Facing intense competition both online and from major stores, specialty retailers shopped carefully for distinctive items, lifestyle togs, denim and jewelry at the trans-seasonal women’s market held Jan. 25 to 28 at the Dallas Market Center.
Orders were split about evenly between spring and summer deliveries and pre-fall and fall, according to sales agents. Buyers responded to a range of hues, from soft blush and peachy neutrals to earthy shades of green and blue and vivid prints.
“People are buying closer to need than they ever have,” said Tom Striegel, owner of Striegel Sales. “This is the first time I kept spring [samples] from my sportswear lines like Nic + Zoe and that was unheard of in the past.”
He described the show as “excellent,” led by stalwart Nic + Zoe and his debut of Liverpool jeans and Neon Buddha tops.
“Everyone wants to see something new, so anytime you have that it’s really good,” Striegel said.
Like last year, the market gained some traffic from the big Total Home & Gift show that ended the day before.
“Everyone is diversifying their mixes,” said sales agent Pam Kramer.
She did well with Vendula novelty handbags in the shape of a caravan trailer and a new line of neutral-hued jersey
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