in Dallas. For the October show, attendance by stores across the Midwest was up 15%; the Northeast was up 11%; and the Southeast was up more than 5%.

Attendance Up

“We have unprecedented momentum as we head into the new year,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “We are the national market serving more buyers from more states. Buyers tell us that their decision to travel to markets is driven by one question: where can they find more new styles inside an easy-to-work venue keeping them as safe as possible. That’s Dallas. Anticipating even greater demand in the first quarter of 2021 we are investing in the marketplace by expanding our temps marketplace.  Design and construction over the holidays will create a new neighborhood of resources.”

Apparel in Demand

Beginning in January, Dallas Market Center will offer the largest collection of apparel and accessories available—anywhere—inside the only true national show of brands from coast to coast.  The next Apparel & Accessories Market, January 12-15, 2021 (Tuesday to Friday, with Saturday by appointment), will feature more than 70 new and expanding permanent showrooms as well as an expanded temps neighborhood on the 12th floor of the World Trade Center.

For buyers attending October Market, Dallas is the marketplace that best meets their needs during challenging business conditions: easy to work, full of new products, inspiring, friendly, and safe.

Said Cindy Disque of Sylvia’s in McAllen, Texas: “We have seen an uptick in business; people are feeling more confident [so] we came to the show looking for new products for next year,” she said. “Dallas is the safest market to attend—the city and the mart. It’s also the easiest to navigate. We will be back in January.”

Everything in One Place

Said Kelly Sigg of Audacious Boutique in Iola, Kansas: “Being from Kansas, it’s super easy and simple for us to get here and everyone is always really nice here. We can see a little bit of everything in one building, which is good, and we felt totally safe.”

Kristin Pratt of Pratt’s Shoe Salon of Florida, in Naples, also emphasized the market’s safety. “Dallas is safe, it’s clean,” she said. “The whole experience is great, and the protocol has been wonderful.”

Exhibitors recognize the opportunities unique to the Dallas marketplace. Said Brad Hughes, co-owner of showroom Brad Hughes & Associates: “Dallas is truly leading the way, which we’ve seen with steady orders and a number of new buyers from all across the USA. We know it will offer the best option for buyers in 2021.”

Showroom owner Scott Blair of The Scott Blair Group, felt the energy of the bustling October show. “Market has been really exciting—we have had buyers from all over the country, including Ohio and Wisconsin,” he said.

Supporting the comfort, health and safety of all attendees, the market center continues measures that began earlier in the summer and will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Those protocols include mandatory face covering and temperature screening for every person entering the marketplace every day. Other efforts included low contact entry via the Market FastPass, which saw dramatic adoption in the summer, as well as enhanced cleaning with hospital grade products, hundreds of hand sanitizing stations, limited food service, no gatherings, and signage for 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.

Dallas is first in January with Apparel & Accessories Market taking place January 12-15; KidsWorld January 12-15; the Dallas premiere of the largest Western and English trade events: WESA’s International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Trade Show plus AETA International Trade Show take place January 14-17; and Dallas Men’s Show takes place January 31-February 2. Earlier in the month, Total Home & Gift Market takes place January 6-12 and Temps January 6-9; Lightovation takes place January 7-10.

To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center mobile app.