Kids’ Industry Steps Up for Haiti

The children’s industry sprang into action last week to answer the needs of Haitians dealing with the earthquake’s aftermath. Industry charity Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) of New York reported sending 20 containers of new apparel, shoes, blankets, diapers, underwear and other necessities to the port of Cap-Haïtien and is planning to send two shipments per day through the main Port-au-Prince airport. Products most in need are, underwear and blankets. Donations of these and other items will be needed in the months to come. Companies can donate products by calling (800) 266-3314 or via www.kidsdonations.org.

Numerous children’s retailers from coast to coast have been holding sales and events to gather products and funds to send to Haiti, while manufacturers are also joining in: Portland, Ore.-based Baby Star will donate 10 percent of its January sales to Mercy Corps. Oeuf of New York is donating 10 percent of all online sales through the end of February to Save the Children for the Haiti Earthquake Children in Emergency Fund. Petunia Pickle Bottom of Ventura, Calif., held a two-day outlet sale last week, offering 25 percent of the proceeds to the town of Jacmel, Haiti (15 miles from the earthquake epicenter), and orphans at the Hands & Feet Project. Skip Hop of New York is dedicating 5 percent of its website sales to purchase formula, diapers and other infant supplies for the earthquake victims and has donated more than $10,000 worth of baby formula to Partners in Health to assist in relief efforts. Appaman of New York has donated $5,000 in infant and toddler clothing, and Seattle’s Swaddle Designs has also donated $10,000 worth of products to the cause.

In this issue: The rules for stocking a successful gift section School uniform trends for fall Tips for selling into department stores Outerwear fashion keys in on details Coming In February: Succeeding in the tween boy category Defining the role of independent reps Examining what ‘Made in the USA’ means today Plus: Tween girls’ and boys’ fashion