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Aug 10 2012
CPSC Recalls My Clothes children’s pajamas
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with My Clothes Inc. of Montgomery, AL, has announced a voluntary recall of the children’s pajamas. The recall affects an estimated 1,100 units sold at children’s boutiques, specialty retailers and online retailers from August 2011 through December 2011. The pajamas fail to meet the federal flammability standards […]
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Aug 10 2012
JPMA Accepting Entries for Innovation Award
Companies exhibiting at the ABC Kids Expo show have until Wednesday, Aug. 15 to submit products for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association’s Innovation Awards. Products must be new entries and have been on the market for no more than one year. Finalists will be notified around Sept. 14. Judging will take place on Oct. 13 […]
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Aug 6 2012
Toys “R” Us to Combine More Stores with Babies “R” Us
One of the top destinations for children’s toys announced plans last week to merge more of its stores with Babies “R” Us to give customers a one-stop shopping destination. Eight new stores will be opened as well as the transformation of 13 current stores into the side-by-side model. At the end of this year, the […]
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Aug 6 2012
Ziggy Teaches Kids About Sun Protection
The lovable comic-strip character Ziggy and his friends have teamed up with the Foundation for Global Skin Health to help kids learn about summer skin care through an app. “Ziggy’s Best Birthday,” an interactive video children’s story, has an essential message about skin protection and the long-term health effects from sun damage. The app can […]
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Aug 6 2012
Kahn Lucas Takes Part in Harrods Toy Kingdom
Madame Alexander is one of a very select group of American brands to take part in Harrods’ new 26,000-square-foot Toy Kingdom. Both the Madame Alexander Doll Factory and the Newborn Nursery will be experiential shop-in-store shops in the high-end UK department store. “We want to engage consumers with all of their senses and allow girls […]
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Aug 6 2012
Jakks Pacific Purchases Maui Toys
Jakks Pacific announced last week that it had acquired Maui Toys. The Ohio-based toy manufacturer adds spring and summer activity toys, outdoor sports-related toys and impulse toys, which includes Sky Ball and Wave Hoop products, to Jakks’ portfolio. CEO and President of Jakks Pacific Stephen Berman expects to expand Maui Toys through their distribution channels […]
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Aug 6 2012
Burlington Coat Factory to Pay Fine
Burlington Coat Factory will pay $1.5 million to settle government allegations for the sale of children’s clothing with drawstrings. CPSC says the penalty resolves allegations that the retailer failed to report that it had sold children’s sweatshirts and jackets with drawstrings at the neck. It is the largest civil penalty CPSC has given for drawstring […]
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Aug 6 2012
JPMA Launches New Safety Campaign
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association launched a campaign created to make parents and caregivers aware of ways to prevent strangulation by baby monitor cords. The campaign includes a website, BabyMonitorSafety.org, that provides safety tips in English and Spanish and advises parents to keep devices 3 feet away from cribs and bassinets. Free warning labels can […]
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Aug 6 2012
NRF Urges Congress to Close the Sales Tax Loophole
The National Retail Federation (NRF) on Wednesday urged members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to support legislation that would simplify and streamline the sales tax system to allows states the authority to collect sales tax from remote and online retailers. NRF contends that leveling the sales tax playing field between online […]
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Aug 6 2012
July Was a Mixed Bag for Retailers
Same-store sales for July were mixed for U.S. retailers, with Target and Macy’s showing strength, while teen retailers like Wet Seal and Buckle had a soft start to the back-to-school season. Eighteen retailers tracked by Thomson Reuters reported a 4.6 percent rise in same-store sales when 3.1 percent was expected for July, compared with 4.8 […]
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Jul 30 2012
Dora Does Gymnastics
As the whole country is experiencing Olympic fever, Fisher-Price and Nickelodeon Consumer Products have teamed up to give aspiring gymnasts a practicing partner – the Fantastic Gymnastics Dora doll. The doll can “perform” two gymnastics routines and has seven various moves, including a split and a handstand. It also speaks 40 phrases in both English […]
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Jul 30 2012
Dreamworks Acquires Classic Media
Dreamworks Animation obtained Classic Media for $155 million last week. The company plans on leveraging the properties across television, consumer products, digital channels and movies. Such characters as Lassie, Casper the Friendly Ghost, George of the Jungle, The Lone Ranger and VeggieTales are all part of the Classic Media portfolio. Its library includes 450 titles […]
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Jul 30 2012
The Public Zoo Expands Licensing Partners
The Public Zoo, a brand that combines whimsical character art with premium apparel and accessories, has announced four new licensing partners: SkyHigh for stationery and back-to-school paper products; Age Group for sleepwear, loungewear, swimwear and underwear; Evy of California for girls’ and boys’ sportswear; and Fast Forward for handbags and backpacks. A Target store exclusive […]
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Jul 30 2012
More Consumers Budgeting for Back-to-School Shopping
A survey released Wednesday by Chase Slate with Blueprint revealed that more back-to-school shoppers are managing their spending and borrowing by creating a budget and sticking to it. Thirty-eight percent report that they have a set budget for school-related expenses and 32 percent anticipate their spending on same will reflect pre-recession prices.
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Jul 30 2012
Build-A-Bear Narrows Loss in Q2
Build-A-Bear Workshop reported Thursday a loss of $8.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, compared with a $10.7 million loss in the year-ago period. Retail sales dipped 1.8 percent, while same-store sales declined 1.7 percent. Earlier in the week the company announced plans to introduce a new store design in six new stores starting […]
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Jul 23 2012
Ninja Turtles Take Over Toys “R” Us
In anticipation of the September “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” premiere on Nickelodeon, Toys “R” Us is dedicating a “sewer lair” space for products inspired by the four crime fighters. “Creating the atmosphere of the Ninja Turtle’s sewer lair in their stories makes it look like the Turtles are leaping out of our TV series and […]
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Jul 23 2012
Burt’s Bees Adds Baby Line
Burt’s Bees has embarked on a licensing venture with Ayablu, Inc., to release its new line Burt’s Bees Baby. The line will feature natural, organic products for both mom and baby. Products include apparel, bath linens, gift sets, and accessories and plans to expand across the baby, home and lifestyle categories to include gear, play-time, […]
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Jul 23 2012
Crocs to Offer Children’s Apparel
As the beloved footwear brand celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, with $1 billion in annual sales, Crocs is set to premiere its children’s apparel line, available in infant, toddler and kids’ sizes. Crocs, Inc. has partnered globally with The Group for their children’s apparel license. The line features moderately priced quality products with functional […]
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Jul 23 2012
Children’s Beach Chairs Recalled
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with Downeast Concepts Inc. doing business as Backyard and Beyond of Yarmouth, ME, has announced a voluntary recall of the company’s folding beach chairs. The recall affects an estimated 15,400 chairs sold at Home Goods and other stores from June 2011 through June 2012. The recalled chairs […]
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Jul 23 2012
Independent Retailers Form Organization
A new organization for specialty retailers recently met for the first time in Chicago to set goals and objectives. The Specialty Retail Board, made up of children’s retailers from across the country, will focus on marketing, programs, education and resources poised to help specialty independents succeed in the marketplace. The organization is backed by ABC […]
The No. 1 Magazine for Childrenswear Professionals
The No. 1 Magazine for Childrenswear Professionals
