Children’s Retail Today

Hong Kong Trade Development Council News


More than 106,000 buyers attend 4 major trade shows to start the new year.

011414_HKTDC_01A New Record. Nearly 2,900 exhibitors took part in four shows, which opened on January 6: the HKTDC Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair, HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair, Hong Kong International Stationery Fair and HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show. Over 106,000 buyers attended the show, an increase of 5% over the previous year.

Happy Birthday! The Toy Fair, the largest of its kind in Asia and second-largest in the world, celebrated 40 years with two new areas of business,  this year. Smart-Tech Toys and Therapy Toys. Here’s a video:

Emerging Markets. “Most Toy Fair buyers came from the Chinese mainland, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the United States,” says Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) deputy executive director Benjamin Chau. “Participation from emerging markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Middle East grew significantly; mature markets like the United Kingdom, Canada and Korea also recorded good increases.”

011414_HKTDC_02The HKTDC organized more than 160 buying missions counting nearly 10,000 buyers to the four fairs. Among them were major importers and distributors, including the US’s Toys “R” Us, Japan’s Tokyu Hands, Korea’s CJO Shopping, Russia’s Brainy Brats, the mainland’s yhd.com and JD.COM, and Thailand’s The Mall Group.

Mr. Chau says that the HKTDC would step up its promotional efforts in emerging markets, inviting more local buyers to Hong Kong to help Hong Kong companies capture new market opportunities.

011414_HKTDC_04Small Orders, Big Business. The Small-Order Zone was once again set up at the Toy Fair, as well as the Baby Products and Stationery fairs. Some 110 showcases displayed products, which were available in quantities from 20 to 1,000 pieces. Nearly 7,000 buyers visited the zone during the four-day-fair period, generating over 16,000 business connections.

Response to the Smart-Tech Toys zone was strong. One of the zone’s exhibitors, Roam & Wander Ltd, presented TuTu, a rabbit powered by an iPhone app. Marketing Manager Casper Chen says that TuTu was popular among buyers. The product was awarded this year’s “Best of the Fair: Electronic & Remote Control Toys,” at the Hong Kong Toys and Baby Products Awards.

Quality Buyers. Ken Lo, general manager of educational toy maker Eastcolight, says fair traffic was strong. “The quality of buyers and demand were high,” he says. Mr. Lo expects his company’s sales to go up some 5% this year.

011414_HKTDC_03Suitable Suppliers. Sebastian Wetzel, CFO of Babyloop, a German online shopping site specializing in baby products, says he had found suitable suppliers at the Baby Products Fair. “We plan to buy a variety of products at the fair, including baby bibs, diapers and sleeping bags. We target to place US$80,000-US$100,000 in on-site orders.”

Russia’s Begemott, with 88 outlets in the country, sells baby toys and games and owns nine brands. The company’s project manager, Evstratova Xenia, says she found the scale of the fair impressive, adding that she had found two quality suppliers through the fair’s business-matching service, and was pleased with the outcome.

The Toy Fair, the Baby Products Fair and the International Licensing Show are organized by the HKTDC, while the Stationery Fair ia organized by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.

Uglydoll


010914_UglyDoll_03Celebrating who you are inside and out is the new beautiful.

David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim founded their company, Pretty Ugly, LLC in 2001-and the rest is, well, pretty ugly!

The team started creating Uglydolls -Wage, Babo, OX, Ice-Bat and their Uglydoll pals- who express themselves through laughs, tears, love, adventure and also candy (they tell me).

010914_UglyDoll_02In the Uglydoll universe, “ugly” means unique and different. And that’s just what these dolls are – unique and different, garnering a ton of awards from the 2006 Toy of the Year, Oppenheim Best Toy, Fat Brain Toy Award, Learning Express Toy Award, Creative Child Toy Award to Parent’s Choice Best Toy.

010914_UglyDoll_01The New Jersey-based online store,  http://www.uglydolls.com sells a plethora of ugly merchandise, including comic books, UGLYDOLL PLUSH, Action Figures & FUNKO Vinyl, Apparel, Ceramics, Citizens of the Uglyverse™, HELLO KITTY & Limited Releases, Tin Toys, Uglybuddies, Uglypillow™, MIMOBOT®, UNIVERSAL MONSTERS, Watches and more.

All of it is so ugly, it’s adorable!

 

My Denim and Lace


Create your own pair of jeans only you can design!

010814_MyDenimAndLace_01If you’ve always wanted to design your own clothes, have we got a place for you! At Owen Siegel’s MyDenimandLace.com, you can have your jeans and other favorite apparel embellished just the way you want, using the website to design them.

Owen recently re-introduced My Denim and Lace to the public with a brand-new website –and the process is easy-peasy.

“First, choose the style of jeans you want us to design,” Owen says. “Then choose embellishments using the top, sidebar or icons on the site, http://mydenimandlace.com.” Choose from adorable little embellishments just for kids, too!

If you have inspiration for a design that you would like us to make for you, we can try to create it.

010814_MyDenimAndLace_02The company designs ripped jeans, dyed jeans and faded jeans, as well as other styles for truly wearable art. And they do it in New York City. “We design a custom pair of jeans for you,” Owen says. “Whether it’s on a favorite pair of jeans or jeans that are brand new, we can design a pair of jeans that is both a new creation and a trend forward.”

010814_MyDenimAndLace_03Contact Owen and his team if you have a garment other than jeans you’d like to have re-designed. “You can also send your jeans to us we will ship it back to you at no extra charge,” Owen adds.

010814_MyDenimAndLace_04Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

PoshHer PrepHim Boutique


Personalized fashion and tween accessories for girls, boys -and moms -handcrafted in Texas.

PoshHer PrepHim Boutique is the fashion passion of designer Shernetta McGhee, a mom of three boys and one girl who inspire her classic, charismatic styles. Shernetta is creating thoughtful designs made from superior quality fabric that are Made in the USA, and manufactured responsibly.

010714_PoshHerPrepHimBoutique_02TieDye with a Twist & Twirl. Bright, stylish and playful is what Shernetta had in mind when she set out to create the perfect after-school-fun-dress for her little girl. By combining color and casual, Pretty’s Mart Tie Dye Dresses are a cute, eye-popping addition to any tween girl’s style. “Classic yet charismatic, the originality of each pattern can easily make these dresses the next ‘must haves’ of tween girls fashion,” Shernetta says. Color kissed and hand dyed with a special technique, each dress is made from a comfortable 100% cotton tank top. Touches of glittery heart outlines and sparkles are added for bling. The attached novelty print skirt completes the look –great for hours of twirling! Dresses are available in sizes 2T-10. “Moms rave about how these witty dresses can be worn with leggings, which makes them hard to grow out of,” she adds. “Very versatile, and functional!” To get a fabulous trendy twist on tie dye classics and posh accessories for girls, visit The Pretty’s Mart at www.poshprepkids.com.

010714_PoshHerPoshHimBoutique_01Classy Meets Cool for Boys. Shernetta’s new line for boys, ForCHOE lets little gentlemen show off their strong muscles -and minds- with designs that promote a positive image and attitude for young males in rough cities. ForCHOE  transforms the plain cotton tank top into “stylish custom, preppy pieces with an urban flair!” Each shirt is embellished with real, one-of-a-kind necktie shoulder straps for a sophisticated, hip look. Wear with jeans, slacks, khakis or shorts, these tanks are versatile, cool and comfortable for boys sizes 2T to 10. View the entire ForCHOE boys gallery coming soon at www.poshprepkids.com.

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Happy 2014!


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Comfort & Joy for the Holidays


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Oil & Water


121913_Oil&Water_04A fresh look at rainwear for girls.

Amy Wismar is the founder/designer of a bright, shiny and new line of rainwear for girls called Oil & Water. “My fun and beautiful daughters inspired this line and continue to inspire me every day,” she says.

It’s just fabulous.

If you like style, originality and great quality, you’ll love Amy’s raincoats, jackets and ponchos designed “for the everyday girl.”

Oil & Water rainwear if made for girls sizes 2-10. All fabrics are shower and windproof, in a fabulous mix of colors and metallics. Each piece is fully line in faux fur or softwash poly. Luxurious!

121913_Oil&Water_01We had hoped to bring a fresh, modern look to children’s rainwear that is classic, beautiful and happy chic! And now, after two years of sketching, designing, sewing and meeting fabulous people in the fashion industry, I think the Oil & Water collection shines, too.

121913_Oil&Water_02Good for Moms. Special for girls. Reinforced snaps, tailored hoods and deep pockets are featured on all styles for everyday comfort,  using the highest quality, washable waterproof and water resistant fabrics.

A little ray of light in an otherwise gloomy rainstorm!

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!

Wallcandy Arts Holiday


Peel, stick, decorate … remove & reuse … without damaging your walls.

121813_WallcandyArts_01Add whimsy and cheer to your holiday décor with fun and festive new designs to Wallcandy Arts‘ peel-and-stick wall decals. Rearrange new, removable, reusable Dancing Deer, Merry Tree and Merry Christmas letters easily to create distinctive scenes and holiday dreams –for your child’s room, a family holiday party or to entice St. Nick himself. Adorable!

I hear there’s a sale going on right now, too … check out Wallcandy’s Facebook page.

BambiniWare


121713_BambiniWare_01Mompreneur brings new line of innovative gear for mommies + babies to star-studded pre-Golden Globes event.

Launched in October 2013 by Washington, D.C.-based attorney-turned-entrepreneur Riche Holmes Grant, BambiniWare™ is a new line of smart, stylish baby products designed to make life with baby easier and even a little more glamorous in the process.

BambiniWare is heading to Hollywood January 10-11, 2014 to exhibit at LA’s exclusive, invitation-only Boom Boom Room Pre Golden Globes gifting suite, which showcases the latest in baby and kids’ gear for celebrity moms and dads.

I am thrilled to showcase our new gear on such a grand stage. I created BambiniWare to provide functional and fashionable solutions to the everyday dilemmas that I faced as a new mom and I’m excited to share our products with celebrity mommies and babies who confront the same challenges.”

-Riche Holmes Grant

121713_BambiniWare_03The Boom Boom Room, considered “Hollywood’s Biggest Night for Famous Tots,” is the first and only all-baby and kids gifting suite during Hollywood’s awards season. Celebrity nursery designer and fashion television personality Jayneoni Moore reached out to Riche shortly after launching BambiniWare to attend this special event.

121713_BambiniWare_02Mommy Designed. Made in the USA. Designer bibs, burp cloths and unique baby gifts feature vibrant, bold colors and modern prints to soft palettes and timeless classics. Sold online and sold exclusively at Daisy Baby in Bethesda, MD, BambiniWare is mommy-designed and tested, features materials that are safe and friendly to babies and is manufactured in the United States.

“For a long time after the birth of my daughter, I felt like I was stuck in a fashion rut because I paid so much attention to her needs that I neglected my own,” Riche says. “The products in BambiniWare’s inaugural Burpa™ line reflect my effort to help other moms tackle the various spills and thrills that babies bring with tools that make sense and look great. Featuring modern prints to timeless classics, we’ve got something to fit every mommy’s style from Hollywood to Hometown, USA.”

  • 121713_BambiniWare_logoChildren’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!

Origami Owl


Have you heard about the 17-year-old entrepreneur who’s three-year-old company is on track to earn $250 million this year?

121213_OrigamiOwl_BellaWhen Isabella Weems was 14 years old, she really wanted a new car. So she spent her time hosting jewelry parties and selling lockets instead of hanging out with her friends.

Now, Bella (as she’s called) not only has a white Jeep she calls Alice, she’s also the founder of a wildly popular custom jewelry business known as Origami Owl.

Who would have thought that my dream of wanting to buy a car for my sixteenth birthday would be the inspiration behind a successful jewelry company?

Origami Owl has thousands of “Independent Designers” who host their own Jewelry Bars® – private parties where they serve up a trendy array of fun jewels directly to shoppers. According to a recent article in Forbes, there’s about 50,000 of these independent designers. That’s a lot of parties!

We tell stories with jewelry.

The company has several branded jewelry lines. The signature Living Lockets® collection gives the wearer a chance to add personality to their jewels with charms, lockets, dangles and chains. Tagged™ is Made in the USA and combines fine pewter tags sporting special words with little charms on a chain, creating a statement about who you are and what you believe in.

121213_OrigamiOwl_01Originally, Bella started her locket business with about $700, selling at house parties and boutiques before she set up a mall kiosk near her Arizona home. The company is an all-in-the-family-type affair; Bella’s mom Chrissy helped her develop the product, while her uncles and aunt help run the business, along with other employees. Origami Owl is developing a new platform to help the independent designers run their business with new tools such as training, webinars, instructional videos as well as a mobile app.

Meanwhile, Bella is still going to high school –and considering college- before taking the reins of her profitable company with both hands.