Feature Articles: Features

Features

Promote Success with Recognition and Rewards

By Michelle Armstrong

As harried parents know, life is generally filled with more demands than there are hours in a day to meet. Given a family’s long list of daily activities and goals, parents who want both themselves and their children to be more organized and accountable can benefit from a helpful selection of tools by The Homework Caddy, Creative Changes, Prosperity4Kids and The Reward Chain. These products help parents teach kids the importance of responsibility when it comes to activities like tracking homework assignments, performing household chores and saving money.

Features

Creative Packaging Wraps Up More Sales

By Lauren Rollheiser

In the consumer market, every book is judged by its cover and every product is judged by its packaging. Consumers quickly become accustomed to labels and brand identity, so new products and brands rely on shelf-sell packaging to catch the eye of shoppers. Plain and uninteresting packaging could be costing you significant sales. Packaging from Edoche, Baby Aspen, Huggy Bunny and Bloomers Baby are a few of the many examples in the children’s market which demonstrate that when the package grabs attention, the sale is more certain to follow.

Features

The Chicago Market: Living and Giving^® — Products for Doing Just That!

By Sandra Simmons

“Chicago, Chicago, I’ll show you around…” Those song lyrics hit the right note, because this January’s Chicago Market: Living and Giving^® gift and home show will lead you through floor after floor of vendors offering fine products — many making their 2011 debut at the show. Unlike those song lyrics, there will be no mention of “betting your bottom dollar,” because the products presented are sure winners for retailers and consumers! Among the juvenile product manufacturers you can meet at the show, watch for Babalu, Inc., Little Toader, Stephan Baby, and Four Peas.

Features

What’s Hot for Fun in the Sun

By Rachel Ballard

Even though the chill of winter is upon us, it’s not too early to start thinking about the best products for warmer weather. Spring break is just around the corner, and families will soon be shopping for the newest, hippest trends in beach fashion — high-quality products with fun-loving, bright designs. So stock up on flip flops from Fish Flops, get Short Hats to turn heads, include sunglasses from Teeny Tiny Optics, beach fashion from Gossip Girl Swim, and hand-painted beach accessories from Dpoppen. Your fair-weather sales will shine brighter!

Features

AmericasMart^® Gift Markets Ring in What’s New!

By Lauren Rollheiser

AmericasMart^® Atlanta presents thousands of gift lines on display at The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market^® January 12-19, 2011. Show organizers search the country for exciting product lines to debut from a variety of categories, with a focus on offering retailers innovative products that will keep their stores ahead of the trends. This season, products range from well-known characters with a twist, such as the limited edition Hello Kitty collection, to classic gifts with new appeal like hand-painted wooden yo-yos, and hand-made slippers that look like they should be on display in an art gallery!

Features

Must-Have Gifts Reign at Baby Showers

By Rachel Ballard

Beyond the baby basics, the most desired shower gifts are functional products that showcase singular quality in design and style. “Cuteness” is also an essential element shoppers look for, hoping to induce plenty of jubilant “oohs!” and “ahhs!” during the gift opening occasion. When customers are in search of “the perfect gift,” steer them to baby shower must-haves from Itzy Ritzy, Wry Baby, Urban Smalls and Dara & Co. These innovative companies offer fresh, fun, exceptional products that are guaranteed to bring a downpour of fun-loving giggles and heart-warming memories to the party.

Features

The ABC’s of Nursery Décor

By Angela Pike

Along with the joy and pride of welcoming a new little being into the world, expectant parents are also charged with the exciting task of designing an inviting nursery for their bundle of joy. Long departed are the days where choices for nursery décor were limited to fluffy bunnies or yellow ducks. The world of nursery décor has evolved to include a vast array of styles from modern to traditional, French country to shabby chic. In the world of nursery décor products, Martinek BéBé, The Rug Market, Kristaben, and New Arrivals, Inc. are some fantastic brands that stand out for their quality, attention to detail, and designer style.

Features

Bright Smiles Begin Early

By Rachel Ballard

Wanting only the best for their children, parents are always on the lookout for the finest products available to help their little ones grow up healthy and strong. Ranking high on the shopping list of must-haves are baby dental care products. Removing bacteria from a baby’s mouth is the single most important step parents can take to ensure that their baby grows healthy teeth. Fortunately, taking care of a baby’s gums and teeth doesn’t have to be difficult, time consuming, or cost a lot either. Thanks to MAM, Spiffies, Summer Infant Products, and Oh Plah!, oral hygiene can be simple and fun for both parents and baby!

Features

Ring in the New! Thank Heaven for 2011!

By Sandra Simmons

Who’s not ready to ring in new business? Let’s get started on a better tomorrow with a hope chest full of great children’s products! Resolve to buy both new and tried-and-true lines. The Giggle Guide^® is ringing the bell, sounding off about terrific products to help celebrate new business. Move forward with Best of Chums for gift-ready baby wear, Groovy Holidays for party ware, Tegu for green building blocks, and Sassafras for food and baking goods that little kitchen helpers love. These are just a few of the manufacturers you’ll find in The Guide that can help you attract more attention than noise-makers on New Year’s Eve!