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May 11 2009
Itzy Ritzy Adds Hawaii Sales Rep
Baby products manufacturer Itzy Ritzy of Naperville, Ill., of has named Cara Estes as its newest sales rep to cover the Hawaiian islands. The line joins Estes’ other brands, which include Umi, Wesqueak and Bobux USA shoes; No Slippy Hair Clippy; Emily Green and more. Contact Estes at (808) 780-8005 or Itzy Ritzy at (866) […]
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May 4 2009
Operation Shower and Industry Donors Honor Military Moms-To-Be
To celebrate Mother’s Day, Operation Shower, a nonprofit that coordinates baby showers for pregnant and expecting military families, has teamed up with 33 children’s manufacturers to provide eco-friendly baby showers for expectant women whose husbands are currently deployed overseas. Thanks to donations by Cloud B, Childish Clothing, Sage Creek Organics and Vincent Shoes and many […]
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May 4 2009
Licensing Expo to Encompass One Floor
Advanstar Communications announced last week that its 2009 Licensing International Expo, taking place June 2-4 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, will encompass one contiguous show floor thanks to the cancellation of a pre-scheduled trade event. This year marks Licensing Expo’s move from New York to Las Vegas, and the show management company believes the […]
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May 4 2009
MGA Ordered by Court to Cease Bratz Line
Last week, MGA Entertainment lost its bid to reduce the $100 million in intellectual property damages it owed to Mattel Inc. per a previous court order and U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson appointed a temporary receiver over MGA’s Bratz assets. MGA said it is seeking an expedited appeal of this decision. According to The Wall […]
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May 4 2009
Hartstrings Aids South African Children
Traditional children’s clothier Hartstrings of Strafford, Pa., has announced a new charitable initiative to bring clothing to hundreds of children in South Africa whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS. Through an organization called Amandla Ku Lutsha and the CTCTen Foundation, Hartstrings found the Baphumelele Children’s Home—a school and orphanage to over two hundred local […]
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May 4 2009
Bibi & Mimi Adds Reps
New York-based Bibi & Mimi—a manufacturer of baby shoes, socks, one-pieces, leg warmers and diaper bags—has named California Marketing Associates (CMA), North Bay Marketing, H. Gardiner Inc., Starr Marketing and Boboco as its newest sales representatives. These appointments will help serve retailers on the West Coast and in the Midwest and Southwest regions. CMA’s showroom […]
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Apr 27 2009
Retail Industry Associations Merge
The National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) have decided to combine in a single trade association representing retail interests in the nation’s capital. In a joint statement, RILA chairman Robert A. Niblock and NRF chairman Myron Ullman III noted: “This is an historic time for our industry. The challenges and […]
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Apr 27 2009
Fred Segal Gets Reality Show
The latest fashion-centric show from Bravo TV turns to the retail side of the business, as trend-setting retailer Fred Segal of Santa Monica, Calif., has reportedly signed on for a new series. The boutique chain’s Fred Segal Fun store will be the setting for the docu-drama, which will focus on the store’s sales associates and […]
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Apr 27 2009
JPMA Elects New Board Members
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) has announced its new board of directors for 2009-2010. The newly elected chairman, Greg Mansker of Chicco USA, succeeds Tony DeSimone of Fisher Price, while Brenda Berg of Scandinavian Child is the new vice chairman and Tom Sparno of Evenflo Co. will act as treasurer. Keith Schneider of PEM […]
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Apr 27 2009
Showroom News: Cultivated Kids, Carolina Baby Co., Ali’s Market
• The Cultivated Kids showroom in the Dallas Apparel Mart Suite 8056 is taking over a neighboring space and bringing in several new lines. Brand additions include Kaiya Eve Couture, Giddy Giddy, Okkies and Rima Hair Accessories. Call (214) 630-5455 or visit www.cultivatedkids.com. • Carolina Baby Co., located in the Atlanta AmericasMart Suite 13E325, is […]
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Apr 20 2009
Sun City Lands Little Paul & Joe License
Sun City, a children’s wear manufacturer based in France, has obtained the license for Little Paul & Joe, a spin-off of the popular adults’ brand. Its kids’ line is being distributed in the United States through New York-based C&C Children’s Wear. For girls’ sizes 2 to 14, the Fall ’09 sportswear collection includes dresses, cardigans, […]
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Apr 20 2009
March Foot Traffic Rate Down Due to Late Easter
A Retail Traffic Index report from ShopperTrak RCT Corp. of Chicago showed U.S. foot traffic fell 15.8 percent in the month of March. Retail sales also slipped by 5 percent for the month-long period, according to the company’;s National Retail Sales Estimate. The poor performance was attributed to the fact that Easter landed in April […]
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Apr 20 2009
Midwest Children’s Apparel Group Reports Successful Illinois Market
The Midwest Children’s Apparel Group (MCAG), an organization of more than 30 independent sales representatives that holds trade shows throughout the Midwest, said its most recent Deerfield Children’s Show—held March 28-31 in the Chicago suburb—experienced an increase in both sales and attendance. The show reportedly drew buyers from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin, […]
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Apr 20 2009
Monkey-Toes Names Licensing Agent
Centennial, Colo.-based children’s shoe company Monkey-Toes has named Out of The Box of Los Angeles as its brand’s licensing agent. Out of The Box President Jack Morrow will be focused on expanding the brand’s reach and extension into core categories that complement the look and positioning of the Monkey-Toes brand. The six-year-old label founded by […]
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Apr 20 2009
Showroom, Rep Changes for No Slippy Hair Clippy
No Slippy Hair Clippy of Vacaville, Calif., recently hired rep Larry Lucas for both the Atlanta and Dallas markets. E-mail larry@larrylucasinc.com. The company has also added Terry Tannenbaum as its New York sales rep; e-mail terryT722@aol.com. Hawaii’s rep is Cara Estes, caraestes@earthlink.net, and Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin’s rep is Megan Simonson, megansimonson@comcast.net. In addition, No […]
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Apr 20 2009
Claire’s Stores Names New President
Pembroke Pines, Fla.-based Claire’s Stores last week promoted James G. Conroy to president. He will report to CEO Gene Kahn. Conroy, who was appointed to executive vice president in December ’07, will now supervise the management of Corporate Merchandise, which covers global merchandise concept, product development and supply chain. In addition, he also has responsibility […]
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Apr 13 2009
Licensing Expo to Feature Fashion Shows
Along with its move to Vegas, Licensing International Expo 2009 is raising the bar with the addition of live fashion runway shows at the upcoming edition, running June 2-4 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Co-produced by Onebox Productions, shows will be held daily at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. in the 7th […]
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Apr 13 2009
United Legwear Acquires BabyLegs
New York-based United Legwear Company, a global manufacturer of leg- and bodywear has announced its acquisition of the BabyLegs and My First Baby Legs brands launched by Nicole Donnelly in 2005. Through United Legwear, both lines of children’s leg and arm warmers will gain increased distribution and offerings, streamlined production, and increased representation in the […]
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Apr 13 2009
JPMA Holds Summit to Clarify CPSC Updates
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) recently hosted a summit in Washington, D.C., providing an update on various regulatory and legislative issues affecting the industry. The event involved a keynote address from Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman Nancy Nord and panel discussions regarding Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) compliance. “Although well-intended, the CPSIA has […]
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Apr 13 2009
LIMA Announces 2009 International Licensing Excellence Award Nominees
The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) has named its nominees for the 2009 annual International Licensing Excellence Awards, which recognize the most successful licensed properties and products from the past year. “With 82 nominees in 16 awards categories, the 2009 slate is diverse and one of the strongest lineups we’ve had in recent years,” […]