NY NOW is Tops for Biz

NY NOW™, the Market for Home + Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF^®) made BizBash’s “New York’s Top 100” list for 2014 — little wonder, considering the strong impact the show has had. The show attracted over 30,000 attendees from more than 80 countries. The February show ran from the 1st through the 6th at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Five Baby+ Child awards were bestowed on the best new products in the Baby + Child (part of the LIFESTYLE collection) category. Vici Enterprises took home the Bloggers Best for its Spherovelo ride-on toy, while Nhocchi took home top honors for its portable Doorway Puppet Theater. California-dreaming Little Giraffe^® took first Décor honors for its Little GTM Money Bank, and Elements Accessories was tops in the Gear category for its Lava Lunch. Winter Water Factory LLC won over the Apparel category for its organic cotton Outer Space Charcoal Romper.

Not all companies with great products took home awards, but both new and veteran retailers did show a stellar uptick in orders. Companies like Anaïs & I, Scentco Inc., EFL Sales (Fiona Walker England and Albetta), and Calisson Inc drew a lot of attention.

Gear up for the August show by getting more info from www.nynow.com.

Anaïs & I Gains Traction, Turns Heads

“The brand name is gaining major traction in the industry; our Clients were both shocked and excited to see us there!” explained Marko Cotton of Anais & I. “We are known for our clothing, so the fact that we are offering another element to the line made everyone happy. People who weren’t familiar with the brand were in awe of the designs and items available for ordering. The collection was well received.”

Show-veteran Anais & I has been turning heads with its infant and child accessories, and its eye-catching 2014 clothing line drew kudos from attendees. Mix-and-match pieces rule, with soft colors for warm weather and a neutral palette for cool weather. Polka dots in pink charm little princesses, while boys step out in nostalgic blue checks.

Cotton noted that hot-sellers include pieces constructed from Liberty of London fabrics: “Retailers know that it is a quality fabric, and consumers love the look and feel. The bonnets, bibs, playsuits, and bedding that consist of Liberty of London fabric were really successful for us. Our hair accessories and necklaces were popular as well. The star (A9012) and sparkly ball (A9010) hairpins did well, as did the whistle necklaces (A9015), carousel necklace (A9016) and tassel necklace (A9018).”

Quality fashion with a strong customer base: www.anaisandi.com

Scentco Inc. Smells Like a Rose

“We had a fantastic reception from customers; they were very excited about the new look of the Smencils,” said Brandie Bowers, Sales Director at Scentco Inc. “People loved the interaction with the Smanimals [and] we had a fantastic show!” Kids love scented pencils, and they are an important part every child’s world. They are popular for school parties, as prizes for fun fairs, or just fun stocking stuffers.

Best of all, scented pencils are a lot like potato chips: no one ever wants just one. Variety is where Scentco excels: its exclusive line of Smencils have been a favorite with the small set for years. Scentco has evolved along with its products but Bowers noted that Scentco has a number of super-popular pieces: “Our scented graphite #2 and colored pencil sets made from recycled newspaper have always been very strong. …We have done a complete redesign on the Smencil line as well as added some really fun new items like our Glitter Gel pens, Birthday Smencils and Smarkers, so we anticipate great things this year!”

Scentco also offers the Smanimals, scented stuffed animals that take fun to a new level. A new line of products is in development, so stay tuned!

The sweet smell of childhood pairs well with Scentco Inc.: www.scentcoinc.com

“Mums to Moms” with EFL Sales

“I’ve been in sales for years and I know how important and relevant the New York Gift show is,” explained Dana Litvin, the owner of EFL Sales. As an industry veteran who worked with Jonathan Adler and John Robshaw, Litvin brings her wealth of experience to provide clients the best in representation. “We love the energy… you find the best brands there, [and] the top tier key account buyers walk the show,” she added.

EFL Sales represents Fiona Walker England and Albetta, top-quality British children’s labels new to the US market. Popular picks include the Fiona Walker wool felt heads collection, an addictive assortment of zoo creatures perfect for decorating a child’s room or for marking special areas for each child at school. Litvin noted: “The safari series (tiger, elephant, giraffe, zebra) are our best sellers, but there are so many amazing styles.”

EFL Sales is all about promoting the best in products for moms (and mums!). “Albetta is a fabulous British line also being introduced into the US market. [The line incorporates] the best quality cotton with chic designs…” Albetta’s seasonal daywear collection is a mega-hit with customers with its fun, nostalgic take on childhood.

EFL Sales brings the best in global style to a savvy audience: www.EFLSales.com

Calisson Inc Brings Nostalgic Comfort

“All the visitors [were] very happy to see Calisson for the first time at this show,” noted Alexandra Vailleau, Marketing Coordinator at Calisson Inc. “We [took] a lot of orders. It was a good show.” Calisson Inc is the official US distributor of “Sophie la giraffe”, a fixture in the children’s market since its development in 1961. The giraffe-shaped teether is designed to fit perfectly into little hands, is constructed from Hevea tree rubber and food-grade paints, and makes a gentle squeak when squeezed.

Calisson Inc also offers a range of engaging children’s products. The So’ Pure Blocks come in 6 packs and are great manipulatives for little hands. The So’ Pure Set (My First Hours) is a boon for new parents because it includes those important little things like a Sophie la giraffe teether, a baby blanket, a newborn bib, and a storage container.

While Sophie la giraffe is foundational to its company, Calisson Inc is rapidly expanding. Vailleau added: “Calisson Little Royals is a luxury brand designed for babies from 0 to 12 months. All [pieces are] made in France and Italy.” Little Royals not only includes a fun, eclectic collection of clothing, but also lux blankets and plush pieces. The company is also pushing into the realm of gentle skin care.

Lux pieces for little royals: www.CalissonInc.com