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Apr 1 2013
J.C. Penney Q4 Loss Worse Than Expected
J.C. Penney reported a net loss of $552 million in the fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $87 million in the year-ago period. Total sales for the quarter decreased by almost 30 percent to $3.88 billion. Analysts had expected $4.08 billion. Same-store sales declined 31.7 percent and online sales fell almost 35 percent to […]
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Mar 25 2013
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Celebrated
Last week on March 20, families celebrated The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day with events around the country and in the U.K. Some highlights included the release of the Very Hungry Caterpillar and Friends Sticker Book app from Night and Day Studios and a party with art, craft activities at Chronicle Books in San Francisco, CA, […]
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Mar 25 2013
The Hive Buzzes in the U.S.
Preschool television series The Hive has gained popularity stateside since the U.K. show debuted in the U.S. in October. Space Enterprises named The Joester Loria Group as the exclusive licensing partner in North America, after hearing great things about the company from Australian agent Graham Grassby. Debra Joester, CEO and president of JLG, is equally […]
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Mar 25 2013
Aeropostale Plans to Expand Kids’ Stores
Wayne, NJ-based Aeropostale Inc. plans to open 60 P.S. from Aeropostale doors in 2013. The retailer, which is focused on apparel and accessories for children 4- to 12-year olds, currently has 103 stores open. It also operates stores in the Middle East, Asia and Europe through various license agreements.
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Mar 25 2013
Vera Bradley Adds Baby
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 […]
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Mar 25 2013
Easter Spending Expected to Be Flat
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.
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Mar 25 2013
CPSC Warns of Poison Dangers with Liquid Laundry Packets
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 […]
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Mar 18 2013
Schylling Bringing Lottie Dolls Stateside
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 […]
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Mar 18 2013
Teen Vogue Hitting Shelves at Macy’s
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 […]
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Mar 18 2013
Manhattan’s Herald Square To Be Transformed
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 […]
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Mar 18 2013
Stuart Weitzman Girls’ Cha Cha Boots Recalled by Synclaire Brands Due to Fall Hazard
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 […]
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Mar 11 2013
Chillingo Developing Snoopy App
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 […]
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Mar 11 2013
New Kids’ Furniture in the Works
Stork Craft Manufacturing is partnering with Furniture Brands International to produce baby and kids’ furniture at such home décor 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 […]
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Mar 11 2013
Wal-Mart Launches Online Site of Goods Made by Small, Women-Owned Businesses.
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. The collection includes jewelry from Peru, Rwanda, Kenya and the […]
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Mar 11 2013
U.S. Retailers See Tepid Growth.
U.S. retailers posted moderate sales for February, offering hope sales might continue to improve in the spring. In a survey of 13 retailers by Thomson Reuters, retailers including Costco, T.J. Maxx and Victoria’s Secret all reported February same-store sales gains that topped analysts’ expectations, while Gap reported a better-than-expected 3 percent gain. In all, retailers […]
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Mar 11 2013
Dallas Market Center opens PBJ Show Registration
Registration is open for the Dallas Market Center’s PBJ: Play.Baby.Juvenile show, a brand new juried event that is set to take place March 21-22. Focused on gifts and products for children 2 years old and younger, the show will feature new and established manufacturers specializing in carriers, food items, teethers, swaddle blankets and more. […]
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Mar 4 2013
Mindshapes Signs On as Jim Henson App Creator
The mobile company is set to develop several apps for its popular franchises, including the preschool series Sid the Science Kid and Pajanimals. The downloadable “appisodes,” available on iTunes, will include games, activities, stories, animated videos and music. The first app launching in April, “Sid the Science Kid’s Slide to the Side Appisode,” will coincide […]
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Mar 4 2013
Nintendo Teams Up With Jakks
The gaming system Nintendo of America is partnering with Jakks Pacific to create a line of costumes and toys featuring favorite characters from popular games, including Donkey Kong, Zelda and Mario. From toys, novelties, key chains, plush and games to accessories, Jakks Pacific plans on expanding the offering for Nintendo characters. “We are eager to […]
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Mar 4 2013
Target Expands in Canada
Target continues to expand its global reach. Last week the retail giant said it will open 24 Canadian stores in April and plans to have a total of 124 stores in Canada by the end of the year. On a smaller scale, Target will open 15 to 20 more doors in the United States, including […]
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Mar 4 2013
LIMA to Host Webinars
The international Licensing Industry Merchandiser’s Association has added a webinar series to help members better understand the licensing industry. The series begins on March 6 with a webinar about CPSC regulations and testing programs, followed with a discussion on how to build a licensing plan on March 20 and a webinar on April 3 to […]