Dallas market officials report record-breaking winter market

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 1/27/2011 1:42:45 PM

DALLAS — Dallas Market Center announced today the results of a record breaking Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, held Jan. 19-25.

"Attendance was up, buyers were writing orders, exhibitors were thrilled, and we were encouraged to have such a strong Market," said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. "It was a great market to welcome so many new companies to Dallas."

The market set the following records:

+ The strongest opening day in the past 40 gift and home markets
+ A near double-digit percentage gain in attendance
+ Buyers present from all 50 states
+ Increased attendance from every region in the country
+ More new buyers than in past five years of markets
+ The addition of 50 new permanent showrooms

Buyers perpetuated the momentum in the retail industry that began in 2010 with the best holiday sales in six years, according to the National Retail Federation.

"We have been at Dallas Market Center for 47 years, and this is the biggest Market we've ever had," said Kim Mount, J. Brandes. "The buyers are upbeat and pleased with a successful Christmas. There is a lot of energy."

"Customers are very optimistic about the first quarter and are buying accordingly," said Rex
Yoakley, vice president of sales, Imax World Wide Imports. "We felt that our Dallas show would be good, but it was excellent. Buyers are buying entire looks and back to writing at 2007 levels."