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Nov 23 2009
Retail Groups Welcome Bill Extending Trade Preferences Program
Last week, Congress began deliberation on legislation pertaining to the preferential trade agreements covered under the Generalized System of Preferences. Congressman Jim McDermott, D-Wash., introduced H.R. 4101, the New Partnership for Trade Development Act of 2009, on Wednesday. The bill would reauthorize the Generalized System of Preferences for 10 years after it expires on Dec. […]
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Nov 23 2009
JCPenney to Discontinue Big Biannual Catalogs
Plano, Texas-based J.C. Penney Company has announced plans to cease distribution of its “big book” catalogs in favor of a better targeted marketing strategy. Its new plan will include more timely specialty catalogs, enhanced online applications and increased focus on emerging digital marketing platforms such as social media. “We are constantly evolving our marketing approach […]
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Nov 23 2009
Gap, Stella McCartney to Continue Partnership
Gap Inc. has announced that it will continue its GapKids and babyGap collaboration with designer Stella McCartney, after a successful launch of the Fall ’09 collection. “The combination of her unique aesthetic and our brand’s quality and store experience has resonated with our customers around the world, with certain styles including the Miller jacket being […]
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Nov 23 2009
NRF Pinpoints Retailers with Best Customer Service
Which retailers are the crème de la crème in terms of customer service? The NRF Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Retail Federation (NRF), partnered with American Express on a consumer survey conducted by BIGresearch, designed to determine the top 10 (in alphabetical order): Amazon.com, Coldwater Creek, HSN, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Lands’ End, […]
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Nov 23 2009
Value, Price Top Factors in 2009 Holiday Shopping
In its eighth annual study examining consumers’ holiday spending intentions, The NPD Group market research firm has found that value and price top the list of considerations when shopping. This year 30 percent of consumers surveyed told NPD they “plan to spend less” this holiday; in a five-year high, 45 percent of respondents noted they […]
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Nov 16 2009
Jamari to Handle U.S. Sales & Distribution for One Kid
Jamari International of New York has been tapped to handle all sales, service and distribution for the Fairfield, Conn.-based brand One Kid throughout the U.S. market. The brand’s European-inspired contemporary sportswear collection caters to both boys and girls, and ages 12 months to 12 years. Jamari will deliver One Kid’s Spring/Summer ’10 collection and will […]
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Nov 16 2009
Toys ‘R’ Us to Feature Boy-Focused Cartoon Network Boutiques
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) will bow dedicated boutiques in Toys ‘R’ Us stores nationwide this month, highlighting Ben 10 Alien Force, Bakugan and The Secret Saturdays—three of its most popular boys’ properties—and products spanning various categories, including apparel and toys. “Toys ‘R’ Us continues to be a terrific, long-standing retail partner for us and our brands, […]
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Nov 16 2009
LamanBlu Designer Earns ‘Rising Star’ Award
LamanBlu founder and designer Holli Gibson was awarded the Fashion Group International’s 2009 Rising Star Award by the nonprofit’s Denver affiliate for her eco-friendly children’s line. Gibson’s line bested ten other new designers as the brand community judges think will become nationally recognized in the next five years. The ceremony was part of FGI’s biannual […]
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Nov 16 2009
Chorion Taps New Licensing Exec
Chorion, a family entertainment producer and distributor headquartered in London, has named Rachel Bader as its new licensing director for packaged goods and promotions. She will be responsible for maximizing the revenue and exposure for Chorion’s brand portfolio—which includes Olivia, Mr. Men and Little Miss, Noddy, Paddington Bear and The World of Eric Carle—in North […]
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Nov 16 2009
Earnshaw’s Features Up & Coming Designer Jennie Han
Did you catch the fabulous illustrations of our Earnie Award-winners in the November/December issue?The fashion drawings were the work of Jennie Han, a current student at Parsons The New School for Design. A previous intern for New York fashion designers Bonnie Young and Jill Stuart as well as accessory company Added Results, Han now has […]
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Nov 9 2009
B.U.M. Equipment is Back for Spring ’10
Casual sportswear brand B.U.M. Equipment, a mainstay from the late ’80s and ’90s, will return to retail this spring via five new licensed collections. The brand has teamed up with Sierra Fashion of New York for three apparel lines for boys, juniors and young men’s. The offering for boys sizes 8 to 20 will include […]
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Nov 9 2009
Umi Joins Forces With Badorf Shoe Co.
Umi LLC announced last week its partnership with Lititz, Penn.-based Badorf Shoe Co. for the Umi Children’s Shoes brand. Badof will assume all selling, distribution and customer service of the brand in the United States as of Jan. 1. Mark Kohlenberg, president and CEO of Umi, noted the brand has experienced strong growth in the […]
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Nov 9 2009
JPMA Says Juvenile Product Sales Remained Steady in 2008
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) released its 2008 report on the U.S. market for juvenile products, noting manufacturer sales accounted for approximately $2.7 billion last year. That number covers all products designed for babies from pre-natal to preschool age with the exception of food and apparel, and represents total sales through all major distribution […]
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Nov 9 2009
ABC Show Attendance Topped Expectations
Show organizers recently released attendance figures for the 2009 ABC Kids Expo, held in September, which showed total show attendance of 13,593 compared with 13,721 from the prior year. Buyer attendance increased to 5,984 compared to 5,855 in 2008. “We are thrilled that there was such a tremendous turnout for the show, especially in light […]
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Nov 9 2009
K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers Gala Raises $1.15 Million For Charity
Nearly 750 industry leaders came out to support Kids In Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) and Fashion Delivers’ annual fundraising gala at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Nov. 4, surpassing both the attendance and fundraising targets and bringing in a total of $1.15 million. K.I.D.S. and Fashion Delivers help fight the consequences of poverty by soliciting […]
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Nov 9 2009
Haddad’s N.J. Launch of Levi’s Kids to Benefit K.I.D.S.
Haddad Brands of New York will hold the latest event in its Bloomingdale’s launch series for its Levi’s Kids tween collection on Saturday, Nov. 14, this time at the department store’s Hackensack, N.J., location in The Shops at Riverside. Ten percent of any Levi’s purchases made during the event will be donated to Kids In […]
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Nov 2 2009
CPSC to Host CPSIA Seminar
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will hold a two-day workshop to discuss issues relating to the testing, certification and labeling mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The free workshop will be held Dec. 10-11, 2009, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will take place in the CPSC headquarters building at […]
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Nov 2 2009
GapKids, babyGap debut Stella McCartney lines
The Stella McCartney collection for GapKids and babyGap launches in stores today. Available for boys and girls 0 to 12 years, the line features her signature soft color palette, familiar silhouettes and unexpected pieces for a playful yet practical look. For girls, pieces include a velvet blazer, skinny and flare jeans, a tulle tutu, an […]
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Nov 2 2009
BT Kids Obtains Silver Star Kids License
Silver Star Casting Co., an edgy, Irvine-Calif.-headquartered lifestyle brand, is entering the children’s market, having tapped BT Kids Design Group of New York to create a line foy boys’ sizes 4 to 20. BT Kids will debut a line of boys’ tees for Spring ’10, followed by a full Fall ’10 collection spanning twofers, hoodies, […]
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Nov 2 2009
Crown Crafts to Produce Pampers Infant Line
Gonzales, La.-based juvenile products manufacturer Crown Crafts has secured a license from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati to develop an assortment of infant products under the Pampers brand name. The vendor plans to introduce Pampers infant bedding, blankets, bibs, bath goods and slings via its Crown Crafts Infant Products and Hamco subsidiaries for […]