& 360 GIVING RETAILERS THE PERSPECTIVE IN BUYING AND SELLING Abc kids expo must-see exhibitors! Trends& Forecasts from Pantone & Design Options Inspiration for spring вЂў Marketing to moms вЂў business matters вЂў MUST-HAVES FROM AN OB-GYN вЂў New & Noteworthy Products spring/summer 2013 buying market subscriptions This print publication gives readers insight into the major buying markets before they begin, offering retailers a complete perspective of the marketвЂ”before the market. & 360 GIVING RETAILERS THE PERSPECTIVE IN BUYING AND SELLING ABC KIDS EXPO MUST-SEE EXHIBITORS! Trends& Forecasts from Pantone & Design Options Inspiration for spring вЂў MARKETING TO MOMS вЂў BUSINESS MATTERS вЂў MUST-HAVES FROM AN OB-GYN вЂў NEW & NOTEWORTHY PRODUCTS SPRING/SUMMER 2013 BUYING MARKET issues Fall/Winter 2013 Buying Wholesale Preview arrives March 2013 Spring/Summer 2013 Buying Wholesale Preview arrives October 2012 subscribers Retail Maternity Buyers who purchase $521 Million in wholesale products annually Retail Baby Buyers who purchase $882 Million in wholesale products annually 2 maternity&newborn360 Publisher Scott Whitley creative director Kelly Brock Editorial Alexander Muse BSM Media Dan Jablons David Singelyn Dr. Somi Javaid Eleni Koureas Eric Seemann Erin Skaggs Fran Sude Jamie Archer-Perkins Jodi Mesnick Jyoti Singh keekoo.com Kerry Banz Lisa Ebbing Maria Bailey Melanie McInally Pantone Rachel Florio-Urso Richard Brown Saunde Briggs Trevor Stafford Youngin Em Maternity & Newborn 360, the retailerвЂ™s resource for buying and selling maternity and newborn products, is published twice a year right before the major whole sale buying markets of Fall/ Winter (March) and Spring/Summer (October). It is published by QuickWhit Publishing LLC, 505 Elm St, Moorestown NJ 08057. Every effort has been made to include correct and current information; however publisher cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions. Publisher does not assume responsibility for statements made by their advertisers in business competition. Mention or editorial inclusion of any organization or business does not constitute endorsement. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photos. Any photographs, art work, manuscripts, editorial samples or merchandise sent for editorial consideration are sent at the sole risk of the sender. QuickWhit will assume no responsibility for loss or damage. No portion of this issue may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Printed in the USA. Maternity & Newborn 360 is mailed free of charge to qualified individuals in the maternity & newborn industry in the USA (retailers, buyers, manufactures, PR, etc). Electronically it is emailed to any subscriber in the world. To subscribe go to www.maternitynewborn.com. To cancel or update your subscription, email [email protected]. www.maternitynewborn.com spring/summer 2013 from the publisher Buy smarter for Spring/Summer 2013, sell more this Fall/Winter! Maternity & Newborn 360 magazine is a collaborative effort from the maternity to newborn trade marketplace for the maternity trade marketplace. Each issue will arrive right before the major wholesale buying markets. Buying SPRING/SUMMER (in your hands NOW) and Buying FALL/WINTER (arrives first week of March). Our goal is to be the RETAILERвЂ™S RESOURCE in buying and selling MORE maternity and newborn products, giving retailers and buyers a 360-degree view of the upcoming wholesale buying marketвЂ” before it even begins. In reading this issue, youвЂ™ll discover why manufacturers are selecting specific colors in their line, what products are on trend and why, and you will discover many designersвЂ™ sources of inspiration, hear whatвЂ™s hot and new in your marketplace, gain insight into the retail business, find sales tactics that really work, and much, much more. Hang on to this issueвЂ”read it, make notes on it and practice the techniques that your trade says worked for them. Please be supportive of all of the businesses in our trade that made this issue possible. From the contributing editors in the masthead to the left to the advertisers below. ABC Kids Expo...................................................... 31 BabySpa................................................................ 37 Bamboobies.......................................................... 57 Belli Skin Care....................................................... 47 Belly Bangle.......................................................... 40 BLOOMING BATH................................................ 38 Carseat Canopy..................................................... 40 spring/summer 2013 Scott whitley publisher Diapees & Wipees................................................. 40 Green Associates Maternity................................... 74 HABA USA............................................................ 41 HAVEN, Maternity for Two.............................. 13, 41 Ingrid & Isabel....................................................... 29 Isabella Oliver....................................................... 48 ItвЂ™s You Babe.......................................................... 35 Karibu Baby Limited................................................ 7 keekoo.com...............................................25, 27, BC Kissaluvs................................................................ 38 Larrivo40............................................................... 40 Louis Val Court...................................................... 44 mamadoc.............................................................. 43 Maternalove.......................................................... 51 Me2Roo................................................................ 49 Milk Nursingwear ................................................. 51 New View Maternity.............................................. 75 Novena Maternal Skincare...................................... 9 Pink Lining.............................................................. 5 Pour Deux, Maternity for Two.......................... 17, 38 Preggers................................................................. 23 PRIMO.................................................................. 38 Proud Body........................................................... 53 RockinвЂ™ Green....................................................... 39 Seraphine.............................................................. 45 Sono Vaso.............................................................. 33 The Fairy Godmother Store.................................... 39 Woombie.............................................................. 41 You Lingerie.......................................................... 39 ZUTANO............................................................... 41 Have an idea for a story that will help retailers sell more maternity and newborn products? Contact me at [email protected] maternity&newborn360 3 whatвЂ™s inside spring/summer 2013 8 Learning Curves by BSM Media on the cover | trends, forecasts, inspiration trends inspiration 10 Pantone Fashion Color Report 2013 Pantone Color Institute 28DesignersвЂ™ Source of Inspiration for spring/summer 2013 Isabella Oliver Sono Vaso Hotmilk My O Baby Miniature Milk The Ellie Rose 18 18 19 19 20 20 Ququa Kids Joe-Ella Boon Gro Furniture Baby Cargo 21 21 22 22 23 Nicole Miller NEW YORK FASHION WEEK вЂў SEPTEMBER 6 вЂ“ 13, 2O12 pantone.com/spring 2O13 14 Color & Lifestyle Forecast By Fran Sude, Design Options continued on page 6 4 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 whatвЂ™s inside marketing to moms continued from page 4 new & noteworthy by 28 Seasons and Shopping, According to Moms by Maria Bailey pr diva 56 MATERNITY 32 Get in the Know by Rachel Florio-Urso 60 NURSING business matters 36 Show Me the Money by Eric Seemann 63 BABY GEAR Abc kids expo must-see exhibitors! pages 37-41 42 Taking risks can revitalize your business by Kerry Banz 66 BABY APPAREL 46 Embracing Mobile Technology by Alexander Muse 50 Combating Internet Lowball Pricing: A Survival Guide by Dan Jablons buying 70 BEAUTY 72 ACCESSORIES 52 Green is in! by Richard Brown 54 OB-GYN Dr. Somi Says by Dr. Somi calendar of events & markets 74 Where you need to be in 2012/2013 6 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 c learning urves MomвЂ™s Seasonal Shopping Habits & Technology Use* Why seasons make a difference in how moms shop, and how technology use is consistent year round. Percentage of Moms responses to popular life events that affect purchases: Birthdays........................................69% Back-to-school planning.................69% Holiday parties/barbecues..............56% Vacation planning..........................53% Change of weather.........................51% Springtime attitudes When asked to rank the following statements based on their level of agreement (1 = strongly disagree, 10 = strongly agree) the results were as follows: I eat healthier in spring..................... 5.7 IвЂ™m motivated to organize/clean my home and office in spring.............. 6 My family is active in the evening in spring.............................................. 6 I find myself purchasing specific health and beauty products in spring... 5 My family is likely to attend group meals and get-togethers in the spring..................................... 5.8 IвЂ™m concerned with hydration in spring........................................... 5.9 Compared to other time periods of the year, my monthly spending is higher this Spring.......................... 5.5 There are purchases that I make in the spring that I donвЂ™t make in other times of the year...................... 5.6 Looking ahead, Moms prepare for summer in spring months by: Stocking up on sunscreen, aloe...............................................60% Shopping for warmer weather clothes..............................55% Planning for summer vacation........49% Moms use their mobile phone during shopping for the following: Finding a store location..................39% Seeking information about a product/service............................36% Comparing prices on a product/service...............................36% Making a вЂњnoteвЂќ to remember an item later...................................36% *BSM Media, a marketing to moms firm, fielded surveys and conducted focus groups in conjunction with Tracey Locke. Technology Throughout the Year When asked on what kind of shopping trips theyвЂ™re most likely to utilize their mobile phone, moms responded: Shopping for electronics.................45% Selecting a restaurant......................41% Shopping for groceries....................38% Shopping for clothes.......................34% When asked what personal electronic devices they brought on their last vacation, moms responded: Digital camera................................79% Laptop computer............................58% Smart phone...................................56% Cell phone......................................41% Maria T. Bailey, CEO of BSM Media, is the foremost authority on marketing to moms with a series of articles and books, including the newest book, вЂњPower Moms: The New Rules for Engaging Mom Influencers Who Drive Brand Choice,вЂќ вЂњThe Ultimate Mom BookвЂќ (HCI, 2009), вЂњMom 3.0: Marketing With Moms By Leveraging New Media and Technology,вЂќ вЂњMarketing to Moms: Getting Your Share of the Trillion Dollar MarketвЂќ and вЂњTrillion Dollar Moms: Marketing to a New Generation of Mothers.вЂќ Maria is host of Mom Talk Radio, the #1-downloaded parenting podcast, and co-host of Good Day with Doug Stephan, the #7 morning drive time radio show. A busy mother of four children, Maria is co-founder of BlueSuitMom.com, MomTV.com and Newbaby.com and has been featured in U.S. News and World Report, Wall Street Journal and on CNN, Lifetime TV and various local affiliates. 8 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 t rends Pantone В® This season, designers overwhelmingly address consumersвЂ™ desire for self-expression, balance and the need to re-energize. The color direction for spring builds upon these compelling needs with a palette that mixes dynamic brights with novel neutrals to create a harmonious balance. This allows for unique combinations that offer practicality and versatility, but at the same time, demand attention and earn an appreciative glance. вЂњThe expression вЂ�balancing actвЂ™ is something we all relate to as we strive to find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives,вЂќ said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color InstituteВ®. вЂњThe same can be said for fashion as we look for balance between light and bright, classic and new. This seasonвЂ™s color palette emphasizes this need for balance, while at the same time allowing for individuality, self-expression and excitement.вЂќ The prevalence of green this spring is undeniable. Similar to the many shades in our natural surroundings, this seasonвЂ™s greens offer a stunning foreground or the perfect backdrop for all other hues. Like the first signs of spring, Tender Shoots, a vibrant yellow-green, is invigorating, active and cheerful, while Grayed Jade, a subtle, hushed green with a gray undertone, brings about a mood of quiet reflection and repose. Sophisticated Emerald, a lively, radiant green, inspires insight and clarity while enhancing our sense of well-being. From one extreme to the other, combining all three greens presents an intriguing choice much like Mother Nature intended. Exotic African Violet is a statement color that brings a touch of intrigue to the palette, as purples often do, and can be incorporated into many unexpected combinations. Try pairing it with exuberant Poppy Red, a seductive, sensual and celebratory shade. Whether itвЂ™s a knockout dress or a kiss on the lips, every womanвЂ™s wardrobe and beauty essentials should include this spirited, true red. Nectarine, a bright, effervescent citrus orange with coral undertones, provides a tangy burst of flavor while cheerful Lemon Zest brings out a piquant taste with its refreshing, spritely greenish cast. 10 maternity&newborn360 Signifying the time of day when everything starts to wind down, Dusk Blue offers a calming sense of serenity akin to its green counterpart, Grayed Jade. Both of these colors act as the seasonвЂ™s newest neutrals. For an unexpected mix, pair Dusk Blue with the intensity of Nectarine. A warm neutral, Linen is light and airy, providing a nude-like basic that is a must have for spring. Try pairing Linen with Grayed Jade or Dusk Blue. Anchoring Monaco Blue is a classic shade that offers both stability and depth to the entire palette. Combine Monaco Blue with Poppy Red and Linen, or Monaco Blue and Emerald for a fresh collegiate look. For over 20 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the seasonвЂ™s most important color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for spring 2013. вЂњ This seasonвЂ™s color palette emphasizes this need for balance, while at the same time allowing for individuality, self-expression and excitement. вЂќ spring/summer 2013 continued on page 12 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 11 t rends Must-have Items For Spring 2013 Tracy Reese The key word for spring is вЂњeasyвЂќ вЂ” easy pieces that fall away from the body with a totally relaxed feeling really encompass the mood of the season. HervГ© LГ©ger A multifaceted jacquard dress in an infusion of Blue, Pearl Blue, Black and White вЂ” its fresh, light mood for spring amplifies a must-have attraction вЂ” light enough for the season and fearless enough to conquer all the new styles. Rachel Roy A Limeade, peplum, cap sleeve cropped jacket вЂ” I always design to build confidence and celebrate the strong woman; the Limeade color paired with peplum makes this jacket a statement piece; you can pair it with different silhouettes, whether it is an asymmetrical silk chiffon dress or palazzo pants. Ella Moss The fit and flare dress in Citron Yellow floral. 12 maternity&newborn360 Tadashi Shoji An Ikat-printed, gazar, strapless, pleated gown in Pale Iris. Pamella Roland For an important evening event, the sleek, fluid gown in Blush silk crepe with matching glass Maco beadwork would be a fantastic way to look and stand out. Carmen Marc Valvo A silk, gazar blouse in a bright Poppy. David Meister My Warm Orange re-embroidered lace gown вЂ” laces in brights look new and fresh; it is an exciting manner to add color to your wardrobe in a new, unexpected way. spring/summer 2013 ha en love your bump в„ў www.maternityfortwo.com | [email protected] | t. 866.586.3270 t rends Color&Lifestyle Forecast by Fran Sude This has been the most exciting Summer we have ever seen in the 23 years of being in the business of color. From hair color to wall color, nail color to shoes and accessories, to maternity and kids, this was a forecasterвЂ™s dream. The #1 fashion trend is color. We are having a field day with customers begging for new color combinations because everything they were producing in out-of-the-box palettes, was selling. How wonderful! To learn more visit our website www.Design-Options.com 14 maternity&newborn360 With an extensive background in Retail, Design, Merchandising, and Manufacturing, Fran Sude is an international authority on color and trend forecasting. She is the creative force behind Design Options, Inc., the only Color and Lifestyle forecasting company in Los Angeles. We invite you to visit our website at www. design-options.com. spring/summer 2013 Here are some of our HOT color and fabric trends for the maternity market for Spring 2013: Essential and elemental articulations of virtuous splendorвЂ¦Natural Expression. Earthy tones of slate grey and rustic olive indicate notions of loveliness on a backdrop of silk georgette. Cornflower blue and teal hues of gracious debutante and femme fatale delicately draw attention to smoky accents. Silver shades of ordinary damsel exude a touch of utmost purity. Particularly and naturally expressiveвЂ¦Natural Expression. Earthy and artful with accents of agility and civilizationвЂ¦ Earth Daze. Burnt orange and brown tones of bewilderment and bemusement combine peaceful ideas and 1960вЂ™s flair. Rich burgundy spices up bohemian jersey prints. Shades of navy add a touch of delicacy on a canvas of timeless artistry. Vivid and soft silhouettes coalesce with golden yellow and brick to evoke an air of effortless skillвЂ¦Earth Daze. continued on page 16 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 15 t rends continued from page 15 Here are some of our HOT color and fabric trends for the kids market for Spring 2013: 16 Undefeated and victoriously eloquentвЂ¦Faded Glory. Light Gray and muted light blue hues of exalted importance and distinguished love exude an existence of prominence on a passionate canvas of denim and poplin. Beaded accents combine with floral fixtures to create a production of gracious pretense. Golden beige tones exude an air of delicacy on pima cotton. Fading into the sunlight of innocenceвЂ¦Faded Glory. Electrifying and lighthearted individualismвЂ¦Electric Avenue. Neon pink and shocking blue shades of velocity and locomotion fuse with uncompromising innovation to express energetic ideas. Yellow and glowing green tones give animated radiance to taffeta fabrics. Orange hues of electricity emphasize versatility while accentuating purity and playfulness. Ingenuity and imaginative originalityвЂ¦Electric Avenue. maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 MATERNITY CLOTHING ... REDEFINED www.maternityfortwo.com | [email protected] | t. 866.586.3270 i nspiration Isabella Olivercelebrate curves Isabella Oliver brings unrivalled style and quality to pregnant women. The collection is designed to celebrate pregnancy curves and offer a flattering fit from day one, until long after pregnancy. Created by Co-Founder and Creative Director, Baukjen de Swaan Arons, the collection focuses on effortless style and clever design. Our iconic pieces have been worn by some of the worldвЂ™s most stylish women, and celebrity clients include Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Garner, Natalie Portman and Gwen Stefani. Using our signature techniques of wrapping, ruching and draping, we create flattering pieces that work throughout the stages of pregnancy. These techniques have led the way in maternity dressing and made our designs instantly recogniz- able. Alongside excellent design, quality is key. Our carefully selected fabrics are soft to touch, maintain their color and shape and allow skin to breathe. The SS13 palette is full of fresh modern colorsвЂ”cool khaki sequins sit alongside metal blue and peach slub jerseys. Color-blocked knitwear in corals, cornflower blues and silver grays make for a contemporary collection. Relaxed but stylish day dressing is made effortless with an unstructured tailored trench and pants in a beautiful French navy. This season is all about light layering. We have styled fine jerseys over our signature jersey tops, with cropped jackets effortlessly thrown on. Abstract floral prints on lightweight chiffons add a feminine touch, while digital floral prints on jersey offer a bold statement. The look is understated and effortless, with a fresh print or day sequin added to give a contemporary twist. The Isabella Oliver collection offers everything a woman needs for the most beautiful time in her life. www.IsabellaOliver.com color, color, color!Sono Vaso Spring Summer 2013 is all about highly visible color in coral, electric blue, bright mauve, optic yellow, Atlantis aqua and timeless black & white. Flowing viscose dresses are punctuated with cinched-in belts and hemlines are maxi long in elongated sheath dresses in cuts that allow the body to move freely and create discreet curves. Body-conscious jerseys and draping follow the trend in pencil slim shapes, simply following the contours of the body. Asymmetry remains a key feature; shoulders and arms show off for the summer. Lace and lattice patterns in soft cotton poplins bring femininity and ease; the lacy dress is a seasonal must. Engineered stripes and chevrons with a sporty influence are strong for 18 maternity&newborn360 SSвЂ™13. Mixed jersey stripes in body-con knits and fine 12 gauge sweater knits in multi-colored yarn-dye stripes are perfect for chic statement dressing. The tank dress and tee dress are key pieces for the season. We introduce our new Power denim: mechanical stretch jeans wear collection with skinny leg and mini skirt styles. Our Sono Vacanza resortwear collection is great for easy style before, during and after pregnancy. Modal/ spandex jersey silhouettes in maxis and long tunics trimmed in our signature trapunto stitched silk sateen are perfect for the city or beach vacay. Our design philosophy is вЂњThink fashion firstвЂ”translate the trend into maternity.вЂќ We dress the beautiful woman with the beautiful bump! The name вЂњSono VasoвЂќ is Italian for I am a vesselВвЂ”a tribute to the fact that every pregnant woman is indeed a vessel bearing new life, in body and in spirit. Melanie McInally Co-founder and Creative Director www.sonovaso.com spring/summer 2013 Hotmilka study in contrasts Every woman has her diva moments, and the Hotmilk diva is no exception. A woman of contrasts and contradiction, she pushes boundaries and revels being in the spotlight but donвЂ™t underestimate her soft, relective, nurturing sideвЂ¦above all she is always fabulous!В В This spirited attitude has a sexy charm that sets a cool, edgy mood for the season. Designs are a paradox of playfulness and drama, sexy and pure, vintage and modern. Colors are soft: coral, mocha, pink champagne and cream with bold azure blue, crimson red, midnight blue and jet black. Like our Hotmilk diva, the Hotmilk philosophy has always been about pushing the boundaries. The latest images show a mother breastfeeding her baby in couture fashion with the juxtaposition of her environment. At first glance, a simple fashion statement, on further viewing, the message is more about normalizing our perception to no longer see that juxtaposition www.hotmilklingerie.com contemporary and natural My O Baby As a mother, I am always concerned about the clothes, food and anything else that will come into contact with my children.В So while developing my brand I wanted every garment to be made of gentle materials and of quality construction, while ensuring our designs had a contemporary, fun and playful spirit of childhood. My O Baby garments are made only from organic certified cotton. The certification is given from Control union which monitors organic cotton certification throughout the worldВ guaranteeing that all of our products are organically grown, with minimal processing. In addition, there are no pesticides or chemicals used in growing or processing our fabrics, we use all-natural dyes and nickel-free snaps, to ensure only the softest, gentlest materials come into contact with your babyвЂ™s sensitive skin. My O Baby is all about bright, vibrant and fun prints and colors. Just because itвЂ™s organic doesnвЂ™t mean itвЂ™s boring. Summer 2013 is all about outdoors: gardens, flowers and trips to the zoo and jungle. Continuing that theme, our Summer 2013 collection is bright colorful flowers and zoo and jungle animals, and all-time favorites for boys, cars and dogs. At MyOBaby we are dedicated to the efforts of making a better and more sustainable future. www.myobaby.com continued on page 20 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 19 i nspiration continued from page 19 Miniature Milknaturally soft The focus of our Spring/Summer 2013 Layette Range of Baby Clothes is the incredible fabric that we have developed and its properties. We do not want our designs to detract from this but complement the вЂњmilkвЂќ element of the clothing. Therefore, we have designed a range of clean and natural designs which incorporate accessorized elements such as colored rims and trims. We wanted to keep the clothing simple because we think that this aligns the product with the вЂњhealthy and naturalвЂќ image that we would like to portray. We have also included a range of вЂњCow PrintвЂќ items that playfully reference the origin of the Milk Fabric. In terms of colors, pastels will continue to be big in 2013 and we have therefore used a pastel baby blue for the boyвЂ™s range and a pastel purple of the girlвЂ™s range. Both of the selected colors, while trend-orientated, also align with the brandвЂ™s association with being neutral and organic. As part of our range, the majority of the items have the benefits of Milk Fabric printed on the back to emphasize the story and the continued education of our target demographic. The resulting collection is a cohesive layette range that not only looks вЂњcuteвЂќ but is also luxuriously soft and perfect for our customersвЂ™ babies. Jamie Archer-Perkins Designer www.miniaturemilk.com coastal harmoniesThe Ellie Rose Inspiration is all around. It is in the color of your babyвЂ™s eyes. It is in the long blades of lush green grass on your early morning bike ride. It is in the cool crispness of your freshly laundered familiar bed sheets. But what direction does a designer take when it comes to building a complete new collection? Ellie Rose Spring 2013 came straight from the Outer Banks of North Carolina. My husband and I just celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary this year. It was an intimate wedding on the wooden pier of a waterfront lighthouse in the small quaint town of Manteo. The memories of our wedding day linger easily. A delicious mix of rugged pier floors combined with the classic glamour of a silk shantung wedding dress created such a harmonious con- 20 maternity&newborn360 trast. Perfectly colored crimson skies, piercingly blue water, lime green stems on the delicate tulip bouquet made by my proud father. Flushed pink cheeks of giggling flower girls and an impish ring bearerвЂ”green eyes and blue, red heads and blondes. Warm tenderness of family toasting poetically with sparkling crystal glasses. Vibrant bold colors filled the air. Bright colored cottages lined the shores, gorgeous sandy beaches neutralizing the scene. Our family has now grown to four and weвЂ™ve created a tradition of vacationing in the Outer Banks, North CarolinaвЂ”each summer reliving old memories and happily creating new ones. ItвЂ™s that feeling I look to capture in the Ellie Rose Spring Collection 2013. The mix of textures that inspires the materials. The vibrant pops of colors muted by neutral tones of the sandy beaches inspire the color palette. And the ocean breezes and happy giggles that turn into twirly skirts. Saunde Briggs Designer www.theellierose.com spring/summer 2013 Ququa Kidscuriosity, contrasts and color Our Spring/Summer 2013 collection is called Curiosity. Kids are always curious about things around them and they learn best when enjoying the experience. In order to express childrenвЂ™s never-ending curiosity with our products, we experimented with colors and patterns while constantly reminding ourselves to have fun while doing itвЂ”like a child would. Our color use for this collection is very special as we mixed contrasting yet harmonious colors such as light blue with bright orange and pink or light aqua with bright yellow. We believe a great color combination is important in expressing what kids are all about. For example, some colors such as pink, brown and red look great on kids but using any of those colors alone or in large chunks does not emanate the true nature of kids. In order to bring harmony with those fun colors, we used patterns that are a mixture of thick pastel pink stripes and thin brown stripes with a hint of red on the neckline. We played a lot with colors and had enormous amount of fun with colors as kids would. The colors of our products are complete only when kids are seen wearing them in the water under the sun. However, as extended sun exposure may shorten fun time for kids, we focus only on rash guards. Not only will our focus on sun protection prolong the fun day for kids, our products will make kids stand out wherever there is fun to be had in and around water because there is no other brand that had as much fun as we had putting all this together. Youngin Em Designer www.ququakids.com vintage styleJoe-Ella WeвЂ™ve always admired the stylish and strong female characters of the TV show Madmen, and this lead us to explore childrenвЂ™s fashion from that decade. What we found wereВ lovelyВ designs and silhouettes for infants and girlsвЂ”it was inspiration overload!В Those discoveries connected perfectly with our own love of classic, modest and durable dresses for our littlest ladies. Because there was so much inspiration to choose from, we divided our creative energy into two groups: First, we took classic dress bodies from the Madmen era and added our signature Joe-Ella touchesвЂ”lace veils, exposed crinoline, piping, bows and of course, rosettes! We also refined the heavy holiday polka-dots and florals from the 1960s into year-round, anyoccasion dresses. We incorporated taffeta, with its vintage, crinkled texture and sailor collars to salute the era and to show how we like our little ladiesвЂ”precious and precocious! Our second inspiration saw us apply modern plaids to classic dress forms. We just love plaids, they are strong and girly in equal measure. We added bows and rosettes, and tried to reduce the number of styles weвЂ™d sketched. We failed so wonderfully that we jokingly refer to this group as our вЂњPlaidMenвЂќ group. ItвЂ™s a collection all by itself! Fall 2012 also saw us find inspiration in 60s Chanel, frosted cupcakes, school uniforms and more. WeвЂ™re pleased to share our designs with moms who want beautiful and traditional dresses that fit their daughters perfectly, but leave plenty of room in the family budget. Kimberlee Moore, Designer Katherine Robison, CEO www.joe-ella.com/fall-2012 continued on page 22 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 21 i nspiration continued from page 21 Boonsimple, clean and functional At BoonВ we are all aboutВ making parentsвЂ™ lives easier while incorporating great design at an affordable price. When we began brainstorming our new product line, our guiding principle was to rethink everything traditionally known about the type of product, keep the design simple, clean and most of all functional. Baby itemsВ are always in use and almost always in plain sightВ so they shouldВ look good.В This was the impetus for our space-age lookingВ Orb Bottle Warmer.В Baby products that are for momвЂ™s use should reflect her style, and be offered in more than babycentered colors.В В With our Silicone Feeder, Pulp, we wanted to avoid mesh in the feeding area as itВ quicklyВ becomesВ a floppy mess. Silicone is a friendlier material for both mom and baby, and with anВ ergonomicallyВ designedВ handle for baby, everyone gets what they want: eating without the frustration. В Our goal with the Scrub Bottle Brush was to design something different that made cleaning hard to reach areas and individual bottle parts easy.В These challenges were solved by developing angled brushes andВ a truly easy-touseВ built-in nipple cleaner on the handle. Other dishwasher baskets tend to fall over, and itвЂ™s a balancing act to get them closed without the nipples falling out. The Clutch dishwasher basket accommodatesВ a lot of items at once, fits a variety of parentsвЂ™ needs and has one clamshell opening, making for easy and stress-free loading. В Creating a stylish diaper changing experience was a fun design challenge for us! The Fresh Changing Station adds character and interest to a nurseryВ but keeps itВ practical with toys to keep baby occupied and a removable padВ for quick clean-up.В В В www.booninc.com timeless heirloomsGro Furniture How is an heirloom designed? How does an object attain this status? Is it only by coincidence or happenstance that these objects eventually make their way into the memories of the people who consider them to be heirlooms? Does the function the object is serving make it more or less likely to become an heirloom? How is the quality of an heirloom measured? Can these qualities be designed into the object that will immediately define it as an heirloom? These were some of the original questions that led to the inspiration behind the Gro Crib. Creating an heirloom affected virtually every aspect of the design, beginning with the decision to design a crib in the first place. Babies spend 22 maternity&newborn360 more time in or with their crib than any other object. Cribs were traditionally real pieces of furniture rather than disposable products intended for a single use. These considerations influenced the multifunctional aspects, as well as the quality of the Gro Crib. The ability to be used from when a baby is born all through their adolescence, changing its function as the childвЂ™s needs change. This differentiates an heirloom from a product. Convenience factors into whether or not a crib can stand the test of time as well. As furniture goes, baby cribs are unique in multiple ways. They must be assembled in the nursery due to their dimensions and they are actually lived in and eventually jumped in as well. These characteristics make the process of assembling the crib very critical. How difficult is it to assemble or change mattress heights? Does the crib loosen over time? The Gro Crib only takes a couple minutes to put together or convert without the need for tools. Its unique design is self-tightening, meaning as more weight is introduced or jumping occurs it actually becomes stronger. David Singelyn Designer www.grofurniture.com spring/summer 2013 Baby Cargofashion and function on the go Living in NYC allowed me an opportunity to see a plethora of women вЂњonthe-goвЂќ with their вЂњbagвЂќ in tow.В After my daughter was born, I understood that my love for finding вЂњchic styledвЂќ bags was stripped and I was indeed carrying a bag that looked and felt like a baby bag, even in black.В Georgi Bag is our tribute to fashion and function for the woman who needs both. Durable construction details like brass grommets, solid stitching, and a sturdy, adjustable stroller strap contrasts with its lightweight nylon-based textile that wipes clean with no fuss. But itвЂ™s the subtle detailsвЂ¦ zipper accents, sophisticated colors, and tailored pocketsвЂ¦ that really brings style to a stroller.В Jodi Mesnick Vice President, Marketing www.babycargo.com Promoting GReat bump to baby brands at no cost! promotional events keekoo editors hand-select brands and products to feature in SPECIAL DELIVERY PROMO EVENTS. These unique events will deliver top-of-mind awareness, product acceptance and free advertising for the brand! target marketing to tens of thousands expectant and new moms showcase a brandвЂ™s new products NO COST to manufacturers improve retail sales and increase wholesale orders refer interested consumers to retailers thousands What does keekoo deliver? вЂў Featured-brand exposure and top-of-mind awareness of new products and consumer retail purchase options вЂў Create a huge BUZZ within the target demographic of expectant and new moms вЂў Category-exclusive promotion вЂў keekoo drives consumers to retailers that carry the products вЂў Real-time tracking for manufacturers of consumer referrals to the retailer expectant and new mommy members Contact vendors@ keekoo.com Promoting GReat bump to baby brands at no cost! sales events keekoo helps brands sell excess or past-season inventory via SALES EVENTS. SALES EVENTS function like a typical flash-sale website but are so much more effective in conjuction with a series of keekoo PROMO EVENTS. target marketing to tens of thousands expectant and new moms brands have past-season or excess inventory NO COST to manufacturers cash flow to brands keekoo fulfills all orders and pays brands quickly! thousands What does keekoo deliver? вЂў Brands sell excess, past-season and/or discontinued inventory expectant and new mommy members вЂў Brands Improve brand & product awareness while maintaining brand integrity вЂў Category-exclusive promotion вЂў keekoo fulfills sales orders вЂў Reduce costsвЂ¦create cash flow Contact [email protected] m arketing to moms Seasons and Shopping, According to Moms By Maria Bailey More than 83 million moms represent $2.7 trillion in annual spending in the U.S., making this the largest consumer group in the country. From maternity clothing and baby gear in the early years to electronics and school supplies for older children, moms control (up to) 85% of household spending. So what drives moms to choose one store or product over another and more importantly, do seasons affect these choices? The answer: вЂњAbsolutely!вЂќ Over the last year, we sought the opinions* of moms across the country to dig deeper for their feelings toward shopping and how seasons affect their moods. The answers were often obvious yet complex and dependent on many factors, including regions of the country, economic status, ages of children, technology and more. Four common themes emerged from moms across the country and across socio-economic lines. First, moms overwhelmingly agreed that they view the calendar year in terms of seasons. From holiday to summertime, moms plan purchases by seasonal changes and activities specific to each season. Second, moms view holidays and birthdays as special occasions that almost always equate to extra spending in categories like gifts, clothing and food. The third and fourth topics, which almost all moms agree on, is the use of technology, regardless of the time of year, and saving money. Both are closely intertwined as moms use their smart phones, computers and apps to make lists, save money, compare sales and prices and plan their shopping around the seasonal sales. When it comes to marketing to moms (and I prefer marketing вЂњwithвЂќ moms), retailers, companies and brands should consider how shopping moods are affected by seasons. How moms feel according to the time of the year, specifically spring and summer, plays a key role in purchasing decisions and driving trafficвЂ”both online and in to stores. Happy in Springtime Springtime for moms or moms-to-be, particularly in cold weather climates, equates to happiness and a time of fresh, new growth. Over 62% of moms in the survey reported feeling вЂњhappy,вЂќ citing the change of weather as a key reason for their more вЂњrelaxedвЂќ moods. Factors that affect shopping habits in spring include: Special events like Graduations, MotherвЂ™s Day, FatherвЂ™s Day and religious holidays. Springtime gatherings and celebrations fill up the calendar, with categories such as clothing, food and gifts ranking high on the spending list. Spring cleaning and organizing in the home. Moms are motivated to clean their homes and offices when the calendar and weather change over to springtime. Temperature changes signaling the change of season. Even though moms in Phoenix or Fort Lauderdale will not shed cold weather clothing or experience significant shifts in temperature like Chicago and Philadelphia families, most moms report springtime shopping purchases for clothing and outdoors activities. Regardless of region, 49% of moms said they shop for the change continued on page 30 28 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 m arketing to moms in weather, 42% purchase items for extracurricular activities and/or sports and 62% look for seasonal products (sunscreen, bathing suits). Summertime Fun Fast on the heels of the spring season is summertime when momsвЂ™ moods are generally relaxed. From summer vacations to school breaks, most moms feel that summer is вЂњlaid back,вЂќ with lax schedules, more family time and entertainment dictating much of their activities and moods. 63% of moms reported summerspecific purchases, including vacation clothing, sunscreen, bathing suits and cookout items. Category spending mentioned by moms includes entertainment, recreation activities, vacations and seasonal food purchases. As moms plan to keep out-ofschool children busy, entertainment purchases increase over the summer months. From season passes to attractions and theme parks to eating out more often, spending on activities and excursions increases when the last school bell rings and moms are looking for ways to keep children busy. Almost 40% of moms surveyed indicated that they spend more over the summer months while 46% reported a consistent spending level. Technology in Every Season No matter the season, moms love the tech tools that have changed the way they shop, from start to finish. Moms are using social media, smart phones and apps more than ever. From researching prices, finding sales and making lists before they leave the house to cost comparisons and online coupons in the store, moms love technology. Online resources that make the shopping process easier are always popular with moms. When asked how they use their mobile phone during shopping, 39% of moms find a store location and 36% 30 maternity&newborn360 seek information about a product or service and compare prices. The same percentage also makes notes about a product to research later. Moms also love to share. From product discoveries or questions to good (or bad) customer service, many moms will take the time to do research and post reviews using social media. Companies and brands that pay attention to these reviews and cultivate positive вЂњword of momвЂќ are building a relationship that is invaluable. Most survey participants вЂњlikeвЂќ between 40 and 100 brands on Facebook, citing вЂњbrand loyaltyвЂќ and вЂњdealsвЂќ as the most common reason for the вЂњlike.вЂќ However, beware of undeveloped pages. Most moms feel вЂњturned offвЂќ by brands that have social media properties but do not use them. Staying Connected Time off of work or school over the summer months does not change technology usage. The level of interaction across social media outlets in the summer remains consistent, although parents are most likely to increase their time on Facebook. Social media usage remains consistent with 63% saying they use social media about the same; 24% are using social media more. Only 13% are using social media less or not at all. Parents like to stay connected on vacation, but only to a certain extent; 50% will connect only while they need to, while 45% prefer to stay connected at all times. Only 5% prefer to disconnect while on vacation. The top reasons for using technology/mobile apps on vacation include look up directions and vacation recommendations related to a family trip (78%), communicating with people not on the vacation (72%), keeping up with email (64%) and keeping the kids entertained (50%). continued from page 28 Saving Money Throughout the Year Saving money is always in season. While shopping frequency and habits tend to change based on the weather, moms are always looking for ways to save money. Sites like Foursquare are mentioned by moms for the ability to вЂњcheck inвЂќ to find a deal. Traditional emails are also popular for coupons and sales, with moms signing up on multiple lists. Other than aggregate coupon sites as the most popular online destination, moms listed their top sources for discounts and coupons: 48% visit manufacturer websites, 46% check retailer pages and 44% use blogs. Spring and summer are upon us. В While many companies make plans based on a retail calendar, the challenge is to think like moms. Knowing how they view the seasons, along with changes in shopping preferences and moods across the year can make a difference in how moms view a company or brand, and ultimately the bottom line. 360 *BSM Media, in conjunction with Tracey Locke, conducted focus groups and fielded surveys from a database of moms throughout the US. The summer and spring surveys yielded an average 727 responses; focus groups ranged from 10 to 15 participants via phone interviews. Maria T. Bailey, CEO of BSM Media, is the foremost authority on marketing to moms with a series of articles and books, including her latest, вЂњPower Moms: The New Rules for Engaging Mom Influencers Who Drive Brand Choice.вЂќ Maria is also host of Mom Talk Radio, the #1-downloaded parenting podcast. spring/summer 2013 Save the Date LEARN South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Las Vegas, Nevada MAy 7-9, 2013 NETWORK Plan now to attend the only annual event exclusively for the Juvenile Specialty Store market. EXPLORE Learn from top marketing and industry speakers as they present on the latest topics and trends, offer вЂњhow-toвЂ™sвЂќ on succeeding in this evolving marketplace, and lead peer-to-peer discussions of best practices. Network with fellow buyers, retailers, manufacturers and trade media at our poolside reception, meals and refreshment breaks, and more. Explore our industry expo, meet with key suppliers, gain important product knowledge and view mid-year product introductions. Enjoy a world of gaming, dining and entertainment just outside your door at this spectacular all-in-one resort near the Las Vegas Strip. 2 nd year at this SpectAculAr reSort вЂў 80,000 square foot casino вЂў More than a dozen restaurants & bars вЂў World-class entertainment & nightlife вЂў 64-lane state-of-the-art bowling center вЂў 16-screen movie theater complex вЂў Video arcade & 600 seat bingo room вЂў Fitness center & full-service spa вЂў Landscaped outdoor pool & Jacuzzi вЂў Liquor store, barber shop & more 5th AnnuAl Spring Educational Conference & Trade Show вЂў Complimentary airport shuttle вЂў Near the Las Vegas Strip REGISTER TODAY! Contact: Sarah Binkley вЂў [email protected] вЂў 210.691.4848, Ext. 111 вЂў www.allbabyandchildsec.com pr diva Get in the Know! Have you been wondering how to get your product in front of the right buyers? How to become a household brand name? How to get in the hands of some A-list celebrities who can ultimately skyrocket your business? If the answers are yes, then I have time-tested and true advice for you! For over a decade I have proudly created media attention and celebrity buzz in order to launch maternity, baby and childrenвЂ™s brands successfully. It all started with dressing MirandaвЂ™s baby on Sex and the City. IвЂ™m known for pitching what I like to call вЂњnewbiesвЂќ and helping more mature brands relaunch after becoming somewhat stale. My motto is all about repetitive brand awareness. I have been with brands anywhere from a couple of months to some for 13 years. Wherever thereвЂ™s a need, I step in. Sometimes a brand just needs that extra push! I have been on every side of your business. I have been a buyer for two of 32 maternity&newborn360 my own brick and mortar stores, as well as an online shop. I have been a manager for a large national magazine at CondГ© Nast and have had a short-lived role as an Editor-in-Chief for a leading trade publication which I stepped in to save during the recession. I have produced over 30 T.V. segments, and I have been on most major networks and affiliates as on-air talent as I shared вЂњWhatвЂ™s hot nowвЂќ with viewers. I have been featured in celeb weeklies and interviewed by some talented writers. IвЂ™m also a вЂњmommy consumerвЂќ which makes me one of your target audience members. I have gained some modest bragging rights over the years. It didnвЂ™t come easy, but after a lot of hard work and devotion, IвЂ™m happy to be able to share some of my knowledge and experiences with you. TO Manufacturers First, you must have a smart concept and once you have fully executed that By Rachel Florio-Urso concept into a quality product you are on your way! The product youвЂ™re pitching needs to fit many criteria. There needs to be вЂњa needвЂ™ and it should be functional. The price point has to be competitive and fit what the market will bear. Being earth-friendly and/or made in the USA is a big plus if you can pull it off and still make a profit. Product and packaging eye-candy appeal is a must, if you want to be at the top of your game. Editors only select items that shoot well and add pop to their glossy pages, bloggers want colorful images to create beautiful graphics on what would have been a drab screen, and consumers wonвЂ™t be able to walk by the shelf if the item jumps out and grabs them! Two of the most important items you need to back your brand and your sales force are organizational skills and outstanding customer care. Get the deal closed! A manufacturerвЂ™s main focus has to be on production, sales and service. If you spread yourself continued on page 34 spring/summer 2013 pr diva too thin or try to do it all, you might wind up spending more time and money to get back in the game. ThereвЂ™s a bit of who-you-know politicking going on, but there are many more detailed tasks to do before you can close the deal and land a press placement. A writer has only so many spots to fill annually and there are thousands of brands pitching them all year long for that dream spot. You have to be вЂњin the knowвЂќ when it comes to editorial calendars and masthead turn-over, as well as being on your toes during fact finding, credit checking and final edit pushes. ItвЂ™s not rocket science, but there is a lot more involved than one thinks. Competition, please. Your brand is up against many competitors and yes, your press-worthy product will get knocked off. Take it as a compliment and stay on track by making your product even better season after season. If youвЂ™re serious about your brand and longevity, then donвЂ™t get caught up in B2B threats, legal fees and the stress of it all. Continue with a positive flow and with bigger and better trade show booths, media exposure, and celebrity connections. Invest in your companyвЂ™s website. A smart marketing move is to create a site thatвЂ™s clean, easy to navigate and rocks the market! LetвЂ™s talk about your mom and pop website. A website that shows off your product, customer service and a full press page leads to stronger brand recognition. Upload professional pictures of real models. Yes, real models. Your little Jimmy is a cutie, but we all know that home page image was taken in your backyard and that doesnвЂ™t cut it with big buyers and media members. You want to look like youвЂ™re a nationally recognized brand. Spend the extra $30.00 on a new domainвЂ™s ten year ownership and pass on the вЂњ$9.99 for one yearвЂќ sale. Google crawl will consider your company as a more serious business and your site URL will be picked up on the feed more often. 34 maternity&newborn360 continued from page 32 Include your social media links in order to build fans and loyal followers. Add all media placements to a press page. Press helps sell the brand! Launching for the first time. YouвЂ™ve soft launched your product and you have your sales team, now what? Well, for starters you need to be sure you have someone working on your marketing and public relations campaign. ItвЂ™s a 24/7 job with many deadlines. If you think your brand is the best, tell the world! They canвЂ™t find you if they donвЂ™t know you exist. You need to have several story angles in your back pocket. Allocating dollars for a marketing specialist to get you launched is one of the wisest investments you can make, second only to manufacturing the actual goods. Social media (SM) is on the rise. You should have a Twitter handle that matches your brandвЂ™s name, not yours, and a Facebook account that matches. Your Twitter mini bio and Facebook вЂњabout usвЂќ should be consistent. As a matter of fact, everything related to your brand (e.g., SM, website, logo, tagline, packaging, images) should all match. TO BUYERS We get to shop till we drop! Having a вЂњgood buying eyeвЂќ and knowing what sells in the current economy is key to a successful buy, but thereвЂ™s much more to it. When working (wisely) with a budget, you have to be careful not to get suckered into only buying a few big brands. We all have our вЂњgo toвЂќ manufacturers. The ones that know us by name and want us to purchase their entire line exclusively. We also get wrapped up in the smaller mom and pop stories. Those are the new energetic sales people who pull you into their trade show booth and canвЂ™t seem to turn the pitch off. These newbies mean well and we buyers have a heart, but there is a time to make an exit and politely say, вЂњYour brand doesnвЂ™t fit our merchandising plan this time around.вЂќ Make SMART purchases. DonвЂ™t place that minimum opening order because you like her vintage dress or the fact that they were a husband and wife team. Only place an order if you truly feel it will benefit the company and make a good ROI. Have a plan! Check with your shopвЂ™s owner and/or big box storeвЂ™s merchandiser to see what lies ahead for the next season and stick with a color story and a theme. Are you going with bright bold prints or neutrals? Think about the palette, the storeвЂ™s needs and the climate in which your store is located before venturing off. What are some of your best sellers to re-stock? Which products will pop off your shelves and grab the consumerвЂ™s attention? Listen to your customers and donвЂ™t just buy what you like. Check national magazines, celeb blogs, and the industry news leaders to see вЂњwhatвЂ™s hotвЂќ now. Have good вЂњgoodsвЂќ in store! I recently went into an upscale childrenвЂ™s boutique only to find three to six different manufacturers throughout the entire store. It was obvious, and a turn off. They didnвЂ™t gain a sale from me that day. I knew I could shop online or go to a neighboring store to find a much better selection. You donвЂ™t want to put your store in a position to fail. Take small risks and place many minimum opening orders around your larger P.O.s and watch your investment roll in! 360 Rachel Florio-Urso is truly вЂњin the knowвЂќ and her clients, press coverage, and unsolicited recommendations prove it! People Magazine says, вЂњCelebrity Trend ExpertВ Rachel Florio-UrsoВ knows a thing or two about which products celeb parents loveвЂќ and thatвЂ™s why we tapped into her world, too. spring/summer 2013 b usiness matters Show Me the Money By Eric Seemann Most of you plan to attend at least one event, market or show this season, and IвЂ™m sure many of you will attend several events. Everyone participating in shows and marketsвЂ”from designers to retail store owners, fabric companies or manufacturersвЂ“understands the time and financial investment participation incurs, but we all want to ensure we get the most from our investment. The event industry spends a lot of time discussing the Return on Investment (ROI) for their events and stakeholders. What they have found is that ROI is not easy to determine or measure and that each industry is different. In the fashion world, shows and markets are held multiple times per year to provide for seasonal lines to be introduced, marketed and sold. On the other end of the spectrum, in the realm of heavy manufacturing and construction, events are held less frequentlyвЂ¦ sometimes only once every four or five years. Selling a single multi-million dollar piece of equipment is far different from rolling out new seasonal lines five times a year and selling a product at a fair wholesale price, which for some products will be less than a dollar. Not only do shows differ by industry, but ROI may also be measured in a dramatically different fashion within the same market. The expense for an exhibitor to get a space on the floor or a showroom in the market is no small investment, and when you add in product and design costs, pre-show promotions, shipping and travel for a 36 maternity&newborn360 sales staff, the вЂњtabвЂќ quickly grows. For the retailer taking time from their store to attend, travel to a regional, national or international event and food/lodging must be added in before a single purchase order is placed. Recognizing the expenses involved on all sides of business, it is imperative that part of the planning process for any organization prior to an event is to determine its goals, objectives, and investments for participation. This is one of the critical areas that most event organizers feel is lacking in the planning process of their constituents. And although we as event organizers recognize the omission of this part of the process, trying to educate our constituents on the need to determine ROI prior to participating is a challenge at best. The process doesnвЂ™t have to be laborious. With a couple of simple questions you should be able to determine: вЂў вЂў вЂў If participating is a good investment What level of participation will yield at least a вЂњbreak evenвЂќ If you can accomplish goals with fewer resources or a better action plan Let me provide you with a couple of industry statistics that may help aid in calculations. The Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) presently estimates that the вЂњvalueвЂќ of any attendee at a convention, market, expo, or conference is about $290/day with about half of that being spent on accom- modations and the balance on meals, transportation and entertainment. Add in the cost of travel per person roundtrip from your home city to the destination, and you will have a good starting point for creating a вЂњcost per personвЂќ to participate in an event. Every expo or market has a professional staff working full time to provide the best information possible for planning. Do not hesitate to call and contact them personally to get the information you require for planning. They should be happy to assist you or to direct you to someone who is able to provide the information you require. Good planning going into an event will ultimately yield a much more valuable return for all participants and ultimately for your business. You are far less likely to have that вЂњwaste of my timeвЂќ feeling at the end of an event if you plan appropriately, and ultimately you will enjoy and profit from the show. 360 Eric V. Seemann CEM, CMP has worked directly in the trade show industry for 10 years and in party, meeting, and conference planning for over 20 years. He has earned the professional certifications of Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). He is President of Innoventions Alliance Inc. and is the Promotion and Production Manager for All Baby & Child, Inc. spring/summer 2013 www.maternityfortwo.com | VISIT US AT BOOTH 2035 MATERNITY CLOTHING ... REDEFINED stop by to see these exhibitors! babies rock. stains donвЂ™t. it takes a baby 3.6 seconds to ruin an outfit. put the gentle smackdown on stains, with natural ingredients and serious attitude! -Dye Free -Naturally Scented -No fillers -Cleans and deodorizes -No enzymes or optical brighteners -100% Phosphate free -Great for kidвЂ™s clothes -Economical at pennies per load! -Made in the USA visit us at the ABC Kids Expo at booth # 1239 for great show specials & giveaways! www.RockinGreenSoap.com Maternity. Nursing. Anytime. [email protected] | www.larrivostore.com | 973.296.1595 Larrivo is a lifestyle maternity brand thatвЂ™s sexy, fashionable & fun. All styles have hidden nursing access so women can wear them through pregnancy & beyond. Bestselling pieces include maternity & nursing dresses, tops, bathing suits, sleepwear & baby gift sets. STOP BY BOOTH 1941 AT THE ABC SHOW TO VIEW THE LATEST COLLECTION FROM LARRIVO At Carseat Canopyв„ў our goal is to provide every parent with a high quality, sleek & stylish infant car seat canopy. Our products are made for year-round use; fabrics not too heavy for summer and not too thin for winter. Wholesale pricing starts low! Visit Us at Booth # 3523 Supports your belly Secures your bottom Extends your shirt Embraces you from bump to baby Styles your baby bump Wicks heat and moisture VISIT US AT BOOTH 2035 [email protected] (801)753-7360 www.CarseatCanopy.com stop by to see these exhibitors! Premier German made wooden baby toys for specialty retailers! www.HABAusa.com Maternitiy&Newborn09_12HE0627.indd 1 ha en love your bump 21.08.2012 14:14:40 Uhr в„ў www.maternityfortwo.com VISIT US AT BOOTH 2035 WOOMBIE.com Simply the BEST! Booth 1301 at ABC b usiness matters Taking risks can revitalize your business By Kerry Banz Tell me if this sounds familiar: When you first started your business, you were fresh, eager to try anything to take your business to the next level. But over time your negative experiences caused you to become jaded after being burned a few too many times. You found a few things that worked, and you stuck with them. So here you are, running a routine business that has become a little stale. Sales become flat, and you question why it isnвЂ™t growing. You have your вЂњtried and trueвЂќ lines that you have carried for several years, and you do the same marketing that used to work for years but now seems ineffective. In essence, you are stuck in a rut. Albert Einstein once said, вЂњThe definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.вЂќ Think about this quote for a second; now ask yourself if this quote applies to the way you run your business. If the answer is yes, what your business may need is for you to take a risk in trying something new in order to revitalize it. This sounds easy, but it requires getting out of your rut and changing your mindset by focusing on the possibilities of success. Moreover, you canвЂ™t be afraid of making mistakes. Things do not have to work perfectly to be considered successful. The key to taking risks is 42 maternity&newborn360 to first understand why you may be risk adverse. Second, mentally prepare yourself for your worst-case scenario. Next, calculate your risks to give yourself the best chance at success. Finally, set reasonable goals for yourself, and take the time afterwards to learn from your mistakes as well as your successes. Taking risks is the only way to get the most out of your business. But over time we can become risk-adverse as a result of the emotion of fear. Fear is one of the most dangerous emotions a retailer can have because acting out of fear can be costly, but not acting out of fear can be even more costly to a business. A fear of failing Once we have achieved a certain amount of success, it is not uncommon to becoming risk-adverse for fear of losing what we have already achieved. When you first decided to open your store, did you ever explore what would be the worst case if your business failed? Chances are the thought crossed your mind; however you probably didnвЂ™t take the time to think through the possibilities. Now that you have opened your doors the fear of making mistakes may have crept in, and you constantly worry that one wrong move will result in your doors closing for good. The Fear of Change Over time, a business reaches a level of success based on a formula that has worked for years. For instance, you have attained that success through marketing a certain way to a certain demographic target audience. Or, you may have found a line that became so popular that it helped put you on the map. Due to that success, we become so comfortable that we lose sight of the fact that market conditions can change, or new lines have taken over popularity and what you currently carry has become last yearвЂ™s fad. Even when these facts come to light, we are hesitant to change due to fear of the unknown or fear of rejection. The Fear of Rejection Making any change, whether it is in our business life or personal life, opens us up to rejection. We fear that our customers will not love a product or new line or a new direction we want to take the business. The greatest fear of all is that they will stop buying from us due to a bad decision we may have made. Many times we allow our failures to slowly chip away at our confidence, until one day we wake up feeling beaten and losing sight of what we originally set out to achieve when we continued on page 44 spring/summer 2013 Feel good, good for the Earth solutions for pregnant women created by a female M.D. belly upit Have you ever wanted someone to carry around your pregnant belly? Well, here it is! A comfortable back and belly support belt to ease back and leg pain. belly upit benefits - Promotes back and abdominal support - Eases back and leg pain - Promotes proper posture - Provides extra support to the hips - Pocket for heat/cool pack - Customized cool/heat pack available - Made from non-latex elastic covered in Rayon from Bamboo - Ultra-soft for all day wear - Physician designed to accommodate throughout entire pregnancy Dr. Somi Javaid, OB/GYN As an Ob/Gyn, Dr. Somi Javaid heard it all. As a mother of 3, she also felt it all firsthand. After the birth of her third child, Dr. Javaid began to conceptualize a few products that would make her life and the lives of her patients easier. nox and all of mamadocвЂ™s products arenвЂ™t just practical; theyвЂ™re also good for moms and for the environment. mamadoc is committed to using sustainable and feel good materials such as moisture wicking and anti-microbial bamboo in their product line. mamadoc has ordered up a whole line of practical pregnancy products to address everyday Mama concerns. preghose Swelling is common during pregnancy due to several factors; extra water retention, pelvic pressure, and changes in blood chemistry. 75% of women experience swelling during pregnancy. Preghose compression socks will help keep swelling down and mama up on her feet. preghose benefits - Gentle compression keeps swelling down - Breathable fabric prevents overheating - Prevents leg and foot pain - Odor resistant phone 877-397-5445 email [email protected] mamadoc wearmamadoc.com b usiness matters opened our doors. It is not uncommon to become risk adverse after a few mistakes. The truth is, mistakes are part of the risk-taking process; they help us learn how to take better calculated risks. To take calculated risks, we must do the homework to understand all facets of the initiative, and more importantly, you must prepare yourself to accept the worst possible outcome. The best approach to reducing your fear of taking risks is to understand your worst case scenario and be willing to accept it and move on to your next great idea. What is your worst case? Is it investing in a new line that may not sell, or a new sales program designed to drive more revenue yet is not accepted by your staff or your loyal customers? Figure out the cost associated with this worst case. If you canвЂ™t live with the possible outcome, bring it back to a figure that makes you more comfortable. Odds are you can live with it because of the simple fact that you are no longer in fear of the unknown. The next step in taking risks to revitalize your business is to remember that Hope is not a Strategy. Any risk you take should be calculated, not a random action. For instance, simply bringing on a new line and putting it in the front of the store hoping it will catch your customerвЂ™s eye is usually not enough to be successful. A well-thought-out plan includes things like providing proper training for your sales team including clear feature and benefit sets, overcoming objections and monetary incentives. Moreover, a coordinated, multi-faceted marketing effort will go a long way to ensure a successful outcome. A calculated risk is a risk you take after you become aware of both the positive and negative possible outcomes of your decision. The more effort you put into the planning, the better success you will have on your initiative. continued from page 42 It is important to set realistic goals for yourself. If your goals are too lofty, you are setting yourself up for failure. When developing your plan, make sure that your profit goals are supported by your inventory. Ensure that your staff is aligned with your sales goals and that they are bought into the programвЂ™s success. Most important, remember that some initiatives take time to develop and not to get discouraged early on. Make sure that you stay committed to your initiative. See it throughdonвЂ™t let early failures dictate the outcome. For instance, if you are doing a series of events, it will take time to develop a following. You may only have a few people show up at the first event, but as word spreads and your regular customers continue to see you promoting the line, they will eventually want to see what all the buzz is about. By the last show of the year, you will probably have a packed house. Take the time to review the initiative and learn from both the mistakes and the successes. Discuss with your staff what worked and what didnвЂ™t, and most importantly: why. DonвЂ™t be afraid to change the way you do business as a result of your learning or to try something different. If your worstcase scenario came true, have the courage to analyze what went wrong and move on to the next one. By keeping things fresh with new ideas, you have a better chance for continued growth and success. The best approach to reducing your fear of taking risks is to understand your worst case scenario and be willing to accept it and move on to your next great idea. In summary, risks are essential to growing a business. There are a lot of reasons to be risk adverse; at the end of the day, no one likes to fail. If we achieve a certain amount of success, we are hesitant to do anything that would rock the boat for fear of failure or even rejection. It can cause us to lose confidence and keep us in a perpetual rut of stagnant ideas and even worse, stagnant sales. The key to revitalizing your business is to break out and take chances. Focus on the positive and donвЂ™t be afraid to make mistakes. Have a basic understanding of your risk level and what you are willing to lose if all else fails. Furthermore, proper planning will allow you to take calculated risks and give yourself the best chance for success. Set reasonable expectations on the outcome of the initiative, and make sure you see it through. Lastly, take the time to learn from the outcome and glean both the positive and negative from the experience, and make sure that you use those experiences the next time around to make your next initiative even better. Taking risks will put excitement back into your business and give it the spark that it needs to become the best version of itself. 360 Kerry Banz is the President of KB Retail Consulting. She has made a career of helping high potential, underperforming retail stores reach their potential, making their retail dreams a profitable reality. spring/summer 2013 b usiness matters Embracing Mobile Technology Moms seem to be especially resourceful in using their smartphones. A British study found that moms hand phones to crying children more often than they do bottles, toys or pacifiers. And according to BSM Media, 85 percent of moms utilize technology to aid in shopping. The emergence of mobile shopping has been a cause for confusion and concern among some brick-andmortar retailers and the brands they sell. ShowroomingвЂ”when a shopper visits a store to check out a product and then purchases it onlineвЂ”sparked a spate of alarmism and dire predictions initially. But weвЂ™ve since learned that the showrooming вЂњthreatвЂќ is actually less serious than once perceived. Actually, showrooming represents an opportunity for retailers to engage with consumers in new ways and take retailing in a whole new direction. Some time ago I was in London speaking at the Rutberg Summit, and half the audience questions were about showrooming. Their suggestions bordered on bizarre and included offering products not found online, disconnecting WiFi, blocking cell signals, even banning the use of cameras. All that seemed more than extreme to me. More recent discussions of showrooming have benefited from new information. LetвЂ™s look at the study this year that said that more than half of the adult cell phone users surveyed used their phones while in a store during the most recent holiday shopping season. What did they use their phones 46 maternity&newborn360 for? Some 38 percent called a friend for advice about a purchase. Another 24 percent looked up reviews; and 25 percent looked up pricing information online. In those cases where prices were compared, what happened next? вЂў The highest percentage, 37, didnвЂ™t purchase the product at all вЂў Some 35 percent purchased the product at that store вЂў Another 8 percent purchased it at a different store вЂў Fewer than one in five, 19 percent, purchased the product online. That seems to be a convincing argument that consumers who use their mobile phones are looking at prices, but more importantly theyвЂ™re looking for information. Brian Walker gets this. HeвЂ™s vice president and principal analyst of e-business and channel strategy at Forrester Research Inc. At the 2012 Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition he said, вЂњShowrooming is about product information and social validation when a shopper is buying a product.вЂќ Walker also understands that while retailers think about sales channelsвЂ” stores, contact center, websiteвЂ”consumers think about brands. And consumers want access to their preferred brands in all the various ways that make the most sense for them. вЂњTimes have changed, the stakes have gone up, and itвЂ™s time to get serious about serving the customer in these different ways, otherwise you will suffer as a business,вЂќ Walker said at the Internet Retailer Conference. вЂњThey will vote By Alexander Muse with their clicks and their feet and shop with companies that drive convenience and the information they are looking for across these different touch-points.вЂќ Mobile starts customer conversations Physical stores and retailer websites are coming together. Our challenge is to make them work together to provide the information consumers clearly are demanding. Mobile shopping applications are the perfect tool for that job for a number of reasons. They deliver product information at the best possible time, when the buying decision is being made. And by providing comprehensive product information, mobile apps help retailers make sales even when consumers are standing in the store of a competitor. Of course, at any given moment more shoppers are in a retailerвЂ™s competitorsвЂ™ stores than in their own. Look at these figures: вЂў Best Buy has 1,099 out of 43,810 total electronics retail locations вЂў Barnes & Noble has 691 out of 32,050 total book store locations вЂў MacyвЂ™s has 805 out of 36,140 total department store locations вЂў Safeway has 1,725 out of 253,572 total grocery store locations What if a retailer like MacyвЂ™s could start a conversation with the shoppers in the 36,000 department store locations they donвЂ™t own? Mobile technology enables a retailer to start those conversations with consumers at the point of purchase both inside and outside of continued from page 48 spring/summer 2013 Visit us in Maternity Square! Booth # 2228 вЂњShe's Absolutely GLOWINGвЂќ (...with peace eace of mindd ) Picky for a Purpose TM вњ“ Allergy Tested вњ“ No artiп¬Ѓcial dyes or fragrances вњ“ No phthalates вњ“ No paraben preservatives www.belliskincare.com For wholesale information please contact Dayna McLellan @ 425.802.3861 or [email protected] Smooth as a babyвЂ™sвЂ¦ with CapriClear. Smooth, Healthy, Moisturized Skin Starts Here. PURE Fractionated Coconut Oil NatureвЂ™s Moisturizer for Dry, Sensitive Skin. Visit us in Maternity Square! Booth # 2228 вњ“ Spray on for even application вњ“ Hypoallergenic вњ“ Does NOT contain anything else вњ“ No Fragrance вњ“ No Color вњ“ No Preservatives or Parabens вњ“ Phthalate-Free www.capriclear.com For wholesale information please contact Dayna McLellan @ 425.802.3861 or [email protected] b usiness matters their own retail store locations. Clearly, consumers want to have these conversations. Our mobile shopping application, ShopSavvy, has been downloaded more than 40 million times and now contains product information from more than 40,000 retailers. Mobile shopping apps have just begun to realize their potential for creating and maintaining customer relationships, facilitating mobile payments, and helping retailers leverage the vast stores of data they collect. But their greatest potential may lie in their ability to connect consumersвЂ™ shopping habits with their social graphs. In 2011, I met Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, and we hatched a plan to make shopping with ShopSavvy more social. Then we closed a $7 million investment to grow the team in order to make that vision a reality. Our goal is to transform ShopSavvy from a very successful shopping application to an all-encompassing shopping community. Seamless shopping is the goal A new report based on an international survey confirms how much shoppers wantвЂ”and expectвЂ”a seamless integration of retail experiences across online, social media, mobile and physical stores. The report from the consulting firm Capgemini titled вЂњDigital Shopper Relevancy,вЂќ surveyed 16,000 digital shoppers in 16 countries. Some 60 percent of respondents said they expect the convergence of retail channels to be the norm by 2014, when a unified shopping experience is expected to become commonplace. However, more than half of shoppers said that most retailers currently are not consistent in the way they present themselves across channels. The report confirms that the Internet remains the dominant channel, with 80 percent of respondents in developing Spring and Summer 2013 COLLECTIONS Showrooms Tradeshows Los Angeles West Coast Maternity Cathe Verduso [email protected] 213 8920779 Los Angeles Maternity & Childrens Market October 14-18 Californian Market Center Chicago Mama Sooze Suzi Jacobson [email protected] 312 8909639 International London Isabella Oliver Head Ofп¬Ѓce [email protected] +44 207 4242930 Chicago October 1-31 North Branch Kids Building Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market October 25-28 Dallas Market Center Kids World 8th Floor IsabellaOliver.com For the most beautiful time of your life continued from page 46 markets saying the Internet was important or very important and 63 percent in mature markets. This was closely followed by e-mail interaction; channels such as social media, mobile apps and in-store kiosks are growing in popularity. The report also provided insights into digital-savvy shoppers. The study highlighted that 56 percent of respondents are likely to spend more money at a physical store if they had used digital channels to research the product prior to purchase. This survey is especially interesting because it conveys the complexity of the task before us. We have to think in new ways, and then some, to meet the needs of shoppers as they increasingly demand seamless shopping, however they define it. Going back to the future Where is all this heading? One of my favorite places to study the future of retailing has been around since 1455. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is the largest and oldest covered market in the world, with more than 250,000 visitors each day. For hundreds of years, shoppers there have experienced unique one-on-one conversations with retailers. And with more than 3,000 shops competing for the same shoppers, you might assume everything would come down to price. But you would be wrong. If you watch closely, you will see shoppers disappear through certain shopвЂ™s вЂњanonymous portals,вЂќ where they are able to find the best of the best in designer merchandise delivered in a highly personalized and intimate manner. These вЂњin the knowвЂќ shoppers have discovered an exclusive shopping experience that isnвЂ™t available to just anyone. Smart retailers can begin to leverage the ingredients of the Bazaar to begin to start one-on-one conversations with todayвЂ™s highly connected consumers. And they can do it with a technology available to nearly everyoneвЂ”the mobile phone. Will retailers learn how to leverage the product information so readily available to consumers on mobile devices? We think they will. Retailers understand that their physical and online stores are coming together. The challenge is to make them work together to provide that seamless shopping experience consumers are demanding. Creating that improved experience likely will mean getting closer to consumers and answering their questions: вЂњWhat deals am I looking for? What are the offers that IвЂ™m interested in? WhatвЂ™s the social information that helps me make a better buying decision?вЂќ ItвЂ™s abundantly clear that mobile technologies provide an unprecedented opportunity for brands, retailers and shoppers to connect with one another. With mobile, marketers can create more targeted, real-time conversations with consumers. And they can restore that sense of fun and wonder that has always drawn customers to storesвЂ”in some cases for hundreds of years. To make those connections, retailers will have to think in new ways and borrow some old ideas. They will have to meet shoppers where they are, but modern technology lets them do just that. 360 Alexander Muse is the founder and CEO of ShopSavvy, the leading mobile shopping assistant with more than 30 million downloads and 10 million unique users. Muse, a proven business leader with more than a decade of startup experience, speaks at conferences and universities throughout the U.S. and Europe. b usiness matters Combating Internet Lowball Pricing: A Survival Guide By Dan Jablons Many retailers today worry about the effect of the Internet on their brick-and-mortar business, feeling that customers will buy online long before they buy from the store, mostly due to pricing and convenience. This has been made worse by the practice of вЂњshowroomingвЂќ which happens when customers come to the store, look at a product they want, note the UPC or vendorвЂ™s style number, and then go online and find it for less than what you offer. In fact, one of the larger online retailers who shall remain nameless, became famous last year for offering a five percent discount to customers if they went into a local store, scanned the UPC code and bought the product online. That was a brutally competitive move. So how do you survive while such tactics are practiced? What makes customers willing to buy in your store instead of buying online? Here are some proven tips from retail stores that are successfully beating the online merchants. Shopping is STILL fun! Through all the years that I have been in retail, the death of the brick-and-mortar store has been announced several times. I remember when the catalog business grew substantially, and there was great concern that no one would go to the stores anymore. That has never happened, and even though it can be great to shop online, it will never compete with the social interaction and fun of shopping at a retail store. Customers still love to go to the store, to feel the merchandise, to interact with friends and store associates, and enjoy the entire experience. You donвЂ™t get that when you are all alone in front of your computer. So the first thing I would recommend is to make sure that your store is a fun place to shop. Remember, when you open the doors, itвЂ™s вЂњretail theaterвЂќ and the party should be going on right from the start. The more fun it is to visit your store, Customers still love to go to the store, to feel the merchandise, to interact with friends and store associates, and enjoy the entire experience. 50 maternity&newborn360 the more the customer relates to and has a great experience with your staff, and the more they will visit and the more they will buy. Keep it fun by having lots of great events, cool contests, and make your store вЂњthe place to be.вЂќ Better Merchandising Along the same lines, one of the things that helps defeat showrooming is to have great merchandising which makes the product even more desirable. If your merchandising shows the product well, you can create instant demand for it. And the best part about instant demand is that customers want that product now, not 2-4 weeks from now. Entice your customers with great displays that show off the product, show how it is used and how much fun it is to have, and your customer is more likely to buy it right then and there. Prepare your argument The main advantage that brick-andmortar retailers have over online merchants is that the product is right there, right now. It can be a gamble to buy the product online because it could be backordered, or they could ship incorrectly. Dealing with returns with online merchants can be a major hassle. So when you find someone who is in your store and they appear to be showrooming, we suggest you play offense, not spring/summer 2013 defense. Tell them the above two factors, but also remind them that you are a local merchant, adding dollars to their local economy, hiring local people, and the best thing they can do for themselves and their local economy is to support local business. At the same time, you can put the product in their hands and tell them, вЂњYou can have this right now, right this second, or you can go home and order it and have it a few weeks from now. Which is better?вЂќ We have seen this work very effectively. As such, it would be worthwhile to spend a little time on this topic at your next staff meeting (you do have staff meetings, right?). Talk about these strategies and get your staff ready to combat showrooming with better service, better merchandising, and better selling. Sure, lower prices online can be difficult to overcome, but the above strategies can help you keep the register ringing. 360 Dan Jablons is President of Retail Smart Guys (www. retailsmartguys.com) and brings many years of retail experience to stores of any size to improve their operations, revitalize their marketing, and maximize their profits. spring/summer 2013 the freshest nursing wear on the planet chic nursing tops, dresses, sleepwear, bras and more for breastfeeding moms. В® www.milknursingwear.com shop 24 / 7 b uying Green is in! We all have choices that we can make on a daily basis about how to improve our relationship with our environment. We recycle, conserve energy, choose organic foods, and can read the word вЂњGreenвЂќ in almost any category of consumer products. Corporations are quickly adapting to improve their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR image). The word is outвЂ¦ Green is in. Companies large and small are launching a wide array of green initiatives. While these efforts are beneficial to the planet, they also raise questions around the rush to paint a green halo around products in an effort to increase market share. Welcome to the world of вЂњgreen washing,вЂќ and the questioning consumer. There is a growing awareness, and also a certain level of distrust, about many of the claims being made using words like organic, eco friendly, sustainable, 100% natural, chemical free, fairtrade, and/or ethically traded goods. It is easy to understand how confused and suspicious consumers may become. SoвЂ¦ how do we ease their understanding and build confidence that the claims being made are legitimate? The answer is simpleвЂ¦. certification! Here are three international organizations that retailers can rely on for certification of ethical and organic products. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) www.global-standard.org GOTS is an audited certification that uses a вЂњTrack and TraceвЂќ reporting system throughout the entire manufacturing process. Starting with the raw organic cotton, GOTS certification covers the ginning/spinning of the yarns, knitting/weaving of the fabrics, dyeing/finishing of the fabrics, silk screen printing, sewing, garment washing and packaging. 52 maternity&newborn360 By Richard Brown Demeter International, www.demeter. net Demeter is the only ecological association that has built up a network of individual certification organizations worldwide. Their directive is to ensure the use of biodynamic agricultural systems for organic certification. Fairtrade, www.fairtrade.net Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fairtrade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade, with the opportunity to improve their lives and communities. Development of the organic clothing market is fueled by ethical consumerism. World textile demand for organic cotton is expected to rise 3 to 4.5 times from 2000 to 2050. Major brands and retailers have recognized the importance of this emerging market and are increasing their focus in support of organic textiles. Sales are projected to increase significantly as consumers choose their purchases more carefully, favoring products that promote a wiser and healthier lifestyle choice. Gateway markets for growth include infants and toddlers clothing, toys and accessories, along with organic fashion for pregnant and new moms. WomenвЂ™s and menвЂ™s clothing will also expand as the creativity and design element that defines the fashion business finds new roots within the organic community. The days of вЂњgranolaвЂќ fashion are gone. Designers can draw equal inspiration from fabrics and colors offered within an organic structure. With the increase in global production and consumer interest, and the growing commitment of manufacturers and retailers across a broader spectrum of styles and demographics, the organic clothing market will continue to grow and define its place within the fashion world. More good news comes from the shrinking price gap between organic and traditional cotton-based fashion. This has always been an issue of concern for consumers when making the choice to buy organic. Main Street fashion prides itself on instant response to short-lived trends, often requiring garments to be disposable and cheap. The organic movement is based on the philosophy of conservation and moderation, and supports the ideology of long-life fashion. In todayвЂ™s economic climate, it is easy to see why organic fashion is becoming a popular choice among savvy consumers. Clothing is both a necessity and a luxury. Our choices of what to buy are defined by color, texture, fit, brand image, and price point. The challenge for those of us who work within the organic field is to create products that appeal to all of these senses. We cannot just rely on our organic roots as the incentive and inspiration for consumer response. Our goal is to show how fashion and environmental awareness can exist together in a creative and sustainable world. The growth potential for organic clothing is looking as good as it feels. 360 Richard Brown is president of Itsus International Inc. Itsus Eco вЂњSystem GreenвЂќ is a Canadian brand producing certified organic clothing for children, women and men available throughout North America and Europe. spring/summer 2013 b uying Dr. Somi Says Dr. Somi Javaid has spent over a decade caring for pregnant women and going through her own pregnancies, giving her a unique understanding of the expectant mom and what she needs to make life easier. We asked her to give our keekoo members a вЂњmust-haveвЂќ list from bump to baby and she delivered! HereвЂ™s a sample of what keekoo shoppers are shopping right now. My BabyвЂ™s heartbeat bears The Monkey Kit includes an adorable brown monkey, a special heartshaped recorder to capture the sound of your babyвЂ™s heartbeat in the womb, and a protective vinyl storage bag. MSRP $35.00 | WHSL $17.50 www.mybabysheartbeatbear.com 2-in-1 nursing tank Earth Mama Angel Baby Clinically tested, hospital recommended Natural Nipple Butter is safe, lanolin-free, zero toxin nipple cream. Soothing Calendula and non-sticky plant butters comfort and protect cracked, sore nipples, chapped cheeks and dry skin. Baby safe, no need to wash it off before nursing! MSRP $12.95 | WHSL $7.12 www.earthmamaangelbaby.com This bamboo nursing tank is designed with a two snap system to accommodate the need to nurse in publicвЂ”without the risk of breast exposure; the two snap system also allows moms to nurse in private with the proper breast support. MSRP $45.00 | WHSL $22.00 www.oceanlilymaternityactivewear.com Bamboo Filligree Tank and Loungepant Iridescent Black Bra What weвЂ™ve all been waiting for, a smooth, seam free profile, with fabulous support and structure! This gorgeous nursing bra uses a revolutionary foam cup ideal for the nursing woman as it contours without adding volume to your bust. MSRP $59.95 | WHSL $27.25 www.hotmilklingerie.com Eco-friendly, silky soft, bamboo rib tank and matching loungepant with lined gold filligree lace bodice. A perfect choice for before, during and after pregnancy. Features: offers light support, easy pull-aside nursing access on the tank, delicate lace and bow details, moisture wicking, anti-bacterial fabric. Tank MSRP $49 | WHSL $29 Pant MSRP $48 | WHSL $27 www.belabumbum.com 54 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 Preggie Pop Drops The perfect relief for morning sickness, these drops are all natural, drug free, and recommended by healthcare professionals. Preggie Pop Drops are effective due to our special formulation of essential oils, aromatherapy and a unique delivery method. MSRP $5.50 | WHSL $3.33 www.threelollies.com Belly UpItв„ў Belly UpIt is a back support specifically constructed to ease pregnancy back pain. Studies show that back braces during pregnancy can relieve discomfort and strain, making day-to-day pregnant life easier. Belly UpItв„ў may also relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, reducing leg pain as well.В MSRP $49.95 | WHSL $25.00 www.wearmamadoc.com Safari Medallion Hobo This trendy bag provides fashionable cover for easy diaper duty: one main internal compartment with 3 elasticized pockets, outer zip pocket for personal items, key fob holder for keys or pacifier, large padded micro fiber change mat, insulated bottle holder, OiOi wipes case. MSRP $140.00 | WHSL $70.00 www.branddownunder.com/oioi-diaper-bag.html Belli Elasticity Belly Oil Breastflow Starter Set BreastflowвЂ™s patented 2-in-1 nipple lets your baby control the flow of breast milk or formula as naturally as breastfeeding. By using both suction and compression motions, your baby is able to regulate the flow of milk unlike any other bottle. Plus, Breastflow is designed to help prevent colic. MSRP $19.99 | WHSL $13.75 www.thefirstyears.com/wps/portal/breastflow A luxurious blend of pure plant extracts that prepares skin for stretching during pregnancy. Lavender and sweet almond oil soothe and calm the senses, while nourishing and moisturizing to help skin stretch without damage. MSRP $39.99 | WHSL $23.40 www.belliskincare.com Bootleg Denim Jeans by Haven Every mommy-to-be must have a pair of great-fitting, stylish jeands. These full-panel four-pocket bootleg denim trouser are the best fitting and most comfy denim you will wear. MSRP $87.00 | WHSL $35.00 www.maternityfortwo.com/haven spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 55 n ew & noteworthy | maternity Over the past three months keekoo.comВ has hosted Promotion Events for various manufacturers of bump to baby products. These Promotional Events act as online focus groups that gaugeВ interest from a highly targeted demographic: moms-to-be to new mommies, located primarily in the U.S. During a Promotional Event, keekoo is able to capture data on expectant and new momsвЂ™ perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a brand and its products. Here is how iT works: вЂў Keekoo buyers hand-select brands and specific products to feature in special Promotional Events on keekoo.com. вЂў Keekoo carefully inspects these items and if approved, product receives the keekoo KISS, which stands for Keekoo Inspected Seal of Support! Once items are selected and inspected, keekoo features the brand and productsВ in a Promotional Event. They invite thousands of expectant moms and new moms to attend, view, readВ and grab limited samples. These online focus groups attracted over 234,000 expectant and new moms. A selection of top-performing brands and products are featured in the following New&Noteworthy sections. ItвЂ™s your guide to stocking your store with our most popular brands and products, providing your customers with what they need and want... and your business with increased sales. Japanese Weekend Maternity & Nursing SheвЂ™ll be feeling summer sweetness in our candy stripe dress! Made from 100% cotton itвЂ™s the perfect dress for Spring baby showers and Summer BBQвЂ™s. The asymmetrical and pleat detail at the neckline makes this not just any ordinary cotton dress. Wear with the tie belt for a fit and flattering look or without the tie for an easy casual look. www.japaneseweekend.com Japanese Weekend Maternity & Nursing Sophistication, comfort, and function abound in this key Spring/ Summer essential dress. Our During and After collections can be worn during pregnancy and offer discrete nursing access for after. This lightweight rayon jersey blend dress is available in brights and neutrals. It will be the go to dress for any new mom! www.japaneseweekend.com 56 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 Brought to you by: keekoo and their focus groups comprising over 234,000 expectant and new moms This is Your labor...OWN it! The comfort of a cotton jersey Tshirt in a chic halter dress? Yes, you can have that in the labor ward!В Frontal openings for the Electronic Fetal Monitor make this gown a smart alternative to typical unisex hospital garb! One size fits all andВ now Plus Size available. www.prettypushers.com Modernize your labor! How do you make a woman giving birth feel less like a patient and more like a healthy woman in labor? Start with what sheвЂ™s wearing! These 100% cotton stretch jersey halter gowns are just what the doctor ordered. В Proudly Made in the USA. www.prettypushers.com continued on page 58 n ew & noteworthy | maternity continued from page 57 Skinnyshirt Skinnyshirt mama gives you the polished look of a crisp collared shirt without the bunchiness and bulk. Skinnyshirt mama pairs a cotton poplin collar and upper with a stretchy knit body. So, you look good and are super comfortable at the same time. Extend your maternity wardrobe. Skinnyshirt mama is meant as a layering piece, but is cute enough to go it alone. Skinnyshirt mama can be worn with almost anything in a womanвЂ™s closet from v-necks to shift dresses to cardigans and blazers. www.skinnyshirt.com click on mama! The Hotel Capri in Black Denim Allison Izu offers clothing for women 5вЂ™6вЂќ and shorter, and now we also offer a Petite Maternity Collection of bottoms and tops. The Hotel Capri is a perfect Spring staple for any woman, a cropped jean to the mid calf with a slight flare at the bottom to elongate your figure.В In sizes 000 to 14 and in two inseams, a 27вЂќ and 31вЂќ inseam. www.allisonizu.com Honolulu Wide Leg Trouser in Grey Chambray Allison Izu offers customized clothing for women 5вЂ™6вЂќ and shorter with our petite clothing and maternity clothing too.В The Honolulu Trouser is offered in Grey Chambray for Spring 2013, as well as Khaki and Blue.В Sizes from a 000 to 14 and in a 27вЂќ inseam and 31вЂќ inseam. www.allisonizu.com Mommylicious Maternity Mommylicious Maternity designs the best in affordable maternity wear in sizes to fit every shape! The Mommylicious line includes a full collection of maternity apparel, lingerie, plus size apparel, occasional wear and sleepwear. Not to mention, our ingenious Belly Box that offers a simple and economical solution for momвЂ™s basic wardrobe blacks. Mommylicious Maternity has a hip and fashion-forward maternity collection that includes everything you need to look and feel your best without breaking the bank. www.mommyliciousmaternity.com 58 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 Brought to you by: keekoo and their focus groups comprising over 234,000 expectant and new moms Imanimo Leia blouse At Imanimo we strive to bring the customer a diverse collection that is always on trend and fashion forward. This Leia chiffon top can be worn during the day with jeans and flats or glammed up for evening with pumps and skinny pants. www.imanimo.com Imanimo Constance Dress This flowing color blocked dress is a perfect fit for summer. Lightweight fabric that flows away from you body will keep you comfy and stylish at the same time. www.imanimo.com Lily D JeansвЂ”When Glam meets Comfort Our companyвЂ™s philosophy is quite simple: every design should provide the 3 crucial points: comfort, great fit and wearability beyond the 9 months of pregnancy. The result is the Lily D Now and Then Skinny Jeans.В For more information about Lily D Denim line, please contact our sales reps: Now Showing (Dallas), Mama Sooze (Chicago), Jeff Swartz (Vancouver), Agency J-R Gagne (Montreal). www.mylilyd.com Oceanlily InВ designing our line of swimsuits, we wanted to make sure that it is superior, high quality, well constructed and most importantly, helps to show off the beautiful curves.В We incorporate the interior construction of a sports swimsuit to our swimsuitsВ forВ great support system.В All of our swimsuits are Chlorine Resistant.В For more information, please contact our sales reps: Now Showing (Dallas), Mama Sooze (Chicago), Jeff Swartz (Vancouver), Agency J-R Gagne (Montreal). www.maternityactivewear.com continued on page 60 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 59 n ew & noteworthy | nursing continued from page 59 Breast FeedingвЂ™s #1 Supporter My Brest Friend, the #1 Choice of Lactation Consultants for 15 years, was developed in a вЂњlaboratoryвЂќ of moms, babies, and breastfeeding experts who set out to do what no one had done before: create a pillow whose sole purpose was to answer all the needs of breastfeeding moms and babies. The patented wrap-around design has helped millions of momвЂ™s breastfeed their babies successfully. www.mybrestfriend.com CovillowвЂ”Benefits of Two Products, One Price CovillowвЂ™s breastfeeding cover and pillow-in-one, addresses needs of breastfeeding mothers simply not met by other breastfeeding accessories.В Covillow was designed by breastfeeding moms to meet the privacy expectations in a nursing cover, the comfort of a portable breastfeeding pillow for latching comfort, and convenience of fitting in a diaper bag. http://covillow.com/wholesale/ BEST NURSING COVER! Get on board with the new liberation moms are experiencing! Our covers allow mothers everywhere to breastfeed their babies in comfort, style and confidence anytime - anyplace! Useful, unique and вЂњudder-lyвЂќ chic!В Wholesale pricing starts low! www.UdderCovers.com Terrific comfort and support: the Cezaraв„ў belly support panty Cezaraв„ў provides terrific comfort and support during pregnancy, after delivery, especially after Cesarean delivery. The comfortable, adjustable band supports the back and lifts the bellyвЂ”the internal pad cushions and compresses tender abdominal tissue, including Cesarean scars, relieving pressure, promoting healing. Moms look and feel great! www.CezaraPanty.com 60 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 Brought to you by: keekoo and their focus groups comprising over 234,000 expectant and new moms Undercover Mama-the strapless tank! Undercover Mama is a strapless tank that connects to your favorite bra-making it a nursing tank! It keeps your back,sides and belly covered while pregnant or nursing. ItвЂ™s the new-mama must-have! MSRP $24.99 WhatвЂ™s not to love? www.undercovermama.com Dottie nursing chemise, robe and baby gown Our newest basic has blown out for fall/winter.В Available in navy, khaki or cerise dot, these loungewear groups are a must-have in 100% pima cotton. Styles include the nursing chemise, robe, tunic/pant set, kimono dress and sleep bra and panty. Pair with a matching baby gown for a great Mom & Baby set. www.belabumbum.com Mommy TLC! The Shower Hugв„ў A вЂњCertified Miracleв„ўвЂќВ The Shower Hugв„ў is MommyвЂ™s patented Essential for Breast Pain Relief during pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding.В This multifunctional and affordable alternative to traditional nursing bras eliminates the most frustrating and painful obstacles to breastfeeding success. The Shower Hug can be worn in or out of the shower. www.showerhug.com continued on page 62 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 61 n ew & noteworthy | nursing Brought to you by: keekoo continued from page 61 Gloriousв„ў Tee-Shirt Soft-Cup Nursing Bra Comfort вЂ” cleavage вЂ” support вЂ” moms really love this bra! Our unique comfyCurvesв„ў under-the-breast channeling provides mom with the support of a wire without the wire вЂ” fabulous fit вЂ” fabulous comfort вЂ” fabulous! No minimums and easy to inventory cross-sizes, including our fab! curvyв„ў E-F cup range. www.MelindaG.com | 212-864-1363 BEST NURSING ACCESSORY! AvailableВ in several colors the Milk Bandsв„ў nursing bracelet allows mom to keep track of babyвЂ™s nursing schedule (what side, what time and how long) on one wrist without having to spend a fortune! www.milkbands.com The only all-in-one diaper bag nursing pillow Because everything about a new mom should sparkle!В Our patented Convertible Diaper Bag easily transforms from a functional bag into a luxurious nursing surface. The shape of our new backpack was carefully crafted to follow the contour of the motherвЂ™s waist and provide the support she needs to feed her baby. With a quick zip, the pillow tucks away and reverts back into a highly functional and fashionable diaper bag! www.warmmilk.com 62 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 n ew & noteworthy | baby gear Brought to you by: keekoo Spinnovation from JJ Cole TOMYвЂ™s JJ Cole Collections brand of stylized and fashion-driven mother, infant and toddler products debuts the Broadway Stroller. A simple spin switches baby from forward to parent facing, while the adjustable handle height, removable bumper bar and easy, one-hand fold add to the ease and convenience. Ages: birth to 50 lbs. MSRP:В $450 (stroller); $29.95 (color swap canopy). www.jjcolecollections.com New Generation Stroller Englacha, the Winner of Innovation Award of 2006 Kind+Jugend in World of Mobile Baby, is an innovative company in baby products, its headquarters, Calsun Corp., established in 1986 and located in Taiwan with a branch office in Dong Guan in China, already had reputable OED/ODM services for many well-known companies over 26 years. My Englacha Easy 3-in-1 top-swiveled stroller launched in Jan. 2012 is one of its hot sale items in 2012 and one of the most unique in the market. Sold at incredibly low prices for quality of product. http://englachausa.com/Easy-specifications.html The new Hauck FreeRider.В Go on and take a FreeRide Exceptional value and quality the Free Rider will grow with your family. The new Hauck FreeRider comes complete with the stroller, universal car seat adaptor and the extra rear second seat.В www.gtbaby.com continued on page 64 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 63 n ew & noteworthy | baby gear continued from page 63 Series 300, Simply Taupe: Affordable Modern Style Founded in 2010, with iconic architecture, chic fashion and fresh interior design as our key inspirations, Baby Cargo offers conscientious parents the most user-friendly line of ultra-lightweight umbrella strollers and accessories. We challenged ourselves to uncover the secret to updating the classics. Our line of umbrella strollers is as stylish and comfortable as it is affordable. www.babycargo.com Transitions child from crib to toddler bed The dex baby convertible crib safety rail is designed for use with all convertible cribs! ItвЂ™s extra TALL to fit all crib mattresses (33вЂќ x 16вЂќ). Features a reinforced anchor system and folds down for daytime use. Assembles in minutes with NO TOOLS NEEDED! www.dexbaby.com Carried Away The Lillebaby Nordic Carrier is a robust multi-position child carrier, featuring high performance fixed shoulder pads and a built-in foldable neck support and harness. So youвЂ™ll be comfortable no matter where you and baby go. www.scichild.com/Shop/brand-lillebaby/Nordic-Carrier 64 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 Brought to you by: keekoo and their focus groups comprising over 234,000 expectant and new moms BEST ADJUSTABLE BABY CARRIER! The Hotsling fits babies 8lbs-35lbs.В It has the ability to be worn on either shoulder! It weighs only 0.6 lb and is easy to slip on and off!В Stores easily in a diaper pod for on-the-go parents.В Machine washable andВ comes with a matching diaper pod! www.Hotslings.com CAR SEAT MAKEOVER KITS! At Carseat Canopyв„ў our goal is to provide every parent with a high quality, sleek & stylish infant car seat canopy.В Our products are made for year-round use; fabrics not too heavy for summer and not too thin for winter. Wholesale pricing starts low! www.CarseatCanopy.com A Boost for Baby The Svan Booster Seat is a stylish, modern adjustable booster seat for toddlers. ItвЂ™s sleek, Scandinavian-inspired design fits in virtually any adult kitchen or dining chair and is a welcome addition to any familyвЂ™s dinner table. www.scichild.com/Shop/brand-svan/Lyst-Booster-Seat continued on page 66 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 65 n ew & noteworthy | baby apparel continued from page 65 Bella! Whimsical Baby Onesies in Multiple Languages Bonjour Bambino welcomes babies into the world with its whimsical baby onesies in multiple languages.В The onesies have witty phrases in three languages, Spanish, French & Italian, such asВ Tengo Hambre, вЂњI am HungryвЂќ and Mon Petit Chou, вЂњMy Little CabbageвЂќВ that dress up a babyвЂ™s wardrobe.В www.bonjourbambino.comВ Haiden Surf Get the lil surfer dude ready for summer with some hot items from Haiden Surf. Haiden Surf offers: hats, sunglasses, flip flops, swimshirts, and boardies. This wayfarer-style Kokomo Sunglasses will shield eyes from sun with kid-friendly shatter-resistant lenses and a hip design. For contact and glasses-wearers, this pair is RX compatible. The Turqoise UPF 50+ swimshirt offers upper body sun protection and is great paired with matching boardies or bikini bottom. The boardies featured are the colorful GreenRoom Style. They come in sizes for baby and big brother. They do not have itchy velcro and feature elastic in the back to grow with your little guys tummy. www.haidensurf.com 66 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 Brought to you by: keekoo and their focus groups comprising over 234,000 expectant and new moms The perfect balance of modern and sweet New comfy outfits and cuddly knit animals from Loralin Design! Lynne Buchman wanted to be a more attentive auntie to her nephews, so she made them a gift. ThatвЂ™s how this adorable brand was born. From one gift, Loralin Design evolved to include a wide range of products and apparel. Customers are drawn to BuchmanвЂ™s simple forms and innovative color combinations and weвЂ™re sure you will too!В www.loralindesign.com Glam Style For Your Girly Girl At Moxie Couture, we believe in empowering young girls in all aspects of life. Our expanding line of apparel represents a wide range of personalities and styles. The вЂњMoxie GirlвЂќ is smart, sassy, spunky and hip. Full of attitude, ambition and motivation; sheвЂ™s a future politician, humanitarian or big shot CEO. A вЂњMoxie GirlвЂќ has the world at her feet and is dressed to impress! www.moxiecouture.com continued on page 68 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 67 n ew & noteworthy | baby apparel continued from page 67 NOHI KIDS ORGANIC COTTON ROMPER This soft organic cotton/bamboo romper has long sleeves and snaps down the center. Choose between one of our super adorable, vibrant prints! Made from the softest certified organic cotton and bamboo fiber. Also available in bodysuits, gowns, and pants! www.nohikids.com Naturally Fashionable Itsus Eco creates original hand painted silk screen designs that are printed on our certified organic collection for newborn and toddlers. A true lifestyle choice made with 100% organic Egyptian cotton. Our goal is to prove how fashion and the environment can exist together in a creative and sustainable world. www.itsus.ca вЂњScoutвЂќ in blue/multi floral Rock Me! Made with love in the USA: В One-piece вЂњseparatesвЂќ designed to make dressing babies quick and easy! A unique collection of baby clothing that fuses function with fashion. В All styles are free of closures that make dressing and changing children difficult. В The styles open in the back, like a pillow sham, for super quick and easy on and off. В Rock Me is the modern solution for dressing babies with style and ease AND itвЂ™s is made in the USA! www.rockmeusa.com 68 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 Brought to you by: keekoo and their focus groups comprising over 234,000 expectant and new moms Bright, Colorful, Fun, Vibrant, Playful A new organic baby line for the mothers of today who love their babies and also care about the planet. MY O BABY brings to the mothers a new concept in Organic Clothing by introducing bright prints and colorful embroideries on the garments with special attention to all detailing. My O Baby has its own family owned manufacturing unit ensuring great quality and prices. We are interested in working with boutiques and wholesalers. www.myobaby.com Petit CoutureвЂ™s Sweaterknit Collection Classic Boatneck Sweater and Wrap Skirt Sizes 12 mos - 8 youth Colors: Winter white, yellow, ballet pink Petit Couture is a boutique childrenвЂ™s apparel company based in San Francisco, CA. Our collection is modern and whimsical which we believe embody childhood while still enabling a sense of elegance. We support fair trade manufacturing practices. Our garments are produced in Portland, Oregon and Lima, Peru.В www.petitcouture.com continued on page 70 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 69 n ew & noteworthy | beauty continued from page 69 MayronвЂ™s Goods OUCH STUFF 25% certified organic calendula balm for cuts, burns, bruises & bug bites Ouch StuffВ is aВ natural and organicВ balm in an easy to use container to just swipe on the instant you need it. Also soothesВ skin rashes, rosacea, and eczema.В MayronвЂ™s Goods is founded by actress and director Melanie Mayron, most known asВ вЂњMelissaвЂќ in the TV series вЂњthirty something.вЂќ AllВ natural and organicВ products are formulated by her chemist father, David. mayronsgoods.com Belli Your Best Baby Bump Duo Includes two great products to put your Best Baby Bump forward! Elasticity Belly Oil provides scientifically researched ingredients that help prepare skin for stretching during pregnancy and All Day Moisture Body Lotion soothes dry skin Pairs the aromatherapy of lavender with lemon for a wonderful spa-like experience www.belliskincare.com Belli Healthy Glow Facial Hydrator A daily/nightly moisturizer rich in botanical humectants that help refine and soften skin texture. Includes an antioxidant boost of Vitamin C and grape seed oil for radiant, healthy looking skin. Leaves skin feeling supple and refreshed. Subtle citrus scent. Lightweight for all skin types. www.belliskincare.com Exceptional products for pregnant and nursing women Created by Dr. Michele D. Brown, OBGYN, in an effort to provide high quality safe and effective products specifically designed for the needs of the pregnant and nursing woman using natural and herbal ingredients. BeautГ© de Maman products do not contain Parabens or BPA and are not tested on animals. www.beautedemaman.com Best Care for Your Growing Bump Highly concentrated stretch mark oil is made with 100% natural ingredients to nourish, protect and repair mommyвЂ™s skin during pregnancy. Mommy Belly Oil is designed to replenish the skinвЂ™s elasticity while soothing th itchness due to skin expansion. www.AllyAR.com 70 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 Brought to you by: keekoo and their focus groups comprising over 234,000 expectant and new moms GLOW Balancing Moisturizer Expect Beautifully. Amalou Skin created a gentle skin-clearing regimen for pregnancy induced blemishes, without controversial ingredients like salicylic acid, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, parabens, phlalates or sulfates. Full of beneficial ingredients like peptides, azelaic acid and tea tree oil, their GLOW Balancing Moisturizer hydrates without agitating troubled skin or clogging pores. www.amalouskin.com Third Trimester Tight Skin Solution Soothing Organic emollients, botanicals and aromatherapy enhance the skinвЂ™s resilience, while gently exfoliating crystalline salt help the skin to relax.В When the skin feels tight, it can get itchy. Scratching with your fingernails can damage the dermis and start stretch marks!В OGmama is USDA certified Organic, soВ you can care for your skin withoutВ exposure toВ anyВ synthetic chemicalsВ which could harm baby. www.trilliumorganics.com Novena Organic Beauty Breast Cream This uniquely designed organic breast cream aids in preventing and repairing stretch marks. Heals dry skin and is SAFE during the critical delicate time when the motherвЂ™s milk comes in. Made with Certified Organic ingredients, 100% Vegan, Gluten free, Odorless formula, Contains NO Sulfates, Parabens or Phthalates. Always Cruelty free. В www.novenamaternity.com Spa de SoleilвЂ™s Olive Essence Spa Experience Organic Body Butter В® This product can be used before, during and after pregnancy. Also it can be used on little kids. Feel your skin come alive as it is rescued from harsh daily irritants such as sun, wind, hard water, and environmental pollutants. This lusciousВ Organic Body Butter from Olive EssenceВ® revives dry, tired skin and brings it to a luxuriously soft, silky condition.В www.homespacollection.com/olive-essence-organic-body-butter-10 continued on page 72 spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 71 n ew & noteworthy | accessories continued from page 71 Lotus Bumz Midnight Blooms Ones Size Pocket Cloth Diaper Keep little ones comfy and carefree with В a cloth diaper that works like a charm and fits like a dream! Featuring leak proof exterior, one-size fits 9lbs-32lbs, exclusive waist tab overlaps for extra small waists and hip snaps to prevent sides from drooping. www.lotusbumz.com Eyes Cream Shades Eyes Cream Shades is a leader in providingВ quality sunwear for kids ages six months and above. All frames are fashion forward, comfortable, as well as durable; and all lenses are polycarbonate and provide 100% UVA&UVB protection. Selected styles feature premium polycarbonate polarized lenses. The popularВ brand has been seen in major motion pictures, and their sunwear is a favorite among celebrity moms and dads who sport their kids in the amazing frames. В www.eyescreamshades.com Pink Lining Mama et Bebe Diaper Bag For a stylish and practical diaper bag look no further than the beautiful Mama et Bebe bag in Blue Bouquet print! There are pockets and organizers to fit everything a mama needs. The double front pockets are embroidered with a vintage pram design and Mama et Bebe lettering. The bag has an adjustable shoulder strap that can be made long enough to fit over any stroller handlebars.В PinkLining.com ProudBody Pregnancy Art DIY Kits Our belly cast kits and other art products create a lasting keepsake of a special time in a momвЂ™s life. В Our products are easy-to-use and a finished belly cast can be painted in any way imaginable using one of our decorating kits.В We canвЂ™t attend the ABC show this year, but take advantage of coupon code вЂњlouisvilleвЂќ for FREE shipping & вЂњsluggerвЂќ for 10% off your order. Good the entire month of October! www.ProudBody.com 72 maternity&newborn360 spring/summer 2013 Brought to you by: keekoo and their focus groups comprising over 234,000 expectant and new moms Miniature Chiffon Bow headband with Rhinestone Accent The bow measures 3вЂќ diameter with 1/8 inch soft elastic band. Absolutely adorable and perfect for every occasion. Finest BowtiqueвЂ™s selection of flexible elastic headbands and rompers with ribbon, pearl and rhinestone accents are so perfect for your sweet little thing.В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В www.finestbowtique.com OiOi Turquoise Buffalo Baby Bag Step into the warmer months with a splash of color and zest, as OiOi mixes functionality with beautiful bag design in this faux Buffalo Leather Carry All. Features include multiple pockets, matching change mat and bottle holder, a wipes case, and protective metal feet on the base. Priced at $85.00 wholesale. www.oioibabybags.com Snuggle Bunny Box вЂњSnuggle up with this plush bunny & book set perfect for a little one!вЂќ Little Learners is a research-supported series for babies and toddlers featuring vibrant, interactive content at value prices. The range includes finger puppet books, touch & feel, light and sound books, gift sets, & more. Parragon Books is a leader in illustrated non-fiction & childrenвЂ™s books, ebooks, & apps. www.parragon.com A baby company that gives back. American mother of five, Kathryn Wiley knows the profound effect a sling can have on your young. Armed with the knowledge that Haiti has the highest infant mortality rate in the Western Hemisphere, Kathryn decided to start a movement. With beautiful slings and pouches made with the highest quality and in the latest fashion trends, RockinвЂ™ Baby is a Mother to Mother company.В For every sling purchased, RockinвЂ™ Baby will donate a new sling to a Haitian mother in need, and educate them on its importance. Mother to Mother. www.Rockinbaby.com spring/summer 2013 maternity&newborn360 73 maternity | newborn spring/summer 2013 buying market New York Apparel Market SPRING October 1 - Nov 18 (call to book appointments with showrooms) Atlanta Apparel Market SPRING October 11 - October 15 at www. AmericasMart.com/Apparel L.A. Maternity & Childrens Market SPRING October 15 - October 18 at www.californiamarketcenter.com CHICAGO Maternity & Childrens Market SPRING October 20 - October 23 at www.kidzatstylemax.com Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market SPRING October 25 - October 28 at www.dallasmarketcenter.com CHICAGO Maternity & Childrens Market FALL April 6 вЂ“ April 9 at www.kidzatstylemax.com Atlanta Apparel Market FALL April 11 - April 15 at www.AmericasMart.com/ Apparel fall 2013 buying market New York Apparel Market FALL March 1 - April 22 (call to book appointments with showrooms) winter 2014 buying market New York Apparel Market WINTER June 1- June 17 (call to book appointments with showrooms) L.A. Maternity & Childrens Market FALL March 18 - March 21 at www.californiamarketcenter.com Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market FALL March 18 - March 21 at www.dallasmarketcenter.com Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market WINTER May 30 вЂ“ June 2 at www.dallasmarketcenter.com Manufacturers Baby Briefcase вЂў Belabumbum вЂў Belli Skincare вЂў Blessed Event Blue Lotus Maternity вЂў Cantaloop вЂў Cotton Glam вЂў Fertile Mind La Leche League International вЂўLilac вЂў Love My Belly вЂў MaternitГ© Milk Stars вЂў Molly Ades вЂў Olian вЂў Pink Lining вЂў Prego Swimwear QT Intimates вЂў Sigvaris Compression Hosiery FINAL SHOW DATE FOR 2012: OCTOBER 11-15 JANUARY 24-28 APRIL 11-15 JUNE 6-9 2013 ATLANTA MARKET DATES AUGUST 8-12 OCTOBER 17-21 hope green | 404.688.5702 | fax 404.659.4041| hopegreenmaternity.com [email protected] Visit us at the AmericaвЂ™s Mart Building #3 - SUITE 13W357A calendar CHICAGO Maternity & Childrens Market WINTER Early June at www.kidzatstylemax.com CHICAGO Maternity & Childrens Market CRUISE/EARLY SPRING August 10 - August 12 at www.kidzatstylemax.com Atlanta Apparel Market WINTER June 6 - June 9 at www.AmericasMart.com/Apparel L.A. Maternity & Childrens Market CRUISE/EARLY SPRING August 12 - August 15 at www.californiamarketcenter.com L.A. Maternity & Childrens Market WINTER June 10 - June 13 at www.californiamarketcenter.com cruise/early spring 2014 buying market New York Apparel Market CRUISE/EARLY SPRING August 1 - September 30 (call to book appointments with showrooms) ALL BABY & CHILD SPRING EDUCATION conference May 7-9, 2013 South Point Casino, Las Vegas, NV www.allbabyandchildsec.com Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market CRUISE/ EARLY SPRING Early August at www.dallasmarketcenter.com Atlanta Apparel Market CRUISE/ EARLY SPRING August 8 - August 12 at www.AmericasMart.com/Apparel abc kids expo October 15 - 18, 2013 Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls www.theabcshow.com A NEW VIEW MATERNITY вЂњexpect the bestвЂќ ARMANDA TEXIDOR 2012 - 2013 NEW VIEW SHOWROOM DATES 347 W. 36TH STREET, STE 1602 NEW YORK, NY 10018 T. 212 643 9547 F. 212 643 1131 TOLL FREE 877 643 9548 [email protected] SPRING 2013 SEPTEMBER 6TH - NOVEMBER 16TH COLLECTIONS BELLYSSIMA DEBBI O JAPANESE WEEKEND LILAC MATERNAL AMERICA NOM NOPPIES OLIAN MATERNITY QUEEN MUM RIPE SONO VASO Magazine Ad 8.12.indd 1 SPECIALTY COTTON GLAM FIT2BMOM IMANIMO INGRID & ISABEL LOVE MY BELLY FALL 2013 MARCH 4TH - APRIL 26TH ACCESSORIES B-BUCKLES BELLABAND BONNIE MARCUS PAPERS COLD SNAP SWIMWEAR INGRID AND ISABEL MATERNAL AMERICA NOPPIES PREGO RIPE NURSING & LINGERIE ANNEE MATTHEW B&G BIRTHING GOWN BELABUMBUM COTTON GLAM JAPANESE WEEKEND LA MAZE ME MOI MELINDA G MOLLY ADES NOM NURSING NOPPIES PEEKвЂ“AвЂ“BOO 8/29/12 1:35 PM S ES EN ONSUMER C S AW TE A A RE R C D RI VE SR ETA IL S A L ES A no-cost marketing solution that influences both consumer and retail buyers of pregnancy to baby products branding вЂў top-of-mind awareness вЂў increased sales www.keekoo.com | [email protected]