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Winter’s biggest retail trade shows are behind us! A team of Faire staff had the opportunity to walk the shows and support our exhibiting customers in person. Here, we recap our highlights, insights, and happenings from some of this season’s markets.
Gift & Home
Home and gift shows are great places to be inspired by new trends across categories like stationery, tabletop decor, and textiles. And this season at NY NOW, the program featured many of the 2020 trend predictions that we shared back in December. Speakers and product displays at the show focused on wellness, social consciousness, and artisanal goods.
In addition, at this season’s Atlanta Market, notable trends included the Danish concept of “hygge.” Hygge refers to a simple, organic, and cozy aesthetic. And, speaking of cozy, we had the opportunity to gather with Faire customers in Atlanta during an evening of cocktails and conversation.
We hosted brands and buyers for a Faire Soirée—now our second in Atlanta—at White Oak Kitchen. Our team loved spending time with familiar faces, meeting new partners, and hearing how Faire is powering order-taking for many brands at trade shows.
Apparel
Apparel shows are also prime events for trendspotting, but with a focus on fashion. WWD reports that casual sportswear, cashmere leggings, joggers, and florals were big at Coterie this year—meaning we can expect to see those trends in stores this fall.
Plus, Coterie’s February show overlapped with the final days of New York Fashion Week this year. This meant greater attendance by major international retailers and over 200 new brands exhibiting for the first time. To address top-of-mind industry trends, the speaking program featured topics including the state of fashion, new retail technologies, and the relevance of recycled materials.
This season, we were excited to host a community event during the Las Vegas apparel shows on February 6. Brands and buyers gathered at Rivea to network, mingle, and meet members of Faire staff. Additionally, guests enjoyed remarks from Faire leadership. CFO Lauren Cooks Levitan highlighted how technology and the revival of local retail are impacting the wholesale apparel industry today. She shared that 70% of consumer apparel purchases are still made offline, per The State of Fashion 2020 report. As a result, apparel retailers have an opportunity to thrive as style curators in their communities.
What’s next?
The big wholesale shows will return next summer, but in the meantime, we have some tips for keeping your shop current.
- Track trends on your own. Trend reports are great resources for merchandising decisions. The Pantone Color Institute publishes a seasonal Fashion Color Trend Report and the National Retail Federation (NRF) releases an annual trend forecast.
- Use Faire to shop in between shows. With Faire’s online marketplace, you can buy wholesale anytime, anywhere.
- Look for Faire ordering at your next show. Brands who use the Faire app to write orders at market can offer net 60 terms, free returns, plus bonuses including $100 off and free shipping. Don’t forget to ask your favorite brands if their ordering is powered by Faire.
