Atlanta Apparel’s February 2024 market kicked off the buying year with reports of strong order-writing, supplemented by well-attended market events, alongside the newly-designed Floor 5 buyer resource hub, during the Feb. 6-9 market at AmericasMart Atlanta, according to ANDMORE.

“Buyers traveled far and wide to source all categories, and the momentum carried from pre-market appointments through the close of the show on Friday,” said Caron Stover, senior vice president of apparel at ANDMORE. “Market attendees travel and spend with intention, and Atlanta Apparel continues to be the premier one-stop-shop for retailers to find top wholesale apparel, accessory and shoe brands.”

Attendees traveled to Atlanta Apparel from 12 international countries and 44 U.S. states. Nearly 25% of Atlanta Apparel attendees were first-time buyers to the market.

“Atlanta Apparel was amazing. We were so busy I could barely breathe,” said Camille Wright, owner of Style Consortium Showroom. “We met so many buyers from different regions: Northeast, Midwest, West and even the Caribbean islands. We gained new accounts from everywhere.”

Atlanta Apparel opened its February edition with 475-plus showrooms and 340 temporary exhibits presenting a combined 3,280 lines. Key categories of this market included accessories, contemporary, shoes, children’s, young contemporary and immediates. For the first time, the February market streamlined permanent showroom and temporary exhibit open and close patterns, allowing buyers to source the entire market on opening day, according to ANDMORE.

Buyers noted opportunities for new product discovery at market, along with an ability to find everything needed to restock and prepare for the coming months during the 4-day buying event.

“For me, coming to market is a must because I learn about new brands that are out there that I may not have otherwise known about. I used to go to other markets, but I no longer feel the need to go anywhere else because I can get everything I need here in Atlanta,” said buyer, Lisa Keller, owner of Fleur De Lis Boutique in Ponte Vedra, Florida.

In addition to exhibits, the new Buyer Resources on Floor 5 provided access to highly-attended trend and business education and pop-up brand activations, along with opportunities for networking, resting and recharging, in a convenient location between temporary exhibit and permanent showroom floors. The Floor 5 destination also debuted the exclusive new partnership between ANDMORE’s Apparel Markets and video commerce platform, CommentSold, providing booths with staff for buyers to “go-live” and sell virtually during market.

Semi-annual showcase of Children’s

Atlanta Apparel’s Children’s resources also experienced strong commerce and connections during the February market, the first of two semi-annual presentations of children’s showrooms and temporary exhibits, according to ANDMORE.

Retailer Shea Schroll, owner of children’s boutique, The Name Dropper, in Montgomery, Alabama, said, “I have been sourcing at Atlanta Apparel for 41 years, and I spend five days at market twice-per-year to make sure I find and buy everything I need. We love coming to Atlanta because it is familiar. We have been working with a number of these brands for so long, it feels like catching up with old friends.”

First-time exhibitor Wendi Cooper, owner of children’s brand Sweet Wink added: “Exhibiting in Atlanta has helped our brand break into the Southeastern market. We met many great leads who will buy in the future, and even got to connect in-person with buyers we have only ever worked with virtually. Not to mention, the hospitality at Atlanta Apparel is unmatched.”

The next Atlanta Apparel market runs Tuesday, April 9 – Friday, April 12, at AmericasMart Atlanta. Permanent showrooms are open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and temporary exhibits are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday.