Baby & Kids Blog

Isaac Mizrahi to Design Line for Newborn

2012-01-25T06:18:00.000-08:00

On top of all of his other projects, including a new show on Lifetime, Project Runway All-Stars, top designer Isaac Mizrahi is launching a new line for newborns and infants this fall. The line, which will fall under a manufacturing and distribution deal with bon bebe, will be available in department and specialty stores soon, and is sure to be the must-have brand for discerning babies and parents as soon as it hits the market.

The initial 25-piece collection will be for babies and newborns, but Mizrahi expects to eventually expand the collection to include apparel for older children.

Spotlight on the Asia's Biggest Toy Fair

2012-01-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

Environmentally friendly toys, stationery and baby products and a full program of international speakers and award presentations have attracted more than 2,600 exhibitors to four trade fairs, which was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) January 9 – 12, 2012. The HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair is Asia's largest and is actually three product fairs, which ran through to January 11.

The 38th Toys & Games Fair welcomed first-time participants from Greece, Macau, Russia and Ukraine. Exhibitors to the Baby Products Fair were up more than 6 percent over last year and the event welcomed first-time participants from Colombia, Poland and South Africa.

The 12th edition of the Stationery Fair hosted first-time participants from Costa Rica, Italy, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Group pavilions were set up for exhibitors from the mainland, Taiwan and Thailand, and special product zones focus on children's stationery and school supplies, gift stationery, office supplies, and paper and printing products.

HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show's 10th edition built on a decade of success, and attracted more than 170 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions and featuring over 500 properties. The most established event of its kind in Asia, this year's conference featured speakers from licensing giants such as Disney, Sanrio and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Fertility Rises Again

2012-01-10T17:09:00.000-08:00

The baby bust in the U.S. is over, according to a report released from Demographic Intelligence, the nation's premier provider of birth forecasts.In the wake of the Great Recession, the total fertility rate (TFR) and the number of births in the United States fell more than 7 percent from 2007 to 2010. Now, the TFR and the number of births in the United States are rising, according to the January edition of The U.S. Fertility Forecast from Demographic Intelligence (DI). The report projects that the TFR will rise from 1.93 children per woman in 2010 to 1.98 children per woman in 2012, and that the United States will register more than 4 million births this year.

According to Demographic Intelligence (DI) analyses, approximately 1.08 million babies were postponed or foregone from 2008 to 2011. Parents considering a second, third, or fourth child have been particularly likely to avoid having a child since the recession began in December of 2007. "Childbearing is partly an economic decision and clearly many couples felt like they could not afford an additional child," said Samuel Sturgeon, director of research at Demographic Intelligence.Nevertheless, the report indicates that births are now rising for at least three reasons: the number of American women in their prime childbearing years is rising, many families do not want to postpone a birth any longer, and pronatalism remains high in the United States.

January's Digital Issue of Baby & Kids Magazine is Now Available

2012-01-05T17:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the January digital issue of Baby & Kids Magazine

The Baby & Kids digital magazine includes all the same great content as found in the print edition.

New Feature:
Now Viewable on the Ipad

Please Note:
Baby & Kids Digital requires NO special downloads or applications to view in its entirety.

Please click HERE to begin reading now!

We hope you enjoy this issue and all future digital issues of Baby & Kids Digital. Feel free to contact us with your thoughts and feedback at babykids@talcott.com.

Sincerely,
The Baby & Kids Team

Baby & Kids Magazine Congratulates Juvenile Industry Leaders

2012-01-05T17:19:00.000-08:00

Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.), the internationally renowned children’s charity, has announced that it raised over $1.1 million at its 26th Anniversary Gala on December 8th, 2011 at 583 Park Avenue. The gala, attended by some 600 guests, was a tribute to the significant impact that retailers and vendors play in partnering with a not-for- profit to meet the needs of those struggling to survive either poverty or natural disasters.

Joe Shamie, co-president of Delta Children’s Products and recipient of the Humanitarian Award, shared his personal impressions about the "gift of giving". Speaking about the tradition of giving back instilled in him since his youth through his family, Shamie noted the joy that he feels when he and Delta Children’s Products can provide products to children around the country. In addition to the donations he provides of cribs, play yards and other juvenile product, Jerry Storch, CEO of Toys"R"Us, noted the leadership role that Joe has played in setting safety standards in the juvenile product industry as he presented Joe with the K.I.D.S. Humanitarian Award.

Steven Lawrence, jcpenney Executive Vice President and Senior Merchandise Manager of Men's, Children's and Home remarked, when receiving the K.I.D.S. Retailer Award, that corporate social responsibility plays an integral role in the culture and policies of the major retailing company. With its own fund that supports after school activities for children in need, jcpenney serves as a role model to other corporations for its commitment to building a next generation that is well educated and productive citizens. Mike Ulman, Executive Chairman of jcpenney, presented the award to Lawrence noting the significant role that he plays in building and strengthening jcpenney.

For more information on donating new products and supporting K.I.D.S.’ work, visit KIDSdonations.org.

Insurance Institute Rates Booster Seats

2011-10-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released its evaluation of 62 booster seats for kids ages 4 to 8, naming a record 31 seats “Best Bets.” Retailers and buyers will want to keep this information in mind when making booster seat purchases.

The “Best Bet” boosters, which included the EvenFlo Symphony 65 e3 and the Recaro ProBOOSTER, were those that achieved the best seat belt fit. This means that the shoulder belt stretched directly across the shoulder and the lap belt laid flat against the thighs, rather than against the abdomen.

Retailers should also know that the IIHS tested every function of each booster seat. This means models might have received two different ratings for each function. For example, the Cosco Pronto is a best bet when used in the highback mode, but the IIHS recommends that the fit be checked when it is used as a backless booster.

Check out the full press release, the report and access links to video and more information, here.

Checking In With: Angel Dear

2011-08-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

In the second part of our series, Baby & Kids checks in with Angel Dear, which specializes in producing gift items for infants.

Baby & Kids: What’s the history behind Angel Dear? What’s the goal/mission of the company?
Kimberly Perrin: Angel Dear has been providing unique gifts for babies for the past decade. We started with our now famous blankie, which had become a staple. It’s the go-to product for a newborn gift.

B&K: How can gift retailers start branching out to include juvenile products? Why is it important for them to do so?
KP: Even in a down market, people will always buy a gift for a baby. It makes good business sense for gift stores to include infant gift products. Along with our blankies, rattles and pillows, we sell newborn gift sets that include a gown/hat and an accessory packaged in an adorable gift ready, reusable box. It’s perfect for baby showers.

B&K: What trends are you seeing in the realm of children’s gifts?
KP: Angel Dear focuses on infants. We stay true to what’s best and beautiful for baby, avoiding flash-in-the-pan trends. I would characterize Angel Dear products as modern heirlooms.

B&K: What products/categories are you working on for the future?
KP: We are always adding new product, such as our recent addition of Monster Blankies and Sweater Knit Cotton Stuffies.

Image courtesy Angel Dear.

Checking In With: Baby Aspen

2011-07-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

This week, Baby & Kids takes a fresh look at some of the industry's leading producers of toys and juvenile products. We spoke with Donna Laurent, director of brand development, to learn the latest happenings at Baby Aspen.

Baby & Kids: What’s the history behind Baby Aspen? What’s the goal/mission of the company?

Donna Laurent: Baby Aspen was founded in 2007 as the sister company of Kate Aspen, known for gift-ready, beautifully packaged, practical wedding and baby shower favors. Using that same premise through the Baby Aspen line, we seek to bring to the market unique baby gifts that are packaged in a clever, unique way, are gift-ready and at a moderate price point, or as we like to say “boutique look, priced right.” We now feature more than 45 SKUs, ranging from adorable socks to bathrobes, layettes, plush and blankets.

B&K: How can gift retailers start branching out to include juvenile products? Why is it important for them to do so?

DL: We keep our minimums extremely low, which allows gift retailers considering adding baby gift to their assortment the perfect means to take that first step. We also lower the risk with products that are proven sellers both online and in-store and with price points starting at $6 wholesale.

The potential for gift retailers to grow with this market is significant, especially considering their already-captured female audience. Add to that the fact that these consumers are specifically seeking gifts, and you’ve got the perfect condition for sales. The baby gift market has a broad appeal, taking the “is it too personal?” question out of the buying decision. Gifts that are universally appealing and can deliver a “wow” factor provide more purchasing power for a wide range of ages and gift-giving occasions.

B&K: What new products/categories are you working on for the future?

DL: We will continue our focus on quality products delivered in creative ways, allowing the packaging to shine almost as much as the product itself. Now that we’ve established more depth in our collection, we are looking to expand themes and SKU types in the mid-level price range, including our snuggle sacks, bath and plush and lovie gift sets.

Image courtesy Baby Aspen.

Getting to Know The Cribsie Awards

2011-04-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

It's a great time to be a parent. The rise of mommy bloggers and the increasing role of social media has lead to a more informed, opinionated generation of new parents. But sifting through all of the information on the web can get a bit tedious, so Elina Furman and Tara Mandy decided to help out. The two partnered to create The Cribsie Awards, which rewards the most popular juvenile products on the market for discerning moms and dads. Baby & Kids chatted with Elina Furman and got the inside scoop on the Cribsie Awards.

Baby & Kids: Tell us about the Cribsie Awards. How did they get started?
Elina Furman: The Cribsie Awards started as a partnership between Strollertraffic.com and Alistmom.com. Tara Mandy and I are founders of the two sites, which cater to an urban mom audience and deliver timely news about products, services and information in a concise e-mail format. Having gained traction as two of the leading media properties for moms, we noticed a gap in the market for a definitive and editorial awards program for the baby industry.

In our work, we frequently create "best of" products and website lists. With so many baby products, moms need accurate and timely information to decide which ones are the best investment. Due to their popularity of these lists, we decided to continue this work with a formal awards program. The first annual Cribsie Awards were sponsored by Diapers.com.

The mission of the Cribsie Awards is to create a secure forum for opinionated moms to elect their favorite brands and services from a curated list of best-of-the-best finalists across six categories (toys, mealtime, nursery, fashion, web, gear).

B&K: How does the voting process work?

EF: The Cribsie Awards were launched with a nominations period, wherein the public was asked to nominate their top brands for babies and tots. After an overwhelmingly successful nomination period with more than 4,000 brands in the
baby industry nominated by their fans, the editors of A-List Mom and StrollerTraffic along with industry experts hand-
selected the 344 best products, brands, services, and websites for babies and tots. The final voting period opened to the public and was limited to one vote per user, per award. The voting lasted four-weeks and garnered more than 135,000 votes. Sixty winners were selected based on the total number of votes per award.

B&K: What part does social media and the rise of mommy bloggers play in the Cribsie Awards?

EF: Social media played a big part in the immense success of the first annual Cribsie Awards. There were thousands of Facebook posts and Tweets from brands and their fans resulting in more than 134,000 votes. We also made sure to honor the public's favorite blogs and sites with the web category. Many leading blogs and websites were nominated and honored in the awards.

B&K: In what direction are the Cribsies headed?

EF: We have big plans for the 2012 Cribsie Awards. By creating the "best of" list and displaying the winners on the Cribsie Awards site, we have received amazing feedback from voters who are using the site to create their own registries and shop for products. Having been compiled by editors and the public, the site has quickly become the definitive go-to guide for moms making purchasing decisions.

Click here to visit the 2011 Cribsie Award winners.

Image courtesy The Cribsie Awards.

The April Issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor is Now Available

2011-04-15T05:44:00.000-07:00

Dear GGD Reader,

Welcome to the April digital issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine.

This Month's Featured Content:
• Paper Power
• Season Greetings
• Paw Prints
• Baby Lookbook
• Top it Off
• Honeysuckle

• Calendar

New Feature:
Now Viewable on Ipads

Please Note:
GGD Digital requires NO special downloads or applications to view in its entirety.

Please click HERE to begin reading now!

We hope you enjoy this issue and all future digital issues of GGD. Feel free to contact us with your thoughts and feedback at gwnplus@talcott.com.

Sincerely,
The GGD Team

Friday Review: Senario

2011-04-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

As kids, the Baby & Kids staff was more into dolls and dress-up than anything robotic. Now that we're adults — and learning about new toys is part of our job — we've found ourselves drawn to the types of toys that our 5-year-old selves would've sneered at and given to our smelly little brothers. So when a package bearing a Zibit came to our office, we were intrigued.

The Zibit, manufactured by toy company Senario, is a little robot that comes with its own remote control to move the bot around. Each robot has its own name and backstory, and the Zibits are meant to be collectibles. Ours was Dinc, known throughout the Zibits world as a clumsy day-dreamer. Dinc can zoom around while making squeaky robotic sounds and lighting up at random. We can definitely see the appeal in collecting several robots; each robot's backstory and personality quirks are certain to pique a child's imagination.

Our favorite feature of the Zibit perhaps reflects our girly childhoods, but one of the best things about each Zibit is how gender neutral they are. We found that ours is pretty cute — much cuter than most robot toys — and his assigned personality makes him appeal toward the girl set. Dinc is also fun and tech-y for boys. Plus, it's a robot, you can't get much more boy-ish than that. Collectible toys are always a great gift idea, and these robots could be given to any child with a penchant for robotics and imaginative play.

Photo courtesy Zibits.

From the Show Floor: Playtime New York

2011-03-29T12:29:00.001-07:00

The second edition of Playtime New York, held March 5-7 in New York City, brought together exhibitors, buyers, media and industry representatives to collaborate among the newest products in the juvenile industry. This year's show saw a 14-percent increase in the number of participants and a 25-percent increase in the number of visitors.

Didn't make it to the show? Check out these photos from the event, and plan your trip for the summer edition of Playtime New York, taking place July 30-August 1.

Photos courtesy Playtime New York.

The March Issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor is Now Available

2011-03-23T10:09:00.001-07:00

Dear GGD Reader,

Welcome to the March digital issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine.

This Month's Featured Content:
• Zen-spirational
• Dear Ol' Dad
• Time for Tabletop
• Garden State
• Natural Designs
• Shelftalk

• Calendar

New Feature:
Enchanced Page Zooming Feature Now Available-Zooming is now easier then ever!

Please Note:
GGD Digital requires NO special downloads or applications to view in its entirety.

Please click HERE to begin reading now!

We hope you enjoy this issue and all future digital issues of GGD. Feel free to contact us with your thoughts and feedback at gwnplus@talcott.com.

Sincerely,
The GGD Team

Friday Review: Tutu Pour Mon Deux

2011-03-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

Tutus are all over the place, but we were surprised when Tutu Pour Mon Deux sent us one of their tutu shirts. The shirts aren't your average pink, frilly, over-the-top tutu. These tutus could be a part of a child's actual wardrobe; they might not be school-appropriate, but with a cute pair of contrasting tights, they're adorable for family get-togethers, birthday parties or playdates.

The tutus are attached to a tank top (ours had a cupcake embellished on it) or a long-sleeved shirt. Parents can choose the color of the shirt, embellishment, tutu color and coordinating ribbon. Even sweeter than the outfits is the story of the owner, Erika, whose daughters, one born with a congenital heart defect, inspired her to create the shirts and give back to the community. Tutu Pour Mon Deux gives one-third of its proceeds to Children's Hospital Boston.

If you've got a girly-girl that won't change out of her make-believe princess dress, tutu shirts are an easy compromise. And really, who can resist a little girl in a tutu?

Photo courtesy Tutu Pour Mon Deux

Words with Retailers: Green Genes

2011-03-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

We took a moment to get to know Green Genes, an eco-friendly retailer with products ranging from organic baby clothes to cloth diapers, wooden toys, books and more. Even cuter than the items Green Genes carries is the Chicago-based storefront, which was designed using sustainable bamboo and low-VOC paints.

Baby & Kids: What's the mission of Green Genes?

Heather Muestermann, co-owner: Our mission encompasses many things, but overall, we hope to help consumers realize that every small change can add up to make a larger difference in the big environmental picture. We have many people who come to us seeking answers, and we embrace the opportunity to help educate whenever we are able to do so. Our customers are eager to learn about things like organic cotton, BPA and why it should be avoided, reducing their use of excess bags and food containers as well the importance of buying locally and sustainably made products. We hope that if babies and kids are exposed to this information early on that making eco-friendly choices will become second-nature. And honestly, we love providing fun, fashionable and useful items that just happen to help make the world a bit greener!

B&K: What's the story behind founding the company? Have you been involved in the youth retail industry before?

HM: Over the years, I've spent a fair amount of time in the land of retail. My early jobs in high school and college breaks included plenty of time working retail at Disneyland. During graduate school, I was a personal shopper at FAO Schwarz toy store, and in between jobs that actually pertained to my career of art therapy, I managed a Baby and Kids GAP store, as well a local children's boutique. It became clear that the personal interaction and specialty customer service provided in a small boutique was very important to me. Combined with consistently expanding environmental choices at home, I realized I wanted to start my own business along with my partner, Tina. We wanted to be a one-stop-shop for many of the necessities as well as fun items that go along with kids and babies. The piece that sets Green Genes apart from other kids' stores is that all products are chosen with the bigger impact in mind — clothing is made from organic cotton, bamboo or other sustainable materials. Toys are typically wooden and locally or domestically made whenever possible. Since adults deserve green goodies, too, we also provide a selection of organic soaps, lotions, reusable totes, water bottles and paper goods.

B&K: What are a few of the bestsellers at Green Genes?

HM: We are definitely known for our whimsical, funky and sweet graphic onesies, and people come to us to see what's new in onesies. Additionally, people can't get enough of Sophie the giraffe, a natural rubber teething toy made the exact same way in France since 1961! Adults and kids alike have become huge fans of Green Genes' exclusive one-of-a-kind Sweater Dude and Friends line. Locally made, these toys are all hand-stitched using repurposed wool sweaters.

B&K: What are your plans for the future?

HM: Our brains are always going in a million different directions. We'd love a second location eventually, but that's still farther down the road. We are looking forward to our third birthday celebration April 2–3!

Photo courtesy Green Genes.

Friday Review: Modern-twist

2011-02-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

Here at the Baby & Kids office, we receive our fair share of the newest and most innovative products in the juvenile industry. And what better way to share them with our readers than by reviewing them here on our blog? Welcome to our newest segment, Friday Reviews, where we share our thoughts and opinions on the latest products for little ones.

We've seen a lot of placemats in our time. Most are generally functional, plastic-coated mats in primary colors designed to keep Cheerios from sticking to your Pottery Barn dining table. But when the folks over at Modern-twist sent us one of their Kidz Placemats, we were intrigued.

The clear silicone-based, food-safe placemat is like a page from a coloring book; kids can color in the images with washable or dry-erase markers. The placemat comes packaged in a cute box with a set of markers, and parents can choose from several designs. We received the DwellStudio Animal Blocks placemat, which features a modern mix of shapes and animals that will certainly appeal to little ones. And the best part? The placemat washes off so your little mini-Mozart can start over at the next meal. Although rinsing the color off the placemat is definitely a job for Mom; we found that it took a bit of elbow grease to wipe away the color.

Eco-friendly parents will appreciate that the placemats are free of BPA, latex and other chemicals, and the whole kit can be repacked in its original box for easy transport. We imagine it would be a good diaper bag essential to keep baby entertained in a restaurant. However you use it, meal time is certain to get a lot more creative.

Photo courtesy Modern-twist.

The February Issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor is Now Available

2011-02-15T11:10:00.001-08:00

Dear GGD Reader,

Welcome to the February digital issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine.

This Month's Featured Content:
• All Aglow
• Mad about Mom
• Home Safe Home
• Gourmet Gift Guide
• Luxury at Home
• Wall Art

• Calendar

NYIGF Best New Product Award Winners

2011-02-07T09:55:00.000-08:00

The first-ever Best New Product Awards took place within the Baby & Child division at the New York International Gift Fair, held January 29 through February 3. Baby & Kids editor Melody Udell was there to help judge product submissions in five categories: apparel, gear, toy, decor and a special blogger's best category.

Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists!

Blogger's Best:

Maple Landmark, Inc. for the Rocker-Feller Rocking Horse

Toy:

Winner: Tegu for the Magnetic Blocks

Finalist: Maple Landmark, Inc. for the Rocker-Feller Rocking Horse

Finalist: Geared For Imagination for Topozoo

Decor:

Winner: Oopsy Daisy, Fine Art For Kids for the A to Z Animal Prints.

Finalist: Zutano Inc. for the Owls four-piece crib set

Finalist: manny and simon for Duck Wooden Step Stool

Gear:

Winner: MadPax for the Spiketus Rex

Finalist: Buggyguard for the Stroller Lock

Finalist: Innobaby LLC for the Keepin’ Fresh Kids Stainless

Apparel:

Winner: Loralin Design for the Handmade Sweater Basket

Finalist: Magnificent Baby for the Elephants On Parade Take Me Home Set

Finalist: 3 Sprouts for the 3 Sprouts Eco-Friendly Art Smock

Photo courtesy NYIGF.

Dorset’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award Goes to My Carry Potty Inventor

2011-02-03T06:45:00.000-08:00

Amanda Jenner, inventor of My Carry Potty, has received the Dorset Business Award for Entrepreneur of the Year.

Jenner launched My Carry Potty in 2009. The product aims to help both parents and kids during the potty training process. My Carry Potty is portable and self-contained, meaning parents don’t have to worry about finding a bathroom for their child when traveling.

The product made its U.S. debut at the ABC Kids Expo in October and is distributed in the country by Regal Lager. My Carry Potty is sold in more than 80 independent retailers and 40 online stores. In addition, the product has sold more than 22,000 units to date.

CPSC Announces Three Recalls

2011-01-27T06:48:00.000-08:00

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced three voluntary recalls in the juvenile industry:

baby rattles from Kid O
Cool-it Soother from Vulli
Toddler Talk Toy Mobile Phone from Discover Toys

The Kid O rattles were recalled because the company’s Prisma and Duo style wooden baby rattles had detachable beads that are considered a choking hazard. The Toddler Talk Toy Mobile Phone from Discovery Toys was also recalled due to a choking hazard as the clear plastic antenna can break off. In addition, the Cool-it Soother by Vulli poses an ingestion hazard if the teething ring is punctured and liquid escapes. For more information, visit www.cpsc.gov.

The January Issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor is Now Available

2011-01-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

Dear GGD Reader,

Welcome to the January digital issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine.

This Month's Featured Content:
• Playing a Selling Song
• Lasting Ties
• Plush Perfection
• Gorgeous Glassware
• Tasty Toppings
• Hot of the Press

• Calendar

Pediped Launches The Pediped Foundation

2011-01-12T08:01:00.001-08:00

Leading children’s footwear company, Pediped, has announced the launch of The Pediped Foundation, which aims to provide financial support to children’s charities and organizations.

The foundation will work with charities dedicated to the health, education, necessities and personal fulfillment of children on a global scale. One hundred percent of the funds raised will go toward the organization.

Pediped isn’t new to charity work. Since the company’s inception in 2004, the company has donated nearly $700,000 in monetary and product donations to children’s charities, which includes $445,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and more than 2,000 donated to children in Haiti.

Pediped will host the Purchases with Purpose fundraiser starting January 5 through February 6. During the fundraiser, select styles on www.pediped.com will be discounted, and sales from the promotion will be donated to the Pediped Foundation.

The January Issue of Baby & Kids Digital is Now Available

2011-01-06T11:15:00.001-08:00

Dear Baby & Kids Reader,

Welcome to the January digital edition of Baby & Kids Magazine.

The Baby & Kids digital magazine includes all the same great content as found in the print edition.

This Month's Featured Content:
• Designer Decals
• Capturing The Memories
• Not Your Mother's Diaper Bag
• Retailer to Retailer
• The Look Book: Organic Apparel
• Playing In The Rain

New Feature:
Enchanced Page Zooming Feature Now Available-Zooming is now easier then ever!

Please Note:
Not all ads will have a yellow link icon; however, you may still access their websites by clicking either on their company logo or embedded web address.

Please click HERE to begin reading now!

We hope you enjoy this issue and all future digital issues of Baby & Kids Digital. Feel free to contact us with your thoughts and feedback at babykids@talcott.com.

Sincerely,
The Baby & Kids Team

Toy Industry Association Launches Social Game

2011-01-05T07:37:00.001-08:00

The Toy Industry Association has announced the launch of its virtual and social board game, called Play Happens, for Toy Fair attendees. During this year’s Toy Fair, which takes place February 13 through 16, participants are encouraged to check in via their smart phones at several locations through Manhattan. Each location earns a differing amount of points for the players on a virtual game point. Locations will include various tourist sights, neighborhoods, restaurants, entertainment venues and events.

The winners will receive a weekend for two in New York City over New Year’s Eve. The package includes airfare, lodging at the Marriott Marquis Hotel at Times

Guest Artists Collaborate on Childrens CD

2010-12-29T07:01:00.000-08:00

The newest release in the line of award-winning Gustafer Yellowgold DVD/CD sets features songwriter Morgan Taylor and is set for release March 1.

The animated movie and pop rock concert for ages 4 and up features Morgan’s “musical moving storybook,” which weaves a storyline into soft-rock music videos. This multimedia children’s project also features guest artists John Stirratt and Pat Sansone from the alternative band Wilco, as well as John Munson, the bassist for Semisonic.

The newest release is entitled “Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock,” and takes place in the title character, Gustafer Yellowgold’s, new home in Minnesota. Gustafer begins to learn about his new surroundings and encounters hilarious hijinks along the way.

The December Issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor is Now Available

2010-12-16T17:24:00.001-08:00

Dear GGD Reader,

Welcome to the December digital issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine.

This Month's Featured Content:
• Show of Shows
• Gear Guide
• Game On
• Neutral Spring Rugs

• New Scent Products
• Dining Standards

• Calendar

Aurora Products Honored With Several Awards and Industry Recognition

2010-12-08T07:16:00.000-08:00

Aurora World Inc. (www.auroragift.com), known worldwide for its high quality and affordable plush toys and gifts, announced recent awards and industry recognition for some of the company’s most popular plush lines, YooHoo & Friends, Milly – The Pinkest Kitten and My Dolly. The highly respected Parents’ Choice Foundation awarded YooHoo & Friends with a “Funstuff” award while Creative Child Magazine acknowledged Aurora’s best-selling brand with its “Seal of Excellence.” FunFare Magazine honored Milly, which debuted at retail earlier this year, as a “FunFare All Star.” Parents Magazine released its annual best toys guide in November, including Aurora’s multi-cultural My Dolly collection.

“The industry recognition is so valuable to our Aurora family. Every employee works tirelessly to bring the best plush toys and gifts to the marketplace,” says Michael Kessler, Aurora’s SVP of sales and marketing. “Everyone at Aurora deserves this recognition – they are the heart and soul of the company.” On the heels of the award wins, Kessler says all three of the product lines should see expansion in 2011.

Aurora’s YooHoo & Friends line includes over 100 styles based on animals (many endangered) from around the globe. The corresponding free, interactive website, www.yoohoofriends.com includes games, educational materials, quizzes, downloads, a place to raise and care for your YooHoo, and kids and collectors can learn more about the animals and their habitats.

Aurora’s My Dolly line includes seven dolls that Kessler says “are super soft and huggable.” Parents Magazine says, “Most importantly, little girls can identify with how they look and dress.” Aurora’s FunFare Magazine “All Star,” Milly, features a precious pink kitten as freestanding plush, in dress up or even via portable scented (chocolate, strawberry and vanilla) toy pet carriers. “Girls love kitties and pink, so Milly is just what they are looking for. Plus, with the scented carriers, Milly is portable,” says Kessler.

MD Moms Introduces Silky Smooth Baby Gift Set

2010-12-01T06:22:00.000-08:00

As the winter months get colder, mom and baby may have dry, itchy skin. This collection of essentials from MD Moms Baby Silk line, the first pediatrician-developed personal care line for babies, keeps baby (and mom) silky smooth from nose to toes. The gift set includes Daily Skin Protection Moisturizing Balm, Soothing Bottom Relief Diaper Rash Cream and Delicate Skin Comfort Silky Liquid Powder. All items come in a reusable keepsake box. The suggested retail is $58. For more information, www.mdmoms.com.

Top Toy for 2010 My Pillow Pets Introduces A New Game and More

2010-11-17T07:09:00.001-08:00

My Pillow Pets (www.MyPillowPets.com) are super-soft plush creatures that are snuggly companions for imaginative play and comfy pillows for bed, television or travel time. From the jungle to the sea, there are over 30-styles of loveable My Pillow Pets available each with its own characteristic and charm.

“The demand for the My Pillow Pet products has seen unprecedented levels in 2010,” said Jennifer Telfer, CEO of CJ Products, LLC, the manufacturers of My Pillow Pets. “It was only natural to answer this demand by creating new styles and accessories to grow the brand.”

In addition to the My Pillow Pets plush, the line has also expanded to include the Pillow Pets Dreamland Adventure Game and the Pillow Pets Dreamland Matching Game. Children can set sail on an exciting journey through seven continents as they race to enter My Pillow Pets Dreamland. Along the way they encounter adventures, adorable My Pillow Pet friends, and even some pitfalls. The Pillow Pets Dreamland Matching Game hones children’s memory skills and focus as they try and match some of their My Pillow Pets favorites. See all the new products at Toy Fair Booth #208.

The November Issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor is Now Available

2010-11-12T08:29:00.000-08:00

Dear GGD Reader,

Welcome to the November digital issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine.

This Month's Featured Content:
• Enliven Sales
• Winter Markets Update
• Valentine's Day
• Greeting Card Gazette

• Industry Speaks
• Calendar

Nappa Judges Assemble Two Honors For Hot & Cool Toymaker CitiBlocs

2010-11-10T07:23:00.000-08:00

For the second year in a row, CitiBlocs is a winner of a NAPPA Honors Award. The CitiBlocs 100 Piece Hot and Cool Color Sets were recently named a NAPPA 2010 Honors Award recipient, and the eco-friendly blocks were also named a NAPPA 2010 Best Bang for Buck Award winner. The 100 piece building block sets are an affordable $22.99.

CitiBlocs are wood building blocks that require no glue, no snaps, no connectors and no magnets: just gravity, balance and imagination. Kids and parents can choose small, medium and gigantic sets with bold colors or plain pine. All CitiBlocs are precision cut wood pieces that are the exact same shape and size.

The National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) is the "go-to" source for parents and professionals looking for the best children’s products and resources for parents. It signifies that a product has been rigorously evaluated against stringent criteria by expert judges and family testers and that it stands out among hundreds of similar products from around the world.

ASTRA Announces 2011 Marketplace & Academy Themes And Dates

2010-11-03T07:11:00.000-07:00

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) has announced that the theme of its 2011 Marketplace & Academy is “Soak Up the Sunshine. Dive into the Deals.” The event will take place in Anaheim, California from June 19- 22, 2011.

“ASTRA conventions are known for being both fun and hugely effective events for transacting business,” notes Kathleen McHugh, President of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association. “Our theme reflects the upbeat, family-friendly atmosphere that you can’t help but enjoy in Anaheim, even while those attending will be getting terrific show-only deals on the products they need for a profitable fourth quarter. Anaheim 2011 will be where play meets business for anyone interested in specialty toys.”

With more than 1000 members, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is the largest association for companies in the toy and children’s products arenas. ASTRA and its member companies promote the growth of the toy industry by delivering products that serve children’s best interests. For more information, visit www.astratoy.org.

Registration Opens for American International Toy Fair 2011; Exhibitor Numbers Up 9 Percent

2010-10-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

As buyer and attendee registration opens for the 108th American International Toy Fair (www.toyassociation.org) in February 2011, the number of companies signed up to exhibit is already ahead by 9 percent compared to the same date last year. And of the nearly 300 new exhibitor applications that have been received to date, 22 percent are from international companies hoping to tap into the lucrative $22 billion U.S. toy market.

“We’re thrilled with the increase in sales figures and the levels of confidence and optimism they express,” commented Marian Bossard, TIA vice president of meetings and events. “This kind of positive news reaffirms Toy Fair’s reputation as the epicenter of toy and youth product creativity, originality and excellence in the Western Hemisphere.”

In response to buyer interest, an addition on the show floor for Toy Fair ’11 is a new Teen/Tween section. Aimed at buyers interested in toys, games and accessories designed to tap into the desires and interests of the powerful ‘inbetweenie’ age group, this newly created Product Zone will provide a highly-focused destination for the more than 3,000 retail buyers (18 percent of those attending the 2010 show) who said Teen/Tween products were on their shopping list.

Dubbed “the largest toy box” in North America and the place where trends are born, Toy Fair 2011 will be held February 13th-16th 2011 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

The Sept/Oct Issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor is Now Available

2010-10-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

Dear GGD Reader,

Welcome to the September/October digital issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine.

This Month's Featured Content:
• Calendar
• What Will The Guys Have
• I Do! - Weddings
• Last Minute Hoiliday Ordering

• Mod Squad
• Creative Collection for The Holiday

Baby & Child Expands At Winter 2011 NYIGF

2010-10-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

Following its well-received and widely-acclaimed debut in August 2010, the new juried Baby & Child division will expand by 20 percent for the winter 2011 New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) to feature some 150 companies offering sophisticated and purpose-driven products for children 0-10 years.

“The demand for sophisticated and stylish children’s products is exploding, and Baby & Child offers a breadth of well-designed resources across multiple categories,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “The division brings together leading brands, emerging resources and taste-makers in one consolidated collection.”

According to show management, divisional growth will result from the relocation of key children’s resources — such as Douglas Plush, The Baby Bunch, 3 Sprouts and Wee Gallery — from other NYIGF divisions into Baby & Child, as well as the addition of newcomers to the New York market. In addition, several Baby & Child charter exhibitors — including Skip Hop, Kid O, Manhattan Toy and HABA USA — have requested expansions for the division’s second semi-annual edition.

Baby & Child includes leading brands and innovative new resources in a wide range of products, including arts and crafts, books, music, toys, games, puzzles, dolls and plush, gear (diaper bags, stroller accessories and feeding accessories), wearables and accessories, layette, bedding accessories and blankets.

Welcome to Day Four of the ABC Kids Expo Dailies Digital Edition

2010-10-13T06:05:00.001-07:00

Good Morning ABC Kids Expo Attendees and Exhibitors:

Baby & Kids magazine was honored to be chosen again to be the official publisher of the ABC Kids Expo Show Dailies. So to celebrate, we decided to digitize the Show Dailies alongside the print edition offered at the show.

Inside this issue you will find many useful tools to help navigate all the show's events, new products releases, and important industry announcements. You may also click on the booth numbers to locate that "must visit" and/or to direct source any companies that have the goods you desire (Just click on the link or company logo).

Please click HERE or on the Day Four cover below to begin reading.

We hope you enjoy the 2010 ABC Kids Expo Dailies and wish you all a very successful show!

Baby and Kids will be back next year with more exciting coverage of the show with the official 2011 ABC Kids Expo Dailies. So make sure you reserve your spot early.

See you on the floor and next year in Louisville,

The Baby & Kids Team

The Digital Day Three ABC Kids Show Daily is Now Available

2010-10-12T05:48:00.001-07:00

Please click HERE or on the Day Three cover below to begin reading.

We hope you enjoy the 2010 ABC Kids Expo Dailies and wish you all a very successful show!

See you on the floor,

The Baby & Kids Team

The Digital Day Two ABC Kids Show Daily is Now Available

2010-10-11T05:36:00.000-07:00

Good Morning ABC Kids Expo Attendees and Exhibitors:

We hope you enjoy the 2010 ABC Kids Expo Dailies and wish you all a very successful show!

See you on the floor,

The Baby & Kids Team

The Digital Edition of the Day One ABC Kids Show Daily is Now Available

2010-10-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

Please click HERE or on the Day One cover below to begin reading.

We hope you enjoy the 2010 ABC Kids Expo Dailies and wish you all a very successful show!

First Annual ABC Runway Show in Maternity Square

2010-10-07T07:44:00.001-07:00

It’s less than one week away from the open of the 8th Annual ABC Kids Expo! When planning your show agenda, be sure to include a stop to the new pavilion, Maternity Square. This area is sure to please, with all of the newest maternity products made available in one dedicated area.

Maternity Square will also be the location for ABC's first ever premier runway and style show. Don't miss this special event, Monday, October 11th at 4 pm. The Maternity Square pavilion is located on the second floor adjacent to the escalators. It is free to attend and there will be 42 exhibiting companies participating in the show.

For a list of companies exhibiting in the Maternity Square™ pavilion, click here and search by “Pavilion.”

Here are 10 good reason why you should stop by Moby Wrap at the ABC Kids Expo booth 2841!

Our Digital ABC Kids Expo Issue is Now Available

2010-10-06T06:04:00.001-07:00

Here is a nice treat right before the ABC show. Come take a look at our digital issue dedicated to the ABC Kids Expo. Make sure you make notes of all the new hot products before you hit the floor.

Please click HERE to start reading.

See you at the show,

The Baby & Kids Team

P.S. Make sure you check out the show dailies!

ABC Announces 2011 Booth Discounts

2010-09-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

ABC Kids will be moving to Louisville in 2011. The show dates are September 23-26. There will be significant cost savings for exhibiting manufacturers, especially in material handling at this non-union facility.

Already one of the lowest cost trade shows in North America, according to the former Trade Show Week, the Board of Directors of All Baby & Child has decided to take all of the dollars that ABC will save on convention center space rental and give it back to 2011 exhibiting manufacturers in the form of an “early bird” discount. For 2011, the $1.00 per square foot “early bird” discount will be matched by another $1.00 per square foot “Lock Down Louisville” discount. Exhibitors that qualify for these “early bird” discounts must register for the 2011 show on-site during the upcoming 2010 show or no later than October 30, 2010, and must pay for their booth space on or before both deposit and final payment deadlines, which are January 10th and May 30th respectively.

In addition, members of J.P.M.A. that have paid their 2011 membership dues on or before May 30, 2011 (must be on J.P.M.A. list as of that date to qualify) will receive an additional $2.00 per square foot booth discount. J.P.M.A. manufacturer members that reserve booth space by October 30th and pay for that space by both the deposit and final payment deadlines will therefore receive a total of $4.00 per square foot off their 2011 booth space rental.

Registration for the 2011 show will be available beginning Tuesday, October 12 and Wednesday, October 13 during the 2010 show and online after these dates. They look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas soon and they will help you “Lock Down Louisville” while you’re there.

An Interview With Pete Meyers Of Essentials Brands

2010-07-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Editorial Coordinator Barbara Wujcik spoke with Pete Meyers, vice president of product development for Essentials Brands, who spoke about the company’s new Baby Planet Unity Sport twin stroller and how retailers can promote them in their stores.

"Our Baby Planet Unity Sport twin stroller was designed because we saw a need not being met. I’ve been in baby business for about 22 years and have seen a steady market in tandem strollers. We saw several problems with the designs. Having the handles on each side on the outer edges makes the stroller more difficult to steer and because of where the hands are, often leads to scraping your hands as you try to enter or exit an area. We came up with a center-mounted handle that makes it easier to steer and eliminates the hand- scraping problem.

"Another good feature is that we’ve moved the rear-central wheel a few inches further up. What that means is you no longer kick the wheel as you walk. The result is we can offer a longer walking stride than any stroller. An additional unexpected benefit of these design changes is the central handle balances the weight, so it doesn’t favor one side — as is often the case with a younger and older children of different weights in the same stroller. It provides a better experience for everyone. The stroller has been on the market since the end of June and has been very popular. The suggested retail for the twin stroller is $289.99, which is mid-price to the upper half of what is in the market.

"Many retailers have avoided or gotten out of selling this kind of equipment. For many, twin or tandem strollers have been considered a necessary evil. For retailers, in a category like this you have to address the issues that consumers faced. Retailers say it is not a prime category. We suggest demonstrating the stroller, so people can see how easily it can be handled. We also offer a showroom model program that includes a laminated tag explaining all the choices available. That allows retailers to try out selling strollers without having to bring in a lot of inventory.”

3 Questions For The President Of Playtime New York

2010-07-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

Playtime New York is a new trade show, making its first appearance in the states at the end of July (July 31-August 2). Based on successful shows in Paris and Tokyo, the New York edition will feature apparel, toy and gift manufacturers at 82 Mercer Street.

Baby & Kids recently asked Sebastien de Hutten, president, Playtime, about company’s new trade show.

BK: Why you decided to start a show in New York City?

SH: Playtime is a serious yet whimsical show. We wanted to offer all our exhibitors (in all Playtime shows) the world’s best visibility a trade show could give them. Being global - Europe, Asia and America - gives us the possibility to reach more buyers than any other show.

BK: What can we expect during the show? Will there be fashion shows, speakers or special events?

SH: We will have a trend space featuring items from our exhibitors and fun special exhibits as well. And the venue is fabulous.

BK: What will Playtime New York offer retailers that they won’t find anywhere else?

SH: A unique and global selection. Inspiration. Fresh Air. Personality. A warm atmosphere yet highly professional. A show they will take pleasure in visiting one season after the other.

The Buzz About Vegas Kids

2010-07-13T07:25:00.000-07:00

“Vegas Kids is a great opportunity for the kids industry to come together to share ideas and success stories. The show will highlight some of the latest and greatest directions in kids’ lives, fads and trends, family insights and new directions for kid design, furniture and furnishings.” - Paul Kurnit, owner, KidShop.

“Lea [Furniture} looks forward to participating in the Vegas Kids show. The campus and set-up will make it easy to introduce potential new retailers to Lea’s distinctive quality and functionality as well as the versatility of the Nickelodeon Rooms collection. Lea’s presence at the Vegas Kids show will help the company to expand upon our distribution into new geographic regions and retail channels. And, based on what we’re hearing from our sales team and customers, it will allow us to more opportunity to meet with a diverse set of new retailers who may not have seen Nickelodeon Rooms yet, while also allowing us more time to spend on existing relationships with Lea customers who attend the show.” - Jack Richardson, president, Lea Furniture.

“We have many brand new children’s furniture lines from Danish and German manufacturers that have never before been sold in the USA,” says Blount. “This gives us an opportunity to supply a range of low-, mid- and high-priced product to independent retailers across the USA, Canada, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Additionally, we are now the American distributor for Spiegelburg Toys, a German manufacturer that has not been shown in the USA prior to its launch at Vegas Kids.” - Lee Blount, business manager, Ark Group/Thuka Furniture.

Vegas Kids runs August 2-6 at World Market Center Las Vegas.

Sept/Oct Call For Editorial Submissions

2010-07-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

The Biggest Issue Of The Year

September/October Baby & Kids Magazine

The ABC Kids Expo Issue

One show. One Issue. The September/October issue of Baby & Kids is all about ABC with the newest products and market highlights. With complete pre-show coverage and distribution at the ABC Kids Expo, the issue will present new product introductions in these exciting articles:

ABC Kids Expo Preview: A roundup of the products debuting at the ABC Kids Expo. New sections and events will be highlighted alongside innovative products. Editorial contact: Baby & Kids Editors, babykids@talcott.com.

Toys and Games: Dolls, plush, board games, activity sets and more. If it’s a part of playtime, you’ll find it in this report about the value of play. Editorial contact: Mary Gerlach, mgerlach@talcott.

Furniture, Décor and Bedding: From transitional to traditional, our youth décor style guide will help retailers create cohesive design-driven décor sections for children of all ages. Editorial contact: Ashley Trent, atrent@talcott.com.

Baby Gear: All the strollers, car seats and carriers that keep baby on the go and safely in style. Editorial contact: Mary Gerlach, mgerlach@talcott.

Plus: Industry News, Event Calendar and Retailer Profile.

Editorial deadline is August 24, 2010.

Ad reservations for the Sept./Oct. issue are due August 31, 2010.

With your press releases, information and news, send artwork

E-mailed, high resolution (300 dpi) digital images saved as an EPS, JPEG or TIFF, at least 3”x5” or larger.
A Mac-formatted CD. Save art as EPS, JPEG or TIFF, 300 dpi, at least 3”x5” or larger.

Vegas Kids Offers More Youth Furnishing Resources

2010-06-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I wrote about gift trade shows taking note of the strong juvenile-product marketplace, and today we have news that furniture show are doing something similar. Vegas Kids has always been a division of The Las Vegas Furniture Market, but now it’s its own show (check out the shiny new website here).

World Market Center Las Vegas found that its growing youth-furniture segment is expanding along with the category as a whole. “Our Market attracts tens of thousands of home furnishings retailers internationally every season, and more than 20 percent of current attendees purchase juvenile furniture, making this expansion in youth furnishings a natural extension for Las Vegas,” Robert Maricich, president and CEO of WMC, says. “Despite the economic downtown,” he adds, “youth lines have remained strong at retail. This expanded juvenile event will bring the best of what’s new in youth furnishings to the forefront.”

The most recent projections by Easy Analytic Software Inc. suggest that youth bedroom sales will increase nationally by 14.8 percent during the next five years. That’s in part due to the fact that parents are still spending on their children. While 71 percent of parents say they have been personally affected by the recession, 90 percent of them say they are spending less on themselves, so they can spend more on their children.

The seminar series has been developed to help retailers take advantage of new revenue streams, including youth furniture. Seminar and Event highlights include the following:

Kid Wisdom: Essential Insights for Furniture Fun and Profit
Presented by Paul Kurnit, KidShop
Monday, August 2 | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Building C, 4th Floor
Join Paul Kurnit, owner of KidShop and a recognized world leader in youth marketing, to learn more about the current state of the kids market and how to connect your company’s core capabilities to today’s opportunities.

Vegas Kids for Grownups Reception
Monday, August 2 | 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Building C, 4th Floor
Join today's leading juvenile furniture manufacturers as they celebrate with a cocktail reception. Beginning at 4 p.m., The Vegas Kids for Grownups party injects real fun back into the juvenile business.

Room for Children: The Exciting State of Children’s Design Today
Presented by Susanna Salk
Tuesday, August 3 | 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Building C, 4th Floor
Design author Susanna Salk uses images from her new book “Room for Children” as a launch pad for a lively discussion. Well known for her contributions to “Today” show and “Early Show,” Salk will hold a book signing following the discussion.

Getting the Most Out of Social Media
Presented by Katja Presnal, Skimbaco Lifestyle and Collective Bias
Tuesday, August 3 | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Building C, 4th Floor
Lifestyle blogger and social media expert Katja Presnal discusses how independent retailers of youth home furnishings can gain a competitive advantage through effective social media strategy.

Vegas Kids at Las Vegas Market will be held August 2-6 in conjunction with the Las Vegas Market and Gift + Home.

New York Gift Shows Offer Something For Baby

2010-06-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Juvenile-product retailers have gotten lucky of late as more and more trade shows pop up with sections devoted specifically to products for babies, children and their parents.

During the last New York International Gift Fair, show organizers announced their Focus Forward 2013 strategic plan, which sees the reorganization of NYIGF as the Javits Convention Center changes too. One of the first steps of Focus Forward 2013 is the new Baby & Child division. Cross merchandising children’s every day products with gift merchandise is the industry standard now, so it’s worth a trip to New York to find new diaper bags, furniture and layette alongside plush toys, books, footwear and anything else you can imagine.

Elsewhere in New York City, you’ll find a similar concept now in its second go round at 7 W New York. The NYC Baby& Kids Fair, which runs August 16-18 at 7 W 34th Street, presents temporary exhibitors with children’s products and parenting aides. And I’ll be there too! I moderate the Product Profiles speed-selling seminar and buyers lunch on Tuesday, August 17 at 1 p.m.

Here’s a little teaser from the NYIGF to whet your appetite.

JPMA, Crib Manufacturers Revise ASTM Voluntary Crib Standards

2010-05-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

In 2009, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, via the ASTM consensus-standard-setting process, was involved in the establishment and approval of a revised voluntary standard to eliminate drop-side cribs from the marketplace. Last week, JPMA representatives and members of the crib-manufacturing community met with other key stakeholders and representatives from the Consumer Product Safety Commission at ASTM headquarters to make additional changes to further enhance this voluntary standard, ASTM F 1169.

“JPMA members are always looking for ways to improve and enhance cribs and other baby products,” Michael Dwyer, executive director of JPMA, says. “By participating in ASTM meetings and the consensus-standard-setting process, our members are able to review incident data, and provide suggested product enhancements and financial, engineering and manpower support that otherwise would not be available to help expedite the process.”

Crib manufacturers also contributed to improving the safety of infant products by offering the additional testing and the engineering expertise necessary to create the highest safety standard available anywhere in the world.

The new version of the ASTM voluntary standard includes the following enhancements:

Continues to eliminate drop-side cribs from the marketplace
Bolsters the strength of crib slats and/or spindles
Adds a vertical-mattress-impact test
Eliminates wood screws from key structural elements
Adds more tests to improve the structure of the crib including anything that would impact the failure of the crib (i.e. loosening of parts, failure of locking or latching items, etc.)

Talcott, ABC Establish Two-Year Show Daily Partnership

2010-04-30T06:02:00.000-07:00

For the second consecutive year, All Baby and Child Inc., organizer of the annual ABC Kids Expo, selected Baby & Kids magazine, published by Talcott Publishing, to produce the Official ABC Show Dailies. Additionally, both parties will produce the publications for the 2011 Expo.

“We’re delighted to work with ABC again,” Publisher Daniel von Rabenau says. “ABC is one of the largest supporters of the juvenile-product industry, and we’re proud to partner with such a noteworthy group.” Von Rabenau adds that each Show Daily represents an important opportunity for manufacturers and designers to draw attention to their new collections and product launches during the ABC Kids Expo.

The editorial content of each Show Daily will be developed by Associate Editor Mary Gerlach, von Rabenau adds. “Everyone at Talcott is proud of the work the editors did last year," he says, "and we’ve already discussed what we’ll do this year to make our 2010 show coverage better.”

“After last year’s show, I knew we’d have to create digital magazines and incorporate more exhibitor video in the online issues,” Gerlach says. Future editorial plans include creating exhibitor market guides, which Baby & Kids will e-mail retailers before the show to help them plan their buying, more specialized content for independent retailers and expanded coverage of networking and social events.

Exhibitors interested in advertising in the Official ABC Show Dailies should contact their Baby & Kids sales rep for prices and special advertising offers.

Joanne Fallon, 800/229-1967 ext. 26, jfallon@talcott.com
JoAnn Maynard, 800/966-0800, jmaynard@talcott.com
Karen Wolfskehl, 800/683-9869, kwolfskehl@talcott.com

The ABC Kids Expo will be held October 10-13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information, visit www.theabcshow.com. For additional information about Baby & Kids, visit www.babyandkidsmagazine.com.

A Message From ERGObaby

2010-03-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

A Letter from Karin Frost, Owner/Designer, ERGObaby

One of the greatest gifts anyone can be given is the opportunity to be a parent. I remember when my son was only a few days old, sound asleep in his bassinet; my strong desire to pick him up and hold him close to my heart dominated any other need. My mothering instinct to keep him safe, secure and content has always been my driving force, and when I started ERGObaby, my intention was to create a product that would promote and enhance the ability of parents to safely and comfortably keep their babies close to them as often as possible. Eight years later, my research into the science behind babywearing has affirmed my mothering instincts. I know, beyond a doubt, that bonding with and nurturing our babies from infancy with the help of babywearing is absolutely the best way.

Hundreds of thousands of happy babies around the world are riding close to their parent’s heart in The ERGObaby Carrier, in much the same way that indigenous cultures have for thousands for years. Whether it is a soft-structured carrier, wrap or sling, babywearing has always made it safe and easy for mothers to stay productive while tending to the needs of their babies.

As a part of our commitment to the safety of the children entrusted to our products, the ERGObaby Carrier has gone through rigorous safety testing and has been certified by the European testing agency TÜV since 2008, and by the Juvenile Products Manufactures Association (JPMA), according to the American Standards for Testing Materials (ASTM), since 2008, and, most recently, has met all the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Information Act) standards mandated by Congress in 2008.

At ERGObaby, we pride ourselves on superior customer service. Should you have any questions regarding the proper use of our products, or any other questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at: 808-572-6953 or customerservice@ergobaby.com. It is my sincere hope that ERGObaby can help enrich your family’s happiness and well-being.

Karin Frost

LoveIt!

2010-03-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

by Mary Gerlach

Trove makes beautiful wallpaper, film window panels and printed wood veneer. The window panel, shown above, and wood veneer cover otherwise dull items in need of an update. How cute for a little girl’s room or an adult’s room for that matter.

Chronicle Books created a line of Julius birthday invitations and blank thank you notes. I adore the fill-in-the-blank birthday invites. This is just the kind of thing I can imagine my 9-year-old niece spending a Saturday afternoon filing out and then stuffing envelops.

I’ve never been to India, but I recognize the design influence anywhere. I’ve seen orange and pink everywhere these days, and I’m loving it in the spring line from Masala Baby. The comfy, not to mention chic, apparel is made with hand-woven fabrics, too. A little bit of luxe for the little ones.

LoveIt!

2010-03-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

by Mary Gerlach

What is LoveIt? LoveIt is two things, actually. It’s what we here at Baby & Kids say amongst ourselves when we adore a design, are feeling nostalgic or basically have a soft spot in our heart for something. LoveIt! is also going to be a regular feature on the Baby & Kids blog that features the products (and sometimes people, pop culture and trivia) we can’t get enough of. There may be more abbrevs and definitely a more causal vibe, but that’s us and this is what we love.

The Baby Bunch’s Nest & Eggs. The nest has three “eggs” made with pink or blue organic socks, and the bird is a lavender-scented sachet. Seriously, this small gift steals the show at a baby shower. Reminds me of something I’d see at Anthropologie.

Kids can customize their placemats while they eat with either robot, me or jungle themes. With some pretty fun stickers to add character to the characters, I wish I had these placemats at my birthday parties when I was younger. The artwork is super cute, too. From Hello Hanna. Check out the company’s cupcake stands – another LoveIt!
I can’t remember having a specific hero growing up, and I always thought action heros were guys. So, imagine my excitment when I had the opportunity to ran this picture of Zola the Koala in a plush story I did for Giftware News. She’s got a purse! And a cape! And she’s here to save the day! From All New Materials.

Love these apple and pear note pads from Trade Star. What delightful teacher gifts. Not strictly kid related, but I adore the clever little gifts. Take note, that apple photographed in the back is sitting in one of those foam fruit cushions.

NY Market Week Highlights

2010-02-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

by Mary Gerlach

Earlier this month, the staff of Baby & Kids magazine set up shop in New York City for a few days. Trade shows are one of the most exciting aspects of our jobs as we get a chance to see products (and often times prototypes) before they hit store shelves the following season. Aside from new products, many of which you’ll find in the pages of Baby & Kids, show management and the industry as a whole celebrates milestones and releases big show news.

Here are few highlights from the show. For more coverage, look for my NY Market Week wrap-up report in the upcoming issue of Giftware News Plus. Sign up here to receive your complimentary subscription.

Associate editor Ashley Trent led the New Buyer Orientations during the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF). Ashley was joined by NYIGF’s Helen Overly. Helen, by her own account, has been in the industry in one of several capacities for countless years. Together, the two ladies answered questions from first-time buyers across the globe. For some, it was their first trade show before opening a shop and for others, NYIGF was their first stateside show.

Karen Wolfskehl (right), Baby & Kids' east coast sales rep, chats up industry associates at the Gift For Life The Stakes Are High fundraising events for DIFFA. The evening was a night of cocktails and camaraderie as buyers, manufacturers and show-management groups put business aside for a good cause. DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS is a large supporter of direct care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS as well as prevention education for at-risk populations.

Chris Collins, vice president and general manager of 7 W New York, is flanked by exhibitors for the ribbon cutting of the first ever NYC Baby & Kids Fair, a temporary juvenile show on the 11th floor.

Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president, announces Focus Forward 2013, NYIGF’s strategic planning, which will be implemented in stages starting with the Summer 2010 Fair and culminating in 2013. As part of the expansion, NYIGF will introduce Baby + Child division of juried, purpose-driven products for babies, toddlers and kids (through age 10), and their families. The range of featured products will include arts and crafts, books, music, toys, games, puzzles, dolls and plush, gear (diaper bags, stroller accessories and feeding accessories), wearables and accessories, layette, bedding accessories and blankets. Ultimately, Baby + Child will feature some 200 companies on Level One of the Javits.

Buyers found green inspiration in the SustainAbility Design for a better world display. Featuring a juried collection of eco-friendly, innovative design, the display highlighted sustiaable design in the lobby and detailed the companies behind the products.

U.S. Toy Industry Generates $21+ Million In 2009

2010-02-02T11:26:00.000-08:00

According to market research company, The NPD Group, U.S. retail sales of toys generated $21.47 billion in 2009 compared to $21.65 billion in 2008, a decline of under 1 percent. While sales for children ages 8 and under still represent the lion’s share of total toy sales at 69 percent, the only age group to gain in share and absolute dollar sales was kids ages 9 to 12.

“2009 was a remarkably uneventful year for the toy industry, but in a good way," said Anita Frazier, industry analyst, The NPD Group. " In a time of continued economic turmoil, toy industry revenues were very stable, and the uptick in unit sales in the four quarter is a very positive sign for the industry heading into 2010.”

Looking at revenue sales performance across super-categories, building sets and arts and crafts experienced the most significant increases, at 23 percent and 7 percent, respectively. Action Figures and Games/Puzzles saw respective revenue increases of 4 percent and 1 percent. Looking at the opposite side of the revenue sales spectrum, Youth Electronics and Plush experienced the largest declines when compared to 2008, at 17 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

“The increase in Building Sets and Arts & Crafts speaks to the entertainment value these categories deliver," said Frazier. "Both can deliver hours of open-ended play, and Arts & Crafts in particular does so at very attractive price points.”

Counter to what many would expect due to the economy, unit share for toys priced under $5 decreased in 2009, both for the full year and in the forth quarter. In 2009, while overall unit sales were down less than 1 percent (0.5%), the only price range that lost share were toys under $5. In other words, people were buying more toys priced in the mid-range (between $5 and $10).

2010 Retail Trends

2010-01-04T14:07:00.000-08:00

Value, convenience and selection will remain top-of-mind as the New Year approaches and retailers begin to look back on 2009 and move away from the holiday season. Mike Kraus, Retail Adviser for AllBusiness.com, predicts the following retail trends for 2010.

The continued rise of Ecommerce - as consumers continue to be in value mode, they'll continue to shop online for the best price. But price is only part of the equation. Convenience and selection will also help drive consumers to e-commerce.

The Sameness of Retail … Urgency to Retrench and Retool - as retailers continue to offer uninspired store experiences, and merchandise that is out of step with consumers, we'll continue to see slow growth in the retail sector.

Social Media Becomes Key Driver in Retail Marketing - instantaneous outreach to loyal customers will take hold and exponentially expand through Twitter, Facebook and more. This not only allows retailers to stay in touch, but it allows them to stay up to speed and get involved in an increasingly open and honest dialogue with customers.

Crash-up Retailing – the economic expansion gave rise to the overdevelopment of shopping centers, districts and streets, leaving every shopping area no different from the next. Crash-up retailers, those that combine more than just goods for sale, things such as gallery space, a cafe or coffee bar, a community meeting space, or a performance space are going to drive visits to their locations, simply because they're offering something more - a place to experience versus a place to just sell.

Associate Editor Ashley Trent To Lead NYIGF New Buyer Seminars

2009-12-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

posted by Mary Gerlach, associate editor

Talcott Publishing is pleased to announce that Associate Editor Ashley Trent will lead the New Buyer Orientations during The New York International Gift Fair, January 30-February 4, 2010. Along with GLM’s Buyer Services Representative Helen Overly, Ashley will provide tips and her own insight to help new buyers navigate the Fair, use the directory and make the most of their time at market. She’ll also answer industry-specific questions.

“During my career in publishing, I’ve covered it all,” says Ashley. “From home décor and gourmet to gifts and juvenile merchandise,” she adds “I’ve had a hand in everything. I’m excited about the chance to work with new buyers and generate excitement for the week ahead.”

“Talcott Publishing has a long-standing tradition of helping buyers at NYIGF not only before and after the show, but during as well. It’s always satisfying for us to lend any assistance we can in supporting the gift industry,” Publisher Daniel von Rabenau adds. He says that this winter, the company’s editors will be in Atlanta, New York, Las Vegas and Dallas, speaking formally and informally with buyers. “This helps us create a better magazine to serve the industry,” he said, “and it also helps buyers get our perspective, and take advantage of our experience in the industry.”

The New Buyer Orientations will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, January 30-February 3, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in room 1E04. The seminars are free of charge. To register for NYIGF, visit www.nyigf.com.

Anatomy Of A Cover

2009-12-18T07:47:00.000-08:00

posted by Mary Gerlach, associate editor

[Ed. Note: Blogspot is a lil' fickle this morning, so the above cover looks blurry. Click here for a better view of the Dec/Jan cover a well as past covers.]

Creating the cover is one of my favorite tasks for each issue of Baby & Kids. I imagine each and every magazine has a different way of doing this, but I thought it would be fun to explain how we do it.

I continually gather images that might work for the cover. I look for amazing products as well as fun, engaging photography. It’s the Baby & Kids style to include two images of kids and one room scene on the cover so this provides a little guidance. I try to keep the images timed for buying, which is why the Dec/Jan issue has products for warmer months on the cover.

Once I have a few companies and images, our graphic designer Joanna and I talk about colors and what pictures work together and which don’t. This typically happens weeks before we finish the issue simply because Joanna has wonderful ideas, and I need to time to mull things over.

In fact, the bottom-right image on our Dec/Jan issue was a late substitution. Another company was slated for that spot on the cover. Although this company had great products, the photos just didn’t work out. Knowing what colors I had to work with, I remembered an e-mail from Cynthia at Blue Ridge International and Joanna slipped a stroller accessory in the third and final place.

As for the other images, I found Oilo at the ABC Kids Expo in September and absolutely loved the bedding. I’ve wanted to put furniture other than beds on the cover, so the chair in this image sealed the deal. I met the ladies from Polka Dot Tot Couture at the Atlanta Apparel Market. Once I heard their story and the concept behind the line, I knew I wanted to put them on the cover.

I get a ton of submissions for every issue, and I use about 25 percent of those. However, everything that comes through my In-Box is reviewed and filed away by category. Sometimes it’s weeks before I return to the cover folder to find new products, but I always love looking through the submissions; they’re my favorite.

Trade Shows 101

2009-11-30T12:24:00.000-08:00

posted by Mary Gerlach, associate editor

This January during the New York International Gift Fair (Jan. 30-Feb. 4, 2010), Baby & Kids’ Associate Editor Ashley Trent will lead the new buyer orientations. Ashley will answer questions, discuss the market and help new buyers make the most of their show.

The latest event for Ashley, who also writes for Giftware News and Fancy Food & Culinary Products, got the Baby & Kids editors thinking about what advice we’d offer show attendees. The overall theme: Go everywhere and see everything. Here are a few tips. Any advice you want to share? Leave your tips in the comments.

Ashley
Wear comfortable shoes. I learned this the hard way at my first trade show in Atlanta.

Explore all the divisions of the trade show you're attending, even if they don't pertain to your store. You never know what display ideas, color/texture trends or knowledgeable people you'll come across.

Mary
Look for deals. It’s just like shopping at the mall. If you can save 10 percent by ordering on a specific day, do it. Free freight is another perk showrooms and temps offer. Show management will likely have a list of these exhibitors and showrooms. No matter what the economy is like, there’s never an excuse not to get the best price.

Enjoy the show. It’s busy. It’s crowded. There’s never enough time. But, the new products and exciting designers are why you do what you do. Don’t let the stress of the economy or what may be happening at your store while you’re away decrease the value of the show.

Keep an open mind. Don’t just go to the same old showrooms. If I see something in a rep group’s window that has an interesting color, shape, whatever, I check it out. You don’t have to stay for a long time if nothing catches your eye, but you never know what you’ll find. I once found children’s towels and umbrellas in a Chicago showroom that carried mostly gourmet food (they drew me in with salsa samples).

Barbara
Go into all of the showrooms. You never know what will be in the corner and where the next best thing will come from. Be sure to explore. A lot of showrooms will want to set up an appointment, but you might not have time. Take a little notebook so you can remember what you saw and make fast notes.

Socialize. Plan on attending some of the special events even if you are tired. You’ll be able to meet other retailers and maybe even get new ideas.

Mark Your Calendars For Kind + Jugend 2010

2009-11-17T07:25:00.000-08:00

posted by Mary Gerlach, associate editor

Last year, juvenile industry companies were presented with a dilemma: the ABC Kids Expo and Kind + Jugend were just one day apart. Located in Las Vegas and Cologne, Germany, respectively, the close show dates meant manufacturers and retailers had to hurry between events or choose one over the other. In 2010, Kind + Jugend officials announced, no such travel overlap will occur. The Kind + Jugend show will take place September 16-19, 2010, in Cologne, and the ABC Kids Expo will be October 10-13, 2010, in Las Vegas.

In a press release from Kind + Jugend, Mike Curry, creative director for Bumbleride Strollers said “in the past it has been incredibly difficult to split time between those two shows especially for smaller companies as key employees in our company were forced to be present at both events. I look forward to the separation of the shows next year.” Similar sentiments were shared by Jeff Cornelison, executive vice president of international for Kids II: “We certainly appreciated the time gap between the two major shows. Exhibitors now can use their corporate booth design at both events. It will also make it far easier to properly staff those two major trade shows. We expect to see more fellow North Americans at Kind + Jugend based on those date changes.”

Pantone Spring 2010 Color Forecast

2009-11-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

posted by Mary Gerlach, associate editor

Talk to enough children’s apparel designers and you’ll notice a trend: they look to the runways of New York, Pair and Milan for design and color inspiration. Pantone, meanwhile, does the same. Looking to fashion and deign, color trend reports are a guiding force for designers and retailers. Here’s a look at the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Spring 2010.

The top colors for women’s fashion for spring 2010 are:

PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise
PANTONE 18-1661 Tomato Purée
PANTONE 16-1543 Fusion Coral
PANTONE 16-3320 Violet
PANTONE 16-1219 Tuscany
PANTONE 12-0642 Aurora
PANTONE 18-3945 Amparo Blue
PANTONE 12-1107 Pink Champagne
PANTONE 17-0627 Dried Herb
PANTONE 15-0513 Eucalyptus

According to this season’s report, vibrant brights add a sense of excitement to the palette, especially when set against practical neutrals that provide a safety net for cautious consumers.

Spring and summer naturally evoke feelings of calm ocean waters and tranquil beach vacations in cool, vibrant, tropical Turquoise. This soothing hue from the blue-green family conjures feelings of escape, especially when paired with Amparo Blue. With more warmth than the typical spring navy, this particular shade of blue is extremely appealing because of its brighter, more energetic attitude. Like the scent of a blossoming flower, Violet lends a romantic air to the warm-weather palette. This intriguing purplish hue is a distinctive addition to any wardrobe.

Yellow has made its mark on fashion and spring will further this trend with gleaming Aurora. Reminiscent of the first glimpse of yellow as the sun begins to rise over the horizon, this shimmering, slightly greenish yellow adds a bold infusion. Energy continues to surge throughout the warmer hues, leading to provocative Fusion Coral. This inviting orange connects directly to tangy Tomato Purée, this season’s classic red. Pair it with Turquoise for a retro look.

Thoughtful, cautious neutrals provide a dependable backbone to the brights of spring. Kick back and enjoy the bubbly luxury of Pink Champagne. This delicate, wispy tint is the season’s newest neutral. The melding of Pink Champagne, Tomato Purée and Amparo Blue is a refreshing take on the classic springtime combination of red, white and blue.

Three additional neutrals round out the palette. Tuscany, a warm beige hue, provides the perfect backdrop and works well as a solid base with dynamic accents like Fusion Coral or Violet. Dried Herb is the ultimate green neutral, pairing well with all other colors. Ideal for bigger ticket items, cool Eucalyptus is the eternal, practical gray. Choose this nuanced neutral and add brightly colored exclamation points in shoes, jewelry and handbags.

For more information about the report and to read about Pantone’s other color resources, visit www.pantone.com.

5 Things I Love About Atlanta Apparel

2009-11-04T09:08:00.000-08:00

posted by Mary Gerlach, associate editor

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the October Atlanta Apparel Market at AmericasMart. I was really looking forward to my trip because I love Atlanta, and AmericasMart has always proved to be a wonderful source of inspiration. While the focus of the entire market is on apparel, visitors to Children’s World on the 13th floor will see more than apparel. Furniture, gifts, maternity lines and toys all offer resources for cross merchandising your store. Many of the apparel companies you see in the October/November apparel article are available in AmericasMart, and I found them with the help of showroom managers and rep groups.

Here are a few things I love about Atlanta’s AmericasMart and the Apparel Market:

1. The People: This goes without saying, the people of AmericasMart and its showrooms are beyond helpful and always willing to share their insights. Harriett Smith of Miss Harriett & Co. and I spoke for nearly an hour about her lines, changes in the market and how she works with retailers to help them curate their stores.

2. The Variety: While I was in Miss Harriett’s showroom, the variety of lines available in AmericasMart was evident. I spoke with Meghan Hampton and Mai-Lis Bahr of Polka Dot Tot Couture about their traditional line of apparel with a special collar to keep tops clean, and I previewed the Right Bank Babies line, a smart line of contemporary, trendy children’s clothes. Both lines, different in style, can appeal to the same young mother and have their places in the children’s market. Traditional and contemporary do not have to fight against each other. Likewise, the showrooms in AmericasMart offer apparel that span trends. Connie Todd, the subject of our last retailer profile, shared with us that she too likes Atlanta for this very reason -- a mix of traditional apparel with a healthy dose of contemporary.

3. The Knowledge: I had a chance to sit down with Larry Lucas of the Larry Lucas Showroom. Having been both a retailer and a rep group owner, Larry is a valuable resource for retailers looking for the right mix of children’s products and manufacturers who can rely on his product expertise. Prior to our sit down, Larry took part in a panel discussion about the industry with retailers Nancy Jackson and Diane Bailey. Together, the three answered questions from an inquisitive audience and happily shared their knowledge with other retailers.

4. The Other 12 Floors: Children’s World is just one floor, but children’s products can pop up in the most unexpected places. In fact, I found swimwear from Snapper Rock on a temporary floor. Tara Tuschunski King, AmericasMart media relations senior manager, explained to me as we toured Building 3 that Children’s World the brand is expanding beyond Children’s World the floor. AmericasMart has found children’s merchandise in furniture and gift showrooms, and encourages buyers to explore the market beyond the 13th floor. Beyond Building 3, children's products are available in the gift and home showrooms of the other AmericasMarts buildings.

5. The Product Mix: You can get everything in Atlanta. Showroom upon showroom is filled with more than just apparel. Carolina Baby, for example, carries Boon high chairs, Dandelion recycled tableware and Kee-Ka layette. Furniture from Green Frog Art and bedding from Doodlefish are available alongside accessories from Fashion Angels and shirts for mom from PeaceLoveMom.

The next Apparel Market takes place January 21-25, and the next Gift & Home Furnishings Market is just days before on January 6-13.

Spring 2010 Apparel Trends

2009-10-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

posted by Mary Gerlach

Stylesight is a trend forecasting firm, and its children's editor Khalym Schell was kind enough to provide our readers with her insights into apparel trend for lil' ones for spring 2010. Here are her thoughts:

For Spring 2010, pattern play and juxtaposition of contrasting elements are strong messages seen throughout all collections, along with the use of impactful color stories to update long-wearing basics. In a season where every penny counts, manufacturers can keep prices down by updating simple basics with bold color combos, print mixing and witty styling. Many brands are cutting costs with unisex collections, which just so happens to be on trend for Spring 2010 with the influx of bright unisex hues and tomboy looks for girls.

Thrifty consumers are also more style savvy, and what used to be a traditional summer items can be worn year round with seasonless colors, sturdy cottons, layered knits, and the right legwear. On the runway designers drew inspiration from various eras to create Spring 10 collections: top themes of the season were flea market, anchors away, rave scene and garden party.

Flea Market - Bohemian styling with eclectic pattern mixing and ethnic touches. Relaxed layers of casual and tailored silhouettes, in a mix of floral and ethnic motifs.

Anchors Away - Fresh takes on summer country club dressing with nautical influences. Sailor stripes, tonal plaids and narrative prints were mixed and matched in a classic red, white and blue story.

Rave Scene - A mix of '80s pop and rave culture influence intense colors and punk-y silhouettes. Exploding graphics for tees come in graphic black and white combinations with shots of fluorescents. Black denim gives it a rocker edge.

Garden Party (just for girls) – Tea parties and flower gardens inspire cake-like dresses and tutus with sweet details. Lace gloves and nylon leggings give confection-like shapes an '80s party girl edge

Retailer Help

2009-10-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

posted by Mary Gerlach

In each issue of Giftware News, Baby & Kids’ sister publication, Mike Russo, president of the Gift Association of America, answers reader questions and offers retailing advice. His advice crosses categories and much of can be applied to any specialty retailer. Here’s a look at a few questions from last month’s column.

Help! As the holiday season approaches, we are getting more and more concerned. We do not want a repeat of last year where we had to cut our prices so drastically. Can you give us some ideas for protecting our bottom line?
In my seminar, “Christmas Merchandising: Science or Chance,” I discuss a variety of key issues for ensuring a strong holiday selling season. The first point I address is early setup. I have always been an advocate for having the holiday merchandise customer-ready by October 1. This year, I have noticed many big-box stores as well as some independent retailers offering holiday items throughout the summer. One retailer was just handing out candy canes to plant the seeds about the holidays. Others actually had a portion of the holiday shop set and ready to go. I am not sure if they were offering leftovers from last year or merchandise purchased for early arrival. The key point is that they saw the need to expose the merchandise early.

Another area to address is the reserve stock. All holiday-themed merchandise should be out on the selling floor. This is the time to “stack it high and watch it fly.” I have seen too many instances where inventory was left in the stock room and sales were lost. During busy periods, no one has time to replenish the shelves. Then the merchandise is forgotten until the maximum traffic opportunities have passed. This leads to markdowns that could have been avoided.
Promotions are always going to be with us, but I do not think they have to be the type that put you in the red. Your assortment plans should include regularly priced merchandise as well as a strong presentation of items that were purchased for promotion. If you see items or categories underperforming, mark them down immediately. Do not hang on to slow movers in the hope that they will sell once the peak traffic period has begun.

You should be paying particular attention to your initial markup. Even if you purchased merchandise at promotional prices, you should set your initial retail prices using the regular cost and not the discounted cost you negotiated with your vendor. It is also important to establish the actual retail price to your customer before you offer it for promotion. This keeps you within the law when showing the regular price versus the sale price. If you never offered the items at the regular price you are stating, you cannot say that you did. Also, the customer will be able to appreciate the savings if there is a true comparison. I suggest having regularly priced items on the selling floor for at least two weeks prior to offering the discounted price. Setting up your shop early will give you plenty of time for establishing credible pricing practices.

Help! We are surrounded by competition. How do we survive when we cannot lower our prices as much as our competition?
This problem is as old as retail itself. In my opinion, the solution lies in your assortment planning and your image. If your image is to reflect a promotional shop, every item must be offered at a sale or promotional price. However, if you are not seeking to be known as a promotional retailer, the solution lies in your assortment plan. Your assortment plan should include basic merchandise (merchandise your customer expects to find in your shop and purchases regularly), promotional merchandise (special purchases, slow-selling inventory that has been marked down, end-of-season specials, etc.), volume-producing items (items that sell in quantity — day in, day out) and a category I call reach items. These reach items are items that are slightly above your regular price line and style. You must always be challenging your customer to try new things. Reach items are items that test the customers’ willingness to purchase items that are a higher caliber than normally found in the store. I suggest reserving approximately 15 percent of your open-to-buy for this category. You never know how much your customer is willing to spend unless you dangle the carrot in front of him or her, and you will not know how open your customers are to new concepts and ideas unless you test them.

Once you are comfortable with your assortment plan and pricing strategy, you need to focus on areas where you treat your customers differently than your competition. You must give your customer a reason for returning and/or spreading your good name to friends and family. The issue is not always price. Convenience and top-quality customer service is more important than saving a few pennies here or there.

The next project I would address is shopping your competition to find out what they are not doing and offering that particular service if possible. For example, a few years ago, some big-box stores decided to eliminate layaway from their customer offerings. The independent retailers who picked up on this mistake did very well because they were able to attract customers who preferred to pay cash and used the layaway service to accomplish their goals. Guess what? The big-box stores who tossed out the layaway program are reinstating it. The big-box stores violated the number-one rule in retailing; that rule states, “Listen to the customer.”

You should not fear your competition. Instead, let your competition be your teacher. You can learn as much about what to do as what not to do if you pay close attention. A good rule to follow is this: If it doesn’t make sense (like tossing out a successful layaway program), think twice or three times before you do it. Surveying your customers is another way to keep in tune with their wants and needs. When in doubt, it is always good to ask.

Help! I find the seminars offered by some of the markets to be useless. Either there is a high-powered celebrity talking about concepts and classifications that are over my head (and my customers’ pocketbooks) or the presentations are more of the same old thing we have heard for years. How can we get the markets to offer more meaningful programs?
It is a known fact that some celebrities attract crowds, and the various marts want to attract as many buyers to their particular shows as they possibly can. If bringing a celebrity to the market fills that need, I find nothing wrong in this strategy. However, if the presentation is not geared properly toward the audience, it is nothing more than a self-serving exercise. The celebrity may want to push a book or a product line that is beyond the scope of what the audience needs or wants. The presenter should address issues apropos to the audience’s needs, especially at a specific trade event.

Although I am not familiar with the various shows you attend, I can comment on your frustration with hearing “the same old thing.” In my opinion, this may tie to budget issues. Everyone is tightening their belts, and market centers are no different. Speaker fees range from one extreme to another. In some instances, quantity rather than quality may be the issue. However, I cannot offer a definite statement concerning the quality of any speaker because I do not know the criteria used at every market. My experience does allow me to say that budget can be an issue.

I suggest that you contact the merchandise center or centers that you frequent and share your concerns. In addition to your concerns, I suggest that you offer some topics for consideration. If you know other buyers who share your frustrations, ask them to write as well. The markets want buyers to attend the shows, so they should pay close attention to the requests made, providing they are articulated appropriately and sensible in their demands. If we have learned anything from this economy, it is that we must listen to the customer and be ready
to adapt to changing times and customer need.

ABC Excitement

2009-08-31T07:55:00.000-07:00

posted by Mary Gerlach, associate editor

The Baby & Kids editors attending the ABC Kids Expo answer. What are you most excited about during the ABC Kids Expo? (Associate Editor Stephanie Hunsberger will be busy running and organizing a 5K for The Lexi Kazian Foundation). Tell us what you’re looking forward to in the comments, too.

Ashley:
I'm looking forward to meeting with first-time exhibitors at this year's ABC Kids Expo. A new exhibitor's excitement is truly palpable and contagious to all attendees! I find that fresh-faced companies take the utmost pride in displaying their products; they are eager to show everything they have to offer, and they often inspire other exhibitors to reignite their passion for the industry.

Barb:
I've always enjoyed attending new shows for the first time. I'm looking forward to seeing all the creative designs and innovative products being introduced in the baby and kids field. I think it's interesting that more and more companies are looking toward fashion trends and incorporating them into their lines.

Mary:
I’m most excited about producing the Official ABC Show Dailies. We’ve put so much hard work into these Dailies, and I can’t wait to see the words on the printed page! Plus, Barb, Ashley and I are all magazine writers used to long deadlines and time to plan. I think it’ll be fun to produce a daily publication and try something new.

How To Submit For the Official ABC Show Dailies

2009-08-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

by Mary Gerlach, associate editor

If you’ve read our newsletter (sign up here if you don’t get it) then you know that Baby & Kids magazine is producing the Official ABC Show Dailies. This show really is the crème de la crème of children’s shows, so we’re excited and honored to take on this challenge.

Last week, the hard work of writing the articles kicked into high gear and I started getting calls from PR people inquiring about how to get in. I thought I’d take this opportunity to address how to submit for editorial consideration in the Official ABC Show Dailies. If you’re not going to the show, no worries; these tips can apply when you’re pitching any journalist, and I put some general PR tips at the bottom of the post, too.

For the ABC Show Dailies:
We’re writing a lot of the content before we get to the show, so contact me soon if you want to be included.

Have high-resolution images (300 dpi) and product information available to e-mail when you call or send your pitch e-mail to me at mgerlach(at)talcott.com. We can’t run computer renderings. We need images of the final product.
Got an event in your booth? Planning a special promotion? Let us know! We aren’t just covering product launches. Noteworthy speakers and events are newsworthy.
Be proactive about making appointments and sending images. You’ll never bug me if you send me a press release and high res images without me having to ask!
On that note, don’t be upset if you aren’t covered. This doesn’t mean you won’t be included in another publication later. I met Beth from Fireside Comforts at the May Spring Conference and it was five months before I included the company in an article.
Booth location, images, contact person and company details are helpful to have on hand.
Don’t be surprised if we just drop by your booth. Sometimes you find yourself with 20 extra minutes in the middle of the day, and this is often the best time to say hi to someone you never made an appointment with.

Here are some general PR tips you might find handy all year round.

Follow-up. Editors are busy, and sometimes we need reminders.
When you’re e-mailing back and forth every five minutes, it’s time to pick up the phone.
Know the company’s real news. Everyone gives their products to celebrities or wins an award, so don’t make that your pitch. Real news is an event, hiring or promotion related to retail sales, new product and line. Also, use the word innovative sparingly. Editors see everything in an industry and won’t have to be told if something truly is innovative.
Know the magazine, what it covers and its audience. I am always disappointed when I hear about something I want to cover, but find out the company sells through its Web site only because I only cover companies with wholesale programs.
Don’t argue with the editors. If he or she says your product is not a good fit for the magazine or article, the editor will know best because he or she is the one actually writing the article. If you are absolutely convinced the editor is wrong about this you may have done a poor job explaining the product.
Don’t use guilt as part of your pitch. I can speak for the editors here when I say we’d love to include everyone, but that’s not possible.
Don’t get offended if a tactic you’ve used shows up on this list, or you think I’m wrong. Editors. Magazines. PR pros. We’re all different.

Keeping It In The Neighborhood

2009-08-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

by Barbara Wujcik, editorial coordinator

When I stopped in a neighborhood gift shop recently, I found a perfect gift for my brother — a Chicago White Sox-themed deck of playing cards. The woman at the counter asked if I wanted it gift wrapped. At first I said no, but she suggested it could be wrapped in team colors and pulled out some black wrapping paper. With a white ribbon this small, fun gift took on some extra charm.

That’s the kind of thing that neighborhood gift shops do best. They provide that extra service and a personal touch, and that’s why people come back to them. There is also a toy shop in the same area where a salesperson will walk around with you and point out things that are good for the kids of a certain age. The place has many repeat customers.

These shops feel more like visiting your neighbors than shopping. Think about it. People tend to buy from people they like and are comfortable with. They want them to succeed and continue. It’s all about making connections with your neighborhood.

I’ve read news stories recently about “frugal fatigue.” People are getting tired of watching every dime. I’m not saying that customers are going to run out and start spending madly, but I think someone might treat themselves to some earrings, a new bag, personal care products or a small home decor piece. And as one company rep told me “gift occasions — birthdays, births, weddings — continue no matter what." Your shop can be the place they come to for those gifts.

Get to know your neighbors. Take a look at who’s walking down your street. See a lot of young families? Might be time to put in more kid’s items; plan store hours so moms can come in after they drop their kids off at school. Think about sponsoring a youth sport team. Carry merchandise that reflects professional and collegiate teams in your area. And, of course, be sure to thank customers for shopping locally.

Participate in sidewalk sales, pet parades, charitable activities — show people you’re a good neighbor. Hold occasional open houses to thank people for their patronage and hold sales around neighborhood festivals. The more you connect with the community, the more people will want to come in just to see what’s new. It will, after all, be like dropping in on a neighbor.

Cross-Market Buying: Editor's Picks

2009-08-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

posted by Mary Gerlach, associate editor

Last month, my fellow Baby & Kids editors and I attended the Chicago Market gift show. As I mentioned earlier, it’s important for juvenile retailers to attend gift shows in order to discover products they otherwise would not have seen. Wendy Carver of Yikes Twins told me that during the last Atlanta show she has better response in her new location in a gift building than she had within the juvenile apparel floor. Likewise, Trisha Schultz, marketing director for the Chicago Market, related to me that juvenile vendors are seeking out gift shows to introduce themselves and their products to an entirely new market.

Below, the Baby & Kids team shares its children’s finds and out-of-market surprises. First up, Associate Editor Ashley Trent:

MyPerennial’s line of children’s clothing and accessories, such as these darling headbands, features interchangeable snap-on felt pieces in various shapes and colors. Owner Jen Hopwood, a former elementary school teacher, sketches all her designs by hand. She also makes fun felt products for moms, including brooches, bags, hats and scarves.

The bright, modern packaging of Better Life’s line of cleaning supplies caught my eye right away. These all-purpose cleaners — developed by a chemist and an eco-friendly maven, both of whom fathers — are ideal for busy parents. The company even has a no-hassle nursery cleaner called 2am Miracle that deodorizes and cleans any surface that has seen a nasty mess.

Mary Gerlach’s finds:

The one-of-a-kind swatches from Angelina Studio reeled me in, but I absolutely loved this charming pink cupcake painting. Angelina displayed it in a vertical arrangement with three other coordinating canvases. I love the bright colors and the brushstrokes. Great for a child’s room, kitchen, breakfast nook or any cheery spot in the house.

Minga Fair Trade Imports brings an impressive assortment of products for most markets to the United States while fulfilling its mission improve local economies with nations of the southern hemisphere and create fair trade relationships with retailers. There’s a lot to take in at the company’s booth, but my favorite items were the knitted pocket sweaters for fall. Minga carries several fall/winter sweaters for both boys and girls.

Barbara Wucjik’s finds:

My find of the show was Squeak Me Shoes. I think the shoes, which have the squeaker in each heel, are inspired because the noise lets you know approximately where the child is, short of putting a bell on him or her. It probably also lets you know if there's too much quiet. The shoes come in lots of cute styles and great colors for both boys and girls. And they have recently introduced a group of licensed collegiate shoes for the youngest fans.

Stephanie Hunsberger's finds:
My magazine experience has mainly been in the gourmet industry so far, and when there is industry cross-over, I can't help but get a little excited.

When I was at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago this past spring, I noticed that a lot of companies were introducing products related to kids in the kitchen. It seemed that spending time with your kids in the kitchen was the newest budget-friendly way to bond with your children. This sentiment was carried through at the Living & Giving show at the Merchandise Mart, where
I spotted the newest tot-size chef hats and aprons from Mariasch Studios (represented by the Haefling Group). The hats and aprons are 100-percent cotton and can be customized with images and phrases, such as "Mommy's little helper."

For a more colorful approach, Manual Woodworkers & Weavers offers both trendy retro half-aprons for children and whimsical designs with phrases such as "Chef In Training" and "Queen of the Kitchen in Training."

Other non-kitchen related items that stood out to me were from Ozark Mountain Kids. The chairs and footstools from Ozark Mountain Kids are plush and overstuffed, covered with a soft chenille, and perfect for curling up in with a favorite picture book or in front of that movie you can't stop watching (mine was Wizard of Oz). I know they're not new items, but they certainly made me want to be 5 years old again!

U.S. E-tailer Visits Her First Int’l Gift Show

2009-07-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

By Megy Karydes, founder, World-Shoppe.com and Karydes Consulting

I launched www.World-Shoppe.com five years ago as a way to help support women in developing countries and to teach Americans why we should support fair trade. The fair trade movement in the United States is slowly gaining momentum but as more and more consumers are demanding accountability from manufacturers and retailers, www.World-Shoppe.com has become a trusted source for many of our loyal customers. Not only do our customers appreciate the fact that their purchases are helping others less fortunate, but they are drawn to the handmade quality and uniqueness of each product as well.

Therefore, I jumped at the chance to travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, in early August of this year to attend South Africa’s Gift show called the called the South African Handmade Collection. The opportunity would allow me to meet more artisans at the show as well as travel to other South African cities to meet with other fair trade artisan groups.

Well-versed with the trade show circuit having attended all of the major and some regional ones in the United States, I am handling my preparation to my first international trade show much the same way – by pre-planning as much as possible. Minor exceptions include making sure my passport was up to date (which it is), my international flight and hotel were booked (they are) and finding someone local to help show me around (I’m taking care of that two weeks before my trip.). I also reached out to the show planners to find out who else was traveling from the Midwest so I could connect with them in advance, too (it’s always nice to know others traveling with you – makes my experience richer anyway!).

Nonetheless, pre-planning for any trip, domestic or international, is a must because time is so limited once you arrive at a show. I’ve already reached out to my customers to let them know of my trip so they can share in the experience with me as well. I’ve also asked them if there is anything specific they’d like me to seek out so I can keep that in mind while I’m there!

Since many rules and regulations have surfaced when it comes to baby and children’s products sold in the United States, it will be important for me to keep those rules in mind as I shop for any children’s merchandise. This is something to really be aware of since different countries have different laws surrounding production and if you’re going to be importing into the U.S., you’ll need to make sure your imported products meet U.S. standards for safety, lead, and other rules surrounding your industry or categories.

I still have a few of weeks before my flight and have many questions which I hope to get answered before I leave: if I bring back product with me, do I have to pay taxes; how do I import items I order when I’m at the show; is internet access widely and readily available so I can blog about my experience while I’m there and stay in touch with family in the U.S.; what do I need to pack? And, then again, I don’t want to overthink my trip because, as we all know, sometimes we have to go into a show with an open mind and experience the magic of a show.

I’ll let you know how my trip goes! Or, you can follow my shenanigans at http://World-Shoppe.blogspot.com! Hope you have wonderful travels this summer!

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
Fair trade gifts, home accessories and jewelry

Out Of Your Comfort Zone

2009-07-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

By Mary Gerlach, associate editor

Last week, I gave my colleague and fellow Baby & Kids editor Stephanie a sample of Snack Happened, a reusable snack bag, from Itzy Ritzy. Just a few days after sharing the bag, I read a blog post Stephanie wrote for Fancy Food & Culinary Products magazine about Snack Happened, and I was thrilled to see the review and her endorsement. It got me thinking about how often products within the juvenile industry cross over into other markets; in this case a child’s lunch bag crossed over into gourmet food.

When product designers limit what they do to a specific market, they limit the growth and sales potential of their product. This is exactly why children’s furniture is shown at trade shows as varied as ABC Kids Expo and High Point Market. The shows are worlds away but there is an overlap in the furniture market. Just as manufactures can’t afford to miss out on supposedly out-of-industry markets, retailers can’t afford to not attend new and different trade shows.

I’m going to the Chicago Market this week and I’m really looking forward to discovering what new finds the giftware market has to offer the juvenile market. Considering items like layette and personal care naturally fall within both categories, attending a gift show is an excellent way to discover new companies. And, the importance of keeping close tabs on trends in other industries cannot be understated. Yes, no one wants to copy someone else’s idea but innovation spreads, and examining product design and speaking with vendors really gets the creative juices flowing.

I’ll post next week about my trip to The Chicago Market, and my fellow editors and I will share with you our favorite finds.

Beginner Trade Show Tips

2009-06-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

by Mary Liz Curtain, retailer, Leon & Lulu

If you are developing an item or a full product line, trade shows are one of the most effective means of exposing your product to a large number of potential clients in a particular industry.

Are you ready for a trade show? Before you sign up for a booth, be sure that you are prepared. Do your homework! Research the show or shows you may attend carefully, since this not just a major expense but also really a lot of work and not to be undertaken lightly. As a new vendor, decide if you want to start at a consumer show, where you will be selling at retail, or a trade show, marketing your products at wholesale prices. If at all possible, visit and walk the show before you exhibit.

Research the market so you can make a reasonable sales projection, and write a brief business plan that covers what you estimate what your costs will be for the show, the inventory you will need, and the expenses to fulfill the orders. This list will give you a good start on what you need to know.

1. Product: Do you have the goods? If your item is brand-new, seek advice from sales reps, store owners, or a consultant to be sure that the line is market-ready. It must be large enough to make a decent order, priced correctly, and packaged for resale.

2. Inventory: If your line is a success, can you fulfill the orders? If you do not have the production capability to ship what you sell, you run the risk of alienating your new customers. If you do run into problems, be sure to keep your customers updated so they do not cancel or refuse their orders.

3. Fulfillment: Can you ship the product? If your merchandise is breakable, ship test orders to your friends and family across the country to be certain nothing arrives broken. Set up your shipping service with USPS or UPS before the show.

4. Terms and conditions: How will you conduct your business? Define your payment and freight terms before the show, establish credit policies, and set up merchant services with your bank so you can accept credit cards. Decide what your minimum order amount and minimum quantities per item will be.

5. Order forms: Have an easy-to-use order form printed with your logo, contact information, and terms.

6. Pricing: You must know both your costs of goods and the costs of running your business to be sure you are able to support the sales effort. As you consider your pricing, understand that retailers need margin. A store in the gift and home industry must AT LEAST double your wholesale cost, and many are searching for items they can mark up 2.3 to 2.5 times. If you are also selling your goods on Etsy, eBay, or at craft shows, do not sell them for less than your customers’ retail prices or you will lose your wholesale accounts. Customers will pay for quality, even in this rotten economy.

7. You cannot compete on price. Be sure that your selling prices cover your costs and give you a profit or you will put yourself out of business. It is possible that a unique, handmade item or one produced in small quantities will be too expensive to sell at wholesale, but it is better to learn this before you try to sell it at a show. Every successful company has developed terrific products that are unmarketable for one reason or another, so if your first one does not succeed, keep trying.

8. Your family and friends are terrible judges of your product. First of all, they love you, so they want to tell you nice things. Second, they are probably not professionals. The dinner table is not a focus group. Consult with some experienced merchants, sales reps, or consultants to see if your product is viable.

9. Should you exhibit on your own or with a rep? Investigate your options for each territory or trade show.

10. What will it cost? Include all these expenses in your plan: booth rental, freight, drayage, lighting, union labor, samples, catalog or price list, order forms, and travel.

11. Company image: Your booth, employees, and all collateral material must reflect the image your company wants to project. Design all components carefully!

12. Lighting: No matter where else you cut corners, do not skimp on the lighting. Buyers will walk right by a dark booth.

13. After the show, follow up on your leads promptly and ship your orders quickly. Make your invoices clear and easy to read.

This is just the tip of the trade show iceberg, of course, but I have only one page. For more Trade Show Tips and Tricks, visit www.marylizcurtin.com/countryliving.

Choose your trade shows carefully, plan them well, and always remember the most important thing about wholesale: It is not the order, it is the reorder.

Mary Liz Curtin has shopped, spoken at or exhibited in thousands of trade shows, and she still gets a thrill when she visits a new one. While this is seen as a personality disorder by some, it certainly helps Leon & Lulu, the store she and her husband own that is full of wonderful things. See the store at www.leonandlulu.com.

ABC Announces Exclusive Day For Specialty Stores

2009-06-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

posted by Mary Gerlach, associate editor

All Baby & Child, Inc., producer of the ABC Kids Expo, announced that the first day of the upcoming ABC Kids Expo (Sept. 13-16 in Las Vegas) will be open exclusively to buyers from the industry’s specialty “brick and mortar” stores. The remaining three days will be open to all retailers and buyers.

The exclusive shopping day will be provided to offer more optimal show exposure for all show participants, help promote a more rewarding show experience and sustained growth among all industry partners. The show, organizers say, originally was created independent specialty retailers and the exclusive shopping day is intended to do just that.

This is a continuation of ABC’s commitment to specialty retailers. Last spring, ABC held it’s inaugural Conference and Trade Show, providing independent retailers with valuable time to meet with manufacturers and develop meaningful business relationships.

During the ABC Kids Expo in Vegas, look for exclusive show coverage from Baby & Kids magazine in the Official ABC Show Dailies. As the single source of daily news distributed on the show floor, daily coverage of the Expo will help retailers navigate the show for effective buying. Click here for more information about The Official ABC Show Dailies.

To register for the expo, visit www.theabcshow.com.

New Names, New Faces

2009-06-16T06:18:00.000-07:00

by Mary Gerlach, associate editor, Baby & Kids magazine

There have been three exciting additions to the Baby & Kids editorial staff. A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of welcoming colleagues Barb Wujcik, Ashley Trent and Stephanie Hunsberger to the magazine.

Both Barb and Ashley have worked for Giftware News, Baby & Kid’s sister publication, and they bring with them years of experience in newspaper journalism and magazine editing. In fact, Barb wrote for Baby & Kids when it first began and was published just twice a year. For the August/September issue, Barb will cover licensing and Ashley will add her home décor expertise to the furniture article.

Stephanie Hunsberger, our third new editor, joins us from the gourmet industry. For more than two years, Stephanie has served as the associate editor of sister publication Fancy Food & Culinary Products. For her first feature, Stephanie will interview and profile the owners of juvenile store StorkLand in the Texas and Oklahoma.

All three of these women have been respected colleagues at Talcott Communications, and I’m thrilled to add them to our masthead.

Baby & Kids' editors: Barb Wujcik, Mary Gerlach, Stephanie Hunsberger and Ashley Trent.

Twitter: Extra! Extra! Tweet All About It!

2009-06-10T06:20:00.000-07:00

by Denise McVey, president, S3 Public Relations

What does Twitter mean to your retail business? Look at this growing social media form as an opportunity to bond with customers and drive business.

Step 1: Get a Twitter account (free at Twitter.com). You’ll need an e-mail address to get this started. I suggest having your Twitter account name be the name of your store if at all possible for maximum recognition factor.

Step 2: Populate your Twitter account with frequent updates. THIS is your big chance to connect with customers who want to know more. How much more? Whatever information you can provide that is of value to them. Just marked down last season’s styles? Tweet all about it. New shipment arriving this afternoon? Share the news. Having an industry expert or respected designer in to talk? This event is Twitter worthy. Create an inner circle your followers want to be part of. Steer away from overt hawking of goods – again, the Tweet needs to represent value to those who are following you. Their response (“Retweeting” so others hear about it, showing up, buying...) is the value you hope to derive, thanks to the creation of a relationship between you and your “followers” (those following your updates on Twitter).

Step 3: Follow and be followed. Twitter users have the opportunity to follow and be followed by other Twitter users. This is what allows all the hyper-connectivity. Don’t be afraid to follow others, but try to weed out Tweeters whom you expressly don’t want to be associated with. If you sell toddler toys, for example, and adult entertainment expert may not be someone to follow. (You can even block followers you identify who may harm your brand.) All this following and being followed gets your message out in front of others, every time you Tweet.

With the recent massive growth of Twitter, don’t be surprised if more people than the population of a small country end up following you. No, they won’t all personally purchase anything from you. But if you’re doing it right, among that mass there will be individuals who transact with you – or who influence someone else to do so. The true potential of Twitter lies within you: recognize how it best applies to you. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it’s pretty easy – and it offers excellent ROI for a minimal time investment. Just be sure to keep the momentum going, because you’re only as good as your last Tweet.

Needle In A Haystack: Identifying the best candidate for the job in a sea of applicants

2009-06-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

by Shawn Boyer, CEO of SnagAJob.com

While the upside to a down economy might be the increasing size and quality of your applicant pool, identifying the best candidates – especially among hourly workers – can be an overwhelming task.

Time is of the essence. After all, the general lifespan of an hourly application is about 30 days. Beyond that, the application is likely “stale,” meaning that the candidate may have found a position, changed physical location or may have out-of-date contact information. That’s why it’s so important for hiring managers to keep their pipeline stocked, even when it seems like so many qualified people are looking for employment.

To combat an ever-increasing number of applications, HR professionals and hiring managers need to consider how to quickly identify the best candidates for the job. Every employer should include filtering practices in their overall hourly recruitment strategy, i.e. ways to “weed out” unqualified candidates.

Many struggle with the decision to hire someone over or under qualified for the position if the perfect candidate has not emerged. On one hand, the over-qualified applicant may bring valuable skills and expertise to the team, but he or she may soon walk away for a higher-level position somewhere else. On the other, taking on someone with a major learning curve could require extra training time and slow the rest of the staff down. In the end, you want the best candidate for the job, which is why it’s so important to refine your criteria.

To screen for the right candidates during the application process, you must ask the right questions that pertain to your retail business, a step that will require a bit of work on the front end. You’ll want to develop a combination of assessment questions that are specific enough to identify the qualities you are looking for in a candidate and broad enough to offer you a range of applicants. Done the right way, you’ll also eliminate candidates who simply are not a good fit.

The basic questions:
1. What experience level does someone need for a given position? (If you are hiring for a sales associate, you may want to require a year or two of customer service or sales experience.)
2. Are there industry-specific concerns to address? (A friendly and knowledgeable staff is absolutely critical for any retail business.)
3. What kind of applicant is needed for the culture/atmosphere you foster? (For example, an outgoing personality goes a long way when dealing with customer inquiries.)
4. From a logistical standpoint, do you need to consider a candidate’s availability to work a certain shift? (Applicants for your freight associate position should be available to work nights or early mornings when your shipments come in).

More sophisticated options may include questions about what the candidate wants from the job? (Are they realistic about expectations? Will they leave too quickly for what you need?)

Some job sites can be helpful in screening applicants ahead of time, allowing you to interview only the best candidates. At SnagAJob.com, we usually offer our clients a 60-day pilot program to test filtering questions and adjust as necessary. For example, if a manager is getting too many applications, we may add one or more filtering questions so that applications that do not provide the desired answers will not be sent to the client, thereby reducing applicant overflow. And if applications are too few, we will strip away questions to broaden the field. (Of course, we always allow hiring managers to view all applications that have been collected, even if some had originally been filtered).

Simple steps like coming up with the right mix of questions will save your company time and money in the long run. Filtering will dramatically reduce fruitless interviews with ill-suited applicants and will allow you to focus on what’s most important: running the business.

Safety First: Marketing To Moms

2009-05-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

by Mark Vance, chief marketing officer, Rainsoft Water Treatment Systems

For veterans in the juvenile market, the concept of mom-centric marketing is nothing new. Moms are a key demographic in marketing plans for products from diapers and juice boxes to vacuum cleaners and laundry detergent. But now, there’s an added twist – after digging deeper into the mind of the mom to determine what really drives her purchase decisions, researchers are finding that it all boils down to moms’ basic drive to keep their families safe from harm.

More than anything, moms want to have more control over their home environments. There’s always something to worry about on the outside, from swine flu, to sex and violence on TV, or the economy. Mothers know they can’t control what goes on outside the home, but they take every possible step to make sure their families’ immediate environments are safe and secure.

I call this psychographic profile the “Protector Mom.”

Some of her traits:
- Young children (ages 0-7) in the home
- Concerned about keeping a clean, comfortable, germ-free home, but dislike housework
- Want to protect their families from harm both in and outside the home
- Busy schedules, looking for convenience and stress-free solutions
- Search for information about potential purchases online

Companies like Dodge, General Motors, Evenflo and Johnson & Johnson all have recently embarked upon marketing campaigns designed to woo moms who want to protect their families from harm both in and outside the home.

What does this mean for the juvenile market?

There’s more to it than just complying with increasingly stringent laws and regulations. This is great, but there’s also a market out there for products that actively help moms protect their families – e.g. child GPS tracking devices. You also have products that allow parents to filter what comes into their homes – like the V-Chip, which allows parents to block certain content from cable TV, or the product my company sells, which filters the water that families use to eat, drink and bathe.

Think about ways you can reach out to the Protector Mom.

Maybe it’s modifying your existing product to incorporate a helpful safety feature.

Or, tailoring your marketing plan to incorporate more of the channels the Protector Mom uses.

Most important, don’t forget to listen to her – you might be surprised at what she says. At RainSoft, conducting focus groups with Protector Moms helped us focus on new initiatives, refine our marketing strategy and implement new marketing tactics. In future posts, I hope to write about some things we’ve tried, and share some tips for marketing to moms.

Calling All Innovative Baby Products

2009-05-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

by Yarissa Reyes, communications manager, Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association

Is your product innovative? Marketable? Trend Setting? Appealing? Useful? If so, it could be chosen as one of the 10 most innovative products on the market today!

Every year, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) holds a competition for the most innovative products in the market. Entries are evaluated by a selection committee of trade media representatives and industry retail buyers, and judged on their innovation, marketability, trend-setting potential, appeal and usefulness.

To compete, you must be an exhibitor at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. Winners will be announced during a press conference at the Expo and will be featured in Baby & Kids magazine.

Each year, more than 100 companies enter their most cutting-edge products for this renowned competition, but only 10 winners are selected. Will yours make the cut?

Click here to learn more about the competition and download the application today! Deadline is June 15 so act fast!

Small Business Owners Working To Amend CPSIA

2009-05-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

by Jill Chuckas, owner, Crafty Baby; secretary, Handmade Toy Alliance

Activist, lobbyist, press secretary. Not titles that I would have anticipated preceding my name a year ago. But boy, what a year can do. I own a small, handcrafted children’s accessories business called Crafty Baby. In December 2008, one of my accounts e-mailed me requesting a General Certificate of Conformity in compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). After much reading and many restless nights, I realized that my company was in trouble. Not because my products didn’t comply with the new safety regulations, but because I knew that I could not afford the testing protocol to prove it. A week later, I joined the Handmade Toy Alliance (HTA) and quickly took on a leadership role in the collective effort to educate, inform and work toward common sense changes to the CPSIA.

The months since December have been a roller coaster, to say the least. I have spoken to countless members of the press, corresponded and spoken with my members of Congress, written dozens of press releases, outreached to artisan-based show promoters, including Wholesalecrafts.com, the Buyer’s Mart of American Craft, Sugarloaf Craft Festivals, New York International Gift Fair, and Artrider Productions, and assisted in writing letters to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. It is amazing what a person can do when their very livelihood is at stake!

In April, I and hundreds of others traveled to Washington D.C. to attend a rally and legislative visits. Industries affected by the CPSIA had the opportunity to share their stories in an open forum on Capital Hill. As Secretary of the HTA, I was given the opportunity to speak on behalf of handcrafted artists throughout the country (Video Here). Following the rally, I met with Rep. Jim Himes (CT), members of Sen. Lieberman’s (CT), Sen. Dodd’s (CT) and Sen. Kerry’s (MA) staff. In each meeting, I needed to assure my members of Congress that we at the HTA believe in child safety. We want products that are free from toxins and healthy for our families. We believe in the intention of the CPSIA, but the third party testing requirements are redundant and cost prohibitive for our membership, and do little to improve overall product safety. Many of our members, myself included, may very well be out of business in August of this year when the third party testing and batch labeling requirements go into effect.

Since the rally, I have been involved in drafting an actual amendment to the CPSIA, incorporating risk assessment back into the legislation. This way, the CPSC can once again do what they do best – assess risk in the products available for children and implement common sense rulings regarding testing protocol for lower risk products such as mine (for example, allowing component-based certifications to show that the end product is compliant). Never in my wildest dreams did I ever see myself writing legislation, but here I am, trying to effect real change in this law. It’s pretty different than my day job – and a lot more draining.

Without real change, small businesses throughout the country will slowly, but surely become extinct. And I, for one, will not go quietly. Joining together with other hand crafters and retailers of handcrafted products, has given me a voice and comradery that has been absolutely essential to my work to enact change. The thing is, all I really want to do is keep making my clutch balls and Nap Packs, among other things. Let’s hope this time next year, I still will be. Fingers crossed!

ABC Hosts Spring Conference, ABC Kids Expo To Move To KY In 2011 And 2012

2009-05-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

All Baby & Child, Inc., organizer of the ABC Kids Expo in September, held the first ABC Spring Conference and Trade Show in Louisville, KY, May 4-7. The show was developed, members of the ABC Board and executives explained, to provide a venue for specialty retailers to have more direct access with manufacturers. Additionally, the conference and trade show portions of the event were staggered, allowing both retailers and manufacturers to attend educational seminars without sacrificing time on the show floor.

In a press conference, officials from the City of Louisville and ABC announced the Board of Directors’ decision to relocate the ABC Kids Expo to Louisville in 2011 and 2012. Currently held in Las Vegas, the Expo is scheduled for Sept. 23-26, 2011, and Oct.14-17, 2012. Louisville was praised as “Possibility City,” with convenient access for ABC attendees and exhibitors, modern facilities and its own brand of hospitality.

The educational portion began with a keynote breakfast during which industry leaders addressed the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act and its implications for the industry. Jacque Sternquist presented the new Baby Products Experts online venture sponsored by ABC. Babyproductsexperts.com is a new program to support specialty retailers and their unique product expertise within the community. Meanwhile, smaller breakout sessions were scheduled to address store management, selling techniques, retail displays and more.

The Spring Conference saw the continuation of ABC’s partnership with several industry organizations. Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S) collected juvenile merchandise from exhibitors to be distributed to children and families in need throughout Kentucky, and First Candle was on hand to promote its efforts to lower infant mortality rates.

The next event for ABC, The ABC Kids Expo, will be held Sept. 13-16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Baby & Kids magazine will produce The Official ABC Show Dailies each day of the Expo. For more information, visit www.theabcshow.com.

Welcome To The Blog

2009-05-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

It seems that each day I’m getting e-mails about new business strategies to survive in a recession, or a new product parents need and kids want. From retail basics to trends, there’s a lot of information to sort through. We’re launching the Baby & Kids blog to fill an informational void and provide you with the marketing, sales, merchandising, buying and product news you need.

In addition to contributions from me, Mary Gerlach, you’ll also get the perspective of juvenile market insiders. In this era of 24-hour new cycles and a never-ending flow of information, it’s important to get your information from a trusted news source.

Bookmark this Web site or subscribe to the blog for updates. And, don’t forget to let us know what you want to read about. E-mail your feedback to babykids@talcott.com.