Children’s Retail Today

Baby’s Dreamworld on Etsy


When you’re looking for the ultra-handmade-super-special-totally-personalized shopping experience, head to “the world’s handmade marketplace.”

Sometimes a gift giver is just stumped. Or they’ve shopped in circles, with no special item to show for it. Or they’re looking for a little something they can’t yet describe.

They may want to give Etsy a try.

We are bringing heart to commerce and making the world more fair, more sustainable, and more fun.

Where local meets global. Etsy is a global online marketplace where very specialized small businesses can make their mark on the economy. The company says its mission is “to empower people to change the way the global economy works.” Totally tapped into the value of shopping local, the artisan virtual storefronts –and the customers who shop them- appreciate pride of authorship and a sense of place as much as price and convenience.

Ultimate shower gift. Linda’s lovely Baby’s Dreamworld is a fine example. Opened in September, she makes beautiful rhinestone baby shoes and baby accessories using sparkly Swarovski crystals, ribbon and other materials. Perfect for baptisms, christenings, weddings and other special occasions, “Most of my items can be customized for your liking and needs,” Linda says. “If you need a certain item in a different size or color, just send me an email and I would be happy to provide it for you.” Aunties would love to spoil little nieces with these stylish finds.

Florida-based Baby’s Dreamworld is just one of the delicious delights waiting to be discovered on Etsy. With very personalized customer service and special one-of-a-kind offerings, you may find just what you’re looking for … right at your fingertips!

After all … every little girl is someone’s princess!!

  • 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!

Cute Beltz


One mom’s homemade project leads to so many requests from friends and family, that she turns it into a business!

After searching and searching for a suitable belt that would keep her young daughter’s pants from falling to her knees, Kristen Ford-Stevens decided to make one herself. That was back in 2008. Now, Kristen is the owner and designer of Cute Beltz, makers of popular, fashionable belts for girls, boys and babies.

Like most moms, I went to Target, Walmart, Macy’s, Sears, JCPenney … the list goes on and on … but there were no belts for toddlers. I decided to make one, because I couldn’t have my baby mooning people.

Made in the USA. Durable and well-crafted, Cute Beltz are adjustable, adapting to growing children. They’re also handmade from 100% cotton webbing and 100% polyester fabrics, and CPSIA compliant. The D-Ring style is not only cute and fashionable, they help to teach kids how to use their fingers. And for children who are allergic to metal, the Velcro style is also easy to use -especially during the potty training- and for children with special needs.

Cute Beltz are not only popular, they’re winning awards! The company makes girls’ headbands, too. Kudos to Cute Beltz!

  • 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!

I Love Mommy Because


Children’s photo board books give parents and children a chance to share memories and words of love.

Barb-A-Mel Books‘ vibrantly illustrated board books create a personalized story you and your children can read together. Simply insert your own 4×6 photos into the top of each page of I Love Mommy Because… or I Love Daddy Because… to create this one-of-a-kind book. They also make a perfect gift for Grandparents.

Barb-A-Mel Books are created by mompreneur Barb Lawson-Miller, initially to show her newborn daughter just how much her Daddy loves her when he couldn’t be there for bedtime storytelling. “When friends and family learned of my daughter’s favorite book, they said I should try to get it published,” Barb says. “I decided to ‘shoot for the stars’ and submitted it to over 20 publishers… and I was rejected by every single one. The publishers loved the concept, but it didn’t fit into their publishing criteria.”

In 2001, Barb formed her own publishing company. Now, her books sell in stores across Canada and online …

Who knew the children’s book business could take you to Hollywood?

And recently, she –and her books- were invited to show at several gifting suites before the Grammy and Academy Awards in America. “My husband and I have had a lot of fun meeting celebrities and giving them my books,” she says. And now, Barb’s books are available to all the parents in the USA, too!

As she heads into her eleventh year, Barb plans to expand her publishing repertoire to include “I Love My Brother Because…” and “I Love My Sister Because…” We’re looking forward to seeing them!

  • Another ChicExecs PR Client! 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!

Cute Halloween Find from Chicken Rhythm


Iron-on moustaches!

One day, the chicas at Chicken Rhythm –the fun company from Belgium that sells creative iron on patches- discovered De Blaffende Kip, from Dutch graphic and textile designer Anouk Corstiaensen. The fun part? The translation of de blaffende kip is, “barking chicken.” Right? It’s only natural that a barking chicken would want to partner with a little chicken rhythm! And so, it happens …

De Blaffende Kip products surprise, make merry, turn your frown upside down. Anouk creates designs that capture the imagination, in brillant –and funny- ways. She uses traditional craft technique, natural materials such as wool and cotton, and discarded products as raw materials for new designs.

Enter the Moustache. Perfect for that special Halloween costume … and most anything in-between … the Rubens, Dali & Gringo Moustaches are now available at Chicken Rhythm’s webshop! Boo-ya!

  • 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!

Cuddle Smart Antimicrobial Baby Products


100% antimicrobial baby bedding, hooded towels, changing pad covers and more.

Newly Branded. The Cuddle Smart baby line is designed to provide comfort and convenience to both you and your baby all day long. It’s made from textiles that are engineered to be safe, soft and gentle on baby’s skin … and because the fabric “washes itself,” mom can spend more of her time with her little one, instead of doing laundry.

“In 2011, I founded Bye Bye Bacteria Corp., and launched our line of baby products shortly after my granddaughter was born,” says founder and CEO Jeffrey C. Tauber. “The parent company was already making antimicrobial silver textile products for the healthcare markets, so we modified the fabric to have the softest ‘plushy-plush’ feel possible, designed ‘smart’ baby products and backed all of the products with an Unconditional Satisfaction Guarantee.”

Made in the USA. Headquartered in New Jersey, the line’s fitted sheets, changing pads, hooded towels and others are made from a patented Argent 47™ antimicrobial silver yarn (yes, silver!) to eliminate bacteria and prevent mildew, mold and fungi. Cuddle Smart products contain no chemicals or dyes and require fewer washings because the silver keeps bacterial odors away.

The Jersey Knit Plush and 100% organic cotton fabrics are super soft and gentle on baby’s skin, plus silver’s natural thermal properties cool baby when hot and keep warm when cold.

We know how important comfort and protection is to your newborn baby. Try our antimicrobial baby products and I guarantee you will agree that Cuddle Smart is ‘smart textiles for smart parents.’

This month, Bye Bye Bacteria Corp. introduces the newly branded baby line as Cuddle Smart. Learn more about antimicrobial products and the use of silver here. It’s fascinating!

  • Another Rachel Florio PR client! 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!

Lilikin&Friends


Meet three plush toy friends from Canada who’d like to get to know you, too.

Lilikin, The Melancholy Grey Kitten; Mollycoddle, The Ultra-Dainty Albino Bunny; and Eleven, The Small-for-his-Age Monkey are plush toy friends born from the mind of  creative toy designer Kimberley Cleland. Together, they make up the Lilikin&Friends line of top quality plush toys made with cotton fabrics that are certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). They’re stuffed with eco-conscious recycled polypropylene fibers, and have been tested and approved as safe for even the youngest of children.

Whether you’re happy, sad, or just plain confused, your new friends understand and will stay by your side. They can turn frowns upside down, and make smiles shine even brighter!

The company that makes Lilikin and his friends is about three years old, according to Kimberly, who says that not only are parents buying them for their school-age kids and as shower gifts, but adults are buying them for themselves or as gifts for their own friends.

No matter your age, you can get to know Lilikin, Mollycoddle and Eleven online or on Facebook –where all the top quality plush toys meet, of course. In fact –each one of them has their own Facebook page where fans can friend them personally (Lilikin also has a blog!).

  • 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!

Geared for Imagination’s New Toy


A new toy from the land of LEGO has a simple shape with endless possibility for play.

Three-year-old toy company Geared for Imagination introduces Plus-Plus, a new construction toy that’s simple enough for a young children to make flat 2-D mosaics, yet able to grow with their imaginations, allowing them to create elaborate 3-D structures.

Designed and manufactured in Denmark –the country where the LEGO toy company was originally founded- Plus-Plus is also fun and addictive for adults, too. Playthings magazine recently selected Plus-Plus as a Toy of the Week! Sets are available in 100, 300, 600 and 1,200 pieces.

Through a network of retail outlets around the United States, including gift shops, toy stores, museum shops and many more types of retailers, we strive to deliver the kinds of products that we want our kids to play with.

Founded by two Ryan Hamilton and Bret Faber, Geared for Imagination creates and distributes top notch stuff for kids and what they call ‘”kidults.”

  • 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!