Dallas Market Center reported a 14.5% year-over-year increase in new company registrations following its June Total Home & Gift Market, held from June 24 to 30, 2026.
The market took place alongside KidsWorld and The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market. The rise in registrations came after Dallas Market Center adjusted its summer schedule to overlap Lightovation and KidsWorld with the Total Home & Gift Market.
Registrations for the Total Home & Gift Market alone increased 15.9% year over year. The market attracted retailers and interior designers from across the United States, including a growing number of first-time visitors.
The Texas-Oklahoma-Louisiana-Arkansas (TOLA) region accounted for 77.9% of total new company registrations. At the same time, new company registrations from the Southwest, West and Midwest increased compared with June 2025, indicating broader national participation.
“Retail has shown remarkable resilience, and the businesses that are thriving are the ones staying connected — to trends, to vendors, and to each other,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “This June market told an encouraging story. Buyers came back, and just as many came to Dallas for the first time. New retailers from the Midwest, the Southwest and the West are choosing Dallas because they can source across categories on one campus, and that kind of growth tells us we’re building the right market for where retail is headed.”
Exhibitors also reported strong buyer activity. Cynde Stewart, president of RAZ Imports, said the company recorded year-over-year sales growth along with an increase in new customers.
J. Wesley Hardin Sr., CEO of Diverse Companies, described the event as “the biggest Dallas gift show of all time.” Tart by Taylor’s Brooke Kennedy also highlighted the market’s ability to attract new accounts.
Live Demonstrations Return
The Masters Series returned with daily live demonstrations from four tastemakers during the market. John Mark Sharpe, founder of John Mark Enterprises, opened the series with “Beyond the Bow” and later returned for a session on retail displays and a meet-and-greet.
Other sessions featured Chris Norwood of Norwood Day Floral Co., Presley Pierce and Jeff & Jody Long of The English Cottage.
Showroom Awards Announced
Dallas Market Center recognised standout showroom and temps merchandising through its Best Visual Presentation awards. Hunt Slonen received the special Best of Show award in The Temps.
Other winners included Fosters Point, Rose Casual, Poetic Pillow, AntlerWorx, Fabuplates, Wipstitch Needleworks, Burton & Burton, Glitterville/Goetz, Eichholtz, Minka, Shadow Catchers, Cody Foster, Zucker Feather, McMennemin Companies, Hi End Design and Cattlemen’s Home Interior.
KidsWorld and Retailer Awards Add to June Market
KidsWorld returned to the Total Home & Gift Market calendar, offering buyers access to children’s apparel, toys, gear and gifts alongside the broader home and gift categories.
The 75th annual Retailer Excellence Awards, hosted by Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine and sponsored by Dallas Market Center, also took place on June 24 at the Hilton Anatole.
During the event, Gift for Life honoured founder Peter Schauben with its first Lifetime Humanitarian Award. The evening raised $162,000 for World Central Kitchen.
