This news precedes a full schedule of June trade events including shows that are the first summer opportunity for buyers to order new products. Summer shows in Dallas follow more than ten months of successful markets and open-daily business welcoming a record number of new buyers. The most recent trade events hosted inside the Dallas marketplace were the best-attended in more than a decade, and the strongest attendance gains were outside of its immediate region: traffic in March 2021 from the Midwest was up 70%, the Southeast was up 97%, and buyer traffic from the West was up 126%.

“We think the next six months will be strongest retail market in decades, and our marketplace is serving as a dominant center of commerce as well as a supportive community for buyers and sellers,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “We are onboarding thousands of designers and retailers from across the country who are beginning a business or making a shift to Dallas. We have also expanded temporary exhibit space and opened more than 120 permanent showrooms in the last year. This is historic momentum as we serve as the most active marketplace in North America and as buyers order deeply from our exhibitors. Buyers are choosing a single marketplace with a lifestyle assortment of products, and we are anticipating this trend to drive big business in Dallas this summer.”

To support new buyers arriving for the summer shows, the market center is enhancing its pre-market communication and education for new buyers via digital tools and a dedicated team of retail ambassadors. During the show, new buyers will be welcomed to market with special tours, a welcome desk, and a buyers’ lounge. New buyers are encouraged to review market announcements, the website and to download the app for pre-market planning.

Just as more retailers and designers visit the Dallas marketplace, U.S. consumer spending continues to climb. According to the Census Bureau, March retail numbers showed a 9.8% increase over the previous month. Consumer confidence has also soared, now at its greatest level in 14 months according to the Conference Board. Increased vaccinations, more open businesses, and fiscal stimulus were cited as the key drivers. Bloomberg estimates about $1.7 trillion was saved from the beginning of the pandemic through January—before another round of stimulus payments arrived in bank accounts motivating additional spending.

For retailer Alison Dodson Anderson of A Dodson’s in Suffolk, Virginia the main benefit of visiting Dallas Market Center is efficiency: “I've been to all the markets, I really have, and Dallas is one that I keep coming back to because it fits all the needs. It covers gift. It covers home. It covers toy. It covers apparel. So for me, a multiple store owner … my one-stop shopping is right here in Dallas.”

Said first-time buyer Katie Laughridge with Nell Hill’s of Kansas City, Missouri who recently visited Dallas Market Center for the first time: “Coming to a new place allowed us to not only fill in gaps but find new and fresh and fun. We are only here for couple of days but we can get everything that we need to get done accomplished. We have found so many great things.”

Added exhibitor Kande Hall, founder of Los Angeles-based fashion accessories company French Kande, following the grand opening of their new, expanded showroom: “Dallas is the center of the wholesale universe right now. We called all of our buyers from New York to Los Angeles and told them to see us in Dallas.”

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 for every person entering the marketplace. Full guidelines and updates are available on the website. Other efforts include enhanced cleaning with hospital grade products, hundreds of hand sanitizing stations 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.

Special Hotel Offers

Dallas Market Center partner hotels are offering new, lower rates to support buyer travel budgets. Dozens of hotels, many within walking distance of the campus, are offering updated rates as low as $115. Rates valid until 2 weeks prior to Market, based on availability and are subject to change at any time so please reach out to Market Travel online or by calling 214-744-7444.

June/July Trade Events

Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market begins the summer series of events and takes place June 15-18, followed by Total Home and Gift Market, June 23-29, Lightovation: Dallas International Lighting Show, June 23-26, and KidsWorld, June 23-29. The Dallas Men’s Show takes place 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.

###