Minnesota Retailers

Pacifier (*)
Minneapolis, MN

This modern boutique, which offers complimentary gift boxes and stroller assembly, can vouch that scheduled deliveries are still a continuous downfall in the retail industry. “We’ve had a few problems with partial shipments and companies not being able to produce items accurately,” said sales manager Kristin Madsen. Tea Collection is one company that has made sure its products arrive in a timely fashion, she noted. “Our relationship with them has been working out well as far as delivery. We place orders once every other week.” Madsen also tries to order from local vendors who can provide quick turnaround times and more easily solve any problems that should arise.

Bananas for Kids (~)
Wayzata, MN

Drenched in Caribbean colors, this 1,600-square-foot store has experienced ups and downs with scheduled deliveries. “Manufacturers sometimes send partial
orders and separate shipments,” owner Sheila Vaccaro said, noting she prefers to wait until the end of a season before placing new orders so there’s room for new merchandise. “Some companies will ship items in advance with the hopes that we’ll keep them.” Once product does arrive, she said, parcels with hangers and extra stuffing make unpacking a dreaded chore.

Oh Baby! (#)
Edina, MN

Dubbed “fantastical” by owner Mary Lauer, this charming boutique strives for a mix of whimsy and magic. But Lauer is less enchanted by the time frame in which some of her product arrives. “European lines with a 90- to 120-day [delivery] window make them almost impossible to work with,” she noted. ”I have to pick and choose certain items that I think will arrive when scheduled.” Vendors that ship products well past the expected delivery date or that send partial shipments are also an issue, as these either leave Lauer with little time to make space for new merchandise or scrambling to fill in sparse categories.

Infants/Toddlers

* Tea Collection: Daily Tea pink, orange or cosmos-print cotton knit rompers
~ Deux Par Deux: knit tanks with twisted straps and denim shorts sets
~ Angel Dear: pastel chenille hooded jackets in pink, blue and tan
~ Kicky Pants: bamboo one-pieces in polka dot, leaf and mod prints
~ Kissy Kissy: Pima cotton knit bloomer sets
~ Mish Mish: navy, black or gray cotton knit, elastic-waist shorts
# Catimini: white embroidered circle sundresses with pops of aqua and red
# Eliane et Lena: ruffled cardigans and bubble dresses in white and light pink; tan linen shorts and white linen cotton shirts and vests
# Morfs: tees with hand appliqués of Sesame Street characters
# EyeSpy: unisex orange diamond or chocolate printed board shorts; bubbles in orange geometric prints with lilac accents

Girls 4 to 6X

* Tea Collection: Pima cotton printed tank and shorts sets; Daily Tea cropped gypsy pants in solid colors and striped dresses
~ Isabella & Chloe: pink party dresses with layered tulle skirts
~ Mimi & Maggie: multicolored handkerchief dresses
# Halabaloo: tank sundresses with ruffled skirts in nautical navy and white
# Eliane et Lena: black gauze tunics with white ruffle-trim leggings and cardigans

Boys 4 to 7

* Alpha Industries: olive cargo shorts
* Tea Collection: jersey knit graphic tees
~ Charlie Rocket: “Windmill Farm” tees
~ Wes and Willy: tie-dyed “Mr. Nice Guy” T-shirts
# Fore Axel & Hudson: golf-inspired bamboo polos and narrow plaid shorts in orange, brown and green
# Morfs: navy shirts with Elmo appliqués
# Eliane et Lena: relaxed linen shorts and shirt sets in a mixture of tan, white, gray and black

Girls 7 to 14

~ Truly Me: causal dresses in solid colors
~ JK Tees: tie-dye tunics with a peace motif
~ Pinc Premium: navy and gray running shorts
# Tru Luv: sublimated tiered tunic dresses
# True Religion: denim skirts with embroidered rainbow pockets

Boys 8 to 20

# Joe’s Jeans: medium-wash narrow-fit jeans with accented back pocket
# Fore Axel & Hudson: argyle or plaid printed shorts and allover print button-ups and driving caps

Accessories/Footwear

* Robeez: soft-sole shoes in chocolate brown, tan or cream with animal prints
* BabyLegs: arm and legwarmers in a pink polka dot or soccer print
* Urban Baby Bonnets: bonnets in snow angel and spring prints
* Ergo Baby: organic baby carriers
~ Vulli: Sophie Giraffe retro teethers
~ Violet Love: stretchy headbands with an American flag theme
~ Bobux: navy and brown soft leather sandals with ankle elastic
~ Wee Squeak: green camo tennis shoes
# Lelli Kelli: pink sequined Mary Janes
# See Kai Run: brown fisherman sandals
# Pediped: silver or gold gladiator sandals

Gifts

* Green Toys: toy recycling trucks
* Little Giraffe: chenille dot blankets in pink, blue or green
~ Kushies: waterproof bibs with sleeves featuring geometric shapes
~ Ribbitt-Ribbitt: handpainted wooden frames with personalized sayings and christening themes
~ Blue Orange: Yamslam board games
# Angel Dear: animal-themed cashmere blankets
# Petunia Pickle Bottom: boxy backpack diaper bags
# Aden + Anais: cotton muslin blankets in white with pink stars or white with multicolored shapes or letters

—Kionna Lipscomb