pello Expands to More Than 200 Retailers Nationwide

In less than 2 years, Ohio entrepreneur Cindy Perry has expanded pello, her patented line of ultra-plush baby floor pillows, from a hobby created out of her home to a must-have baby gear product featured by the premier fashion retailer Nordstrom.com, and more than 200 retails shops across the country. This month, Nordstrom began selling six different styles of pello to its online customers. Known for selling fashion-forward, high quality products, Nordtrom's goals are aligning with pello. While Perry initially hand-made each pello out of her home, she quickly needed to identify a manufacturer as the number of retail outlets wanting to sell pello multiplied. In addition to Nordstrom.com, pello is sold at more than 200 gift and baby shops and boutiques in 37 states and 2 countries. The pello has been featured in Earnshaw Magazine's 2014 Ultimate Gear Guide for babies. Earnshaw's is the pre-eminent media resource serving the children and baby market and reaches roughly 13,000 executives in apparel, juvenile products and gift industries. pello has also been featured in Pregnancy Magazine and Baby and Kids and was selected as a Top Baby Gear item for 2013 by coolmompicks.com. The pello features a distinct, donut-shaped floor pillow with raised edges, ultra-soft plush fabric and a soft padded center that benefits a child at all stages of development.

California Market Center Plans Exciting & Productive Summer 2014 Market With New Resources & Amenities

Among other product mixes, buyers will experience an expanded selection of best-selling fashion accessories and children's merchandise at a unified California marketplace during the summer L.A. Gift & Home Market at the California Market Center (CMC), scheduled to be held Tuesday, July 15 through Monday, July 21, 2014 from 9am to 6pm daily, with extended hours until 8pm on Friday, July 18, 2014. This edition of the L.A. Gift & Home Market will present local and national retailers with the freshest gift, home and garden decor, fine furniture, decorative accessories, personal care and lifestyle products. In addition, buyers will be able to discover over 800 baby and children's resources showcased throughout the California Market Center.

ABC Kids Expo's North American Pavilion at the Harrogate International Nursery Fair!

ABC would like to thank the following exhibitors for joining the 2014 North American pavilion at the Harrogate International Nursery Fair: Baby Elephant Ears, Baby K'tan, foufou baby, Jazzy Toes, Mabel's Labels, Mixie Baby, Pacific Baby Incorporated, Pully Palz, Pura Stainless, RoomMates Décor, Sara Kety LLC, Wean Green and Zoli Inc.

The pavilion, which was located in the 100 year old Royal Hall for the first time, was a success with an abundance of positive feedback. ABC is expecting to increase their presence next year. If you would like to participate in this 'Royal' pavilion please be sure to contact ABC today before space sells out!

This year's ToyFest West let it ride in Las Vegas at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa

Building on the enthusiasm for the new locale, this year's ToyFest West show was a win-win in all the categories –attendance, number of products, vendors being shown and ultimately, the number of dollars being written at the show. All of the lines were written, and reps were successful in sharing new products, as well as lines recently picked up in New York. Sales increased significantly for a multitude of companies. Having not attended the show in years, Teri Soelter of Teri's Toybox in Edmonds, WA, was excited about the move to Las Vegas and is considering the idea of skipping New York in the future in order to attend ToyFest West annually. "It is easy to get to from Seattle, not having to worry about bad weather flying in and out. I saw product that I missed in New York, and dealing with my local rep groups was a real plus."

One of the things that set this show apart from any other toy show in the country is camaraderie, especially at the annual Gala and Game Night. Many business owners say they appreciate the built in social events and getting to spend time with a variety of industry people. "It is a great way to learn how the industry is changing and growing, hear about product successes at other stores, and really just enjoy all the great people. And Game Night is the perfect way for me to learn about the games I will be selling in my store this year. The information I received is what my customers want to know," says Dana Chavez, owner of The Wonder Emporium in La Habra, CA.

Silikids Debuts New Web Site and All New Product Line of Safe, Modern Silicone Accessories for Kids

Silikids, Inc. the first mom-founded brand which focuses on creating children's products that are toxin-free, hypoallergenic and made entirely out of silicone introduces a broadened line of innovative feeding products. The new Silikids products now available at retail include: 

Siliskin Sippy-a stylish 8 ounce sippy cup where Silitop and Siliskin Glass come together as one.

Siliskin Top-a Silicone Top which stretches over and covers the top of a glass. Combined with the Siliskin Glass, the glass is completely encased and protected.

Silimap-a portable silicone placement with cool/fun educational themed graphics to teach kids about the US.

Silibib-an ergonomic designed bib that allows for it to lie flat. The bib includes a hidden pocket too that easily flips forward for use so the bib can be worn with the pocket in front or with the pocket flipped behind.

Siliskin Bowl-a sectioned ceramic bowl with Siliskin is ideal for young children starting solid foods and for suggested portions of the four food groups.

Dallas' PBJ: Play. Baby. Juvenile. Offers Innovative Gifts & Gadgets

Dallas Market Center today announced that its juried trade event, PBJ: Play. Baby. Juvenile., will offer the most innovative gifts and gadgets across the baby and juvenile industries for its second show held Thursday, March 27 through Friday, March 28. The once-a-year event is held in conjunction with the Total Home & Gift Market and Dallas KidsWorld Market, among other shows. Dallas KidsWorld Market draws specialty retailers from across the country and internationally to the marketplace. PBJ further expands the existing selection of children's products, including apparel, accessories, toys, textiles, furniture, bedding, educational gifts and much more.

PBJ will feature several new exhibitors which will include:

Bugaboo USA Twenty years ago, Bugaboo designed the world's first modular stroller. Iconic, innovative and loaded with functionality, all Bugaboo strollers ensure a smooth and smart ride, and are built to last.

InchBug MyDrinky by InchBug is a two-piece juice box holder that adjusts in height to accommodate small 4-ounce juice boxes, all the way to larger juice pouches. The top locks in the drink to prevent squeezed juice from leaking.

Infanttech Always In View is a wireless, video baby monitor designed for use inside the car. An HD camera inside a plush toy transmits images to a color monitor placed on the dashboard of the car.

Little Dundi Little Dundi's flagship product, My Early Steps, is an award-winning, soft-structured baby walker. At PBJ, Little Dundi will reveal a line of boutique-quality, charming and sturdy paperboard clothes hangers for babies and toddlers.

Mixie Baby Mixie is the only self-contained 2-in-1 formula bottle, making feedings possible at any time. Formula and water are stored in separate compartments. For feeding, simply press the button on the bottle's bottom and shake to mix. Mixie is BPA, phthalate and PVC free and is dishwasher and microwave safe.

pNeo/Baby Shusher A revolutionary new tool for parents using an ancient, but doctor-tested and approved, technique to help soothe a fussy baby.

PunkinWrap The only single, made in the USA wrap purposefully designed to function safely and easily as a nursing cover, stroller blanket, sunshade, car seat cover, changing pad, chest carrier wrap and tummy time mat.

The 6th Annual All Baby & Child Educational Conference and Trade Show Gets Underway This May at Walt Disney World

Registration for the 6th Annual All Baby & Child Educational Conference will again be complimentary for all qualified products and specialty and maternity retailers that maintain brick and mortar store locations. This is the first time that an All Baby & Child event has been held at any of the Walt Disney World Resort properties, and it plans to make full use of the Walt Disney World Resort amenities and locales during the three day event. Following the opening educational sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to relax and socialize with a Cabanas Beach Welcome Reception which will be held lakeside at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. One evening, private buses will transport attendees to an exclusive event at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Guests will arrive as the park closes for exclusive access to Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain and DinoLand U.S.A. Attendees will have unobstructed use of the games and attractions that Disney has to offer. Providing valuable education, outstanding networking and an exclusive trade show, Lake Buena Vista welcomes this specialty store industry's event.