Temporary exhibitor growth of 15% and strong order writing characterized International Market Center’s (IMC) Atlanta Apparel February 2023, as buyers were out in full force to source fashion for the upcoming seasons and take advantage of educational and networking opportunities.   

“Atlanta Apparel buyers and brands brought the energy to educational and networking events, temporary exhibits and permanent showrooms this February,” said Caron Stover, International Market Center’s (IMC) senior vice president, apparel. “Throughout this market, including the successful extra day of temporary exhibit sourcing on Floor 1, attendees discovered products, connected with exhibitors and wrote orders across 11 floors of show space.”

Attendees traveled to Atlanta Apparel, held Jan. 31-Feb. 4 at America’sMart Atlanta, from 11 international countries, 43 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, with more than 87% of the buyers hailing from the Southeast. Nearly a quarter of Atlanta Apparel attendees were first-time buyers to the market.

Solid Exhibitor Turnout, Robust Sourcing

Atlanta Apparel featured more than 360 permanent showrooms, 14 of which were new, and more than 380 temporary exhibits, 58 of which were first-time exhibitors. For the first time, one of the market’s five floors of temporary exhibits opened a day early, providing buyers with more time and resources to focus on and finish their sourcing for the upcoming spring/summer season.

Buyer and Exhibitor Feedback

Courtney Cross, owner of Southern Charm Clothing women’s boutique and Little Charmers children’s boutique in Ringgold, Ga., noted the ease in sourcing for both women’s and children’s storefronts across the market’s permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits.

“For someone who owns multiple stores like me, being able to come in and knock out my kids, adults and shoes all in one market was very convenient,” Cross said.

Jenny Middleton, owner of SK Love in Columbia City, Ind., added, “Atlanta Apparel is one of the easiest markets to navigate, being all in one building. We came shopping mainly for spring/summer apparel—dresses, jeans, shorts, tank tops, accessories and hats—and we found what we needed.”

Brands across the show floor reported seeing many buyers and furthering business connections, especially in children’s, young contemporary and shoe categories.

“This market has been really incredible and has opened my horizons a lot in terms of getting to know new customers,” said Lucia Noltenius, owner of El Salvadorian mommy & me brand, Manolitas. “I wanted to meet customers who really appreciate the handmade detail of our work, and we wrote a lot of orders shipping to the south in the U.S. I hope that we continue building more relationships with other new clients at Atlanta Apparel.”

Samuel Um, trade show manager of Entro, said having an extra day to sell was a definite plus.

“We moved down to the first floor to open one day before the other temporary exhibits, and the turnout rate on our opening day was fantastic,” Um said. “We would love to do it again.”

Cody Weaver, sales manager of Dolce Vita added that sales at this market were nearly on-par with the company’s record-breaking Atlanta Apparel February 2022.

The next Atlanta Apparel market runs March 28-April 1 (with temporary exhibits open March 29-31 and select showrooms open on April 1 by appointment. To register, go here.

IMC’s five Atlanta Apparel markets feature the latest looks in contemporary, young contemporary, women’s modern, shoes, fashion accessories and more, plus specialty categories such as children’s and plus-size.

Photo: Lucia Noltenius, owner of El Salvadorian mommy & me brand Manolitas

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