From: ASAP
Buyers at Industry (212), held May 4-6 at the Jacob Javits Center, viewed more than 1,500 lines from over 600 exhibitors from the fastest growing segments of the fashion marketplace: Accessories, Casual Lifestyle/Better, Young Contemporary/Contemporary, Streetwear and Juniors. The show attracted the attention from leading retailers in 50 states, Europe, Canada and South America.
Shopping the show were more than 7,000 key decision makers from all retail channels, including major department stores, such as Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel, Marshall Field and Macy’s East; and specialty chains such as Cache, Anthropologie, Long Rap/Up Against The Wall, Sid’s Pants, Hot Topic and Claire’s Accessories Inc. The high-energy environment reflected a positive shift in momentum, as retail traffic increased by 29% over last year’s May show.
Overall, exhibitors and retailers were pleased with the turnout. Steven Zellman, president, Hi Gorgeous!, which showed a fresh assortment of cropped leather jackets for fall, said, “I’ve just had the biggest show I’ve ever had with you!” The sentiment was echoed by Robert Graves, National Sales Manager, Two Star Dog, “One of our best New York shows in years…show management really helped us meet our goals. The displays and fashion show brought buyers to our booth!” One exhibitor at the show, Bottomless Closet (www.bottomlessclosetnyc.org) had a lot of traffic at their booth, but had no collections to sell. Instead, the non-profit organization was there to increase visibility of their organization, which promotes economic self-sufficiency to New York women on public assistance and economically disadvantaged women by providing business clothing, interviewing skills, and ongoing career development and support. At the show, Bottomless Closet accepted work-appropriate clothing from exhibitors. Dana McGill, Executive Director, Bottomless Closet, said, “We made so many great contacts with manufacturers and retailers at Industry (212), so many have offered to give us their end-of-season, overstock items.”
The theme of the feedback from the retailers who attended Industry (212) was that this was the show to discover new resources. Ginny Fawbush, buyer at Fawbush’s in Minneapolis, MN reported, “I really enjoyed the recent Industry (212) show at the Javits. I found some new lines, great jewelry and saw some of my old favorites, making it a successful trip.” Jennifer Ramsay, owner of Echo Chic in Philadelphia, PA, enthused, “I found some great trend-driven merchandise at incredible, competitive prices. Can’t wait until the next show!” Pam Majors, President of Junkman’s Daughter in Atlanta, GA, said, “We got lots of accessories and were able to see new goods and cutting-edge styles since MAGIC.” And, Debra Powell, owner of My Generation, Highland Park, IL, summed it up: “I think it was a great show in terms of trendsetting. I came for an immediate blast of trends for summer and fall and found exactly what I was looking for.” The next Industry (212) will take place at the Jacob Javits Center, September 212-23, 2003.
For more information and additional show highlights, please visit www.industry212.com. Industry (212) is an affiliate of MAGIC International, a subsidiary of Advanstar Communications. MAGIC International is the world’s largest and most widely recognized organizer of trade shows in the apparel industry. MAGIC International produces the MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas featuring MAGIC, WWDMAGIC, MAGIC kids and The Edge.
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