Earnshaw's

Baby CZ by Carolina Zapf has opened a new retail store in Greenwich, Conn., today. The addition follows the success of the company's Madison Avenue boutique in New York.

The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) has announced its 75 nominees for its annual awards for licensing excellence, which will be awarded June 8 at the Licensing International Expo's opening night party.

"This year's candidates... include several classic brands, as well as new properties, illustrating licensing's power to help brands stay vital and relevant to new audiences," LIMA president Charles Riotto said, noting the nominees span the global market, with Asia, Europe and Latin America represented in addition to North America.

Last week, Gucci creative director Frida Giannini revealed the brand's plans to enter the children's wear category this summer, according to WWD. On a trip to Singapore, Giannini said the company plans to unveil a kids' collection in June in Italy, which will later be available through approximately 40 stores worldwide. Visit www.gucci.com.

Despite the reports that consumer spending is on the rise, discount retailers are continuing to promote markdowns in order to attract budget-conscious shoppers, according to a Chicago Tribune story that ran last week. Kmart and Walmart are still reducing prices on staples such as children's T-shirts, although the negative effects of drastic price-slashing has been a retail issue since the recession began. "Promotions and things that drive traffic are still critically important," Mark Snyder, chief marketing officer at Kmart, told the Tribune.