Recap: June Total Home & Gift Market
Furniture World News Desk on
7/13/2018
The Dallas Market Center reports that the recently concluded Dallas Total Home & Gift Market presented more new and trending products inside a marketplace that welcomed more businesses from key states as well as businesses attending for the first time. The result was consistent, deep order writing across the show. Many exhibitors reported larger average orders and a total sales increase of up to thirty percent, especially among exhibitors with new products, new showrooms, and/or special promotions.
Overall attendance at the seven day event was even with last year’s market and included gains in attendance by businesses located in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas, as well as strong attendance by buyers from across the Central U.S. including Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. A healthy increase in attendance was recorded by companies attending from the Southeast and Northeast.
An increasing number of new buyers and businesses also attended the show, continuing the momentum that began in June 2016. New buyers visited the Dallas show from all 50 states with a special concentration from the Central U.S., a result of Dallas Market Center’s expanded outreach via buyer delivery programs and partnerships with exhibitors and sales representatives.
“Our June show delivered scores of new exhibitors, inspiring events, and unmatched opportunities for retailers and interior designers to source distinctive products,” said Cindy Morris, Dallas Market Center president and CEO. “Now more than ever buyers come to Dallas demanding the new, the unique, the sustainable, the handcrafted, the variety and type of products that we can deliver better than any other marketplace.”
Dallas Market Center presents the most complete collection of new and best-selling products across all major lifestyle categories including gifts, home décor, lighting, holiday and floral, housewares, gourmet, fashion, and artisan products.
The steady order writing in Dallas was driven by the strong regional retail conditions, high demand for more new and unique products, the number of new resources available in Dallas, and Dallas Market Center’s prime location in the center of the U.S. and with efficient travel options from all 50 states, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Headlining the hundreds of market events, showroom receptions, promotions, and seminars were the grand opening of new showrooms from Blue Ocean Traders (WTC 542), Allaf Oriental Rugs (521.F), and InStyle Gallery and Ollier Distributors in the Light + Design showroom (WTC 10085). In the Interior Home + Design Center, Global Views/Studio|A Home opened expansive new space in IHDC 1D209 and American Leather Innovation by Contempo Designs cut the ribbon on a new showroom, IHDC 1D205. Inside The Gallery at IHDC, Atelier Home, Beyond Borders, Peacock Alley, and Lantern & Scroll debuted new spaces. Finally, The Botanical Mix, IHDC 1D110, 1D408, expanded into new space. On the Trade Mart first floor, The Grommet opened a permanent showroom in 1303 and on the second floor in 2535, the housewares shared showroom, Work Sharp Culinary, a division of Darex, debuted.
In addition to permanent showrooms, The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market welcomed hundreds of new and returning exhibitors. Across The Temps, buyers who spent at least $1000 in a Temp neighborhood won a $100 American Express gift card.
In the World Trade Center atrium, the International Folk Art Market | Collection returned with their best show in its historic partnership with Dallas Market Center. Artists from more than 30 countries showcased their wares and shared their stories through their art. The exhibit was held in the World Trade Center Atrium where buyers purchased hand-crafted jewelry, gifts, and home décor.
Innovative company CUR8 launched a first of its kind design Innovation Petting Zoo. CUR8 represents innovative products that promote smarter, healthier living. From the Internet of Things to 3D printing to next generation recycling and biofabrication, CUR8 brought tomorrow’s design for today’s retailers during the show. The Innovation Petting Zoo experience was a new kind of market event, a multi-sensory and interactive marketplace of leading edge products and design that directly impact Home, Gift, Lighting, Apparel and Accessories.
New for June was Style Eyes, the new program leveraging the knowledge and taste making skills of many leading industry social media influencers for their insights and discoveries. Thirteen Style Eyes identified must-see and unique products and trends across the marketplace including gifts, home décor, lighting, holiday/floral and fashion. The team also gathered together for a lively panel discussion chaired by Adam Glassman, creative director for O, The Oprah Magazine.
Winners of the 9th Annual Dallas Gourmet Gold Specialty Food Awards were revealed during an awards ceremony and cocktail reception held in the World Trade Center. This year also marks the 30th Anniversary of Dallas Market Center’s Gourmet Market, in addition to milestone anniversaries of many of its exhibitors.
For interior designers and fans of interior design, a full slate of events educated and entertained. Influencers including Clodagh, Barclay Butera, Shay Geyer, Dann Foley, Mariska Meijers, Daniel Germani, Glen Peloso, Toma Clark Haines, Steven Moore, Saxon Henry, Scott Kravet, Aviva Stanoff, and Tamara Matthews Stephenson held dynamic seminars.
Gift, floral, and holiday categories had special programming from PRESENT magazine’s Keb Kennedy and Kat Krassner, from trend expert Michelle Lamb, and from floral experts J Schwanke, Edward Ajovic, Matt Wood, and Norman Northern.
For all buyers, a series of business seminars in the heart of The Temps on the 12th floor attracted large crowds to hear insights into social media, trends in gifts, selling to millennials, social selling, influencer tips, and visual design.
Buying power from many of the leading boutiques and independent stores in the U.S. was matched by the participation of some of the most influential industry organizations and buying groups including Affiliated Distributors Group, AHVRP, Brixy, Furniture First, GC, HTI, Museum Store Association, Luxury Products Group, Monograms America, Purchasing Power Plus, Southwest Buying Group, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and Zoo & Aquariums.
The Dallas Total Home & Gift Market took place concurrently with Lightovation—Dallas International Lighting Show, the largest residential lighting show in North America and the primary buying venue for lighting retailers. The June edition of Lightovation included the grand opening of The SMART Center, a new hospitality and education lounge, as well as the Showroom of the Year Awards, Market Choice Awards, and Light Stars, a special program honoring top sales people with a market experience.
Dallas Market Center is located in the strongest economic zone in the U.S., and five of the ten fastest growing cities in the U.S. are located within Texas. In addition, travel costs to Dallas are the lowest among all major market destination cities. In addition to two convenient airports and more than 8,000 free parking spaces, an efficient regional rail system offers a Dallas Market Center station directly behind the marketplace for easy access to downtown and other destinations.
More about Dallas Market Center: Dallas Market Center is a global business-to-business trade center and the leading wholesale marketplace in North America connecting retailers and interior designers with top manufacturers in home décor, furniture, gifts, lighting and fashion. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus near downtown Dallas, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products via open-daily showrooms and from exhibitors participating in trade events held throughout the year. For more information, visit dallasmarketcenter.com.