Dallas Market Center says first-time buyers increased 24.4% in 2026 compared with 2025, an indication of growing interest in its wholesale markets for gift, home, holiday and floral merchandise.
Overall attendance at 15 markets held from January through October rose more than 3%. First-time buyers now account for 20% of attendance, up from 15% in 2022, according to the market center.
Photo gallery — swipe or scroll to view the supplied images.
Broader regional reach
Buyer attendance increased from the Northeast by 11.7%, Southeast by 6.6%, Southwest by 5.3%, Midwest by 4.4% and West by 3.4%, based on attendees’ home regions.
“Retailers and designers from the Northeast to the West Coast are choosing Dallas because one trip puts thousands of brands within reach,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center.
For supermarket floral departments and other mass-market retailers, the center’s results highlight ongoing demand for in-person product discovery across holiday decor, giftware and other adjacent categories.
What’s next for January buyers
Dallas Market Center plans to reorganize its temporary-showroom presentation for January and offer RETAIL READY, an educational program focused on practical artificial intelligence tools for independent retailers.
Morris said the initiative will build on market momentum with new resources for buyers. The January calendar includes Lightovation Jan. 6-9, Total Home & Gift Market Jan. 6-12 and The Temps Jan. 6-9.
Additional markets for apparel, accessories and related categories are scheduled later in January. See the Dallas Market Center calendar for details.
Source: Dallas Market Center announcement, Nov. 5, 2026. Photos courtesy of Dallas Market Center.
The SuperFloral Team brings you news, trends and practical ideas for supermarket and mass-market floral professionals. Our editors gather and curate the stories that matter most to floral teams in grocery and retail, from industry news and events to merchandising inspiration and business advice. Have a story idea or news tip? Write to us at editorial@superfloral.com.
