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Oct 21 2013
JoJo Maman Bebe has its sights set on U.S. domination.
When Laura Tenison started selling JoJo Maman Bebe out of her parents’ garage in Wales in 1993, she never imagined that 20 years later her line of Breton-inspired duds would line shelves in 54 countries worldwide. And it’s clear the British brand is focused on expansion in the U.S. and Canada, having this year added […]
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Oct 21 2013
Holiday ’14 Pacifiers to Feature Rudolph
First Friends, a company focused on self-soothing pacifiers, has picked up the license for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, to produce a line of Friendly Pacifiers. The pacifiers will feature characters from the film, which debuted in 1964, and will be in stores by holiday 2014. The line will coincide with the film’s 50th anniversary […]
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Oct 21 2013
Hasbro Expands Fashion Assortment
Hasbro will ramp up its fashion merchandise this spring by teaming with The Benetton Group to create collections featuring My Little Pony and Transformers. The lines will include footwear, apparel and accessories for kids and newborns, and will be sold at United Colours of Benetton stores in 42 countries beginning in Spring ’14. Hasbro has […]
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Oct 21 2013
Online Retailers Prep for Holidays Early
Many online retailers are starting or have started their holiday preparations early this year. According to Shop.org’s eHoliday survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 74 percent of online retailers had started preparing for the 2013 holiday season by July of this year, and 51 percent plan to start their holiday promotions by Halloween. Online […]
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Oct 21 2013
NPD Group Reports Holiday Shoppers Will Spend More this Year
The majority of consumers intend to spend the same or more than last year, according to the NPD Group’s Holiday Spending Survey, the 12th annual survey of consumers’ holiday spending intentions. The survey also found that one-third of consumers plan to buy all of their holiday gifts on sale. “Consumers are feeling better about the […]
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Oct 21 2013
Toys “R” Us Names New Execs
Toys “R” Us named Antonio Urcelay, European operations head and interim chief executive, the company’s new permanent CEO. Additionally, the retailer named former Wal-Mart executive Hank Mullany the new U.S. president. Urcelay stepped into the interim position in May when former CEO Gerald Storch resigned. He will focus on international business, while Mullany will direct […]
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Oct 21 2013
JPMA Announces Innovation Award Winners
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) announced the 2013 winners of its annual Innovation Awards last week at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. A panel of trade media representatives and retail buyers selected the seven winners from a pool of 120 products, with awards going to products that earned the highest marks for […]
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Oct 14 2013
Baby Einstein Finds New Home
After acquiring the brand in 2001, The Walt Disney Company has sold the Baby Einstein brand to Kids II. Kids II has previously licensed Baby Einstein products in the infant and toddler category including musical plush, play sets, walkers, rattles, instruments and more. Baby Einstein is known for its developmental entertainment products that incorporate music, […]
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Oct 14 2013
Miffy Grows Up
The rabbit character, Miffy, which originated in children’s story books, picked up a new licensee, Poetic Gem, for clothing. Poetic Gem will design a collection of tween apparel including nightwear, underwear, t-shirts and dresses, slated to arrive in stores late 2014. Inked in partnership with DRi Licensing, owners of the Miffy brand, the deal is […]
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Oct 14 2013
Adult Costumes Make Up the Majority of Halloween Spending
Americans will spend $2.6 billion on Halloween costumes this season, according to data released this week by the National Retail Federation (NRF). While that’s down slightly from last year, consumers will still shell out $1.2 billion for adult costumes, $1 billion for children’s costumes and $300 million on pet costumes
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Oct 14 2013
Social Media Brand Recommendations Are On The Rise
Americans are increasing their use of social media for discussions about favorite brands while slowing down on face-to-face and phone conversations about product likes and dislikes, according to a report by Colloquy, the research arm of LoyaltyOne, a global provider of loyalty and marketing programs. Social media brand recommendations have grown 4 percent since Colloquy […]
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Oct 14 2013
JPMA Announces New Executive Director
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) named Kelly Mariotti the new executive director. Michael Dwyer, who has served as executive director since 2004, will become the President of JPMA. The transition will be effective Dec. 9, 2003. Mariotti’s juvenile product experience began as the owner of Green Frog Art. She was a board member of […]
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Oct 7 2013
Gund Produces Grumpy Cat Plush
The popular Internet meme, Grumpy Cat, which features a frowning cat with hilariously depressing sayings like “This is My Happy Face,” and “I Had Fun Once, It was Awful,” is being picked up by Gund, which will produce plush toys modeled after the now-famous mixed breed cat. The plush will be in stores Nov. 1, […]
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Oct 7 2013
Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler to bow at ABC
Jonathan Adler Enterprises has tapped Crown Crafts Infant Products to create Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler, an infant and toddler décor line. The collection, which combines Adler’s signature patterns and color combinations, will include bedding, blankets, bibs, bath items and more. Retailers can get a first look at the line, which will hit stores in […]
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Oct 7 2013
Holiday Online Sales to Jump by up to 15 Percent
The National Retail Federation’s Shop.org expects holiday sales to grow between 13 and 15 percent from last holiday season to as much as $82 billion. “Online and mobile continue to be a leading area of growth for retailers. In this economy savvy, cost-conscious consumers go to the web to do their research and get the […]
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Oct 7 2013
CPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Bassinets and Cradles
To prevent deaths and injuries to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal mandatory standard to improve the safety of bassinets and cradles. The new standard incorporates provisions in the voluntary standard (ASTM F2194-13), Standard Consumer Safety Specifications for Bassinets and Cradles. CPSC recommended five modifications to F2194-13: a […]
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Sep 30 2013
Monster Jam Rides into Retail
Monster Jam, owned by Feld Entertainment, is adding five new partners for licensed plush, costumes, puzzles and more. The licensees include InCharacter Costumes, Mega Brands, New Bright, Redman and Associates and Wicked Cool Toys. New Bright will launch radio and remote controlled trucks in Fall 2014 that will include replicas of the Grave Digger, Max-D […]
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Sep 30 2013
Disney Releases Palace Pets Toys
Disney Consumer Products has partnered with Blip Toys for a line of toys, plush and play sets inspired by Disney Princess’ pets. The collection, called Palace Pets, will feature a range of pets that belong to Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Aurora and Ariel, including kittens, puppies and bunnies. The toys will be available at retailers […]
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Sep 30 2013
Holiday Sales Expected to Rise
All signs point to a more prosperous holiday shopping season. In a report conducted by Deloitte, consumers are expected to increase holiday spending between 4 and 4.5 percent this year—or between $963 and $967 billion. Improvements in the stock and real estate markets are said to be driving consumer confidence. Retailers with a mobile presence […]
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Sep 30 2013
Kind + Jugend Breaks Records
Kind + Jugend, the Cologne, Germany-based juvenile products trade show, hosted more than 20,000 international trade visitors during the Sept. 19-22 event. More than 1,000 exhibitors from across the globe—a show record—exhibited new baby and children’s furniture, apparel, toys and more. Show execs report an increase in the number of visitors from Asia and the […]
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