Earnshaw's

Popular handbag and accessories brand Vera Bradley Designs had added baby items to the mix. The line includes a monogramable blanket and plush bunny, as well as diaper bags, bottle holders, layette and soft shoes, in the brand's signature multi-color prints. Additionally, Vera Bradley has linked up with stationary e-tailer Tiny Prints for a line of birth announcements, shower invitations and thank you notes.

A report released Monday by the National Retail Federation (NRF) said that the average person celebrating Easter this year will spend about $145.13 on candy, decor, apparel and food, flat with last year's $145.28. The NRF estimates that total spending will reach an estimated $17.2 billion this year. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents to take immediate action to ensure their family is not exposed to the hazards posed by liquid laundry packets or capsules. Children who have injested detergent from the packets have required medical attention and hospitalization for loss of consciousness, excessive vomiting, drowsiness, throat swelling and difficult breathing. Eye contact has also resulted in reports of temporary loss of vision. 

Arklu announced last week that Schylling will be distributing the British-born Lottie dolls in the U.S. beginning in June. The award-winning doll, targeted towards 3- to 9-year olds, defies the typical doll by having the same body-type typical of a 9-year-old girl. In this way, the creators of Lottie hope to promote a healthier body image, which has helped the toy gain momentum and success. "We are very excited about our partnership with Schylling," says Ian Harkin, managing director of Arklu. "Their reputation and experience in the specialty toy business is outstanding.

Conde Nast's teen fashion and Macy's are joining together to create an apparel collection for teenagers at 150 of the department stores. The collection, which will offer pieces from dresses, jackets and jumpsuits to leggings, shirts and shorts, will launch at the end of March. "As part of our 'brand everywhere' approach, we've created a fashion line that really resonates with our style-obsessed audience," says Amy Astley, editor in chief of Teen Vogue.

Herald Center, the 10-story, 250,000-square-foot retail and office property at the southwest corner of 34th Street and Broadway in Manhattan, is about to undergo a major transformation. Longtime owner JEMB Realty is removing the black glass panels on the first three floors and replacing them with transparent panes that will enable flagship retailers to showcase their brand and goods to the more than 100 million pedestrians who pass the property each year. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with Synclaire Brands of Hicksville, NY, has issued a voluntary recall of about 5,000 pairs of Stuart Weitzman Cha Cha and Cha Cha 2 boots. Synclaire Brands has received three reports of the zipper pulls becoming entangled to each other, including one injury that occurred when a child wearing the boots attempted to untangle the zipper pulls: the child lost her balance and hit her head on the sidewalk, causing a laceration that required stitches. The boots were sold at Bloomingdale's, Belk Stores, T.J.

Chillingo, a game publisher under Electronic Arts, is teaming up with Peanuts Worldwide to produce an app based on the beloved Charles Schultz characters. In the app, entitled "Snoopy Coaster," that will be released in March, players ride with Snoopy on a roller coaster to collect coins and open new game extras. "There's something in Peanuts that everyone can relate to, and we are always looking for new ways to share the characters with future generations," says Managing Director of Peanuts Worldwide Leigh Anne Brodsky.

Stork Craft Manufacturing is partnering with Furniture Brands International to produce baby and kids' furniture at such home dcor powerhouses as Broyhill, Thomasville, Lane and Drexel Heritage. The collections will feature such pieces as changing tables, gliders, cribs, bunk beds and dressers for various distribution means, categories and price points. "Stork Craft is a recognized leader in the kids' furnishings industry, and we are excited to have them as a new licensing partner," says Mark Wiltshire, president of special markets at Furniture Brands International.

Just in time for International Women's Day, Wal-Mart has launched a new section on its website dedicated to products from small, women-owned businesses around the world. More than 200 items from 19 businesses in nine countries are featured in the new "Empowering Women Together" section.