Dallas Market, which hosted its semi-annual Total Home & Gift show in early Janurary, reports record attendance,
with buyers from
Tuesday Morning, Dillards, Michael’s Stores, The Container Store, At Home, JC Penney, HOM
Furniture, Soft Surroundings, and Nebraska Furniture Market stopping by.
DALLAS –The first show of the year was the strongest January event in recent memory as retail decision makers from across the country attended the Total Home & Gift Market in Dallas. Dallas Market Center reported a 40 percent increase in buyer attendance versus January 2021 and a 45 percent increase in new buyers.
Buyers from across the country attended the seven-day trade event that welcomed single and multi-location retail, buying groups, and major stores. The show debuted with a record number of buyers arriving on the opening days and also experienced an attendance lift in the final days as buyers arrived early for the Apparel & Accessories Market, WESA’s Western Market, and AETA’s Equestrian show.
Buyers from all 50 states attended the show. Final attendance numbers show that attendance from Texas and adjacent states was up by 26% and attendance from other regions was up by 66 percent. The strongest gains were from the Southeast (up 79 percent), West (up 61 percent), and Upper Midwest (up 59 percent). As the show expanded its reach across the country, international traffic also returned. Attendance by retailers from Canada and Mexico more than doubled compared with January 2021.
“This is the strongest January Market in more than a decade given the gains in new buyers and exhibitors,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “The energy remained high and order-writing remained steady throughout the show. Many showrooms reported record days or even record markets in the history of their company. Thank you to the retailers and designers who were eager to fill depleted inventories and discover what’s new for their customers.”
In addition to thousands of independent retailers from coast to coast, the buying power from major stores and buying groups added to the marketplace energy and commerce. Attendees included Tuesday Morning, Dillards, Michael’s Stores, The Container Store, HEB / Central Market Grocery Stores, Buc-ees, At Home, JC Penney, Learning Express, Neiman Marcus, AAFES, ASTRA, Hom Furniture, GC Buying Group, Weirs , Soft Surroundings, Albertsons, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Brookshire Grocery, United Supermarkets, Kennicott Brothers, Bill Doran Company, and Mid-States Distributing.
Exhibitors noted the strong traffic and order writing:
Garry Schermann of Creative Co-Op, noted: "Creative Co-Op, Bloomingville, and Illume enjoyed a record setting January 2022 Dallas show. Attendance was brisk, buyers had an exceptional holiday season and buys arrived ready to restock their stores and plan for another robust retail year."
Crestview Collection returned to Dallas Market Center and Bryan Williams, EVP, noted: “We cannot be more excited to be back in Dallas! The show has an energy that is second to none and the continued traffic after the show is very encouraging.”
Monica Loving, VP of Vendor Development for Ivystone, commented: “We had a record-breaking show in January. We enjoyed seeing a large number of Southwest customers as well as people from all over the Midwest, West and even some from the Southeast. We also think it is advantageous crossing over with the Apparel and Western shows.”
Noting the number of California buyers, Herren Hickingbotham with Park Hill said: “We’re impressed with the number of West Coast stores.”
Fashion accessories showroom Marque Luxury noted the momentum. Said Quentin Caruana, president and CEO: "The tremendous growth we’re experiencing with the Dallas Show has created new pivotal relationships bringing us new prospective buyers. With the help of the Dallas show, we expect 2022 to be a record-breaking year.”
The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market presented hundreds of new and returning exhibitors in four distinct neighborhoods. Jason Lenox with J Alexander commented: “We are thrilled with the return business and the new business from quality retailers coming to Dallas.” Said Tamra Brannon of Outlaw Woman, showing in Market Hall: “I’ve grown to depend upon Dallas Market as a partner in my wholesale journey.” Kellie Carlson with Oventure, The Big O Key Ring, commented: “We love that we’ve recently been getting more of a West Coast customer which has been hard to find and it has really helped our business.”
Inside the Gourmet Market, exhibitors including Amanda Black with Oh Sugar Sweets noted the amount of new business: “We exceeded our sales goals, not only in dollar amount but also in the total number of orders written. The most exciting result of the Dallas show was the number of new customers we acquired during market.”
The ARTS Awards
On Friday evening, the annual ARTS Awards celebrated and honor home industry excellence and achievement. The full list of winners including retailers, manufacturers, designers, and sales representatives is available on the Dallas Market Center website.
Health & Safety Guidelines Supporting Buyer Comfort
Supporting the comfort, health and safety of all attendees, the market center continues important measures outlined via the plan available on the front page of their website.
The next Total Home & Gift Market, will take place March 22-25.
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.