Children’s Apparel Market: News & Views
Loobalee as News & Trends
Sep|7|2008
- Back to School shopping analyzed in Teen apparel market. Will we see more fallout?
- Runway to a Playroom — celebrity fashion for babies and toddlers, L.A. Times
- Fleeting Fashion Trends Dictate Growth in the World Apparel Market — children’s clothing major sector driven by childhood brand awareness
- Press Release: Baby Bling Swarovski Crystal pacifiers now available at Sandboxcouture.com
- Just for fun - check out: A Lesson in Dress for the School Run (for Moms)
- Back to Cool: four Montreal designers with staying power reviewed - Euro-chic fashion for kids.
- Payless Show Source extends deal with guest designer, Stacey Bendet Eisner for exclusive designer label “alice + olivia for Payless” (focusing on both women’s and girls’ shoes).
- Gigi*s shoes offering new strap-change Mary Janes –change the straps to match your outfit. (this is one of those — Why didn’t I think of that! ideas). See Gigi*s store on-line.
- Gold Medalist Nastia Luikin Jumps into Apparel. And…heres more Nastia Luikin endorsement deals!
- Chldren’s clothing line created with organic and recycled cotton - available through Twirls & Twigs: the featured company on WallStreetNewsHour.com
- Take a Peek at this Kids Line: Peek…Aren’t You Curious
- Payless ShoeSource(R) has launched the Payless Inspiring Possibilities Program and will join together with its shoppers to raise money to support the future of Hispanic youth.
- Unique boutique Australian baby clothing label, Monster Baby, extends clothing line from baby to toddler and pre-school sizing.
Which Boys’ Swim Trunks Do You Like More?
Loobalee as Around the Web
Sep|5|2008
Time for a quick poll!
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Seven Things I Already Like About 77 Kids
Loobalee as Reviews
Sep|5|2008
The countdown to go-live for 77 Kids on-line is just 46 days away. “Long Live Fun” is the tagline for American Eagles new concept store for kids, sizes 2-12.
Today, aggressive promoting has begun. I received an email to enter a chance to win a private concert with the Jonas Brothers! You can enter too - just follow this “Party with the Jonas Brothers and 77 Kids” link. Of course, 77 Kids will ask for your email and address information
Partnering with the Jonas Brothers (assuming via Disney) must be costing some big bucks, but I expect they will build a large customer database via the promotion. I think American Eagle is taking this seriously - they should get some major traction with this promo.
Seven things I already like about 77 Kids (without even seeing their full line yet):
- Their size range goes up to Size 12. I think it’s a big mistake when stores stop at Size 10. If they do a good job with design, 77 Kids should see a significant market for sizes 10-12 — for both boys and girls.
- Their website is already integrated with American Eagle and Aerie — so my assumption is they have a combined cart and checkout process (similar to Gap’s new 4-in-1).
Sales At A Glance: Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008
Loobalee as Sales At A Glance
Sep|4|2008
Today we both expectedly and unexpectedly found the Talbotskids.com link disabled. It’s been almost 7 months to the day when we originally posted an article on the pending store closings and retirement of the Talbots Kids brand.
And, it is with mixed feelings that our Loobalee team says goodbye to one of the original kids apparel brands. Talbots Kids were successful in the children’s apparel market for almost 20 years and well known in many malls across the country. So, it is sad to see them go.
It’s Baby Sale Time - After an intense 6 weeks of focus on Back-to-School for kids, early September brings annual Baby Sales for several retailers. Check Gymboree, Pumpkin Patch, Old Navy and Crazy8 for 20-30% deals on baby clothing and accessories this weekend.
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Current Sales
- American Girl
- September’s Monthly Specials, where you can save 15 - 20% off selected current merchandise, are newly up on the site.
- Nothing new added to Clearance lately. You can still buy previous season Holiday Outfits for 50-60% off
- Abercrombie Kids
- Markdowns on website are 40-65% off.
- BabyGap & GapKids
- An Email coupon is circulating from the Gap Outlet - save 20% on your any purchase over $100 (good Sept. 7)
- For a limited time, add any Piperlime item to your on-line order and receive free shipping on entire order. Tip: Buy your back-to-school shoes at Piperlime and get your Gap Order shipped for Free.
- Sales sections contains 40 - 70% off deals. Check out this baby girl Rugby Polo Dress for $7.99.
- Save 25% on all kids Backpacks and Lunchboxes.
- Save on Back to School and Uniform basics at GapKids with “2 for” deals.
- Register to win a $3,000 collection from BabyGap Home plus $1,000 GapMaternity gift card. This looks like a fun collection, and valued higher than most other concurrently running sweepstakes from BabyGap competitors.
- Crazy 8
- Baby Sale: Save 20-30% on Teeny Tiny Baby Items.
- Grapic Tees - $7 each when you buy 2 or more
- Summer markdowns continue - many items marked at $2.99 and $4.99
- TIP: If you aren’t getting Crazy 8 coupons in the mail, subscribe here. As a new subscriber you will receive a coupon for $10 off your first purchase of $30 or more.
Hippos Toes Knows: South African Fair Trade Clothing for Children
Loobalee as Around the Web
Sep|3|2008
We love it when we find Mompreneurs with a passion for making quality children’s clothing designs available to other Moms. Hippos Toes is one such project. Hippos Toes is in it’s initial launch phases and is focused on offering the South African Fair Trade clothing line, Bug Zoo. Here is what the owner has to say about her purpose:
“I want to connect to people who care about purchasing quality children’s clothing from a country that truly can use the help and where the people making the clothing are actually improving their lives because of your purchase. The company who’s clothes I am representing CARE about their employees and pay them fairly (fair trade) for their work so they can enrich their lives and their family’s lives. I want to stress how important this is and how much it means to me and to them. “
Bug Zoo, invented by a Mom, is a mix and match line that was was inspired by the need for quality, whimsical designs for kids. Bug Zoo has continued to fulfill it’s mission for almost 20 years. With the Bug Zoo line, you are know you are getting:
- quality fabrics in 100% South African combed cotton knits, cotton lycra, and cotton wovens
- fabrics pre-dyed and printed with original hand-screened designs
- special care in each garment made by the Bug Zoo team of fairly paid African Women living in and working in developing areas of South Africa.
This is a purchase you can feel great about putting your kids in, and the prices are reasonable too!
Sales At A Glance: Monday, Sept. 1, 2008
Loobalee as Sales At A Glance
Sep|1|2008
Happy Labor Day - Happy September!
I hope if you’ve been in a shopping mood (or mode) this weekend, that you’ve been able to find some good deals. Today, I noticed that most promotions hold as there were over the weekend. You’ll find them all below!
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Current Sales
- American Girl
- August’s month specials, where you can save 15 - 20% off selected current merchandise, are still in effect today (due to the Holiday - we should see the September updates by tomorrow)
- Abercrombie Kids
- Markdowns on website are 40-65% off.
- BabyGap & GapKids
- Find Labor Day sales at the Gap Outlet: 30 - 40 - 50% off on select styles
- An Email coupon is circulating from the Gap Outlet - save 20% on your any purchase over $100 (good Sept. 7)
- For a limited time, add any Piperlime item to your on-line order and receive free shipping on entire order. Tip: Buy your back-to-school shoes at Piperlime and get your Gap Order shipped for Free.
- Jeans Rule for school on GapKids and Baby Gap, too. Buy one pair, get another pair 50% off.
- Save 25% on all kids Backpacks and Lunchboxes.
- Save on Back to School basics at GapKids with “2 for” deals.
- Register to win a $3,000 collection from BabyGap Home plus $1,000 GapMaternity gift card. This looks like a fun collection, and valued higher than most other concurrently running sweepstakes from BabyGap competitors.
- Crazy 8
- Labor Day Sale: $5 Tees, $9.99 Ativewear and Denim, and Back-to-School collections 30-50% off.
- Summer markdowns continue - many items marked at $2.99, $3.99, and $4.99.
- TIP: If you aren’t getting Crazy 8 coupons in the mail, subscribe here. As a new subscriber you will receive a coupon for $10 off your first purchase of $30 or more.
- CrewCuts
- The Final sale summer sale -Save up to 75% off on-line. New items are continue to be added and/or marked down. TIP: Shop carefully, all sales are now final - no exchanges or refunds.
- Enter the Set-For-School sweepstakes and win a $2,000 wardrobe that comes with the help of a personal shopper to pull it all together! Daily prizes are also being given away — each day you can play a match-making game to win. Today’s prize is the popular Amagansett Tote (small, with embroidered critter — you pick the critter)
- Automatically receive a one year subscription to Cookie Magazine with any purchase over $100.
- TIP: Crewcuts receives their store markdowns each Tuesday after closing. So, Wednesdays are typically the best days to shop.
Children’s Apparel Market: News & Views
Loobalee as News & Trends
Aug|31|2008
- Luxury children’s clothing market has grown 12% despite gas prices and housing slump. How and why? Think social awarenes, eco - green, and global design influence.
- Burberry opening first childrenswear store in US - November 7 at The Westchester in White Plains, NY.
- Kohls partners with tween social networking and dress-up doll site, Stardoll.com, to offer line of virtual-inspired junior’s clothing. See Kohl’s “Abby Dawn” collection design by Avril Lavigne.
- Sheryl Crow plans to introduce children’s apparel line in Fall ‘09.
- Gold Medal winner, Nastia Luikin, announces Vanilla Star Jean’s “Live The Dream” scholarship contest. More on Vanilla Star Jeans’ “Smart Girls Rock” ad campaign here.
- Read Patrick Thomas of Krickets and Designer’s insights into Montreal as a hub for quality children’s apparel design — featuring well-known brands La Senza Girl and Deux par Deux.
- Menswear styles in fashion for Tween back-to-school selections.
- Accessories spice up School Uniforms this year.
- Read a review of Sketcher’s brand shoes at Best Toddler Tips.
- Who is Lawrence Stroll? Designer of Pierre Cardin women & children’s line. Also responsible for expanding Women & Children’s Ralph Lauren Lines into Canada.
Sales At A Glance: Thursday, August 28, 2008
Loobalee as Sales At A Glance
Aug|28|2008
It’s Labor Day Weekend, which is always a big punctuation mark on the end of Summer. Labor Day weekend is typically significantly leveraged by merchants to clear out final summer inventory and to offer one final push on Back-to-School merchandise.
Most stores will have sales this weekend. You’ll find promotions like “additional 20-40% off”, and Back-to-School clearance (40-50% off). If you there are any must-haves you kids need for school, you should be able to find a good deal this weekend. Look for items that are, at a minimum, 40% off — ideally more.
We at Loobalee wish you a Happy Labor Day Weekend! Thanks for visiting us. As always, if you have any suggestions for this bi-weekly post, let us know!
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Current Sales
- American Girl
- Check out August’s month specials, where you can save 15 - 20% off selected current merchandise.
- Abercrombie Kids
- Markdowns on website are 40-65% off.
- BabyGap & GapKids
- Find Labor Day sales at the Gap Outlet: 30 - 40 - 50% off on select styles
- An Email coupon is circulating from the Gap Outlet - save 20% on your any purchase over $100 (good Sept. 7)
- For a limited time, add any Piperlime item to your on-line order and receive free shipping on entire order. Tip: Buy your back-to-school shoes at Piperlime and get your Gap Order shipped for Free.
- Jeans Rule for school on GapKids and Baby Gap, too. Buy one pair, get another pair 50% off.
- Save 25% on all kids Backpacks and Lunchboxes.
- Save on Back to School basics at GapKids with “2 for” deals.
- Register to win a $3,000 collection from BabyGap Home plus $1,000 GapMaternity gift card. This looks like a fun collection, and valued higher than most other concurrently running sweepstakes from BabyGap competitors.
- Crazy 8
- Labor Day Sale: $5 Tees, $9.99 Ativewear and Denim, and Back-to-School collections 30-50% off.
- Summer markdowns continue - many items marked at $2.99, $3.99, and $4.99.
- TIP: If you aren’t getting Crazy 8 coupons in the mail, subscribe here. As a new subscriber you will receive a coupon for $10 off your first purchase of $30 or more.
- CrewCuts
- The Final sale summer sale -Save up to 75% off on-line. New items are continue to be added and/or marked down. TIP: Shop carefully, all sales are now final - no exchanges or refunds.
- Side Note: The extravagant $328 Posy Pouf Skirt I’ve been watching is now on sale for $199 (40% off)! Pair it with the Shimmer Sequin Cardigan, regularly $168 on sale for $99 (also ~ 60% off). I love watching this Collection! But, would you buy it? I welcome your comments at the bottom of this blog post.
- Enter the Set-For-School sweepstakes and win a $2,000 wardrobe that comes with the help of a personal shopper to pull it all together! Daily prizes are also being given away — each day you can play a match-making game to win. Today’s prize is the popular Amagansett Tote (small, with embroidered critter — you pick the critter)
- Automatically receive a one year subscription to Cookie Magazine with any purchase over $100.
- TIP: Crewcuts receives their store markdowns each Tuesday after closing. So, Wednesdays are typically the best days to shop.
A Savvy Baby Spot
Loobalee as Around the Web
Aug|26|2008
We recommend you visit featured blog, “A Savvy Baby“, a sweet spot for your great finds, giveaways, and must-have information for Moms. A Savvy Baby has just started promoting Green sites, and a favorite fun promotion is the “Savvy Baby of the Month” — which you can enter by emailing a picture of your savvy little one through contact information on the website.
Here’s what Sister-founders of A Savvy Baby have to say about their services:
A Savvy Baby is a new blog dedicated to moms and, of course, babies and children. ….We have a lot in store for this new site. Some of the things we will feature will be our favorite products, parenting tips, recipes, baby shower ideas and planning, interviews with other moms, and of course a ton of giveaways.
Givewaways? Sounds like a lot of fun! There are several each week. It’s worth checking back at least weekly to see the featured giveaways. We reviewed past giveaways and featured products, and concluded these sisters have a terrific way of finding fun and interesting new things for Moms and kids alike. We hope you stop by A Savvy Baby and enjoy this delightful and beautifully designed blog.
Sales At A Glance: Monday, August 25, 2008
Loobalee as Around the Web
Aug|25|2008
We’d like to Welcome Justice - Just for Girls to our Sales At A Glance bi-weekly posting. We’ll include Justice each Monday and Thursday as we research the major retail stores and on-line shopping sites for current sales and promotions. And, you can be sure we’ll be watching how Limited Too phases into Justice — may be there will be some great deals!
TIP: If you like to “Shop Justice”, you might want to bookmark the site or add the URL to your favorites — it’s not an easy one to type!
JUST FOR FUN: Check out J. Crew’s newly upgraded website (Yes, they are at it again). It’s a feast for the eyes, I must say, though I haven’t noticed any new shopping features. One add is “Meet Melanie” — you can actually email or call Melanie (they provide her phone number) for crewcuts shopping assistance.
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Current Sales
- American Girl
- Check out August’s month specials, where you can save 15 - 20% off selected current merchandise.
- Abercrombie Kids
- Markdowns on website are 40-60% off.
- BabyGap & GapKids
- An Email coupon is circulating from the Gap Outlet - save 20% on your any purchase over $100 (good Sept. 7)
- For a limited time, add any Piperlime item to your on-line order and receive free shipping on entire order. Tip: Buy your back-to-school shoes at Piperlime and get your Gap Order shipped for Free.
- Jeans Rule for school on GapKids and Baby Gap, too. Buy one pair, get another pair 50% off.
- Save 25% on all kids Backpacks and Lunchboxes.
- Save on Back to School basics at GapKids with “2 for” deals.
- Register to win a $3,000 collection from BabyGap Home plus $1,000 GapMaternity gift card. This looks like a fun collection, and valued higher than most other concurrently running sweepstakes from BabyGap competitors.
- Crazy 8
- Back to School: $5.99 graphic tees, $7.99 polos, and $9.99 denim.
- Summer markdowns continue - many items marked at $2.99, $3.99, and $4.99.
- TIP: If you aren’t getting Crazy 8 coupons in the mail, subscribe here. As a new subscriber you will receive a coupon for $10 off your first purchase of $30 or more.
- CrewCuts
- The Final sale summer sale -Save up to 75% off on-line. New items are continue to be added and/or marked down. TIP: Shop carefully, all sales are now final - no exchanges or refunds.
- Enter the Set-For-School sweepstakes and win a $2,000 wardrobe that comes with the help of a personal shopper to pull it all together! Daily prizes are also being given away — each day you can play a match-making game to win. Today’s prize is the popular Amagansett Tote (small, with embroidered critter — you pick the critter)
- Automatically receive a one year subscription to Cookie Magazine with any purchase over $100.
- TIP: Crewcuts receives their store markdowns each Tuesday after closing. So, Wednesdays are typically the best days to shop.
