Resilient, connecting and moving forward: A conversation with a Dallas Market Center retail buyer
{Sponsored} As we move into the 2021 trade show season, safety is still a top concern for many wholesalers and buyers. Dallas Market Center (DMC) delivered that safety at the August Total Home & Gift Market this past summer, while ushering attendees back into the in-person trade show experience. DMC is thrilled to welcome buyers back again in January 2021, to the first gift market of a fresh new year.
To hear about how retailers are doing in these unprecedented times and how the August show experience felt, DMC sat down with Mark Snyder, owner of William Glen in Sacramento, CA.
DMC: HOW’S BUSINESS?
Mark: You know, business for us is very good. It’s been an interesting year as everyone knows, but we have been able to pivot … to adding additional online presences and strengthening that segment of our business model. And it was by utilizing our existing website and expanding on it.
DMC: WHAT CHANGES IN DEMAND DID YOU SEE?
Mark: Right away, we saw an increase in demand of essentials, basics, everything from kitchen tools and knives and cookware to ways to serve it, to entertaining and all that. But then also people were indulging a little bit and buying things that were a little on the higher price point to probably bring some enjoyment for those people that were stuck at home.
DMC: WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO COME TO MARKET THIS SUMMER?
Mark: It gave me a chance to see some retailers that I know from the past and to collaborate on what each other was experiencing. Then secondly, also looking for that fill-in product.
DMC: TALK FOR A SECOND ABOUT THAT COLLABORATION. WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
Mark: We can all shop vendor catalogs online and we can all talk online. But being able to go to the shows and see each other, whether it’s an organized meetup or just passing each other in the hallway and having a two minute conversation … that will never be replaced in my mind. And the shows are truly the best way to do that. I’ve met some of my best resources and honestly, best friends at the shows.
DMC: DID YOU FEEL SAFE?
Mark: 100%. It was obvious that the Dallas market was following specific protocols to make the buyers feel welcome on all levels.
DMC: DID YOU VISIT THE TEMPS?
Mark: Yes, we did. Temps are a great way to find that really new product that hasn’t even been established. And a lot of my vendors do the temps because they are smaller. It’s important.
DMC: ARE YOU GOING TO MARKET IN JANUARY?
Mark: Absolutely. Without question. Dallas has always been my go-to market. It’s a staple of my market plans.
DMC: DALLAS IS FIRST ON THE CALENDAR IN JANUARY. ANY ADVANTAGE THERE?
Mark: Being able to hit Dallas first is advantageous because it’s a one-stop shop. The campus of Dallas Market Center is also spread out with wide aisles, bigger showrooms, it’s better laid out than other markets. You can actually step back and have your own private purchasing area, whereas some of the other markets you’re kind of right on top of each other. Dallas just provides for a better, well-spaced buying experience.
DMC: WHAT’S YOUR HOPE FOR BUSINESS FOR 2021?
Mark: There was tremendous resilience in 2020 so for those who have been able to make it this year, 2021 is going to be better. One thing that I’ve noticed is that our local customers and our repeat customers have become more empowered and more emboldened to support the local retailer.
Join Mark Snyder and fellow retailers for Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, January 6-12 (Temps Jan 6-9) for the first market of the year. Explore DMC’s beautifully spacious campus featuring a wide variety of permanent showrooms and temps, more one-of-a-kind and artisan products than anywhere else, interactive and inspirational trend displays, and a friendly staff full of southern hospitality ready to help your business thrive in 2021.
For more information and to register to attend, visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com or call 214-655-6100.
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