DALLAS — The January Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market will break records for the number of exhibiting companies at the 2023 edition of the show, held Jan. 10-13 at Dallas Market Center. Next month the market will feature 700 booths of temporary exhibitors and 250 permanent showrooms, roughly a 15% increase from the January 2022 edition.
The Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market had great success in 2022, growing by 20% during the year. The total attendance by retailers at the five apparel, accessories and footwear events was up nearly 20% and the number of buyers attending for the first time was up more than 40% compared to 2019 numbers. Dallas Market Center also announced that attendance from the Southeast increased 86%, upper Midwest increased 91% and the West increased 104% compared to 2019.
“Our increases in attendance and exhibitors are happening for multiple reasons,” Dallas Market Center SVP, Exhibitor Marketing Cole Daugherty said. “First and foremost, we have been open for business and holding trade events almost without interruption over the last two years. Retailers understood that we were open and had great products for them to see and order. Exhibitors, too, knew that commerce was happening in Dallas. Secondly, we have seen a shift in attendee priorities. Today, they are eager to travel to one single location as opposed to multiple shows. They are maximizing their trips to trade events in order to save time and money. Finally, our attendees are retailers who are stocking a diverse set of products and they can find everything inside our marketplace, not only within the apparel and accessories categories but also other categories like gift or holiday.”
Along with attendance and exhibitor numbers going up, showrooms have been growing. More than 50,000 square feet of space has been added to the show through 2022, giving the January Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market more room for exhibitors than last year’s edition. The number of booths on the 10th floor increased 50% from last January. Young Contemporary on the 10th floor expanded 25%, the permanent showrooms on the 13th floor have grown and in January attendees will see expansions of current exhibitors on the 15th floor.
To support the record levels of new buyer applications, Dallas Market Center is offering The Scoop, a daily orientation to share tips on prioritizing the day and information on what’s new at the show for first-time buyers and exhibitors. “It has become not only a great opportunity for the buyers but also allows the Dallas Market Center team to meet buyers in person, educate them about our marketplace, and build long lasting relationships. We are expecting that 15% of the attendees at the January show will be first timers,” Daugherty said.
For the January show, the showroom and trade experience THE GOODS by Brand Assembly will be launched. It’s a 17,000 square foot space where more than 40 brands will present their collections. At its opening party Daniel X Diamond will be the special guest, featuring pieces from the collections and a display of looks worn by celebrities including Carrie Underwood and Gwen Stefani.
The WESA International Western and Equipment Market and the AETA Equestrian Show will be taking place at the same time as the Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market next month at the Dallas Market Center.
Reach Cole Daugherty at (214) 760-2884 or cdaugherty@dallasmarketcenter.com
