-
Nov 5 2012
Random House and Penguin Combine
Last week it was announced that the book publishers Penguin and Random House would join together to become the largest book publisher in the world. The new project will be titled Penguin Random House. It will exclude Random House’s trade publishing in Germany and will allow Penguin to use its brand name in education markets […]
-
Nov 5 2012
JCPenney Adds Percent-off Sales
JC Penney is tweaking its low pricing strategy by bringing back percent-off sales. Last week the retailer announced on jcp.com, as well as in text messages sent to customers, that clearance merchandise was available through Nov. 3. In February, the retailer made news by of moving away from discounting and focusing on a “fair and […]
-
Nov 5 2012
Dallas Market Center Launches Juried Event
In conjunction with the Dallas KidsWorld Market, the Dallas Market Center will add a juried trade event for baby gifts and gadgets in March. The new section, called Play. Baby.Juvenile, or PBJ, is the latest addition to the 200,000 square-foot kids market and will feature new and established manufacturers. The center’s visual merchandising team is […]
-
Nov 5 2012
Target Turns to Online Price Matching to Fight Showrooming
They say the best defense is a strong offence: Target is applying the age-old adage and fighting showrooming with new price-match guarantees that apply to stores, as well as websites. For the first time ever, Target will honor the online prices of Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Toys “R” Us. Running through Dec. 16, the […]
-
Nov 5 2012
Retail Sales Healthy, Pre-Sandy
The national retailers who post monthly sales results enjoyed better-than-expected growth in October, but those numbers don’t reflect any impact from Hurricane Sandy, which battered the East Coast last week, shuttering hundreds of stores and destroying thousands of homes. The 21 retailers tracked by the International Council of Shopping Centers had average sales growth of […]
-
Nov 5 2012
K.I.D.S. Needs Donations Urgently
Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. is asking for help in product and cash donations to provide disaster relief following Hurricane Sandy. Families along the East Coast have suffered floods, fires, storm surges, power outages and blizzards as a result of the massive storm, and many families have been left with nothing. As a result, children and […]
-
Oct 29 2012
Huggies Partners with Baby Genius
Baby Genius and Huggies are teaming up to offer rewards to customers. Parents who join the Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards program will gain points when they purchase Huggies diapers, which can be exchanged for Baby Genius sippy cups, toys, CDs and DVDs. “We are thrilled to be working on a national rewards program, which […]
-
Oct 29 2012
Macy’s Launches New Brands
The department store is developing new brands that target customers ages 13 to 30 as a part of its Millennial strategy to keep and gain consumers in that age range. The initiative contains two new departments at Macy’s: mstylelab for 13- to 22-year-olds and Impulse for 19- to 30-year-olds. “We have identified Millennials as a […]
-
Oct 29 2012
Character Options Developing Star Wars Angry Birds Plush Line
Character Options announced last week that it’s producing a line of 8- and 12-inch plush characters from the new Angry Birds Star Wars game to be launched in November. The collection will also be available in November and will feature such characters as Luke Skywalker, Death Vader, Princess Leia, Han Solo and the Stormtrooper. “Our […]
-
Oct 29 2012
The Land of Nod Plans To Pop-up in NYC
Catalog and e-tailer, The Land of Nod will open its first brick-and-mortar shop in New York City on Nov. 1. The 3,200-square-foot holiday pop-up shop will feature an enchanted forest theme and offer an assortment of products until Dec. 31. Store windows will be decorated with handmade, oversized dolls, a Christmas tree and forest creatures […]
-
Oct 29 2012
Dorel Juvenile Group recalls Eddie Bauer Rocking Wood Bassinets
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with Dorel Juvenile Group of Columbus, IN, has issued a voluntary recall of about 97,000 Eddie Bauer Rocking Wood Bassinets. The bottom locking mechanism can fail to lock properly if a spring is not installed, allowing the bassinet to tip to one side posing a suffocation hazard […]
-
Oct 29 2012
JPMA Introduces Infant Sling Carrier Certification Program
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has introduced a certificate program for infant sling carriers following a recently published voluntary standard by the ASTM. Some of the safety checks include: paint or surface coating must comply with standard; permanent warning labels; exposed woods must be smooth and free from splinters; and no hazardous edges or sharp […]
-
Oct 19 2012
TV Mania and Warner Bros. Form “Super” Partnership
Warner Bros. Consumer Products and TV Mania are partnering up to develop a clothing line featuring everyone’s favorite superhero—Superman. The line will be available for all ages at numerous retail levels, from high-market to mass market. The first collection, to be released spring/summer 2013, will focus on the Man of Steel movie that is set […]
-
Oct 19 2012
Disney and Mattel Premiere New Cars
New special edition Silver Series merchandise, developed by Mattel and Disney, based on the Cars films are set to hit shelves in Spring 2013. A Silver Series magazine will profile the novel range of characters. Mattel will be producing die-cast models created with double Ransburg Zamak paint. Disney plans on creating a Planes set after […]
-
Oct 19 2012
Fraggle Rock Makes A Comeback
As television series Fraggle Rock turns 30 this year, the Jim Henson Company is bringing back the show’s beloved Doozer characters in a new cartoon series. Consumer product licensing rights have been appointed to Turner CN Enterprises for Europe, Middle East and Africa markets. Turner CN Enterprises plans on producing merchandise, published works and products […]
-
Oct 19 2012
Children’s Apparel Recalls 6,200 Hoodie and T-shirt Sets Sold at Target
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with Children’s Apparel Network Ltd. has issued a voluntary recall of an estimated 6,200 fleece hoodie and T-shirt sets, sold exclusively at Target from October 2011 through December 2011, due to excessive levels of lead on the safety zippers. The recalled product is a two-piece coordinated set […]
-
Oct 19 2012
Toys “R” Us Extends Holiday Layaway
Toys “R” Us announced that it’s extending its free layaway program through December 16 due to positive consumer response. The free offer was originally slated to end on October 31. The chain was the first retailer to offer free layaway starting in September. Other companies have since followed its lead, including Walmart and Kmart.
-
Oct 19 2012
Donita Announces Immediate-Buy Service
Donita Fashion USA announced that the dress brand will offer an immediate-buy service. The company says its ability to stock above pre-orders, it’s year-round cutting schedule and new distribution center in Southern California will make the new business model possible. In a press release Vice President of Sales & Marketing Michael Berens stated: “The model […]
-
Oct 19 2012
Holiday Spending Expected to Increase
A new survey from the National Retailer Federation and BIGinsight reports U.S. consumers expect to spend about 1.2 percent more on the holidays this year. The average holiday shopper will spend $749.51 on gifts and décor. A little more than half of the people surveyed said the U.S. economy will affect their holiday budgets, down […]
-
Oct 15 2012
Mind Candy’s Poppet Stands Out From the Group
Poppet, the most popular Moshi Monsters character with girls, is now an individual brand. Mind Candy, makers of Moshi Monsters, teamed up with boutique stores Claire’s and Accessorize to develop products for girls ages 6 to 10 featuring the fashionista Moshi Monster, which will launch on November 18 and 19. Items include pens, notebooks, pencil […]