Cybex Launches Jeremy Scott Designs

German company CYBEX debuted a colorful collection of strollers, car seats and accessories in collaboration with American fashion designer Jeremy Scott. Inspired by his own childhood, Scott created a pop art “Food Fight” print exclusively for the collection. The print features popcorn characters taking on burgers and a soda bottle duking it out with a […]

Trussardi Licenses Children’s Wear

Luxury children’s wear manufacturer Pinco Pallino has signed a five-year licensing agreement for the production and distribution of Trussardi Junior, which will debut at Pitti Bimbo in Florence, Italy, in June. The collection will be divided into two lines, one of which will target high-end retailers. Pinco Pallino distributes through a network of flagship stores […]

Square Sets its Sights on Ad Targeting Based on Purchases.

Mobile payment startup Square is using its trove of data to build an engine for making local recommendations based on a customer’s previous purchase history. The idea is that users who pay with Square via the company’s Wallet app will be shown suggestions for other things they might buy nearby. If the feature proves successful, […]

Cherie Marcum named EVP of finance at Dallas Market Center

Dallas Market Center, which hosts Dallas KidsWorld Market, announced Thursday that Cherie Marcum has been named executive vice president of finance at Dallas Market Center. She will be responsible for overseeing the company’s financial processes, audits and budgeting system. Marcum previously served as vice president of finance for the organization. “Cherie has been instrumental in […]

K.I.D.S. announces honorees for Women in Industry Luncheon Fundraiser

Charity organization Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) will partner with Fashion Delivers to host the seventh annual Women In Industry Luncheon fundraiser, which will honor four women from the fashion, real estate, entertainment and philanthropy arenas at an event on June 6. The honorees include Margaret Hayes, President of Fashion Group International; Kelly Neal Mariotti, […]

Jada Toys takes on Small Potatoes

Little Airplane Productions announced last week that it is partnering with Jada Toys as the global master toy partner for the pre-school television show Small Potatoes on Disney Junior. (The deal excludes China and South Korea.) Jada will produce such toys as plushes, play sets, figures, inflatable toys and musical instruments. The toy-makers join Small […]

The Wiggles Go on Tour, Launch New Licensed Items

The Wiggles are on the road again for their “Taking Off” tour, beginning in August, to introduce their new cast, which for the first time includes a female Wiggle. “The new cast will truly connect with today’s generation,” says Anthony Field, creator of the band. “There’s a new energy within the group and we’ve got […]

And the Award Goes To…

Wonder World

Imagine a place where parents can tote their tots to an art workshop, take a class on CPR, pick up a few back-to-school essentials and then share a healthy meal—all under one roof. No, it’s not heaven: It’s Wonder!, a 135,000-square-foot concept shop opening Oct. 22 in Chicago’s Deerfield suburb, and its owners are hoping […]

Tween Scene 101

Break out your books, sharpen your pencils and pay close attention: Keeping up with the diverse, modish and mercurial whims of today’s tweens is no easy feat. Thanks to respected teenage fashion bloggers like Tavi Gevinson and TV shows featuring tween idols decked out in designer duds, it’s easier than ever for kids to keep […]

Original Recipe

Is there any word in retail more alluring to savvy shoppers than “exclusive?” Conjuring images of velvet ropes and members-only benefits, exclusivity is catnip to consumers seeking originality in their purchases, especially to parents scouting unique duds for their tykes. Whether it’s snapping up the latest European line to land in the States, finding an […]

They Like Me

When Kim Sledgister took over Little Green Baby a year ago, she made a lot of changes to the Chicago-based children’s store, including nixing the shop’s merchandise that wasn’t focused solely on eco-friendly baby gear. But her most important move was emphasizing customer service as the boutique’s cornerstone and reaching out to former customers who […]

Worldly Possessions

What do you get when an American and an English designer—both living in Israel and whose backgrounds collectively encompass France, Sweden and Hong Kong—come together to create a swim collection for girls? Judging by Stella Cove’s refined swimwear designs that translate across continents, the answer is a truly global children’s brand. Although the collection is […]

Shopping Goes Social

Facebook isn’t just for finding high school flames and playing Farmville anymore—for a growing number of users, the ubiquitous social network is the latest place to find toys and apparel for their tots. According to a recent survey by NPD Group, a consumer market research firm that tracks the apparel industry, 80 percent of moms […]

The Cotton Conundrum

It may be the fabric of our lives, but for children’s manufacturers and retailers feeling the pinch of skyrocketing costs, cotton has become the hassle of our lives. Prices on the traditionally affordable fabric have more than tripled in the past year, hitting a historic high of $2.30 per pound in mid-February. Although prices have […]

Get Your Groupon?

Group-buying sites are hotter than ever, and it’s no wonder: Offering deep discounts at businesses in hundreds of local markets, Groupon and its competitors are a bargain shopper’s dream come true. But the reality can be a nightmare for retailers who offer steep discounts without sufficient preparation. Marketing experts urge merchants to use common sense […]