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Aug 15 2011
Angry Birds Baby Products Available in October
Rovio Mobile added another company, SwaddleDesigns, to the widely popular Angry Birds merchandise program. SwaddleDesigns created a line of Angry Birds baby products that are available for pre-order at SwaddleDesigns.com. Items purchased will be sent Oct. 10. The products include a number of blankets as well as baby burpies.
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Aug 15 2011
FAB*Starpoint Nabs Zoodorable Rights
CopCorp Licensing Company recently signed FAB*Starpoint, a fashion accessory company aimed at the youth and junior market, to produce and sell Zoodorable back-to-school goods, including backpacks, bags and school supplies.
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Aug 8 2011
Legislation Eases Compliance Burden on Lead in Juvenile Products
The House and Senate approved legislation last week that would ease the burden of complying with new lead standards for juvenile products, and President Obama is likely to sign it into law, according to a House press release. In an important ruling for small businesses, the legislation allows that new lead limits of 100 parts […]
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Aug 8 2011
CPSC-banned Cribs Still for Sale on Craigslist and eBay
Marketplace Web sites Craigslist and eBay are allowing illegal used cribs to be sold, according to USA Today. A review of the sites found that many of the cribs listed for sale violated recent requirements instituted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that went into effect June 28. USA Today notes that virtually all cribs […]
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Aug 8 2011
Children’s Clothing Companies Battle for Brand Recognition in China
With the opening of the first Gucci children’s store in Shanghai last week, high-end labels are facing more and more competition in an increasingly crowded Chinese children’s market. In addition to hundreds of Chinese local brands, such as Paclantic, Li-Ning, MetersBonwe and Balabala, international fashion brands Zara, H&M and Gap have opened stores in many […]
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Aug 8 2011
Mobi Unveils New Website
Kid-friendly electronic brand Mobi re-launched its Web site last week. Designed to engage visitors and create a discussion, the site introduces products with a product slideshow, product information and a gallery of awards and accomplishments the company has earned. Visitors can learn more about Mobi products in the Editorial section, which covers topics including whether […]
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Aug 1 2011
CPSC Lead Content Guidelines Take Effect Aug. 14
Next month, manufacturers, importers and distributors of children’s products must comply with a new 100 parts per million federal limit for total lead content in toys for children 12 and under, according to new guidelines from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The limit will go into effect Aug. 14, despite unsuccessful attempts to postpone […]
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Aug 1 2011
Parents Get Smart for Back-to-School
Consulting group Deloitte reports that two out of five shoppers will download discounts, coupons or other samples information to their smartphones when shopping for back-to-school. The survey polled 1,000 parents of school-aged children in grades K-12. The survey also shows nine out of 10 consumers plan to maintain or increase spending, partly because they expect […]
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Aug 1 2011
Hello Kitty Dons Street Fighter
Sanrio and Capcom Entertainment have joined to create a co-branded Street Fighter-themed line. The collection will feature Hello Kitty dressed in memorable costumes from the Street Fighter video games. Available next Fall, both Capcom and Sanrio are excited about the launch. “Capcom has long admired Sanrio and their ability to create memorable and cherished lifestyle […]
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Aug 1 2011
Payless Launches Brash
Discount shoe store Payless ShoeSource will launch its new teen line Brash this August. The collection includes footwear, accessories and beauty items for girls, including fragrance and make-up. The lead singer of VersaEmerge, Sierra Kusterbeck, will be the face of the line. “Brash helps us complete our teen brand portfolio with a wide array of […]
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Jul 25 2011
CPSC Rolls Out Crib Safety Requirements
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) rolled out new crib regulations, mandating that drop-side cribs are no longer allowed to be sold. Manufacturers are now also required to strengthen crib slats and mattress supports, make more durable crib hardware and subject their products to tougher testing. Childcare providers and hotels have until the end of […]
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Jul 25 2011
More Than Half of Retailers Optimistic About Rest of Year
Despite relatively flat sales, the majority of retailers remain optimistic about the last half of 2011, according to the results of a survey by shopping center owner Levin Management Corp. The mid-year survey of 1,000 of the group’s tenants found that about half of the respondents reported a sales decline for the six months through […]
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Jul 25 2011
Consumers Cautious for Back-to-School
Parents are expected to shop for back-to-school cautiously, reports research firm NPD Group Inc. The percent of consumers in the study who are expected to spend the same amount this year as last year is flat at 40 percent. The report also notes that consumers will be shopping later in the season. Those who will […]
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Jul 25 2011
American Eagle Opens Kids’ Store
American Eagle Outfitters opened it’s first children-oriented retail store in New York City. 77kids by american eagle, the retailer’s label for kids up to size 14, occupies the entire lower level of the retailer’s Times Square flagship. This store is the latest of many 77kids shops that have opened throughout the U.S. Product assortment include […]
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Jul 25 2011
Phineas and Ferb to Appear on NHL Gear
The National Hockey League and Disney Consumer Products will collaborate to create co-branded merchandise featuring Phineas and Ferb, characters from the eponymous Disney television show. Merchandise will be available this fall.
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Jul 25 2011
LIMA Adds New Members
The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association elected six new members to its board of directors. Additions include Susie Lecker, Fisher-Price senior vice president; Marty Malysz, Dependable Solutions president; Carla Peyton, BBC Worldwide America licensing consumer products senior vice president; Jennifer Richmond, Richmond Management Group managing director; James Slifer, The Joester Loria Group vice president of […]
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Jul 25 2011
Timberland Pairs With Parigi for Kids
This fall, Timberland and Parigi will together debut a line of children’s apparel. The licensing contract is valid through 2014. The clothing for infants, boys and girls will complement Timberland’s outdoorsy footwear aesthetic.
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Jul 18 2011
Macy’s to Pay $750,000 Civil Penalty for Selling Children’s Outerwear with Drawstrings
Department store chain Macy’s Inc. will pay a civil penalty of $750,000 to resolve allegations that it knowingly failed to report to the Children Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that the company sold children’s outerwear with drawstrings after the CPSC issued a recall on those products. The CPSC alleges that Macy’s sold children’s sweatshirts, sweaters and […]
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Jul 18 2011
Zutano Launches E-commerce
Zutano unveiled a new e-commerce website with a comprehensive line of the Vermont-based company’s products for newborns, infants and toddlers. The site can be navigated in a number of ways including by category, gender and print family. The site also links to a Zutano blog that shares daily events and scenes at the design headquarters, […]
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Jul 18 2011
Stefani Joins Target
Gwen Stefani is partnering with Target for a baby, child and tween collection, Harajuku Mini. Target shoppers can expect to see intense color and fun Japanese anime-inspired prints that are based on Stefani’s womenswear line, Harajuku Lovers. The line, set to debut on Nov. 13, will retail between $3.99 and $29.99. More styles will be […]