New York, NY (December 14)- Retailers from all over the world joined holiday crowds in New York last week, turning out in strong numbers for A.R.E.'s Retail Design Collective, which took place December 8-10 at showrooms throughout the city.

With more showrooms than ever, the December market week provided an encouraging preview for the year ahead. Showrooms reported strong traffic and buyer interest, as retailers sought new ideas to entice shoppers to buy.

Retail Design Collective, produced by A.R.E. (the Association for Retail Environments), offers retailers an exclusive collection of the world's top visual and design resources. The show sets a unique stage for retailers, visual merchandisers and designers to see and share new, innovative ideas, while celebrating design excellence and offering multiple opportunities for learning and inspiration.

This year's headquarters at 7 W New York hosted 18 of the show's 36 showrooms as well as registration, networking breakfasts and the show conference. Conference sessions were packed, as media partners DDI magazine, VMSD magazine and Specialty Insider magazine hosted panel discussions on visual merchandising and store design.

The PAVE Gala on opening night provided an elegant opportunity for retailers and suppliers to network, dine and celebrate outstanding visual and design students. And Retail Design Institute sponsored a pre-show retail visit and reception to kick-off the show.

International attendance was particularly strong, with retailers coming from Latin America, Europe, Dubai, Australia and beyond.

Thirty-seven leading companies participated in Retail Design Collective, either through a showroom presentation or as conference sponsors. Participating companies included: ADCO, Adel Rootstein Mannequins, Alpha Display, Alu, Architectural Systems, Art Addiction, B&N Industries, Bernstein Display, Christine Taylor Collection, Circle Visual, CNL Mannequins, Cubic, DK Display Corp., Elevations, EuroShop 2011, From the Source, Gargoyles Ltd., Goldsmith, HUDSON & BROAD, JPMA, Holiday Foliage, Holiday Image/Holiday Pro, Leo Prager, Lifestyle/Trimco Inc., Manex/France Display, Material ConneXion, Megavision, MG Concepts, Mondo Mannequins/Sellutions by Econoco, Oz Mannequins, Patina-V, Perspectives in Print, RHO, Siegel & Stockman/Superior Model Forms, Silvestri California, The Royal Promotion Group, and Universal Display & Design.

The 2011 Retail Design Collective will take place December 7-9.