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Jul 29 2013
Back-to-School Spending Set to Decline
According to the National Retailer Federation’s 2013 back-to-school spending survey, parents plan to spend on average $634.78 on school items, an eight percent decrease from last year. Nearly a quarter of families with kids in grades K-12 are already shopping for school and 37 percent of parents report they will comparison shop online.
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Jul 29 2013
Girls’ Boots Recalled Due to Laceration Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Renaissance Imports of Matthews, NC, have issued a voluntary recall of about 5,000 girls’ boots by the brand Autumn Run. Renaissance Imports has received one report of a consumer who was punctured by an exposed staple in the sole of the Gemma II style boot.
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Jul 29 2013
Gilt Launches Activity-Based Loyalty Program
Flash sales site Gilt is launching the Gilt Insider Program, offering Gilt members the opportunity to earn points for free by interacting with the site. Activities such as making purchases, referring friends and visiting online sales earn members’ points they can redeem for benefits such as access to early sales, exclusive discounts, free shipping and […]
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Jul 29 2013
Juvenile Product Sales Increase
Despite a declining birth rate, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) reports an increase in juvenile product sales. The U.S. market racked up approximately $2.8 billion in manufacturing sales of juvenile products in 2011—up from $2.7 billion the previous year. Over half of the purchases were made at a mass merchant, while independent retailers accounted […]
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Jul 22 2013
Turtle Time for Nickelodeon and Rubie’s Costume Company
Nickelodeon has linked up with Rubie’s Costume Company to produce Halloween costumes, accessories and dress-up products featuring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in honor of Nickelodeon’s new TV series. The collection will feature Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Splinter, April O’Neil, Shredder and The Foot Clan in costumes for infants, toddlers, kids, adults and even pets.
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Jul 22 2013
Plush Vegas Sets Up at Golden Nugget
Plush Vegas has announced the next show scheduled for October 15-17 will be held at the newly renovated Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. Together with the Golden Nugget, the infant and toddler product show is offering exclusive hotel rates and transportation option for attendees.
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Jul 22 2013
Moms Go Online for Deals
A poll from Experian Marketing Services reports about half of U.S. moms say they are going online for their shopping more than ever before. More than four in 10 state they use the Internet to find better deals. Similarly, a poll from Arbitron and Edison Research found that parents are 14 percent more likely than […]
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Jul 22 2013
Back-to-School Shoppers Scaling Back
Back-to-school sales are expected to tally $72.5 billion, down from $83.8 billion in 2012, according to the National Retail Federation, with the average American family spending a total of $635 on apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics. College students will also be cutting back, according to the NRF, as the average tuition at a four-year college […]
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Jul 22 2013
Retail Jobs Surge in California Despite So-so Sales
Employers in California’s retail trade industry added 7,900 jobs in June despite lackluster sales throughout the first half of the year. The category posted the largest month-to-month gain of the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which boosted its job count by 13,200 positions, according to a report released Thursday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. […]
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Jul 15 2013
Peanuts Set to Play
Schleich, a German toy manufacturer, has inked a deal with Peanuts Worldwide to produce accessories and figurines of Charles Schultz’ beloved Peanuts characters. The partnership will officially launch at this month’s Comic-con, where a gold colored Snoopy collectable figurine will be released. The full line of characters and accessories will be available at major retailers […]
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Jul 15 2013
ASTRA Breaks Attendance Records
The American Specialty Toy Retailer Association (ASTRA) hosted the 2013 Marketplace and Academy June 16-19 in Nashville, TN. For the sixth straight year, the event saw record attendance. Nearly 2,000 members of the specialty toy industry participated in the event. The number of stores represented increased nearly 10 percent from the 2012 event. The next […]
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Jul 15 2013
Swimwear Sales on the Rise
According to Global Industry Analysts, worldwide sales of swimsuits and beach apparel are forecasted to grow 3.1 percent annually and hit $19.4 billion by 2018. The spike in sales is driven by several factors including consumers’ attention on health and fitness and developments in high-tech fabrics. Other drivers include a booming beauty and spa industry, […]
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Jul 15 2013
Retailers Poised for Booming Back-to-School Sales, In Store and Online
ShopperTrak, the world’s largest counter and analyzer of retail foot traffic, estimates that sales this back-to-school season will increase by 4.3 percent. The company points to a lower unemployment rate as the reason, noting that consumer sentiment is at its highest level since before the recession. According to Thomson Reuters, retailers’ June sales suggest overall […]
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Jul 15 2013
North American Retailers Release Worker Safety Initiative for Factories in Bangladesh
A group of North American retailers, including Wal-Mart, Gap, Target and Macy’s, announced a plan last week to improve safety at garment factories in Bangladesh. Titled the Bangladesh Worker Safety Initiative, the binding five-year initiative will require all factories that conduct business with an alliance member to be inspected within a year. Additionally, common safety […]
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Jul 15 2013
CPSC Revises Lead Limits in Children’s Products
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has unveiled changes to the rules governing lead content in children’s products. Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, consumer products designed for children ages 12 and younger with a lead content of more than 100 parts per million are considered banned hazardous substances under the […]
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Jul 8 2013
Children’s Place to Open Retail Stores in Israel
The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc., announced last week that it has signed a ten-year franchise agreement with Fox-Wizel Ltd. to open stores across Israel, with the first to open during the first quarter of 2014. “International growth is one of our key initiatives and following our very successful launch in the Middle East in […]
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Jul 8 2013
JPMA Receives Public Relations Award
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) was recognized for outstanding communication and an exemplary safety campaign at the 2013 Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil Awards. The association was awarded for its safety campaign COORdinate a Safe and Sound Zone for your Baby, in the integrated communications category. The campaign addressed the improper use […]
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Jul 8 2013
The Lone Ranger Rounds up Retail
Disney Consumer Products is celebrating the opening of Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films The Lone Ranger by releasing products that pay homage to the revamped classic. In partnership with LEGO, Will Leather Goods, Theodora & Callum and more, the products will include everything from construction sets and role play items to apparel and leather goods. The line […]
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Jul 8 2013
Nordstrom Expands Pinterest Promotion
Luxury retailer Nordstrom is expanding a trial of marking select items in its stores that receive the most pins on Pinterest with small logos. The chain is taking the pilot from two to 13 locations through the end of this month. Nordstrom gives store associates access to an online dashboard that notifies employees which items […]
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Jul 8 2013
Mud Pie Expands with New Office and More Employees
Georgia-based children’s gift manufacturer Mud Pie recently moved its offices to accommodate its continued expansion. The company has hired 40 new employees in the past 24 months, and in June Mud Pie moved to a new office space, which will increase the company’s warehouse operations by 57 percent by enhancing operational efficiencies for merchandise shipments. […]
The No. 1 Magazine for Childrenswear Professionals
The No. 1 Magazine for Childrenswear Professionals
