Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Opens Strong

GDA Staff //January 7, 2021

dmc lobby winter 2021, mask up sign
dmc lobby winter 2021, mask up sign

A screen at Dallas Market Center reminds buyers to "mask up" during its January 2021 market.

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Opens Strong

First market of the year welcomes 75 percent of buyers versus 2020; 25 percent new buyers from across the country.

GDA Staff //January 7, 2021

Total Home & Gift Market in Dallas, the first major market of the year for retailers from across the country, opened with strong attendance and order writing. Dallas Market Center reported buyer attendance at 75 percent compared with January of 2020 and a boost in first-time buyers visiting the show. More than 25 percent of buyers at the show are attending for the first time, according to the market center, which is a significant increase from previous years.

“We are thrilled with the attendance, especially the number of new buyers from the east and west seeking a central, safe and efficient marketplace to get business done more easily.” — Cindy Morris, DMC president and CEO

As retailers and designers face an increasing demand for home décor and gifts, buyers in Dallas are seeing first-hand the latest trends, discovering more new products in permanent showrooms and temps, and are being supported with comprehensive health and safety measures.

“Dallas is the center of business success for 2021 by hosting a first show of the year that is full of positive energy, confident buyers and strong order writing,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “We are thrilled with the attendance, especially the number of new buyers from the east and west seeking a central, safe and efficient marketplace to get business done more easily.”

Buyers check out Venture products at the Dallas Total Home & Market in January.

 

The market center previously announced that during the month of January more than 150 new and expanding exhibitors would debut including iconic names and exciting new companies. They joined legacy showrooms presenting new collections and lines in gift, home, holiday/floral, toy, gourmet/housewares and fashion.

Patrick Ongena, owner of Patrick & Company in the Trade Mart noted: “Our pre-show and opening day far exceeded expectations. Traffic was good and orders were deep. We have had double-digit increases for several of our key lines, and we are anticipating steady traffic into next week’s apparel and western shows.”

“The buyers are here and they are ordering,” said Kyle Camp, owner and CEO of K&K Interiors in the World Trade Center. “Many of them had terrific years and they need products now. We are extremely pleased with the show traffic but also anticipate steady design business week by week. Consumers have completely changed their homes recently and want quality products.”

Wes Hardin Sr., president of Diverse Marketing, noted: “The pre-show and opening days were strong for us, and we are tracking to at least 75 percent of usual. Retailers feel very comfortable in Dallas and they are optimistic. Buyers need a place to find what’s new, and Dallas is one of the very few locations giving buyers both the inspiration they want and the comfort and safety they need.”

In addition to permanent showrooms, The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market, which runs January 6-9, is presenting hundreds of new and returning exhibitors with four distinct neighborhoods to discover hot new products and brands.

“The opening day was the biggest ever for our company,” said Rusty Phillips, co-owner of Bourbon Royalty Candle Company, showing on the 12th floor. “We are used to ramping up day by day but the show began very strong. We are thrilled.”