Buyback Programs Help After the Holidays

“It’s been a tough couple of years for specialty retail. I appreciate any effort to help us keep margins in line.”

-Karry Blodgette, Spoiled Silly, Inc., Depoe Bay, OR

“I have a compelling story to share with your readers,” Jonathan Domsky, president of Kidorable, tells HCRSourcebook. “With the economy still biting, we are using our creativity to help our customers be as successful with our company as possible.”

The Niles, IL-based company Jonathan and Liping Domsky started in 1997 to create children’s apparel and accessories that are both functional and fun has evolved into a flourishing global enterprise with sales they project to exceed $15 million by 2015.

“After the holidays, retailers inevitably run out of some items they need to reorder, and have other inventory they wish they could send back,” Jonathan says. “Most retailers are forced to put half their merchandise on sale, devastating their margins, and can’t order new spring product until they’ve cleared out the old stuff.”

How does Kidorable help? With the January Buyback Program. “We encourage our retailers to rebalance their inventory by sending back any unwanted Kidorable merchandise for a full credit,” Jonathan explains. “Kidorable even pays for the return shipping. All we ask for is a Buy Back order at least double the size of the return.”

Jonathan’s clients appreciate his company’s efforts, too. “Many of my vendors have made it more difficult than ever to order,” says Karry Blodgette of Spoiled Silly, Inc., “but not Kidorable. It’s not one thing with them … it’s the whole package … they are really a pleasure to do business with.”

To find out more, email Jon directly at jon@kidorable.com and visit Kidorable.com.

-Janet Muniz

Reading is Fun-To-HUDSON’S

We think “Reading is Fundamental,” and it’s also Fun-To-HUDSON’S!

With a holiday season full of early morning door buster sales, the true meaning of Christmas can get lost in the flurry of activity. A visit from one of Santa’s plush Elf Magic™ Elves is a great way to bring wonder, magic and meaning back into Christmas. Elf Magic Elves, sent by Santa to visit children during the Christmas season for over 50 years, truly become a child’s best friend and a part of the family in a way that is simply magic! The brand-new Elf Magic, The Story of a Timeless Christmas Tradition is a 51-page book that’s easy to read and features gorgeous watercolor illustrations. The story transports readers to the North Pole, where Santa gathers his Elves for the annual reading of his story about a timeless Christmas tradition. Readers also learn important details about the Elves through the enchanting story, including what they like to eat and the significance of the embroidered snowflake on each Elf’s chest.

In her first-ever children’s book, celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich welcomes you into her home and kitchen during this holiday season. In Nonna Tell Me A Story: Lidia’s Christmas Kitchen published By Running Press Kids, Lidia shares one of her fondest childhood memories-decorating her very own edible Christmas tree. With a mix of storytelling, cooking instruction, and imaginative animation, this Christmas book showcases special family moments created around memorable food. Featuring 16 delicious easy-to-cook recipes, this book is sure to bring your family together in the kitchen. Yum!

Bestselling novelist Andrew Klavan has written the scariest Homelanders book yet, number three in the four-part series of his young adult thrillers slated for feature films by Summit Entertainment. The Truth of Matter is published by Thomas Nelson and joins The Last Thing I Remember and The Long Way Home which chronicle the story of Charlie West. For this holiday season Andrew and Thomas Nelson offered 2010 Christmas/Hanukah/Holiday Giveaways to the children of U.S. Armed Forces through media outlets or organizations who serve the families of active-duty, wounded, fallen or retired servicemen and servicewomen. TheHomelanders.com.

Writer and illustrator Debby Carman is donating copies of her hardcover dog and cat picture book series to the national organization, Reach out and Read and make their way into the hands of doctors, nurse practitioners and other medical professionals and become a part of wellness check-up programs, starting in California. Titles in clue I’m Gronk and I’m Green, Cha Cha the Dancing Dog, I’m Maximum Cat, That’s a Fact, Chewdalootie Doing My Duty and Purrlonia’s Lullaby.

Why not create a series of books that allows a parent or another special someone – even a beloved child – to record their own voice reading the story? Author Cristine Hoskin’s Recordable Storybooks series does just that with the début title, I Am Loved. Super simple recording process. The book contains simple word structures and short sentences. Cristine also authors the Comfort Me Bear Mission.

-Janet Muniz

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blindmice socks

Débuting just over a year ago, blindmice socks are available in top boutiques nationwide, Japan, Canada, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands.

blindmice knit goods expands the collection of crew and lo-cut styles to run from newborn up to age six. With 39 color and pattern combinations, young kids, infants and toddlers can to express themselves with socks that coordinate, but do not exactly match. Sold in sets of three and five – a pair and a spare, so to speak – the battle with the dryer, dog or sock monster is won!

New quirky combinations are joined by the “not-so-basic” basics, a color block sock that comes in four color combinations.

HCRSourceBook just found out that blindmice is the only company that creates children’s socks that mimic the best-fitting technical running sock for adults. A cushioned soft sole, hand-linked toe seams, articulated heels and a soft top that does not impede circulation help to keep the socks on kids’ feet. They won’t leave red marks on little ankles or toes, either.

Stylish Hollywood moms like Kourtney Kardashian, Jessica Alba and Amy Adams love blindmice socks, and what’s not to like?

-Janet Muniz

Wett Giggles

What’s the definition of soapy fun? Wett Giggles.

Encouraging good hygiene at a young age begins with a fun strategy. “Incorporating toys, suds and laughs is a sure-fire way to teach hand-washing and good hygiene,” Karen St. Clair tells HCRSourceBook. “Young children often enjoy playing in water and washing their hands.” Karen developed her playful approach to teaching soap strategy through her company, Wett Giggles, a brand of handmade, natural glycerin soaps. Nine different 3D-shaped soaps are shaped like children’s favorite animals – ducks, puppies and frogs. Featuring Shakespearean-themed names, Karen designs her soaps in the brightest colors and the fruitiest scents, like watermelon, blackberry and coconut. Yum!

Wett Giggles soaps come with nail brushes so that kids can have fun washing their hands and get them squeaky clean. Very cute!

-Janet Muniz

Like reading HCRSourceBook? Sign up for an email subscription! Just enter your email address in the email window in the right column and you’re set – don’t forget to confirm your subscription when you see the confirmation message in your mailbox!

Silly Souls

Still looking for that irreverent retail stocking stuffer?

The concept known as Silly Souls is the silly brainchild Shelley Foster. Originally branded as babygags, Shelley’s “baby” is now supported by a network of sales representatives in U.S. and Canada and international distribution partners in Europe and Asia, serving over 1,000 boutique customers and key online retail partners. In 2009 the company launched its own online retail store which ships to customers all over the world.

For this holiday, Silly Souls and publisher Condé Nast partner on The New Yorker Baby Collection, which features cartoons from The New Yorker magazine. The line includes baby bodysuits, beanies, bibs, booties, melamine dish sets and t-shirts. Each product features a delightful baby- or kid-themed cartoon brought to life in kid-friendly colors. Dishes are BPA free, FDA and CPSIA tested/pass. Each set comes in a window gift box that can sit on a shelf or hang on the wall. Packaging includes care instructions in English and French. Sign up to order online here. Or email info@sillysouls.com / fax 415.615.0073 / call 415-615-0073 the order form here. Be a silly Santa; order today!

Silly Souls is the original irreverent funny line of apparel and accessories for babies. The company evolved to a more whimsical silly style and rebranded as Silly Souls after launching a baby shoe line. Silly Souls’ goal remains to inspire laughter and the sunny funny side of parenthood, and the silly personalities of each precious child.

The Silly Souls product line continues to grow and now includes products for kids 0-6 years old including bodysuits, t-shirts, hats, bibs, bottles, dish sets, birth announcements, the silliest socks, the coolest baby shoes and the best big brother and sister “sibling rivalry” gifts.

-Janet Muniz

Ninachka Couture

The Ninachka Couture collections create worlds where a child’s fantasy reigns supreme.

The name means “little Nina,” her grandparents’ term of endearment for Nina Hovnanian, American Armenian designer, children’s book author, home decor innovator and all-round Renaissance woman. Ninachka Couture by Nina Hovnanian and Ninachka Princess are two wondrous collections for children from ages 0-7 that include handmade twirly tulle dresses and hand painted bejeweled silk organza circle skirts that sit atop tulle ruffled layers of silk chiffon. Each delicately finished piece of the Princess collection is inspired by every little girl’s fairy tale fantasies. It also includes Swarovski encrusted tops and hand-stitched items. Every made-to-order heirloom piece comes with a handmade tiara and arrives in a limited edition zippered satin lined storage case to pass on to future generations. From party dresses and formal wear, sun dresses, separates and swimwear, Ninachka Couture is always all about comfort – and fun.

“I’ve tried to capture all the magic of childhood fantasies and the classic delights of summer and print them onto cool cottons to create super fun collections that literally inspire kids’ dreams to come alive,” Nina tells HCRSourceBook. The European-inspired brand made its North American début at Playtime New York just this summer with bold colors, adorable animal prints and intricate details that enchant buyers all over the world. Also available are clothing for boys, books, toys, gifts and décor items.

Nina’s story is an inspired one. This New Jersey girl moved to Armenia in 2001 to start the Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA) to help lift the country’s devastated post-earthquake, post-war economy. In 2005, she created Treasures of Armenia, a specialty shop of artisanal treasures created by Armenia’s master craftsmen. She also formed the Nina Hovnanian Couture brand, creating hundreds of new jobs and breathing new life into Armenian artisanal traditions by marrying time-revered skills and ancient Armenian design elements with state-of-the-art technologies and materials to create designs with a fresh 21^st century appeal. All of Nina’s creations are saturated with her timeless, yet contemporary international flair.

Nina herself has twin daughters, Gayane and Katya, who remind her of how fast children outgrow their clothes, so she designs classic, yet delightful “heirloom” creations that can be passed down from generation to generation.

-Janet Muniz

Got a boo-boo? Here’s a blankie!

Determined to soothe her baby son’s pain following a minor operation, mom Krissy McCoy added a pocket to his favorite security blanket to hold – and hide – an ice pack. As soon as she saw her baby happy and healing, Krissy wanted to use her ingenious Boo-Boo Blankies® design to help other parents in the same situation. These Made in the USA fleece blankets are personalized with monograms and appliqués, and equipped with a reusable hot/cold pack.

“Krissy McCoy is building a very special business by creating a product that helps ease the suffering of children and their families,” says MaryLenore Arsenault of BopStar-PR Inc., a company known for BopStar Baby celebrity baby baskets. “With loving care as its foundation, a Boo-Boo Blankie® is truly ‘the blanket that makes it all better.'”

Krissy has added matching burp cloths, doll-sized blankies, bracelets and keychains to her product line, all handmade to order at the small Alabama home-based business. Her products have been featured on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly among others. And that’s not all.

Krissy launched a charitable division of her company the very say day she opened for business. Her Close to My Heart Charity Projects donates $1.00 from every blankie sold to a Child of the Month, selected from Boo-Boo Blankies® customer nominations. “My heart goes out to those families who spend more time at the hospital than at home,” Krissy tells HCRSourceBook. “I am amazed at the bravery these young children possess and admire their strength. I see this blanket business as a way for me to be able to help other families with children suffering from serious illness or rare disorders.”

Boo-Boo Blankies™ is also a corporate sponsor for AMCSI, an organization that supports families suffering with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), a rare neuromuscular disorder.

-Janet Muniz

Urban Sunday

Preview Alert! Special Occasion Wear is in store for HUDSON’S December issue!

Neckties are an essential piece of formal attire, as well as a statement-making casual accessory! Urban Sunday, a fresh face in the world of children’s clothing and accessories, launched a new line of these dashing accessories at the ENK Children’s Club earlier this month.

Made in the USA of 100% cotton with certain styles in organic fabrics, the stylish neck- and bowties attach with a soft Velcro neck strap, to wear loose or snug. From ginghams to skulls to houndstooth and more, neckties come in five sizes and bow ties in two, fitting ages infant to 12 years. The double-pointed bow tie adds a hipster flair, while the traditional bow tie completes a preppy look the right way.

HCRSourceBook also likes this accessory for girls: a simple blouse and skirt become haute couture by adding a classy solid or sassy patterned necktie!

A California native who earned her stripes as a patternmaker in the New York fashion district before returning to the west coast created the design vision behind Urban Sunday.

-Janet Muniz

Babies & Bundles

Babies & Bundles is a newly launched e-store featuring gift-ready, handpicked bundles of must-have baby products. Each gender-neutral bundle is based on a special theme, including new baby, organic, bath time, food, and toys, and is carefully edited to feature only useful, quality and baby-approved items ranging from cuddly blankets to bottle brushes.

Courtney Johnson

“I was frustrated and overwhelmed searching for the right products for my daughter,” Los Angeles mom and creator Courtney Johnson tells HCRSourceBook. “I was working full-time during the day, and then spending several hours each night doing research. It was so overwhelming.”

Wanting to provide parents with the best of the best in baby products and take out the guesswork, Courtney handpicks each bundle item, featuring kid-tested, mom-approved products such as Munchkin bath toys, Baby Silk skincare products, BornFree sippy cups, Oballs and more. Items are beautifully bundled together for a gift-ready presentation.

Perfect for baby showers, holidays, group gifts and more, Babies & Bundles is able to customize bundles as well. Customers may request gender-specific items in their bundles or order unique bundles based on budget and special theme. Hand-delivery in the Los Angeles, CA area is also available for last-minute showers and corporate gift-giving.

-Janet Muniz

Dollie & Me

After a successful soft launch in 2009, Dollie & Me hits close to 2,500 department stores nationwide this fall and holiday season, expanding the product line by 200% and laying the groundwork for a projected 400% increase in sales this year.

The new lifestyle brand featuring girls’ fashions matched with dolls offers parents a more financially practical and stylish alternative to over-priced dolls and young girls apparel. Named a 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner, the 18-inch dolls and the matching fashion and accessories for the girl and her doll are designed by longtime girls clothing designers at Kahn Lucas.

“What Dollie & Me is doing is invaluable,” NYU Child Study Center‘s clinical director Susan Schwartz, M.A., Ed. tells HCRSourceBook. “Providing girls with a way to express their individuality is both validating and liberating and those are key components to developing a healthy and confident sense of self.”

The Apparel. The fall & holiday 2010 collection includes dresses, sportswear, sleepwear, outerwear, dress-up costumes, handbags, hair accessories and jewelry in girls sizes 2T-14X – and for the dollies.

The Dolls. Partner Alexander Doll Company, Inc., designer and manufacturer of Madame Alexander dolls, produces the 18-inch dolls of exceptional quality, style and value. Dollie & Me’s Rachel, Ava and Gabriella have many realistic features, including sleep eyes, jointed bodies with soft torsos and high-quality hair for styling.

Now Available. Dillard’s has committed to over 170 store-within-a-store concepts. Find Dollie & Me in over 1,200 Kohl’s and 1,000 Sears stores as well as Sears Canada. Sears is also hosting over 100 in-store children’s charity events with Dollie & Me and K.I.D.S. on December 4. Also available on Amazon.com.

-Janet Muniz