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Apr 9 2012
HIT Entertainment Hits Hard Rock Resorts
Hit Entertainment and its popular children’s brands – Thomas & Friends, Barney, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina – are taking over kids’ clubs and interactive play areas at Hard Rock Resorts in such tropical locals as Punta Cana, Cancun and Riviera Maya. The kids’ clubs, called the Little Big Clubs, will offer themed […]
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Apr 9 2012
My Little Pony Bows Online Design Studio
Toy giant Hasbro has teamed up with FashionPlaytes, an online clothing design experience, to launch a My Little Pony design studio e-commerce experience for girls. In the only design studio, kids can create their own unique fashions and have them produced as real-life clothing and accessories. The My Little Pony design studio will offer a variety […]
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Apr 9 2012
HSN Buys Kids’ Clothing E-tailer Chasing Fireflies
Multi-channel retailer HSN Inc. has acquired e-commerce site Chasing Fireflies though its operating segment Cornerstone Brands. The purchase price was not disclosed but HSN said the Seattle-based company (which offers apparel, gifts and accessories for children and babies) had $39 million in revenue last year. Co-founders Dina Alhadeff, Amy Grealish and Lori Liddle will continue […]
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Apr 9 2012
Social Media May Reduce the Impact of Customer Complaints
A study released Tuesday by research firm CFI Group found that social media may ease the impact of negative word-of-mouth. According to its annual Call Center Satisfaction Index, social media commentary after a customer service rep experience can have a counterintuitive impact. “What we are seeing is that if you have a bad experience, you […]
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Apr 2 2012
Crayola Gets Artsy
Kids’ favorite crayon brand, Crayola, is teaming up with Surfacers, a producer and supplier of glass tile, to create a line of glass mosaics. The Crayola Glass Tile collection includes 60 SKUs, with colors that reflect Crayola’s far-reaching brand heritage, such as Fire Engine Red and Deep Sea Blue. “Our partnership with Surfaces allows us to […]
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Apr 2 2012
Alvin & Crew Hit Wal-Mart
To celebrate the release of the newest “Chipmunks” movie, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked,” Fox Consumer Products is launching an exclusive apparel deal with Wal-Mart. The collection will consist of a spring collection of boys’ and girls’ apparel from the following licensees: Bioworld, for boys’ T-shirts; Awake, for girls’ T-shirts; Isaac Morris for boys’ swimwear […]
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Apr 2 2012
Barbie, Hot Wheels Under Construction
Two children’s industry giants, Mega Brands and Mattel, have partnered up for a multi-year global licensing deal to create a line of construction toys based on the Barbie and Hot Wheels brands. The Mega Bloks Barbie line, made especially for little girls, will feature Barbie and her friends in a buildable world of fashion and […]
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Apr 2 2012
Moody’s upgrades outlook for US apparel industry
Moody’s Investors Service said on Thursday that children’s retailer Gymboree Corp. would benefit the most from plummeting cotton prices and steady demand. When cotton prices peaked last year, Gymboree’s profit margins took the hardest hit, but an ongoing decline coupled with a slow and steady economic recovery in the U.S. should benefit the company, with […]
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Apr 2 2012
Bentex renews and expands its Garment District lease
Children’s apparel outfit Bentex has renewed its lease for 17,000 square foot, as well as an additional 6,000 for 10 years at 34 W 33rd St. The asking rent was $39 per square foot. Bentex, which currently occupies the entire second floor of the building, will be expanding into the sixth floor in the coming […]
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Apr 2 2012
KidzBiz Insights Launch a New Juvenile Show
Event producer nGage Co. will host the KidzBiz Insights event at Las Vegas’ THEhotel at Mandalay Bay from July 15-17. The conference covers products in maternity, babies, toddler and older categories. Qualified retailers, who will receive a hosted package that includes airfare, ground transportation, accommodations, meals and access to the conference, will be required to […]
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Apr 2 2012
Easter Spending Expected to Increase
According to the National Retail Federation’s Easter spending survey, Americans will spend 11 percent more in 2012 on candy, apparel, food and decorations than last year. On average, consumers will spend $145.28. Total spending is expected to reach $16.8 billion. Nearly half will shop for spring sales on apparel and accessories. Even more, 89.3 percent, […]
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Apr 2 2012
BabyUnited Scores Tic Tac Toe Deal
Children’s legwear brand Tic Tac Toe signed a deal last week with BabyUnited-owner of BabyLegs, a division of United Legwear-that will allow Tic Tac Toe to leverage BabyUnited’s far-reaching sales and distribution capabilities. Tic Tac Toe is known for its collection of basic and fashion socks, booties, knee-highs, leggings and tights for infants, children and […]
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Apr 2 2012
K.I.D.S. supplies essentials to Florida families in need
The charity plans to distribute 4,000 pieces of Gerber Childrenswear today to approximately 250 families in Miami. K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc.) is giving out the items at Neat Stuff, an organization that aids in providing necessities to abused and abandoned children, hoping to inspire their self worth. The charity is implementing its national […]
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Mar 26 2012
PS Brands Launching Southpole Socks
Wholesale clothing company Wicked Fashions and PS Brands, a designer and manufacturer of private-label and branded socks and accessories, have teamed up to launch a line of Southpole-branded baby socks and infant crib shoes. The products will be available to U.S. and Canadian retailers beginning next month. “Southpole will be a great addition to the […]
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Mar 26 2012
Pedigree Expands Barbie and Pokémon Licenses
Publishing firm Pedigree Books has plans to extend its current licensing partnerships with two popular children’s brands by creating annuals for Barbie and Pokemon. The annuals – set to hit stores this August – will include stories, activities, quizzes and fun facts. “Both Barbie and Pokemon are huge brands, and we are delighted to continue […]
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Mar 26 2012
Mike the Knight Inks Deal for North America
HIT Entertainment has signed Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing as its first licensee in the U.S. and Canada for preschool property Mike the Knight. Aimed at kids aged 3 to 5, the CG-animated TV series launched on Nickelodeon in February and Nick Jr this month and has aired on Canadian network Treehouse since September. The […]
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Mar 26 2012
J Crew Expands Abroad and Triples its Earnings
Apparel brand J Crew opened its online doors to Australia and Asia on Thursday. Having previously said overseas expansion would be a distraction from its domestic operations, the move expands the company’s offering to 107 countries. Earlier in the week the retailer reported its net income had more than tripled to $15 million for the […]
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Mar 26 2012
NYIGF Names Falkenberg Show Director
The New York International Gift Fair has named Christian Falkenberg show director. He will oversee all aspects of the fair, including strategic development, brand positioning, sales, audience marketing, public relations and operations. Falkenberg has been the NYIGF shoe manager since 2008 and has held sales and management positions with the International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant […]
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Mar 26 2012
ASTRA Accepting Best Toy Nominations
The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association is accepting nominations for the 2012 Best Toys for Kids awards. ASTRA members can nominate play products and toys that were introduced during the past year in 10 categories divided by age and specific product segments. The deadline for nominations is March 30. Toys are judged on uniqueness, engagement, […]
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Mar 19 2012
Net-a-Porter Considers Childrenswear
According to British newspaper The Independent, kids are in the cards for online retailer Net-a-Porter. As big name brands like Versace, Gucci and Oscar de la Renta cash in on the childrenswear boom, the luxury e-tailer is reportedly following suit with plans to add kids’ clothing to its ecommerce empire. The proposed launch is part […]
The No. 1 Magazine for Childrenswear Professionals
The No. 1 Magazine for Childrenswear Professionals
