DALLAS — Independent retailers placed orders for deliveries as far as eight months away at the Dallas Market Center’s show that ended its four-day run on Sunday, a welcome change for vendors used to an emphasis on short lead times at the January market.
“People booked a lot of fall business, even small stores,” said Susanne Taylor, who hadn’t expected to show later deliveries in her namesake showroom specializing in active, green and lifestyle lines.
“They were looking at immediates, and I had lots of regular customers who were willing to commit to the later deliveries in July, August and September,” said Denise Strueber, showroom manager for Tru Luxe denim and Sharon Young better-priced sportswear.
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The energy-driven economies of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana are benefiting from the high price of oil, sales representatives noted. However, there was no consensus about business among retailers, whose assessments ranged from “tough” to “super.” Most budgets were flat, though some planned small increases.
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Buyers cheered the vivid hues in spring and summer deliveries, including turquoise, green, tomato and neons, while also investing in neutral white, sand and navy. Color virtually never goes out of style in Texas and the South, and it’s also a tonic for the spirit, retailers said.
“The brights will be amazing for Louisiana,” said Rebecca Butler, owner of Love in Baton Rouge. “Women wear color.”
“My customers don’t want any more black,” said Tiffany Foster, owner of Goosefeathers in Corpus Christi, Tex., who ordered casual sportswear from Pete & Greta and other divisions of Johnny Was.
Key fall hues included chartreuse, purple, olive, teal, berries, grays and mochas in artistic and animal prints, real and fake fur, playful shirts, draped blouses and tunics that hang longer in the back. Jewelry also did well, especially bold looks featuring druzy stones, mixed colors, pearls, leather and gold hardware.
The retailers had a “great attitude,” said sales representative Brad Hughes. He characterized the show as “slow and steady,” adding that item shirts and blouses were his top sellers.
“You have to be partners with the stores, and if something’s not working, get it out of there and bring something else in,” Hughes said. “Nobody has time to waste on something that’s not fabulous.”
Business was solid for Western exhibitors in the new Territory area on the 14th floor of the World Trade Center.
“This has been the best January market we’ve ever had,” said Othell Welch, who opened a permanent showroom for his company, Corral Boots. “My business is probably 35 percent boutique and 65 percent Western stores, and 98 percent of our customers said they came out of 2011 with nice increases.”
Attendance rose “dramatically” at the four-day show, according to Cindy Morris, DMC chief operating officer.
“Buyers were writing orders and spirits were high during the four-day show,” she said. “We are hopeful for 2012 as retailers keep pace with rising consumer demand.”