The March Market at Dallas Market Center will include key new exhibitors in the Temps and permanent showrooms, according to DMC. The trade event taking place March 21-24, 2023 is the once-a-year combined market when Apparel & Accessories Market takes place together with Total Home & Gift Market. The marketplace in the country for women’s apparel, accessories, and footwear will be complemented by open showrooms in gift, gourmet, home décor, holiday, and more creating a lifestyle marketplace.
In addition to a record number of exhibitors participating in March, the number of buyers attending the spring trade event in Dallas is expected to exceed the previous year. The total attendance by retailers at all Dallas trade events in 2022 was up and the number of buyers attending for the first time was up significantly compared to 2019, pre-pandemic numbers. Attendance from key territories was also up for the year including the southeast, the upper Midwest, and the west.
“March is the one time each year where we truly meet every retailer need,” said Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “All categories are available so retailers seeking the latest products can make one stop to find it all.”
Pre-registration, which is the exclusive method to receive a FastPass for quicker entry, is now available at dallasmarketcenter.com.
New Exhibitors
Footwear is a category enjoying tremendous growth in Dallas, and its location on the 10th floor allows for a greater number of brands. New and noteworthy brands for March include Gabor, All Black, Nero Giardini, Frankie4, Lady Couture, Think!, Arcopedico, and Biza.
Apparel and accessories options also continue to grow. On the 13th floor, the temps will feature more new brands including House of Olia, Rachel Nathan Design, Pissenlit, Vero Moda, Holy Stone, and Estheme Cashmere. These resources complement permanent showrooms including Hey Dude (13802), Cuadra (13224), Kendra Scott Design (WTC 13256), and Theia (13246 and also in the Temps 13-1715).
On the 15th floor is the debut of WBC Clothing from Los Angeles in WTC 15442. WBC is a multi-line contemporary showroom representing brands including Brave + True, Gold + Stone, Holiday, and Talisman. Expanding on the 15th floor is Style Consortium (WTC 15018), which features brands including Hale bob, Bel Kazan, Caryn Vallone, Fresh Laundry, River & Sky, Skemo, StitchDrop, Sundown Lounge, Tractr, and WordsCount.
Gift and home showrooms will also be open, including new and expanded showrooms that debuted in January in the Trade Mart, World Trade Center, and IHDC. New showrooms in the Trade Mart include Kimberly Wahlberg Company (TM 2242) Giftcraft (TM 2727, TM 2741); Reason and Remedy (TM 2353); and Seda France joins the 2301 Collection (TM 2301-13). In the World Trade Center, Regency International (WTC 407) has a new showroom on the 4th floor; Kalalou has expanded to feature florals in Botanica by Kalalou (WTC 360); wrought-iron chandelier and furniture manufacturer Ashore (WTC 531, TM 3383) has relocated and expanded. Importer of French and Italian ephemera Monahan Papers (WTC 251) has a new showroom; and home décor destination; and Gabby (WTC 150) expanded their first-floor location on the atrium. In the Interior Home + Design Center (IHDC), recently added in The Gallery are ceramics tabletop leader Arte Italica (IHDC 1D202-GL24), Palmwood furniture builder Pacific Green (IHDC 1D301-GL110/118), hardwood flooring at PID Floors (IHDC 1D202-GL78), high-end textiles from V Rugs & Home (IHDC 1D301-GL116), and boutique wallpaper that turns heads at Wall Snobs (IHDC 1D202-GL12).
Market Events
All buyers are invited to a variety of industry, social, and hospitality events from complimentary Gourmet Market tastings, special photo ops, brunch, mimosas, coffee bars, and more. Event highlights include a market party and fashion show on Tuesday evening, March 21 with the theme of Grand Romance. Join us in the World Trade Center atrium at 5 p.m. for a complimentary cocktail and the fashion show at 6 p.m.
Ashley Alderson, founder of The Boutique Hub, hosts two events:
“The Next Generation of Retail”: Monday, March 20 at 9:30 a.m. in the World Trade Center Atrium. Grab a coffee and join us as we dive into the future of retail with The Boutique Hub's Ashley Alderson. She will share her insights on how to mix in new opportunities to reach Gen Z with tried and true traffic channels not to ignore.
“A Champagne Tour of Gift and Apparel Showrooms”: Tuesday, March 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Trade Mart Koi Pond. Join this tour of Trade Mart gift showrooms for apparel and gift retailers. Ashley will connect you with important contacts within each showroom and talk through how to grow and diversify your store with digital traffic and new assortment opportunities.
A full list of events and hospitality are available at the Dallas Market Center website.
For New Buyers
New buyer applications are at record levels, and to support new buyers, Dallas Market Center is offering a daily new buyer orientation. Attend the New Buyer Scoop each morning at 9 a.m. on the 1st floor of the World Trade Center for tips and tricks to prioritize your day and a rundown of what’s new.
THE GOODS by Brand Assembly
On the 10th floor of the World Trade Center is the showroom and trade experience THE GOODS by Brand Assembly which debuted in January. The 17,000-square-foot space showcases dozens of exceptional and elevated brands presenting their collections across all product categories including apparel, accessories, footwear, gift, home décor, and western. Stand out brands include Alp N Rock, Stoney Clover Lane, Intentionally Blank, Whimsy and Row, Mohinders, Sierra Winter Jewelry and Spiritual Gangster. Special events and activations include:
Permanent jewelry from Link X Lou -Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Specialty cocktails by The Marfa Spirit Co.- Tuesday and Wednesday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Thursday 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Complimentary tea and elixirs from Wellness brand REYLT - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
On Tuesday evening prior to the fashion show, there will be a reception including small bites from FOUNT and The Marfa Spirit Co. from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Also during that event will be live screen printing and complimentary totes by SOLACE and a smudge stick activation by lifestyle brand Apothenne.
7th Floor Cash and Carry
Meeting the demand for immediate delivery, all buyers are invited to see the largest selection of products available for immediate purchase on the 7th floor. More than ten new showrooms recently opened and include apparel and accessories as well as gift items and fine jewelry.
Boutique Hub Summit
Taking place at Dallas Market Center prior to March Market is Boutique Hub Summit, March 20-21. The purpose of the Summit is to introduce attendees to the methods being used by top boutique owners, show how the best online boutiques are generating traffic, and demonstrate the best methods to drive conversions and sales. The first day is for keynotes and breakouts. The second day is more keynotes and breakouts plus a closing party with a 1980s Prom theme. Founded by Ashley Alderson, the Boutique Hub is the world’s largest boutique industry community, connecting boutique retailers, eCommerce retailers, wholesale brands, product makers, and industry services and experts with more than 7,000 boutique members. For information about in-person and virtual tickets visit the Boutique Hub website.
