Boutique Tips: Attending Atlanta Apparel Show
Market season is in full swing and we’re here for it. There’s just something special about attending an apparel show, don't you think? Even though attending a show is an amazing and fun experience, it is also a ton of work! Below are our tips for surviving your first market and getting the most out of your market experience.
Gal with A Plan
Source : 2019 PWP Studio Corporate Event Photographers
We love that apparel shows give boutique owners like you the chance to visit your current wholesalers and discover new brands and inspirations through carefully curated shopping experiences at every booth. Since the Atlanta market has 14 floors and over 4,000 vendors (yes, you read that right!) it’s essential for you to come to the show with a plan so you don’t get overwhelmed or miss out on any vendors you want to visit. Before you hit the road, create a buy plan by answering the following questions:
What’s your overall budget?
What seasons are you buying for?
Do you need immediate to freshen up your stock?
What product categories are performing the best with your customers?
How many styles do you need to fill out your inventory?
What are you comfortable with spending per piece?
What sizes are you looking to buy?
Pro Tip: Schedule appointments with the vendors you’d like to meet with to ensure their availability and to efficiently organize your time. Luckily, there are tons of tools to help you plan your trip, including exhibition guides, online market planning tools, and even an app!
Understanding What & How Much to Buy
Source: Atlanta Market
Overbuying is an easy mistake to make! Since you will be bombarded with so many incredible styles as soon as you hit the market floor, make sure you understand your customer's buying patterns and how to manage your inventory before you arrive. Not sure what any of this means? Check out our post What And How Much To Buy: Understanding How To Manage Your Inventory.
Pro Tip: Survey your customers before the show - they’ll love to feel included in your buying decisions. Use Instagram stories to post a Q&A asking customers what they hope to see in your store and about lines they love. While at the market, post polls on your Instagram stories of specific items to gauge your customer’s interest. As an added bonus, posting interactive “be the buyer” stories will boost your social media engagement!
What To Pack
Planning ahead is crucial, but so is being organized! Here’s your day-of-show packing list:
Business cards
Address labels printed with your business name, address, tax identification number, email, contact for shipping, and your business credit card number. This will save you time and energy when you’re filling out order forms.
A notebook and extra pens.
File folders, clips, and/or rubber bands to organize show materials.
A calendar to mark down delivery dates.
A charger or power bank for your smartphone.
A water bottle along with quick & clean snacks.
If you have never been to a show, make sure your business, employees, and guests are registered for the market. Click here for registration information and requirements.
Pro Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and rock your athleisure! We can’t stress this enough. We know you probably have an incredible outfit picked out that makes you feel like the fearless queen that you are, but we recommend saving it for a fancy dinner in the A. Just trust us, leave the heels at home.
It’s Showtime
Source : Atlanta Market
Start your day early because you will want time to get your bearings on the market floor before buying. If you are new to the game, take the first day to walk the show and get a feel for what each floor and vendor offers while taking notes and lots of photos.
Since you’ve already made your buy plan, the next step is getting to know the vendors. Start with these questions:
What materials do you use?
What’s the opening order and reorder minimum?
Are you offering any show specials?
Do you have a line sheet?
Do you have a wholesale website for future orders?
What’s the delivery date on these items?
Are these items guaranteed to ship?
How do these sizes run?
Do these items come in a pre-pack?
What are the social media policies related to your brand?
Do you zip code protect?
What is the return/damage policy on first orders and future orders?
Pro Tip: Take your time during each visit as you start building relationships with new vendors. Wholesale partnerships should be a win-win benefiting both parties, so ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable working with a new company. The goal is to select vendors you want to partner with for years to come. As an added bonus a strong relationship with a vendor can mean sneak peeks at new releases, early notifications of restocked items, and an invitation to join VIP groups. (Hint Hint: Stay Tuned)
Network + Learn
Source: Atlanta Market
A highlight of attending trade shows is the opportunity to network with other buyers, explore new brands and discover new resources. Take advantage of seminars to learn new marketing techniques, trend forecasting, and buying and merchandising tips and tricks from some of the best in the biz. The Atlanta Apparel Show has webinars, fashion shows, and networking events available. Check out the schedule here.
Post-Show Download
First things first: kick off your shoes and take a breath. You did it! After the show, take some time to review everything you saw at the market, from the inspiration to the fashion and even the business seminars. Remember all those notes you took? Use that information to educate your sales team on the new lines and how to merchandise so they can better sell your incredible finds.
Pro Tip: Reach out to vendors if you need more information, linesheets or photos. If available, schedule virtual appointments with vendors you weren’t able to meet with.
Wait, Where is ZENZII?
We have one of the longest-standing and largest showrooms in AmericasMart, spanning over 2,000 square feet. We’re so excited to meet with you that we will have two locations - a temporary booth and our permanent showroom.
ATLANTA APPAREL SHOW : B3 8-S118 / B3 3-500
We will have never-before-seen styles and immediates so everything you see in our showrooms is available for shipping within days of the show. We’ll also have select samples and display pieces available for you to purchase and carry home with you.
For your convenience, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to meet with our fashion experts. We can’t wait to see you!