Atlanta Shoe Market Defies Disruption: Renovations Fuel Growth as Buyer Interest Climbs
The Atlanta Shoe Market (TASM), a cornerstone of the footwear industry's trade calendar, is showcasing remarkable resilience. As its long-time home, the Cobb Galleria Centre, undergoes a transformative renovation, the show's momentum isn't just holding—it's accelerating. Pre-registration for retail buyers attending the February 14-16 event is up approximately 7% year-over-year, signaling strong confidence from the retail community.
"We're navigating a transition, but the energy is incredibly positive," said Laura O'Brien, TASM's executive director. "The renovation, while logistically complex, has forced a creative rethinking of our layout that's generating unexpected opportunities." Over 1,800 brands are confirmed for the upcoming edition.
The construction, which involves demolishing the mall portion of the complex, has necessitated significant relocations within the Galleria and the adjacent Renaissance Waverly Hotel. Key changes include moving the registration desk to the main rotunda and relocating the daily luncheon to the hotel's restaurant. Notably, around 40 major brands—including Birkenstock, Crocs, Ugg, and Sam Edelman—will now exhibit in meeting spaces and ballrooms within the hotel.
This shift is proving to be a potential boon for those exhibitors. "Exhibitors in the Grand Ballroom and Fashion Plaza sections are likely to see a significant spike in foot traffic," O'Brien explained, noting that attendees must now pass through these areas to reach the new luncheon and seminar venues. This organic flow has led organizers to suspend the "Walk the Floor Challenge," a contest previously designed to drive visitors to that part of the show.
Brands are adapting with a mix of pragmatism and optimism. Laura Fish, merchandise manager for Spring Footwear Corp., noted their showroom move was handled without major disruption. Meanwhile, Kristina Corson of Consolidated Shoe Co. framed their relocation from the mall atrium as a strategic opportunity: "It allows us to reintroduce our Back 70 label in a space that truly reflects its evolved identity, offering a more immersive experience at the top of the escalator."
The backdrop for this optimism is a retail landscape that has outperformed some gloomy forecasts. "Many came out of the fall and holiday seasons on the positive end," O'Brien observed. Yet, caution lingers. Persistent inflation and ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariff policies continue to weigh on the minds of both retailers and vendors, creating a complex economic picture for the year ahead.
Voices from the Floor:
"The reshuffle is a masterstroke in disguise. Our hotel ballroom location has never had this much guaranteed traffic. It turns a logistical hurdle into a visibility win." — Marcus Chen, Buyer for a Midwest department store chain.
"Seven percent growth is solid, but let's not pop the champagne just yet. This feels like pent-up demand from a cautious 2023. If inflation and tariff wars escalate, that optimism could evaporate by the August show. The industry is on a tightrope." — Derek Rhodes, Independent Retail Consultant (The Sourced Sole).
"As a first-time exhibitor, the detailed floor plans and communications from TASM made navigating the changes less daunting. It feels organized, not chaotic." — Anya Sharma, Founder, Asole Footwear.
"Moving the cocktail mixer to the Kennesaw Ballroom is a smart upgrade. It was getting cramped. This should improve networking—a core reason we all come here." — Robert G. Miller, VP of Sales, Heritage Boot Co.