The OFFPRICE Show reports that the launch of their TASTE OF OFFPRICE concept in Los Angeles last week from October 4-6 at the California Market Center during the LA Majors Market was a very good start to a holiday season sales rush. With a final attendance of just over 1,000 buyers, merchandisers, and industry professionals, the members of the show management and the 68 exhibiting companies were all quite pleased with the inaugural turnout.

A total collection of over 1,000 buyers from national chains and boutiques wrote big orders for holiday fills, making the attendees and show sponsors feel like a positive and opportunity-filled holiday season will be making 2010 a year to remember.

Executive Vice President David Lapidos was available for comment, and stated that the show was a tremendous success. “The big chains were here and they came open to buy,” he said. Adding to the already optimistic air of confidence on the scene, he also made some additional observations. “We met some new independents whose order-writing was also very active. This is a good sign for the holiday shopping season, but it’s also an indication that OFFPRICE has found a sweet spot in the LA market.”

Although independents were making outstanding progress during the show, there were a noteworthy amount of large retailers who made up a significant portion of sales as well.

Among the big retailers in attendance were AJ Wright, Bealls, Burlington Coat Factory, CitiTrends, DD’s Discounts, Forman Mills, Gabriel Brothers, National Stores, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Variety Wholesalers

According to Lapidos, these large vendors were highly pleased with everything they saw, including the size of the show, with 90 Booths displaying wares, and the tremendous availability of immediate goods that were being offered by the vendors.

Lapidos added “A.J. Nepa (Senior VP/GMM) of Variety told me that this was the first OFFPRICE Show in which he could visit every booth. And he found a lot of good merchandise. He was very happy with the ‘TASTE-LA.”

The boutiques and independent stores were also very engaged at the TASTE OF OFFPRICE – LA, which was less than a fifth of the size of the main OFFPRICE Shows at Las Vegas Fashion Week (each February and August).

Other dealers were enthusiastic, as they gave their impression of the show. “I opened a new account with a boutique from Texas,” said Joni Dahan of LA-based Sapman Sportswear, “and was very encouraged by the amount of business we wrote.”

The next OFFPRICE Show will be held February 11-14 at The Sands Expo & Convention Center during Las Vegas Fashion Week. It will be possible to get the latest show developments from www.offpriceshow.com, plus the latest industry scoops from www.offpricenews.com.

Upcoming OFFPRICE events with confirmed dates include:

OFFPRICE

February 11-14, 2011

Sands Expo & Convention Center

Las Vegas

A TASTE OF OFFPRICE (at NY Market Week)

May 1-3, 2011

Gotham Hall

New York