Recap: June 2022 Edition of Dallas Total Home & Gift Market

The June 2022 edition of Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, the largest summer trade event in more than ten years, welcomed more new buyers from across the country and steady order-writing, the market center announced.

Buyers for the seven-day event arrived early to place orders at the first show of the summer season. Retailers and interior designers from all 50 states attended the show as well as international buyers from Canada, Central America, and South America.

“We were extremely pleased with attendance especially among new buyers from across the country,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Frankly, business conditions this summer and economic forecasts are uncertain, so consistent order-writing was a welcome result especially for exhibitors who offered new products or unique items. The reimagined Temps was the highlight of a summer show that once again demonstrated the Dallas momentum. We have hosted record-setting shows for more than 18 months that created dramatic tailwinds; but now we are facing economic headwinds that slowed things down a bit. That said, we continue to make gains—including attracting more new buyers and brands who want to do business in Dallas.”

Attendance at the June show by buyers visiting Dallas Market Center for the first-time was ahead of June 2021 and also ahead of pre-pandemic shows. Attendance also continued to widen geographically: buyers from the southeast increased 29%, the midwest increased 7%, and the west increased 7%.

In addition to thousands of independent retailers, the buying power from major stores and buying groups added to the marketplace energy and commerce. Attendees included Tuesday Morning, Dillard’s, Michael’s Stores, The Container Store, Buc-ees, At Home, JC Penney, Neiman Marcus, AAFES, World Market, Kohls, Albertsons, Brookshire Grocery, United Supermarkets, Big Lots, Boot Barn, Halls, Hobby Lobby, Maurices, Joanns, The Paper Store, Universal Direct, Gelson’s Markets, HEB/Central Market Grocery Stores, Southwest Buying Group, MAI, Palmer Marketing, Brixy, and HTI plus the team from Oprah’s Favorite Things.

More than 40 new and expanding permanent exhibitors and hundreds of new 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.

“It was our best summer show by double digits,” said Randa Crisler with Portico Collection. “We started writing business during the Apparel show, continued during pre-market days on Monday and Tuesday, and then the show itself. We saw buyers from coast to coast and they truly responded to new products and collections by placing orders.”

Retailer Excellence Awards

The 71^st Annual Retailer Excellence Awards took place on June 22 during the Total Home & Gift Market. The event, in partnership with Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine, has been celebrating retail excellence since 1951. The event honored 21 retail nominees and seven retail winners in seven categories: Specialty Store, Multiple Locations, Visual Merchandising, Store Events, Store Design, Social Media Outreach and Online Initiatives, and Socially Responsible. In addition, GDA will also present awards to the Manufacturer of the Year and Sales Representative of the Year. Gift for Life, the industry charitable organization, presented its Industry Achievement Award to industry analyst and journalist Warren Shoulberg who also spearheaded fundraising for World Central Kitchen. The fundraising has reached more than $23,000.

Showrooms Feeding Families

Select showrooms participated in the “Showrooms Feeding Families” fundraiser benefitting World Central Kitchen organized by Gift for Life. More than $20,000 was raised. Participating showrooms included: Cliff Price & Co., Goetz, KBD Sales, NextGen Dallas, Nora Fleming, Park Hill, Patrick & Co., Portico Collection, and Road Runners. Generous direct donation support came from RAZ, Creative Co-Op, and OneCoast.

Additional Summer and Fall Events

Also taking place during Total Home & Gift Market were Lightovation, the largest trade event for the business of residential lighting, and KidsWorld. Upcoming shows at Dallas Market Center include the Dallas Men’s Show, July 30-August 1, Apparel and Accessories Market, August 23-26, KidsWorld, August 23-26, AETA International Trade Show, August 25-28, and WESA’s International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Market, August 25-28. In September, Dallas Design Week takes place September 12-15; Total Home & Gift Market, September 13-15; and ArchLIGHT Summit, September 15-16.

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 gourmet and housewares, home décor, holiday/floral, gifts, lighting and apparel. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products from exhibitors throughout the year via dominant trade events for gift, home décor, holiday and floral; the nation’s most comprehensive apparel and accessories markets featuring the latest styles from East Coast and West Coast designers; the largest residential lighting trade event in North America; and the largest and most successful open-daily design center. The marketplace is located in the strongest economic zone in the country. In addition, more than 80% of Dallas Market Center buyers report that they do not shop other market centers. To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center App. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the Dallas Market Center blog.

For upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center mobile app. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the DMC Daily Dose.