JPMA, Crib Manufacturers Revise ASTM Voluntary Crib Standards

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

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).