Dallas KidsWorld Market Welcomes Record Number of New Buyers From Across the Country For First Show of the Year
DALLAS – January 29, 2021 – Dallas KidsWorld Market, held January 12-15, welcomed a record number of new buyers from across the country. More than 35% of buyers attending the January edition of the show, which takes place five times a year at Dallas Market Center, were first-time attendees. Buyers from more than 40 states attended the show.
After a successful holiday sales season, retailers from across the country visited the Dallas marketplace to see first-hand the latest trends, order new products, and experience the show safely with comprehensive health and safety measures.
“January was an extremely successful KidsWorld event,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Loyal buyers and new buyers from across the country have made the decision to come to Dallas in order to see the new products and place significant orders. These buyers are confident, full of positive energy, and ready for a successful 2021. We are thrilled to offer a safe and inspiring marketplace for them.”
The KidsWorld marketplace in Dallas encompasses an entire 250,000 square foot floor of the World Trade Center and includes childrenswear and accessories as well as toy. Many childrenswear buyers, in addition to sourcing from KidsWorld exhibitors, also source products from adjacent neighborhoods of gift and gourmet, home décor and holiday goods.
During the month of January the Total Home & Gift Market and Apparel & Accessories Market also delivered a record number of new buyers to Dallas many of which shopped the KidsWorld floor. The debut of the largest marketplace in the world for Western and English products, held in concert with the WESA Trade Show, also delivered thousands of new buyers to the Dallas marketplace seeking new products.
Marilyn Klein, owner of The Klein Group, a 20-line showroom, commented on the traffic and orders: “We had a great show including lots of new customers from across the country. We saw buyers from Florida and Missouri and Colorado and North Dakota and so many states. Many buyers had a good Q4 and were optimistic, especially about the second half of the year. They also said that they need a marketplace that’s inspiring, friendly, safe and convenient. I’m very confident that we will continue to attract more new buyers throughout the year.”
“This was one of the best shows we have ever experienced,” said Lesley Lewis of the multi-line L&R Showroom. “We are extremely fortunate to have amazing brands that work closely with us and our stores to meet the demands of today's marketplace. We owe our success to our stores, our brands, and maybe a little bit of hard work and endless optimism on our end!”
“We hit record numbers with an overwhelming amount of new retailers stopping by,” said Damie Wetzel with Southern Tots & Co. “This was a job well done for January markets.”
New exhibitors in KidsWorld include MissMocs, Velvet Fawn, King of Redonda, and Marae / Mi Lucero USA. Expansions included Mila & Rose. Recent additions include Clover Cottage, Azarhia, and The Little Heifer.
Health & Safety Guidelines Supporting Buyer Comfort
Supporting the comfort, health and safety of all attendees, the market center continues measures that include mandatory face covering and temperature screening for every person entering the marketplace
every day. Other efforts include 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 to each floor, and showrooms with controlled access to allow for the appropriate distance between customers.
Future Trade Events
Upcoming trade events include a KidsWorld Open House (February 2-4) and KidsWorld Market (March 23-26).
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 Blog.
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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