Dallas Market Center has announced a strategic shift of its January market dates for 2020. The Total Home & Gift Market will shift to January 8-14, 2020; Lightovation: Dallas International Lighting Show will take place January 8-12, 2020; and the Apparel & Accessories Market will take place January 15-18, 2020, adjacent to the other markets. Market dates after 2020 have not yet been announced.
With these new dates, Dallas Market Center steps into a new calendar position with the first shows of the new year in 2020. This market date change follows a move by AmericasMart Atlanta, which shifted its traditional January dates a week later, January 14-21, 2020, on top of the dates previously announced by Dallas Market Center.
Following that unexpected action, Dallas Market Center sought input from a range of customers including sales representatives, exhibitors and retailers, as to whether to keep the existing dates or to make a move to new dates clear of any overlaps. The consensus among key customers was that earlier Dallas dates in January would work best and would provide both buyers and sellers with clear advantages. For retailers, the new dates for 2020 mean the markets in Dallas are their first opportunity to source new products with all of their open-to-buy dollars. For exhibitors and sales reps, the dates are a first opportunity to capture those dollars.
Additionally, the new dates provide retailers with first access to in-stock merchandise so they may refill depleted inventories. Finally, the dates offer opportunities for all buyers to explore new product categories throughout the entire run of multiple January markets taking place over an 11-day period.
“We strive to set market dates well in advance and clear of any other major shows to maximize business opportunities for buyers, exhibitors and sales representatives,” says Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Our goal is to work together as a business community for the betterment of the customers we serve and to provide an efficient and inspiring experience. One of our unique advantages is that we hold multiple markets during the month of January so buyers may take full advantage of their sourcing trip, including discovering new products and meeting with company principals. No other marketplace presents these opportunities quite like Dallas Market Center.”
