Dallas June Apparel & Accessories Market welcomed record number of new buyers
By Edited by Megan Smalley

The June 11-14 event had a higher number of new buyers attend, with a 63% increase in buyers attending from the Southeast.

The June Apparel & Accessories Market in Dallas broke attendance records for both total attendance and new buyer attendance, according to Dallas Market Center. The June 11-14 event had a higher total attendance and higher number of new buyers than the event has had in more than five years, including more U.S. buyers attending from the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and West as well as more international buyers.

Dallas Market Center said the attendance gains included a 63% increase in buyers attending from the Southeast. Retailers that attended saw new collections and top brands inside the marketplace for women’s, men’s and children’s apparel as well as accessories and footwear. Highlights included the Western contemporary trend as well as gameday and plus size sections. Buyers also explored the gift and home decor showrooms in advance of the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market and KidsWorld events June 19-25.

“Our growth as a global marketplace has accelerated as we welcome more buyers from across the country and internationally,” says Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Retailers post-pandemic are choosing Dallas as their preferred marketplace for ease of travel, inspiration, breadth of resources, and safety. We lead the way on all four priorities, and we are also the home of the hottest trend in America — Western contemporary.”

Buyers that attended the market included thousands of independent boutiques, along with major stores and multilocation retailers such as Dillard’s, Neiman Marcus, Julian Gold, Buc-ee’s, Monkee’s, Scheels, Sun & Ski Sports, Tylers and Von Maur.

“We attended the Dallas Show last week and are so glad we did,” said Ann Meyer and Chris Conley, owners and buyers for Project 2 Shop in St. Louis. “The Dallas market was filled with exceptional brands including many new ones, too. The people are always so friendly and helpful. It’s our favorite market, and we are already planning our return trip.”

Exhibitors also enjoyed the recent event. “We have been exhibiting in Dallas since 2016, and this June show has been our strongest turnout yet,” said Marissa Alfano, vice president of wholesale for Julie Vos, a fashion accessories brand. “Sales were up 48% compared to last June. We look forward to future successful markets and continued partnership.”

Dressed 2 Kill, a multiline showroom, added new collections across multiple categories. “We saw lots of out of territory buyers who said their businesses were doing well and they came to Dallas to look for new ideas and trends. We picked up new accounts and look forward to a great summer,” said Mike Stevison, president of Dressed 2 Kill.

Attendees of Boutique Hub Summit, held at Dallas Market Center June 9-10, boosted traffic at the June Apparel & Accessories Market as well. “We were thrilled to host our 7th annual Boutique Summit in Dallas,” said Ashley Alderson, founder and president of Boutique Hub Summit. “Our attendees and vendors had an amazing experience, two days of packed education experiences and always appreciate the Dallas Market Center hospitality. We saw hundreds of our attendees stay for the apparel show, many of whom reported they were first-time Dallas buyers. We look forward to collaborating again in the future.”

Dallas Market Center will host the Total Home & Gift Market June 19-25, with Lightovation taking place June 19-22. August markets include Apparel & Accessories Market (Aug. 13-16), KidsWorld (Aug. 13-16), WESA’s International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Market (Aug. 14-17) and the AETA International Trade Show (Aug. 14-16).