Domestic Apparel Markets 4.02 Understand Buyer’s Market

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

New York continues to be the major fashion market center in the U.S. ________ + apparel buyers make the journey to the city yearly for: Collection showings _________ __________ Market weeks New York City

Fashion Week (7th on Sixth) _______________designer collections are presented to buyers & press as fashion shows. Organized by (7th on Sixth) Seventh Avenue on Sixth Avenue Held in _________ ________ Women’s fall collections shown in _____. Women’s spring shown in _________. Many designers don’t like the date of shows as they conflict with European market week shows.

New York Trade Shows Held during market week in: _____________ Convention Centers Manufacturers rent __________ or showrooms to show their line to buyers from across the country.

Children’s Wear Has grown from _____shows yearly to 3 or 4 ________________. International Kids Fashion Show is held in NYC and features fall fashion in ______________and spring fashion in August.

Men’s Wear The Designers Collective Show 7th on Sixth Features upscale ____________suits and coats Shown in late January & late August or early September for spring. 7th on Sixth Shows of designer men’s wear in ________________& July. The National Association of Men’s Sportswear Buyers (NAMSB) Shows 4 times yearly as ________________market has grown. Followed by regional markets.

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

Showrooms In designer showrooms, fashions are ________________ or displayed on mannequins. In medium to lower-priced apparel showrooms, clothes are displayed on ___________________. Showrooms are outfitted with display racks, wall mounts for greater visibility, tables & chairs for ______________. Showrooms provide continual ____________ for the apparel line.

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

Showroom Locations __________________ such as 530-550 Seventh Avenue – traditionally designer lines. Moderately priced women’s wear –Broadway _________________________ –Thirty-fourth Street and Sixth Avenue & Thirty-third street ad Sixth Avenue. Men’s furnishings – Empire State Building

http://www.prweb.com/ releases/2002/04/prweb 36318.htm Internet Showrooms Stylesmart.com http://www.prweb.com/ releases/2002/04/prweb 36318.htm Internet is providing the opportunity for manufacturers to sell online. Stylesmart.com allows designers and _______________ to display merchandise via the internet. Website provides all the information a buyer would fine in a real showroom such as 3D views of ________________. Internet showrooms provide continual access to the global retail community.

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

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

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

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