Earnshaw's

Mind Candy, the company behind the uber successful and rapidly expanding online community, Moshi Monsters, has recently launched its own record label, Moshi Music. The label's first single, "The Moshi Dance," from Lady Goo Goo, released yesterday, and a full-length album is anticipated later this year. A number of other releases are planned, including Moshi Music stars Dustbin Beaver, 49 Pence, Broccoli Spears and Avril Le Scream. Each and every Moshi Music video offers parents and kids incredible visual content, well-developed characters and fun.

Sesame Workshop and Stride Rite Children's Group recently announced a partnership to make a children's shoe collection to be available at Stride Rite stores, the company's website, as well as at Nordstrom and Dillard's. The collection boasts classic Sesame Street characters like Elmo and Oscar, and are designed with healthy foot development in mind. Shoes are grouped by what development stage the foot is in: Step 1 shoes are for pre-walkers; step 2 are for early walkers; and step 3 are toddler.

A survey conducted by the Hay Group, a global management consultancy firm, indicates that 68 percent of retailers expect holiday sales increases. That said, 89 percent reported that they would not offer deeper discounts on Black Friday. The majority of retailers (63 percent) said they plan to kick off promotions in November, while a smaller percentage (13) will begin in October.

A long-time member of the Disney Consumer Products family, Andrew Mooney has resigned from his position as chairman. Mooney joined DCP as president in December 1999 and was later promoted to chairman in May 2003. During his tenure, DCP doubled its consumer products and licensing business, from $10 billion in 1999 to $28.6 billion in 2010. Robert Chapek, formerly the president of distribution for Walt Disney Studios, will take over as president of DCP.

Together HIT Entertainment and PS Brands will create Thomas & Friends socks and crib shoes. The footwear will be available to mass market, mid-tier retailers and specialty stores just in November, just time for the holidays.

Disney Consumer Products has struck a deal with SpiritHoods, manufacturer of faux fur accessories, for a line influenced by The Muppets characters. The distribution of the headwear will coincide with the release of The Muppets film, which hits theaters Nov. 23. Character motifs include Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Animal and Gonzo. The SpiritHoods will be available in sizes for children and adults.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) surveyed the parents of children in grades K-12 in regards to purchasing character-themed clothing for the back-to-school season. The results displayed that nearly half (43.4 percent) expected to purchase some kind of character apparel. As for the hottest properties, Star Wars and Disney's Cars are tops for boys, while girls' favorites are Dora the Explorer and Hello Kitty. Girls and boys both share love for SpongeBob SquarePants, the only character to make the list of both sexes.

Greenbox, China's leading children's clothing brand and e-commerce platform, and Disney Consumer Products recently partnered to integrate Disney's best-selling brands into Greenbox's lines. By terms of the agreement, Chinese consumers can now purchase Disney-branded clothing, including Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, through the Greenbox website. According to Disney, the company chose Greenbox for its strong positioning, unique designs and high quality standards.

Pale Cloud has joined forces with the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, a UN women-managed organization that ensures women and girls have the support they need to embrace zero tolerance to violence. The girls' brand is showing support for the global fund by raising donations for much-needed projects around the world and educating consumers and retail partners about the widespread human rights violations against women and girls.

The August 2011 New York International Gift Fair was the most attended and had the most exhibitor participation since the summer of 2008—a level of business activity the show experienced pre-recession. More than 2,800 companies—110 more than winter '11—attracted some 35,000 attendees to the Aug. 13-18 event at the Javits Center and Piers 92 and 94 in New York City.