Domestic Apparel Markets 4.02 Understand Buyer’s Market

Domestic Market Weeks Cities & regional centers such as: New York, California & Atlanta host domestic market weeks & trade shows which are very important wholesale markets for U.S. retail buyers.

O New York continues to be the majorfashion market center in the U.S. O 23,000 + apparel buyers make the journey to the city yearly for: O Collection showings O Trade shows O Market weeks New York City

O Fashion Week (7 th on Sixth) O Seasonal designer collections arepresented to buyers & press asfashion shows. O Organized by (7 th on Sixth) O Seventh Avenue on Sixth Avenue O Held in Bryant Park O Women’s fall collections shown in Feb. O Women’s spring shown in Sept. O Many designers don’t like the date ofshows as they conflict with Europeanmarket week shows.

New York Trade Shows O Held during market week in: O Hotels O Convention Centers O Manufacturers rent booths orshowrooms to show their line to buyersfrom across the country.

Children’s Wear O Has grown from 2 shows yearly to 3 or 4yearly. O International Kids Fashion Show is held in NYC and features fall fashion in March andspring fashion in August.

Men’s Wear O The Designers Collective Show O Features upscale tailored suits and coats O Shown in late January & late August orearly September for spring. O 7 th on Sixth O Shows of designer men’s wear inFebruary & July. O The National Association of Men’sSportswear Buyers (NAMSB) O Shows 4 times yearly as sportswearmarket has grown. O Followed by regional markets.

Showrooms O A place where manufacturers’ sales representatives show samples or available stock items to prospective retail buyers. O Many designers show their merchandise in their own showroom – next to design studios. O The runway is for showstoppers, but the showroom is where merchandise is seen & purchased by buyers.

Showrooms O In designer showrooms, fashions aremodeled or displayed on mannequins. O In medium to lower-priced apparelshowrooms, clothes are displayed onhangers. O Showrooms are outfitted with displayracks, wall mounts for greater visibility,tables & chairs for buyers. O Showrooms provide continual exposurefor the apparel line.

Apparel Showrooms O Located in the garment district – near Seventh Avenue & Broadway between Thirty- third & Forty-Second Streets – near the theatre district. O Showrooms are grouped in buildings according to merchandise classification and price range. O This provides convenience to buyers that have limited time to travel all over town.

Showroom Locations O Prestigious addresses such as Seventh Avenue – traditionally designer lines. O Moderately priced women’s wear –Broadway O Lingerie & intimate apparel –Thirty-fourth Street and Sixth Avenue & Thirty-third street ad Sixth Avenue. O Men’s furnishings – Empire State Building

Internet Showrooms O Stylesmart.com O m/releases/2002/0 4/prweb36318.htm m/releases/2002/0 4/prweb36318.htm Internet is providing the opportunity for manufacturers to sell online. Stylesmart.com allows designers and manufacturers to display merchandise via the internet. Website provides all the information a buyer would fine in a real showroom such as 3D views of merchandise. Internet showrooms provide continual access to the global retail community.

Regional Market Centers Most are held in cities that were first manufacturing centers. Markets cater to independent specialty stores and regional retailers unable to attend market week in NYC. In most cities – large buildings of showrooms are referred to as “Marts” Showrooms can be rented by manufacturers’ sales representatives on a permanent basis or as needed.

O Host five markets per year + fashion shows & other specialty markets. O Provide educational seminars on subjects such as: O Visual merchandising O Management O Mega Marts: O Combine men’s, women’s, children’s and accessories to provide crossover buying. O Created to aid buyer. O Buyer makes fewer or shorter trips, keeping cost down.

Major Regional Centers O Los Angeles – Nation’s second largest fashon market center. O Dallas – Known for evening wear, bridal and western fashion. O Chicago – serves Midwest – Many Canadian lines are shown at the Chicago Merch. Mart. O Atlanta – The AmericasMart – serves Southeast has cross-marketing with adjacent gift and merchandise mart. O Miami – Latin American and Caribbean Buyers & Swimwear

Other Regional Centers O Denver Merchandise Mart in Colorado O Carolina Trade Mart – Charlotte, NC O Miami Merchandise Mart in Florida O Northeast Trade Center – Woburn Massachusetts O Radisson Center – Minneapolis, Minnesota O Trade Center – Kansas City, Missouri