OFFPRICE Scores Record-breaking Showfloor, 5.5-percent Buyer Attendance Increase

March 2, 2015

The first day of OFFPRICE, held Feb. 15-18 at the Sand Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, kicked off with crowds of buyers in the aisles, with some exhibitors calling it the busiest day they had ever had at the show that was celebrating its 40th run.

The showfloor spanned 132,000 net square feet, its largest one to date, and there were 8,8460 buyers, a 5.5-percent increase, compared with the same show in 2014, looking for products often priced at 70 percent below wholesale costs.

It was the largest percentage gain in retailer attendance in more than seven years, resulting in the highest attendance the show has ever had. 

"More retailers than ever before have figured out how instrumental a visit to the OFFPRICE Show can be for their stores," said Stephen Krogulski, CEO of the OFFPRICE Show, which is owned by U.K.-based Tarsus Group. 

He added, "The show has gotten a little bigger and better each year. It’s an influential marketplace for both buyers and wholesalers. The companies that exhibit here all source deals for a living. Retailers are guaranteed to find an incredible deal on some type of apparel."

One key to more buyers at the show this year was working with representatives such as Humberto Gonzalez, who was responsible for bringing a large contingent from Mexico and other countries.

“We were pulling in people all the way down to South America and over to Spain,” Gonzalez said.

A newer section of the show, Cash and Carry, was packed with people looking for deals on everything from jewelry to electronics to cashmere scarves.

Krogulski said it was the third show for that section with a record number of 69 booths, and he expected it to grown even more in the future.

“We are always looking for new categories to expand in,” he added.

Trends on the showfloor included women’s dresses, seamless tops and leggings, as well as polo shirts, dress shirts and cargo shorts for men.

“You come to OFFPRICE because you expect to find good deals and then you come back for the unexpected,” Krogulski said.

He added, “There was definitely an appetite for people who were willing to take some chances on new products and categories.”

Even though OFFPRICE has a high retention rate with its exhibitors every show, there was still a wide range of new products on the floor.

“We were able to exceed our expectations, and at the same time, met great new accounts that will hopefully be long lasting,” said Brandon Cooperman of D&L Apparel, Ltd.

Buyers also were impressed with the show.

"Las Vegas is a hub for beauty; beautiful faces, landscapes, buildings, and moments flash by at every point. However there is no greater concentration of it than within the 2015 OFFPRICE Show,” said Brandi Beckwith, buyer, Groovy Goods.

She added, "Endless aisle after aisle of diverse clothes with no shortage of vibrant colors and textures you simply must reach out to experience."

Add new comment

Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates. Water Stewardship Efforts MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step. MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas. MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts. Caring for One Another MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include: Unserved perishable prepared foods from events Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community. Fostering Diversity and Inclusion To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all. MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.