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HUDSON’S
GOOD TO KNOW
Wanna know how Urban Outfitters keeps things fresh?
The retailer relies on its managers and merchants’ instincts, says CEO Glen T. Senk. Managers are encouraged to travel widely and to experiment freely he says, although they’re also expected to carefully track the success or failure of their pilot campaigns. “We are gut driven but we verify with data.”
Malkie Milstein is designer and CEO of MalkieM Headwear, established in 2007. The company is known for custom designs of hair accessories and baby hats made with close attention to detail, comfort, color and durability. Malkie recently introduced a stylish 100% cotton zebra baby hat with what she calls a “shocking red daisy, a definite fashion statement and people stopper.” Available in several sizes to accommodate the needs of the ever-growing child, including infants and toddlers.
Bayá was founded on the idea that travel bags and accessories for today’s women should be exceptional in style and quality. Versatile designs are perfect to tote long after baby outgrows diapers.
Australian company aden + anais®, makers of baby essentials, debuts the signature 100% muslin cotton nibble™ snap bib with a unique three-front snap design that adjusts to grow with baby, ensuring a perfect fit from newborn to toddler. Co-founder/CEO Raegan Moya-Jones, is also the author of swaddle love, a candid and practical guide to the history, science and techniques of swaddling.
Gerber Childrenswear integrates of an ‘exclusive print assortment’ of Gerber Brand essentials for baby into select Old Navy stores across the United States. The line includes Gerber Onesies® brand one piece underwear, sleep ‘n play one-pieces and accessories for baby, sizes ranging from birth to 24 months and all priced under $15.
Tutu Pour Mon Deux makes own custom tutu ensembles for girls. They can choose the outfit style, colors, accents and image, creating a look that matches their personality. Erika Deady-Wohlers, mom of two daughters, with fine arts and architecture degrees, is behind the adorable collection. Erika is actively giving back to those in need, donating one-third of the proceeds from each tutu sold to the Children’s Hospital in Boston. She also dedicates time to raise awareness about congenital heart defects and disease in newborns and children through her new business.
LPB Showroom is a new nationwide showroom headed up by Melissa Lopez. Contact her at 714.862.3073.
An explosion of growth is the best way to describe action sports company Neff Headwear. Best known for the staple, perfect-fit beanie, Neff has branched out to include t-shirts, gloves and watches. Since December 2009, the brand has expanded its distribution from 1,000 doors in 35 countries to approximately 3,500 doors in over 40 nations – a whopping 145% growth in one year. and an even more amazing feat as the economy took a hit in the peak of their expansion. With pre-orders for next year up 200% without even opening any new major retailers and expansion into Europe and Asia, Neff Headwear is the brand to watch.
Coolibar, a leader in sun protective clothing, introduces the Coolibar Sun Blanket, made of the company’s ZnO Suntect fabric – a cotton/bamboo/spandex blend that’s soft, lightweight and breathable. It is rated UPF 50+, giving complete peace of mind and priced at $24.00.
Bow Allure introduces the new glamorous rose petal glittery velvet ribbon hair clips. in five vibrant colors.
The former Rugged Bear children’s clothing stores in Beverly, MA and West Lebanon, NH are reopening with an exciting new name and identity: C&C kids. The change in name coincides with a slight shift in philosophy, now focusing on the active lifestyles families are leading today, and feature several popular and hard-to-find lines of kids activewear and “everyday” clothes.
“We’ve been in the children’s clothing and apparel business for more than 20 years, so we know the value of listening to our customers. They’ve told us that quality and value are most important to them, and we listened.”
-owners Brad and Megan Greenwood
Among the new brands C&C kids will carry are Patagonia, Columbia, The North Face, Helly Hansen and many more. New products aren’t the only differences between C&C kids and Rugged Bear, though. The stores will include a personal shopper experience as well as an even more family friendly atmosphere.
Sierra Julian is a luxurious contemporary children’s wear line dressing boys from 6 months to 12 years and girls from 6 months to 16 years. The collection adjusts to every moment of a child’s life with exclusively designed, tailored pieces for adventurous, relaxed, fashion driven experiences.
The Baby Bunch announces the new Birdhouse PJ gift box, each opening to reveal a super-soft 100% cotton pajama set with a fun plush toy. The PJs are generously sized for girls ages 0-6 months, 12-18 months, 2T and 3T; And for boys ages 0-6 months and 12-18 months.
“We wanted to design the kind of gift that the child would immediately fall in love with – the kind of gift that she would carry around with her. We already knew that parents adore our innovative gifts and that they are very welcome at any baby shower. But when designing this gift, especially since it is offered in toddler sizes too, we wanted to win the child’s approval as well as the grownups.”
-Bryony Boxer, Baby Bunch co-founder and a mother of three
Kicokids moves to new offices 451 West 24th Street, New York NY, 10011.
Six Retailer Trends in 2011
The retail industry is expanding in directions it would have been difficult to predict even five years ago.
Despite the sluggish economy, e-commerce reports record sales last year with an anticipated double-digit growth in 2011. Fueled by new technology and an evolving social-media shopping sphere, commerce is almost unrecognizable to the common consumer. However, it spells good news for retailers who quickly adopt such changing sales and marketing strategies.
Here are six retailer trends changing the way consumers shop in 2011.
Social Media Sales. As Gen Xers move into their peak spending years and become entranced by social-media shopping, more retailers are jumping on the bandwagon to engage their customers via Twitter and Facebook. In fact, the Facebook store, referred to as “F-Commerce,” is an increasingly popular outlet for retailers to target such social-media shoppers. Also known as social shopping, the process allows consumers and retailers to aggregate and share information in real time about special offers, products, prices and purchases. The big advantage to consumers is they needn’t leave a social-media site to shop and can immediately share their purchase with friends and other fans. This helps reduce the solitary feeling of online shopping. Via social media, merchants also provide information about special offers and, increasingly, coupon codes and downloadable coupons.
Daily Deals. With the explosion of limited-time daily deals via group-buying (more than 23 million in the last year) and flash-sale sites like Gilt Group & Jetsetter.com, it’s no surprise other retailers have adopted this successful sales strategy. In fact, online retailers like Target and Overstock now offer Deal-of-the-Day sales that bode well for sales. Even Facebook and Amazon have added daily deal services.
Mobile Sales, Coupons and Instant Deals. The busier we become, the more we rely on our smartphones to shop, compare prices and look for deals while on-the-go. Retailers have cottoned onto this need as a new opportunity for capturing and engaging customers. For example, the CouponSherpa iPhone app allows shoppers to research mobile coupons for specific items, then use those same coupons at checkout. Foursquare has become increasingly popular as a way for retailers and restaurants to provide special offers when you “check in.” Amazon’s iPhone App allows you to scan a bar code or take a photo of a product seen while window shopping and, at the your later convenience, purchase that item with just one click.
Free Shipping. Originating in Australia, retailers are talking about charging shoppers for use of their changing rooms. The move is designed to prevent consumers from trying items in-store, then buying them online at a discount price. Fortunately, retailers have shifted marketing efforts to target online shoppers by creating a more accessible e-shopping experience and offering free shipping both ways as well as site to store free shipping. Online stores like Zappos and Piperlime now offer free shipping both ways and merchants like Walmart and REI offer site to store free shipping.
Name Your Own Price. Gap has recently taken the daily deal concept a step further with the launch of its new Gap My Price program, which allows customers to bid for clothing and accessories. The process is the same as with Priceline, which targets cost-conscious travelers: You extend a sales offer for a particular item; Gap then makes a final offer you can either accept or reject.
Body Scanners In Malls. We’re not talking about security scanners here, but rather a system that helps you deal with manufacturer’s increasingly different sizing charts. MyBestFit addresses this problem with mall kiosks offering free 20-second, full-body scans. Here’s how it works: You step fully dressed into a 380-degree booth and a wand rotates around you, emitting low-power radio waves that record roughly 200,000 body measurements to assess areas like bicep circumference. The system then matches these measurements to sizes in its database for roughly 50 stores, including Talbots, Old Navy and Eddie Bauer.
Courtesy of consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch, who has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ABC News NOW and more. Find more information at AndreaWoroch.com.
Industry News Briefs
Are kids looking for a unique tie to give Dad for Father’s Day this Sunday?
Look no further than TheTieBar.com. The company’s collection features more than 140 brand new cotton and silk ties, pocket squares, bow ties and tie bars for only $15.
The Cribsie Awards is a new online awards program for the parenting/baby industry sponsored by Diapers.com. After an inaugural nomination period with more than 4,000 brands in the baby industry nominated by their fans, the editors of A-List Mom and StrollerTraffic along with industry experts hand-selected the 344 best products, brands, services and websites for babies and tots. Sixty winners are honored. Categories include Best Skincare for Babies (winner: Aveeno Baby) to The One Baby Gadget You Won’t Regret Buying (winner: Cloud B Sleep Sheep). See the complete list at CribsieAwards.com. Only subscribers of StrollerTraffic and A-List Moms were eligible to vote.
“We reached 63,000 votes in just a week and word spread fast. Many traditional and online media properties and brands campaigned hard for the awards.”
– Elina Furman, A-List Mom publisher
A-List Mom (formerly Mamaista.com) is a premium digital lifestyle brand for the influential, savvy and powerful mom demographic. StrollerTraffic is a trusted resource and powerful influencer for urban moms raising babies and toddlers in cities across America.
Designer, brand builder and sports enthusiast Teko Bernard has been designing brands and apparel graphics for over 14 years – 10 of which he spent designing children’s apparel graphics for the likes of ESPN, X Games and the licensed college market. It was the birth of his two nephews, three nieces and his intense love for cartoons that inspired him to create his own brand, Elmdale Park™ including a fun basketball-inspired apparel collection for boys called Hoop Kid®. Elmdale Park is a fictional backdrop where Teko’s cartoon characters featured on the clothing work, play their favorite sports and hang out together. It is also the name of an actual activity center and park in Teko’s hometown. Contact Teresa’s Room for more.
EMU Australia‘s new collection includes water resistant boost and sandals as well as the newly designed Denimwool® jean. The designers have collaborated with some of Australia’s best denim experts to create the new Valla Beach Denim slim fit breathable jean available in three popular colors. Known for timeless sheepskin accessories and fashionable yet down-to-earth apparel, EMU Australia makes it easy to pull off that clean, effortlessly cool look with their apparel collection consisting of nappa sheepskin biker and bombers, woven merino wool blouses, wrap-arounds, cardigans, dresses, tees/tanks, hoodies, pullovers and more.
-Janet Muniz
HUDSON’S is Making a Quick Change
This June, exciting things are happening at HUDSON’S Childrenswear Review.
We’re in the process of making a few updates for you, our readers –ones we plan on revealing very soon. We hope you’ll be pleased!
Our next issue will be out in July.
In the meantime, keep informed with what’s happening in the children’s wear industry right here with HCRSourceBook, our official blog. Check out HUDSON’S current CALENDAR and plan your summer road trip to the trades. You can find it by clicking the “HUDSON’S Calendar” tab at the top of this page.
Every Wednesday, check out HCRSourceBook for all-new INDUSTRY NEWS posts and more. Why not set up an email subscription to our blog right now? Simply enter your email address in the form found on the right column, under “Email Subscription.” And our new posts will be waiting for you in your email box every Wednesday morning. We promise you’ll be glad you did.
Stay in touch with what’s happening at HUDSON’S! Check back to our website in July! Like our Facebook page, too. We’ll be posting updates there all June long. Please contact us directly, if you have any questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you.
Good things are happening this summer at HUDSON’S. Make sure you’re a part of it!
-Janet Muniz
Safe in the Arms of Love
“The perfect gift for the families of newborns. A timeless classic!”
-DEEPAK CHOPRA, M.D.
For the over four million babies that are born in the United States each year, nothing is more important than creating a strong bond with their parent. Yet with demands of modern life, many of today’s parents are not sure just how to create that bond.
Safe in the Arms of Love combines beautiful, intentionally designed music, heartwarming lyrics and an accompanying book full of essential and easy to understand information on the importance of how healthy attachment builds a secure emotional foundation for a child’s entire life.
Endorsed by leading authorities such as Deepak Chopra, M.D., Christiane Northrup, M.D., Dean Ornish, M.D., Marshall Klaus, M.D. and Phyllis Klaus, MFT, LMSW, the music and book package is the first release from producers Resonant Sounds, LLC, which creates products utilizing Positive Intention Music™ to help parents experience healthy bonding with their baby.
Developed by sound healer and songwriter Lisa Rafel, Emmy-winning composer Gary Malkin and clinical psychologist Dr. David Surrenda, the book and CD are designed to relax both parent and child, allowing them to form the deep heart connection that is the essence of the bonding experience.
“The music is intended for use during pregnancy and after the baby is born, while nursing, putting the baby to sleep, or to create a moment in the day that is just between the parent and the child,” Lisa, who is also founder of Resonant Sounds. “The lyrics were written from a place of deep love and connection, and are meant to evoke those emotions within the parent as she or he interacts with their infant.”
The music in Safe in the Arms of Love was intentionally composed to facilitate bonding using Positive Intention Music™. “By utilizing psychoacoustics and sound healing principles, we are helping to create a peaceful, attentive, heart filled atmosphere where both parent and baby can become emotionally connected,” says Gary Malkin.
FYI – Dr. David Surrenda is also CEO of Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health -the largest retreat center in the US- and one of my favorite places for learning and growing.
-Janet Muniz
VegasKids
New Show on HUDSON’S Calendar!
On August 1-5, World Market Center Las Vegas presents an exciting new trade show that brings the full spectrum of kid’s markets together for one super-convenient, opportunity-packed event.
Following a successful launch last summer, Vegas Kids débuts in an expanded section of World Market Center, centrally located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. With easy access to Interstate 15 and US Highway 95, it is adjacent to Las Vegas Premium Outlets® on Grand Central Parkway.
Vegas Kids brings together buyers and sellers from the juvenile industry and features nursery and youth furniture plus accessories. Held in conjunction with Las Vegas Market and Gift + Home, Vegas Kids offers unique programming, resources and special events all geared to equip your business for what’s ahead. Attendees can expect to source fresh, innovative products as well as find a confluence of new opportunities to help them differentiate their stores, add new revenue streams and increase sales.
“Juvenile continues to be a hot market for retailers,” says WMCLV president and CEO Robert Maricich, “and we are pleased to offer it once again as a destination at Las Vegas Market, along with relevant programming that helps retailers uncover new ways to market to this sector.”
World Market Center Las Vegas is a dynamic new showcase for the home and hospitality contract furnishings industry in Las Vegas, the fastest-growing home furnishings market in the country. When fully completed, the venue will have more than 12 million square feet of state-of-the-art exhibit space in eight buildings on 57 contiguous acres. All segments of the industry will be together on one mega-campus, making it the largest, most comprehensive, most accessible showroom and convention complex in the industry.
Expanded plans for Vegas Kids include seminars by industry experts to share their knowledge and experience with market attendees. Learn more about increasing green strategies in your business, staying ahead of the latest in industry trends and discovering the best in design. Enjoy a host of opportunities to network and have fun, like complimentary receptions and special exhibits. A full calendar of networking receptions and week-long exhibits is in development.
The World Market Center’s WMCommunity is an online resource that provides a whole new way for buyers and sellers to connect. Creating an online profile allows you to register for upcoming shows, update your contact information, receive key market news, find more exhibitors and popular products, build your calendar and schedule meetings with exhibitors. Find them on Facebook, too.
-Janet Muniz
Carter’s partners with K.I.D.S.
CARTER’S LAUNCHES COMPANY-WIDE STORE DONATION PROGRAM
Carter’s, Inc. names Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) as its charitable partner in a new company-wide store donation program, donating all excess children’s apparel from nearly 500 Carter’s and OshKosh B’Gosh retail stores nationwide to benefit children in need through the organization.
“As part of our mission to help children feel safe, happy and nurtured,” says chairman/CEO Michael Casey, “K.I.D.S. is the ideal partner to ensure that Carter’s can provide essential new clothing to children who need it most.”
Carter’s is launching an ongoing partnership program with K.I.D.S. to ensure that every piece of Carter’s and OshKosh apparel that is suitable for donation goes to local children in need. K.I.D.S. is distributing the clothes through its network of nearly 1,000 social service agencies to children of military families and those challenged by poverty, homelessness and domestic abuse.
The program expands on a longstanding partnership between Carter’s and K.I.D.S. Carter’s provided over $1.5 million worth of product to K.I.D.S. in 2010. Now, with its donation commitment extending to inventory from every one of its retail stores, Carter’s anticipates that value rising to $3 million in clothing this year alone; in the last three months, Carter’s has already donated approximately $316,000 in product to K.I.D.S through this program.
“Carter’s has been an invaluable contributor for more than a decade,” K.I.D.S. president Dr. Janice Weinman. “A store’s excess inventory finds new life when a child receives a new sweatshirt, winter coat or a pair of jeans. In a time when so many needy children require apparel, it’s wonderful to have a retailer like Carter’s committed to helping children in need.”
-Janet Muniz
Hello, the house!
Newly listed! A chic dollhouse for kids ages three and older!
The Emerson House draws inspiration from Richard Neutra‘s Desert House and an A. Quincy Jones-designed house for actor Gary Cooper. This modern child’s toy house is the perfect home for the modern toy family, with a living room, kitchen, library/office, master bedroom, bathroom and child’s bedroom. Dolls can enjoy year-round sunlight in its large, open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows. It features many distinguishing architectural details such as glass corners, two fireplaces, including one built with cut stone, scored hardwood floors, recessed LED lights powered by solar panels and sliding glass doors. Assembly required.
Designed by Tim Boyle and measuring 30 by 21 by 18 inches, the Emerson House is built using only non-toxic and lead-free wood stains and paints and real CARB-certified woods by Brinca Dada, (BREEN-kuh DEY-duh), an exciting new toy company “that delivers the best thinking in modern aesthetics and innovative play-value to create toys that kids love to play with and parents love to look at.” This team believes that toys don’t need to be noisy or flashy to be exciting; that toys can be beautiful and fun. The company is helmed by founder/CEO Douglas Rollins, who is inspired by his love of design and toys. Doug spent nine years Toys”R”Us and ToysRUs.com in marketing, new concept development and buying, as well as launching several different start-up companies.
Pretty impressive, right? So is the price: over $300. Yet, it’s a magnificent find for that modern family.
-Janet Muniz
Remember “it’s a small world”?
“it’s a small world, after all … it’s a small, small world!”
Disney Consumer Products teams with Nordstrom to mark the 45th anniversary of Disneyland’s it’s a small world theme park attraction with a new line of kid’s apparel, accessories and footwear. Based on Disney artist Mary Blair’s original artwork, four seasonal collections for newborns, infants and toddlers début at Nordstrom stores throughout the year.
Each collection represents a different country: Japanese Spring (February); Indian Summer (June); Scottish Fall (September); and Russian Holiday (November). Each collection features items from collaborators such as Petunia Pickle Bottom, Trumpette, Baby Nay and Mighty Fine.
Disney and Nordstrom are also teaming with TOMS Shoes and FEED Projects to give back to communities around the world, with TOMS Shoes’ One for One commitment of giving a pair of new shoes to a child in need, while FEED Projects Small World items benefit UNICEF, which was the ‘it’s a small world’ ride’s original 1964 beneficiary.
-Janet Muniz
Children's Retail Today 