California Apparel News

LAS VEGAS—Record numbers of buyers flocked to the Off-Price Specialist Show, held Feb. 10–14 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. The show featured branded and private-label apparel and accessories that fell from overruns, cancellations and surplus-merchandise inventories.

In the current marketplace, off-price merchandise has come more into demand as buyers dig deeper for lower prices. “You have to deliver better product at a better price, and that’s why people are coming here,” said Sandy Piontak of Seal Beach, Calif.–based Carlen Enterprises.

Registration was up 20 percent, with more than 140,000 buyers attending.

“We had 1,000 people lined up in the first hour and about 3,000 the first day,” said Don Browne, marketing director for the show. “We saw exhibitors here that we haven’t seen in four or five years,” he said.

Streetwear, activewear, sportswear and accessories booths appeared to garner most of the traffic, though the show was well-rounded.

Among the more visited booths in the featured “Salon” area was Los Angeles–based Off Price Network, which was selling tops and skirts from LinQ, operated by the formerprincipals of Carole Little.

“Almost everyone that came in put them on their order sheet,” said Off-Price Network’s Polly Piraino.

While tattoo-print tees were hot at the show, fashion took off in numerous directions.

Larry Levine city shorts in blue checks for $15.90 werechecking at the K&C Clothing Inc. booth, said rep Kim Fox. Also hot were baby-doll tops in lightweight rayon.

Bubble dresses, yoga pants and Indian-made shawls with “Peace” and “Love” inscriptions led sales at the Baba Clothing booth, said owner Sam Chawlu. The Los Angeles company produces many of the lines itself.

And at the Richmar Fashions booth, metallic tops, reversible skirts and color were selling for the Fort Mill, S.C.–based company.

“The buyers were more sensitive to the item itself rather than price this time,” said rep Carrie Tucker. “They want quality.”

Buyer Bonne Jacobs Halosek of Sisters, Ore.–based Estelle N/B said she found prices better than expected at the show. She operates three stores in resort cities in Oregon. “All of our stores are up this year. Part of the reason is because we had a lot of snow.”

To further promote the off-price market, show organizers announced a new event, the Off-Price Retail Summit & Expo, set for May 6–7 at the South Point Hotel Casino Spa in Las Vegas, which will feature workshops for new buyers. —Robert McAllister