We all know that your primary task at market is to buy products for your store. If you’re a vendor you want to show your new merchandise and get orders. That’s the way it works.
But with the recent roller-coaster of tariffs news, and reactions from Wall Street, what is the path forward that is methodical and supports Main Street?
While there is no crystal ball, what we do know is that conditions are quickly changing, and it's no time to sit on the sidelines. In fact, the upcoming summer shows have never been more important. Presence is power, and our message to everyone is that "The rules are changing. Be at market to rewrite yours."
For retailers, attending the shows means you are actively inside the ideal place to make smarter decisions, faster, with confidence. You can actively review products, compare numbers, and make important decisions in real time.
For brands, it's the chance to meet with your most loyal customers but also the opportunity to highlight what's new and reach buyers searching for new brands as they re-think their merchandise mix.
For everyone, there is the unique opportunity to lean into the community aspect of our summer shows. It’s the chance to talk and meet with your fellow businesspeople -- be they compatriots or even competitors -- and compare notes. This is especially true as we all deal with complicated issues like tariffs.
There are formal gatherings at market you should attend, but also the less formal conversations in the aisles, on the elevators, and even on the shuttle buses. I can’t tell you how often I’ve watched this happen and see people engaged in deep conversations and then exchanging contact info...either on their cell phones or old-school with business cards. And this kind of activity is something that just can’t be replicated digitally no matter how many online chats you have.
So, let's move forward with intention and focus, together, this summer. And when you see me at our shows, say hi. I’d love to compare notes, too.
Cindy Morris,
President and CEO, Dallas Market Center
