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Jul 18 2011
DwellStudio Acquired by Brand Sense Partners
DwellStudio, which will move into children’s apparel with full force in Spring ’12, has been acquired by Brand Sense Partners (BSP). BSP prides itself on partnering with the “most forward thinking consumer product, media, entertainment and fashion brands to help them grow their businesses and unlock hidden value,” according to the company’s website. BSP’s investment […]
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Jul 18 2011
Store Size Changes With Customers’ Preferences
Following decades of continuous expansion, stores are backing off the big-box model, as the enormity of some stores has proven overwhelming and confusing to shoppers. Experts say the movement toward smaller spaces is most influenced by the competition from the web, an increase in consumers favoring city centers and a more frugal, controlled consumer who […]
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Jul 18 2011
Disney Releases Winnie the Pooh Products
Tight on the heels of the new Winnie the Pooh movie that was released July 15, Disney Consumer Products unveiled an assortment of toys and apparel for children. Cuddly Bodysuits are made in gender-neutral colors and have extra snaps that enlarge the garment for longer wear.
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Jul 11 2011
CPSC Issues New Drawstring Safety Rule for Children’s Outerwear
The Consumer Product Safety Commission set a new federal safety rule on July 1, stating that drawstrings on certain children’s upper outerwear are now considered substantial product hazards. By a 5-0 vote, the organization ruled that jackets and coats with certain neck or hood drawstrings and those with certain waist or bottom drawstrings, from sizes […]
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Jul 11 2011
Sales of Children’s Clothing Rose by 10 Percent in June
Sales of apparel, jewelry and luxury goods rose again in June, according to Mastercard Advisors’ SpendingPulse report, which tracks retail spending across all payment forms. Fueled by Father’s Day, as well as graduation and wedding season, apparel sales rose 5.9 percent, while sales of children’s clothing rose 10 percent. Retail sales increased despite the rising […]
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Jul 11 2011
NFL Cowboys Lasso Marvel
Marvel Entertainment and the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys have joined to develop co-branded merchandise splashed with Marvel’s most popular characters. Captain American, Spider-Man, Iron Man and Thor will appear on apparel with Cowboy team colors, logos and jerseys for infants, kids and adults. Clothing will include T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and snaptees, and will debut this summer […]
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Jul 11 2011
Olive Juice Partners with Clothes4Souls
Olive Juice announced a new partnership with Clothes4Souls, the apparel division of global charity Soles4Souls. In a “buy one, give one” initiative, the European-inspired childrenswear company will donate one item of clothing for every item purchased through a special microsite www.olivejuicegives.com. Clothes4Souls will distribute the apparel for girls and boys ages 12 months to 16 […]
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Jul 11 2011
Kushies Announces New Rep
New York-based Kushies Baby USA names sales veteran David Lefelstein the manufacturer’s New York, New Jersey and Long Island rep. Lefelstein will represent Kushies’ three labels: Kushies Baby, It’s My Planet 2 and Blue Banana.
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Jun 27 2011
September is Baby Safety Month
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is gearing up for Baby Safety Month. This year, the September campaign will focus on educating parents and caregivers on the importance of safely using wearable infant products. Material about proper usage of soft infant carriers, frame carriers and slings and tips for retailers to promote Baby Safety Month […]
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Jun 27 2011
Carter’s, Inc. to Acquire Canadian Children’s Retailer Bonnie Togs
Carter’s, Inc. announced Wednesday that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Toronto-based children’s apparel retailer Bonnie Togs for approximately $98 million. Bonnie Togs operates 59 retail stores in Canada and sells products under the Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh brands, as well as other private label and national brands, and has been Carter’s principal […]
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Jun 27 2011
Wal-Mart to Support Summer Services for Kids
Wal-Mart and the Wal-Mart Foundation announced a $25 million giving campaign. Aimed to fill the gaps created when schools close for the summer, the funding will go to more than 350 local nonprofit organizations that support nutrition, learning and employment services for all school-aged children during the 2011 summer months. In addition to providing eight […]
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Jun 27 2011
Target Releases Cars 2 Merchandise
Before the sequel to Disney-Pixar’s hit movie Cars was released this past Friday, Target had already unveiled its collection of Cars 2 merchandise. Partners for the line include Lego and Fisher-Price. An e-commerce store can be found at Target.com "Fans are clamoring for Cars-inspired merchandise that brings the stories and characters from the film to […]
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Jun 27 2011
Brand Central Appoints New EVP
Andrew Lelchuk has been named the executive vice president of business development and marketing for Brand Central. Lelchuk will be in charge of marketing and generating business for the agency. Brand Central’s clients include Kellogg’s, Snapple and Keebler.
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Jun 27 2011
Saban and Paul Frank Collaborate for Surfboards
Together, Paul Frank, Robert August and Saban Brands will create 30 limited edition surfboards to be made available exclusively for fundraisers and silent auctions. The boards will feature Julius and Skurvy scatter prints in various finishes.
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Jun 20 2011
Parigi Group Tugs Hartstrings
On April 18, Parigi Enterprises LLC purchased certain assets of Hartstrings and assumed the leases of 23 of their retail outlet stores. Parigi Enterprises LLC is a subsidiary of children’s branded apparel company Parigi Group Ltd. “For over 30 years the Hartstrings brand and dedicated people behind it have carefully crafted timeless memories through their […]
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Jun 20 2011
H&M Launches Children’s Collection to Benefit UNICEF
Joining a growing list of companies looking to give back, H&M announced that it will launch a children’s collection this October for UNICEF. Twenty-five percent of the sales from the boys’ and girls’ clothing line will go to the global children’s humanitarian organization. The collection is part of the company’s All for Children initiative, a […]
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Jun 20 2011
Bonpoint Meets Madison Avenue
French children’s brand Bonpoint opened its first boutique on New York City’s Madison Avenue. The new location includes many of the city’s architectural hallmarks including brick, industrial glass verandas lacquered in black, recycled factory tiles and mosaic floors, accented with antique furniture and a cozy fireplace. In the center, a tree stretches from the first […]
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Jun 20 2011
Jamari Imports Italy’s Magil
Jamari Int’l Ltd adds Italian brand Magil to their roster of European childrenswear brands. Jamari will be Magil’s exclusive U.S. importer starting with the Spring 2012 collection. The classic and refined line includes pastel, cotton piquet, seersucker and embroidered styles for dressy occasions and will be available in Jamari’s New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and […]
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Jun 20 2011
Disney To Crown New Princess
Disney will officially name Rapunzel as the 10th Disney Princess on October 2, 2011. To mark the event, Disney will host a procession through London’s Hyde Park to a fête at Kensington Palace attended by little girls, celebrities and the entire Disney royal court. The Historic Royal Palaces, a charity that supports education about many […]
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Jun 13 2011
Disney Plans Baby Stores
The Walt Disney Co. will open its first Disney Baby store in Glendale, CA, next year. Product offerings will include apparel, nursery and bath items. Plans for a store on the East Coast are in the pipeline, too. Recently Disney Consumer Products has made headway in reaching new moms and infants—a licensing category the company […]