California Apparel News

While many of the Las Vegas trade shows opened on the same day, the Offprice show always kicks things off early, and this season was no exception. The Aug. 16–19 run at the Sands Expo and Convention Center marked the 40th Offprice show.

The aisles were crowded with buyers looking for deals on branded merchandise, imported goods and fashion items. The show featured everything from apparel and accessories to shoes and gift items.

According to show organizers, 10,600 people attended the 131,000-square-foot show, including 900 international retailers.

For returning exhibitor Eli Pirian of Los Angeles–based Bacci, a slow start gave way to a great show.

“It’s less than last year, but there is always someone who comes at the last minute,” he said on Aug. 17, the day before the MAGIC, Project and Liberty shows opened.

The company primarily shows imported pieces at Offprice. The company’s made-in-America line exhibits at the WWIN show at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino, which tends to draw more domestic specialty buyers, Pirian said.

“Here, there is more international business,” he said. “I’ve seen more and more—from Japan, Chile. It’s been a great show.”

Buyers at Offprice were split between those ordering Spring merchandise and those looking for Immediate goods.

Another returning exhibitor was Nester Hosiery. At OffPrice, the Mount Airy, N.C.–based vertical knitter was showing its Ballston Socks collection.

“It’s a house brand,” said Kerry Nester, executive vice president of sales. “We import the yarn, but it’s still premium knitting at an entry-level price point.”

Nester said the show was busy but added, “It’s always busy.”

For Nester, the August show is typically stronger for the company than February.

“The first day is usually busy,” he said. “We get a lot of people who filter through before they go upstairs [when the other trade shows begin]. For us, it’s a lot of independent retailers [at Offprice]; most people have one or two stores.”

Tal Shayeb was in the aisles of the show enticing buyers into the TW & Co. booth he shared with his brother, Walid Shayeb. The Albany, Ga.–based company imports tailored men’s apparel and accessories, such as dress shirts, ties, cummerbunds, vests, cufflinks and sweaters. TW & Co. also runs the Phillips Men’s Clothing retail store, also in Albany.

“It’s a great show—always!” Tal Shayeb said.

The company, which was founded in 2002, originally showed at MAGIC but has been showing at Offprice for several years. Items are wholesale priced from $7 to $22, and everything is manufactured in China although Tal Shayeb said he would like to find a U.S. factory to produce similar merchandise as well.

Offprice’s growing cash-and-carry section was held in its own space in the Sands, where crowds of buyers jostled among 70 booths to purchase jewelry, scarves and other small items.