Announcements

milkmakers Introduces Moms-On-The-Go


Individually wrapped for on-the-go convenience, moms everywhere will love these cookies! Launching with a fun promotion, too.

milkmakers, a Seattle WA-based company that makes unique snacks to help nursing moms make more breast milk, introduces individually wrapped cookies for grab-and-go ease. Moms-On-The-Go are a simple innovation that can make a world of difference to a busy mom.

Busy moms need quick and easy ways to support their breastfeeding goals. Keep these cookies in the diaper bag, or even with the pump for a pick-me-up while pumping. They are easy to carry, good to eat, and increase milk supply.

Moms-On-The-Go are available in the same oatmeal chocolate chip and dairy-free oatmeal raisin varieties as the original 10-cookie packages, for which milkmakers is known –full of the key ingredients to boost breast milk supply and provide nutritional power.

What a great idea! I had taken an entire milkmakers pouch and put it our break room freezer at work. But then they disappeared! These would be perfect for work, and to grab quickly on my way out the door since I’m never on time.

– Lori M., via milkmakers on Facebook

Moms-On-The-Go is the idea of Emily Kane, founding owner of milkmakers and mother of three young children. She created the original milkmakers cookies when she was looking for a way to increase her own breast milk supply. She began experimenting with different lactation cookie recipes, then came up with her own combination of oats, brewer’s yeast and flax seed made into a tasty cookie that helped with her milk production, making it easier to pump at work during the day and breastfeed when she got home.

The two varieties of milkmakers -oatmeal chocolate chip and dairy-free oatmeal raisin- are made with all-natural organic ingredients. The company suggests that moms eat one to two cookies per day to reap the full milk-making benefits. All varieties of milkmakers cookies are available at www.milkmakers.com.

This would be a perfect midnight snack. I’m having a hard time feeding myself and this would make a super snack while my little one is also ‘snacking’.

– Amy P., via milkmakers on Facebook

Cookie On Us Promotion. milkmakers is launching the new Moms-On-The-Go with a fun promotion. Visit shop.milkmakers.com/cookie-on-us to request two free Moms-On-The-Go milkmakers cookies -and discover just how delicious, nutritious, and effective milkmakers cookies really are, with no obligation. Also available on the company’s website are links to additional resources for breastfeeding moms, as well as suggestions for finding a lactation consultant and dietitian.

  • Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Getting Jeggings with it – Tractor Jeans


Jean company Tractor keeps it trendy with tried and true fashion sense.

As one of the most well-known juniors and girls fashion jeans brand today, can you believe Tractor is celebrating its 15th anniversary?

It’s true – with Diane Kuczer’s design background, and Howard Mensch’s expertise in sales, marketing and retail, the two have built a popular brand with both shoppers and retailers by understanding what they want and providing it with the best service possible.

Kids and parents rely on Tractor’s fashion sense: always on-trend, always giving tweens a perfect fit.

Tween Dream. Girls ages four to 14 totally screamed for Tractor Jeans in specialty stores and boutiques throughout the country, loving the unique well-fitted styles, and before long -Tractor became sought after in department stores such as Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Von Maur and Neiman Marcus.

Modern style,  Classic design. Poised to please the ever-so-fickle tween market, Tractor created Jeggings –fashionable jean styles that feature the easy, comfortable fit of leggings. Made from cotton and spandex in 25 colors, Jeggings keep the same fit wear after wear and are machine washable.

This past spring, Tractor introduced a Young Contemporary womens line under the new brand called  Tractr.

Happy Anniversary, Tractor!

  • Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund


Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) creates the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund to help those affected by the Superstorm.

K.I.D.S. –the non-profit organization that brings new products to children and teens impacted by natural disaster and more- has mobilized its resources to establish a Hurricane Relief Fund in response to the need for new products for children and families affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Since 1985, K.I.D.S has provided almost one billion dollars to help nearly 70 million children impacted by poverty and tragedy as an outcome of homelessness, military deployment of a parent, domestic abuse, major illness or natural disaster. And for those who are passionate about children’s fashion, it’s the organization of choice to facilitate truly awesome assistance to those in need.

To make a new product donation to the K.I.D.S. Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund, please visit KidsDonations.org. Agencies in affected communities are in dire need of new apparel, blankets, shoes, toys, baby products and books.

K.I.D.S. is committed to working with local partners to support these families over the next few months. Because of the organization’s 10 to 1 system of matching $10 worth of product for every $1 donated, your $10 donation will provide $100 worth of brand new merchandise to those in need.

In New York City, the Boroughs and Long Island, K.I.D.S. is partnering with multiple agencies to set up two major distribution sites in Queens. The bridges in New York are now open to truck donated merchandise to these locations. These sites will serve families who have lost their houses to fire, floods and storm surge.

In New Jersey, K.I.D.S. is working with partners all along the Jersey coast to collect and distribute relief supplies to families who have suddenly lost everything.

West Virginia has already seen feet of snow, and K.I.D.S. is dispensing goods and supplies that collected from the organization’s corporate donors.

In addition to making new product donations, cash donations can also be made by visiting KidsDonations.org. Cash donations are needed to assist with the transportation and distribution efforts to move the product to local partner agencies serving those affected by the Superstorm. Your gift of $50, $100 -or any amount- will help us provide essentials to families impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Once their most urgent needs have been met, there will be a long road ahead as families clean up the damage from the storm and begin rebuilding their lives.

You can easily make a donation by texting GIVE 8000 to 80088 to donate $10 to K.I.D.S. on your mobile phone bill. To make a larger donation, please contact Cristina Morais at 212-279-5493 ext. 204.

K.I.D.S. wants to thank American Girl, Carter’s Oshkosh, Delta Children’s Products, Graco, Kahn Lucas, Million Dollar Baby, Operation Compassion and UGG Australia for being so generous with their product donations to support the K.I.D.S. Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund.

  • Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Boo!


 

  • Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Design a YooHoo & Friends Contest


For the first time ever, fans of the best selling plush toy line YooHoo & Friends have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to help manufacturer Aurora World design the next YooHoo.

The online contest, hosted on the official YooHoo & Friends Facebook page, asks contestants to download a predesigned template of line art. Then, either by hand drawing or using a computer program such as Photoshop, contestants can design their entries for consideration in an all-new YooHoo dinosaur line to hit stores in April 2013.

Aurora’s judges will review all entries and determine a grand prize winner. The winning design will be made into a special edition YooHoo to début at the industry trade show Toy Fair in 2013.

With over 22 million sold, YooHoo fans expect a lot of enthusiasm for this contest! For more information, please visit YooHoo & Friends on the official Facebook page at http://facebook.com/yoohoofanpage.

  • Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Nancy Rosenzweig Joins Scandinavian Child


The company that brings you the Beaba, líllébaby and Svan brands has a new president.

As children’s shop owners and retailers gear up for several high profile trade shows this month, you may enjoy hearing about this industry news. North Carolina-based Scandinavian Child (SCI), a juvenile products company known for innovative lines of functional and stylish children’s products, appoints Nancy Rosenzweig as CEO and president. Nancy brings more than two decades of experience at the forefront of business growth for companies such as Ikea North America, Toms of Maine, Bright Horizons, Zip Car and The Natural Dentist.

This is an exciting time at Scandinavian Child. We are moving the company forward, establishing ourselves as a significant player in several key juvenile categories.  We are committed to keeping the great design that SCI has become recognized for and keeping social responsibility at the forefront of everything we do.

Brenda Berg, founder of Scandinavian Child remains with the company as an owner, director and advisor.  As a leading expert and advocate for juvenile product safety, Brenda will ensure SCI continues to stay ahead of the curve as a most trusted brand for parents and retailers. She is a current board member of All Baby & Child (ABC) and a post Chair of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).

“I have always had a passion for companies that benefit children,” Nancy says. “Scandinavian Child continues to present a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact on the quality of life and well being of children and families through our commitment to design, functionality and – most important – safety.” Built on the company philosophy “Childhood Without Compromise,” all SCI products meet the company’s criteria of innovative design, usefulness and safety.

Nancy recently appointed Brandi Royal Washington as marketing director to direct all marketing and communications for SCI and its brands. Brandi joins the company after eight years with advertising agency Brogan & Partners and five years running her own consultancy, BRANDilly Marketing + Creative, where she specialized in branding growth-phase businesses.

In addition, SCI has partnered with Marson Management, LLC and its team of seven sales reps to service territories in the United States and Canada:

Caroline Larkin – DE/NY/NJ/PA & New England
Pete Cohen – Mid Atlantic & Southeast
Rob Greenberg – Midwest
Dan Zielke/Jennifer Fasold – Northwest & Western Canada
Pam Brown – Southwest & Eastern Canada
Alison Bates – Major Retailers
Alison Bates/Pam Brown – Southern U.S.

“I’ve worked as a consultant with SCI for the past two years and I am excited to expand our involvement and confident we will be an integral part of their growth,” says Alison Bates, Marson’s founder and president, which is representing SCI’s Svan and Beaba brands. Say hello to the new sales rep team at the All Baby and Child Expo in Louisville, KY, October 14-17.  SCI will be located in the Modern Child Section at Booth #4039

  • Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Bluebird Blanket


This new line of American-made blankets and throws for style-conscious moms delights with eco-friendly sophistication.

Bluebird Blanket is a line of super soft, eco-friendly baby blankets that feature kid-friendly themes children can grow with and sophisticated colors that easily complement any family’s décor -in the nursery and throughout the rest of the home.

The Bluebird Blanket collection includes three styles, with additional introductions planned throughout the year. The Animal blanket wrangles a menagerie of creatures big and small, including rhinos, giraffes, turtles, elephants and owls. The inviting color combinations include beige and cream, pink and gray, and dark linen and orange spice. The Transportation blanket is every boy’s dream with trucks, cars, bikes, scooters and road signs in gold on navy. Bold chevron stripes in linen and milk and navy and milk combinations promise a smooth transition from the nursery to the big kid room and beyond.

Made in the USA. “Bluebird Blanket is proudly manufactured in the U.S. We’re thrilled to support the American textile industry and keep Americans working,” says owner Brenda Anderson. “Plus, manufacturing here allows us to have greater control over quality and deliveries. It also allows us to have superior speed to market with new products that reflect current market trends.”

The blankets are made from 74% pre-consumer recycled cotton fibers. Each is generously sized, measuring 31″ by 42″ They are mid weight and washer and dryer safe.

Débuts at ABC Kids Expo. Children’s shop owners and retailers get a chance to see the Bluebird Blanket line up close and personal by visiting booth #2746 at the ABC Kids Expo October 14-17. You may recognize the name Brenda Anderson – her company, Bluebird Sales & Distribution, represents the Mum 2 Mum brand, selling and marketing its whole juvenile products range. Bluebrid Blanket is her own brand.

  • Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Sneak Peek at New Collection from Mixed Up Clothing


Mixed Up Clothing débuts Global Citizens collection at ENK Children’s Club.

Sonia Kang is exhibiting at her first children’s trade show October 21-23 in New York City! The owner and creative executive of Mixed Up Clothing –a wonderfully colorful and trendy line of clothes for kids- is introducing her brand at ENK Children’s Club at booth  #1825 with a Spring/Summer 2013 collection called Global Citizens. Here’s a sneak peek!

Friendship Through Fabrics. Founded in 2007, the multi-ethnic children’s clothing line based in California is inspired by the textiles, cultures and people of the world, to develop friendships through fabrics. Sonia infuses diverse styles with cultural twists, blending materials and designs from all corners of the world.

My inspiration for this collection continues to be the mission of Mixed Up Clothing: to showcase and celebrate different cultures utilizing fabrics from all over the world. Not everyone gets to travel outside the country so each garment includes a little story to teach kids where the fabric is from.  When we learn about the diversity around us, we can begin to accept one another and find unity in our differences.

For those interested, ENK Children’s Club is one of today’s premiere trade shows covering the entire market in children’s clothing, infant and fashion accessories, including layette items and footwear for newborn to pre-teen. Held four times a year in New York City in January, March, August and October, buyers and boutique owners can make appointments to view Mixed Up Clothing’s collection by make emailing zenia@mixedupclothing.com.

  • Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Children’s Retail Today has the week off


Children’s Retail Today is taking a break! We’re back on October 2 publishing fresh posts about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday -thanks for your support.

Mom2Mommy.com is Live


Free to join, Mom2Mommy is the first -and only- online parenting resource that directly connects moms with doctors at no expense to the moms. Plus they can indulge in boutique shopping.

Elaine Iwicki and Kelly Harper are the founders of Mom2Mommy.com, which went live in August. They are passionate about creating a community of physicians, boutiques and baby product manufacturers who want to join a trusted network of resources available to moms across the nation. Both busy moms and entrepreneurs, Elaine and Kelly noticed a gap in the resources available to moms who needed convenient and accessible information about health.

We’ve created the site as a connection tool for parents to share similar stories, struggles and triumphs while caring for their children. Whether you can’t get your kids to eat their vegetables, or you have a child with special needs, it provides a place for questions to be asked and answered.

-co-founder Kelly Harper

One of a kind. Becoming a Mom2Mommy member is free. Visitors can search for medical specialists, read expert posts and join forums. The site allows visitors to post questions and get answers from expert physicians, dentists, chiropractors and health specialists. In return, care providers can post articles related to their areas of expertise, or tips on child care and healthy living. “It’s a great tool for moms on the go,” they say, “and ensures that trusted expert medical advice and tips are just one click away.”

Shop ’til you sign off. Mom2Mommy also features unique boutique items for children ages newborn to 15, and adults. “From baby products to adult apparel, Mom2Mommy serves as an online shopping resource, with home delivery available for busy moms.” Boutique owners can be featured at no cost, and advertise their specialty goods to parents as well as medical professionals. “We also provide boutique items at a discount for parents.”

Natural progression to the on-line lifestyle trend. Mom2Mommy was recently featured on KGUN 9’s The Morning Blend in Tucson, AZ! Kelly and Elaine are very interested in doing business with credible business partners. If interested, contact them directly:

Kelly@mom2mommy.com – 520-405-5708
Elaine@mom2mommy.com – 847-352-0460

  • Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!