Dallas Market Center’s Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, held Jan. 18-24, had strong buyer attendance, larger orders being placed, more new exhibitors, and renewed retail confidence during the seven-day show.
“Commerce roared ahead in Dallas as a record number of new and expanded exhibitors were matched by gains in attendance across key buying segments. Coming off strong holiday sales, retailers were ready to buy and attended from all 50 states and 53 countries,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. “We anticipate a banner 2012 as exhibitors reinvest in the marketplace and as retailers keep pace with rising consumer demand.”
Dozens of new and expanded showrooms debuted throughout the 5-million-square-foot campus.
Retailers brought in more buyers per store and twice as many booked their June travel to market. While at the show, they participated in more than 70 special events and seminars and found inspiration in the displays throughout campus.
“The show was the best we’ve had in our 20 years,” said Patrick Ongena, owner of Patrick & Co., a Dallas-based firm that represents gourmet brands including Tea Forte, Caldrea and Cork Pops. “It was the perfect storm of business with our 20th anniversary and the opening of the new Willow Group corporate showroom. Our increases were across the board and both showrooms worked great. Steady traffic and the vibe throughout the floors were indicators that the economy has begun a definite turn around.”
“We finished a great market in Dallas and consider The Gourmet Market one of the top markets in America,” said Janet Pendergrass, national sales chairman of Columbia Empire Farms of Oregon, a Dundee, Ore.-based farm that produces berry jams and hazelnuts.
Founded in 1957, Dallas Market Center is the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace with more than 50 markets each year.
