The Biz: Feature Articles

Choose Your Own Adventure, a successful book series first published in the 1980s and then re-released with updated elements, captures the attention and imagination of even the most reluctant young reader. Incredibly popular, the secret to the series’ success lies in letting the reader play the leading role as the main character in each story, choosing from many possible outcomes at different points along the way. Making choices empowers readers to become involved and encourages ownership of the tales, through decision-making fun!

Autumn is traditionally a season of change, and once again retailers are seeing significant shifts in children’s apparel trends for back-to-school. Just as autumn leaves show off magnificent colors, nature’s shades are echoed in fall’s fashions. Designers’ twists in organic cotton and cashmere are more prevalent. Mixed patterns and floral arrangements abound, as do simple, clean lines — all yielding a thematic trend toward nature-inspired looks in both color and construction. As the Fall 2011 buying season comes to full fruition, harvest a bountiful crop of the choicest apparel for your store from eyeSpy Baby, Million Polkadots, Bambeeno Cashmere and Right Bank Babies.

Parents of children with allergies, or sensitivities to certain foods or substances, must stay vigilant. They have to read labels, eliminate triggering products, inform teachers and caregivers, and find acceptable alternatives whenever possible. Unfortunately, allergy triggers can sometimes show up in unexpected places. For example, some parents are dismayed to find that the formula for the leading children’s modeling dough is wheat-based. A new find is Soy-Yer Dough, a wheat-free modeling dough that more kids can enjoy!

If there’s a life lesson that always holds true, it’s that it pays, often literally, to look and plan ahead. Even though it’s technically still winter, for retailers it’s the season to prepare for next fall. All too quickly, spring and summer days will breeze by, and it’s back to school for the kids, and back to the store for Mom and Dad. Don’t miss the buying bus! Now is the ideal time to do your homework on what products will make the grade in your store for Fall 2011. Plan to succeed with up-to-the-minute fashions, necessities and accessories from Little Packrats, Redfish Kids Clothing, The Tin Box Company, and PB GREEN.