OFFPRICE Show Scores Largest Event in Its 17-year History

As the saying goes, all the world loves a bargain and never was that more apparent than at the OFFPRICE Show. Held Aug. 19-22 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, the trade show for the discount fashion market kicked off Las Vegas’ biannual Fashion Week, with fashion events holding court at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Venetian Casino, Hotel & Resort and Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

But, unlike other fashion industry shows that may be struggling to maintain their footing in this economic climate, OFFPRICE is one event that continues to experience a steady climb in growth and participation.

According to show officials, the recent show was the largest in the event’s 17-year history, with approximately 11,000 attendees and 485 exhibiting companies spanning 122,750 net square feet of exhibit space.

In Aug. 2010, OFFPRICE drew 440 exhibitors and approximately 10,000 attendees to a 114,000 sq. ft. showfloor. Besides participation, the event also expanded its growth categories, including accessories and a dedicated shoe section with 75 exhibitors.

But being a one-of-a-kind show can’t hurt when it comes to building an audience. Owned by U.K.-based Tarsus Group, OFFPRICE holds the status as the only U.S. trade show catering to discounted fashion, including off-price apparel, accessories and footwear. Add in a challenging economic climate with consumers continuing to slash discretionary spending, and it only makes sense that the show would generate a stronger draw.

According to David Lapidos, OFFPRICE executive vice president, the last three years have definitely been growth years for the event, especially as retailers look for ways to stock their shelves with new merchandise at lower price points.

“As more and more buyers discover us, our show gets bigger and better,” Lapidos said. “They can buy it cheaper, sell it cheaper and make money. We can’t be everything to everyone but we are a solution to the retailer’s problems.”

On a lightly trafficked but buzzing showfloor during the last day of the show, exhibitors displayed a diverse variety of discount wares, from clothing, footwear, hosiery, lingerie and accessories, to jewelry, watches and sunglasses.

Exhibitor Fred Sedaka, owner of Jonathan K Apparel, said that, although he was concerned that some buyers may have forgone the show to the negative news climate, OFFPRICE was still a great opportunity for his business.

“I do a good part of my business here and I believe in trade shows,” Sedaka said. “(Not enough buyers) is nothing to be upset at the shows about – businesses go up and down and that’s just the way it is. It’s a matter of survival in tough times.”

Attendee and Retailer Linda Bell, owner of Linda’s, said that, although her customers remained very price conscious, she believed the fashion industry was on the mend and, as a result, was looking for new inventory.

“I’m seeing a lot of good stuff here,” Bell said. “It seems like there are more people this time and the manufacturers have really stepped up on the diversity and price points. The inventory that’s available here really helps me meet my customers’ needs.”

Stephen Krogulski, OFFPRICE CEO, said that, while difficult economic times may have benefited the show, the event continues to thrive because it meets the needs of an expanding marketplace that will continue to grow, recession or no recession.

“It’s a growing, vibrant marketplace, and (Tarsus) likes to be in markets that have growth potential, that are exciting and have opportunities,” Krogulski said. “We’re here to service these customers, and if the value we sell to them is what they’re looking for, they’ll get that return and they’ll stick with us.”

OFFPRICE will return Feb. 10-13 to the Sands Expo.