Dallas Market Center reported a year-over-year attendance increase for the Total Home & Gift Market, especially among new buyers and retailers from key U.S. regions as well as internationally. The largest show in more than 10 years experienced steady order-writing among its thousands of exhibitors including hundreds of first-time participants.
Buyer attendance was ahead of the record-breaking January 2022 show as retailers and interior designers from all 50 states attended as well as international buyers from Canada, Central America, and South America. The number of new buyers in Dallas continues to set records, with the number of buyers visiting for the first-time outpacing pre-pandemic shows. Attendance also continued to widen geographically: buyers from the western U.S. grew over last January’s show and attendance from international buyers also increased.
“The January show continued our momentum as more buyers and exhibitors choose to do business in Dallas,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Our numbers show that buyers arrived steadily throughout the week, we expanded our reach, and we experienced a second wave of buyers arriving for additional trade events during the second week of the year. Most importantly, we saw consistent order writing approaching or surpassing our record-setting show last January, especially among exhibitors who offered new products or unique items. I want to thank our retailers and designers for choosing Dallas and creating a great first market of the year.”
Among the market attendees were influencers from gift and home décor who descended upon Dallas, including Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley, Tamara Day, Adam Glassman from Oprah Daily, the Antiques Diva Toma Clark Haines, and a long roster of top interior designers including Corey Damon Jenkins, Barry Goralnick, Charles Pavarini, and many others.
Celebrity designer Thom Filicia noted: “I love finding new vendors, looking at what’s new in the market, and connecting with a lot of people in the industry.” Added Tamara Day, star of Bargain Mansions from The Magnolia Network: “There is so much one of a kind and unique. It’s hard not to stop in every single space. And Adam Glassman, editorial director of Oprah Daily, commented: “Truly, we love coming to the Dallas Market because it’s so easy to navigate…and there’s beautiful stuff. I just love it.”
In addition to influencers and independent retailers, the buying power from major stores and buying groups added to the marketplace energy and commerce.
More than 300 new and expanding permanent showrooms and Temps debuted during the show, together with special exhibits, events, and seminars. Among the exhibitor community, results were shared noting retailer and designer confidence and new buyer traffic.
“We were very pleased with the results of the Dallas show,” said Brad Gullion, VP of Sales and Marketing with Melrose International. “Last year we set a sales record that we thought would be very difficult to attain this year. We were just a few points down from that and 25 percent above 2019 totals. Both traffic and show orders were up significantly. Buyers were all positive about both Melrose and the Dallas Market.”
Among home décor showrooms, spirits were also high. Mac Cooper, President of Uttermost and REVELATION, commented: “We are thrilled with our new showrooms in Dallas. Not only was traffic very good for our debut on 2, but I know the daily traffic will be great. The DMC was very helpful and supportive with our move to the second floor, and we could not be happier with the results.”
Kalalou expanded their showroom for January, and VP of Sales Josh McKay commented: “The first show of the year has delivered again! Kalalou enjoyed another record-setting market in Dallas. Strong attendance, confident buying, and the crossover with Apparel have really elevated the staying power of this market through the entire event!”
“Traffic picked up as the week progressed and continued into Lightovation the week following,” said Rex Yoakley, VP of Sales with ELK Home. “We ended the show with a nice increase in revenue and order size. The customers that came were there to buy.”
The Bigger, Better, Reimagined Temps
The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market was the largest presentation in more than ten years with more than 1200 exhibitor booths across five distinct neighborhoods of hot new products and brands. Special events included tours, receptions, and debuts including one-of-a-kind products and antiques from Blue Ocean Traders and Porch View Home.
A special giveaway on the 12th floor provided two special customers with $5000 for placing orders at the show. The winners were Denise Skorka of Bungalow in Elmwood, Louisiana and Linda Dalton with Phina in Houston, Texas.
Exhibitors from the Temps noted the energy and enthusiasm. Christopher Radko, owner of Heartfully Yours, which was located in Luxe Gift, commented: “We WILDLY exceeded our anticipated sales numbers. It was a fantastic Market for us and a wonderful opportunity to expose our brand!”
Added David Campcano with Prince of Scots which was in High Style Dallas on the 10th floor: “Love the Dallas Market, it’s first class all the way.”
Finally, from the 12th floor, Rose Fitzhugh-Back of Capitol Earth Rugs said: “We feel at home at the Dallas Market Center. Dallas was our very first show! The Total Home and Gift Show is a great place to meet NEW buyers and connect with some of our best buyers.”
33rd ARTS Awards
The gala event dedicated to home industry excellence and achievement took place on Friday, January 6 and was hosted by celebrities Thom Filicia and Carson Kressley. Category awards were presented as well as a special Academy of Achievement honor for the White Family, owners of Summer Classics, Gabby, and Wendy Jane; and a special HEARTS Award presented to Culp. The ARTS Awards gala was preceded on Thursday evening by a Preview Party on the 10th floor of the World Trade Center, home to High Style Dallas Temps and Antiques Temps.
Style Eyes Trendspotting
January marked the return of Style Eyes, the panel of trend experts and retail mavens will be discovering new products at market. The Style Eyes leveraged the knowledge and taste making skills of many leading industry social media influencers for their insights and discoveries as they spotted must-see and unique products and trends across the marketplace.
