Kid Craze

 

In the last several months, our editors have combed the aisles of specialty food, gift, and housewares shows across the country and internationally. One of the biggest trends we have seen on both the food and hard goods sides of the biz has been products catering to kids--like the products featured here:

Kids in the Kitchen

 

Give 'em a Head Start

Head Chefs are fun kitchen tools for kids. Available from Harold Import Company, these whimsical whisks, fun spoons, colorful spatulas and more are made of food-grade silicone, and feature bendable arms and legs. Each piece has a suggested retail price of $9.99. The collection is dishwasher safe. For more information, visit www.haroldimport.com.

 

Curious Kids Get Cooking

 

Tailor Made Products, Inc. will launch its first national brand at the IH +HS, when it unveils its Curious Chef line of kitchen utensils created for children ages 3 to 10 years old. The line, which consists of both hard and soft goods, includes more than 100 kitchen items—like the cookie cutter featured here. Functional, fun and colorful, the entire Curious Chef line was developed with the child in mind. The kitchen tools are scaled back in size, dishwasher safe, and offer unique safety features, as well as playful soft-touch button designs on the handles. The suggested retail price for the Curious Chef line ranges from $3.00 to $50.00 and is available in open stock, in gift sets, and in a series of modular sets. For more information, visit www.curious-chef.com.

 

Kids Cook With Kinderkitchen   

Kuhn Rikon presents KinderKitchen, its first collection of kitchen tools designed specifically for children. From the Bluebird Spatula to the Cockatiel Whisk with one bright pink silicone wire in its plumage, this innovative line lets children discover the joy of cooking. Designed for little hands and curious minds, the colorful collection of kitchen tools marries high-quality construction with ease of use. Special safety features make the collection ideal for children, like those found in the Duck Snippers—mini kitchen shears that are sharp enough to cut veggies but not sharp enough to hurt people. The collection also includes a washable tote bag for tool storage. The tools are available for shipment April 2009, with suggested retail prices of $6 to $18. For more information, call 800-662-5882, or visit www.kuhnrikon.com.

 

Kids World Collection

WMF has introduced its Kids World Collection, made especially for mommy’s little helpers. The collection features kid-sized utensils that will stir up excitement as children prepare and enjoy their favorite foods. Among the new Kids World Collection items are the Kid’s Cooking Utensil Set (featured here) that helps pint-sized cooks slice, dice and peel under their parents’ supervision. The set includes a stainless steel and plastic knife and peeler. The set is dishwasher-safe and recommended for children ages 6 and up. The MSRP is $19.90. For more information, visit www.wmf-usa.com.

 

Cheery Chomping

Pitting cherries can be one of the messiest kitchen chores, and unsafe for adults and children alike. Talisman Designs has developed a solution that will change pitting cherries forever -- the Cherry Chomper. This fun and easy-to-use kitchen tool provides a safe, manageable and clean way to pit cherries. Katherine Waymire, creator of the Cherry Chomper and president of Talisman Designs has designed this product to be compact, fun to use, mess free and kid friendly. The Cherry Chomper features a plunger-type action that pushes the cherry pit and residual juice into the bottom container of the pitter. The protective “tooth” ensures that hands and fingers won’t be touched by any of the components. “It’s really an interesting, almost mysterious, tool for kids to interact with,” says Waymire. “A whole cherry goes in; a whole cherry comes out but without the pit. It gives them a sense of accomplishment and independence, while having fun. But equally important -- it's 'mom approved' thanks to its safety features and its ability to contain the mess!” The MSRP is $12.99. For more information, visit www.talismandesigns.com.

 

Tikes at the Table

Let's Play House

Rosanna presents this pretty, yet sturdy, stoneware baking set. The meticulous miniatures of Rosanna’s stoneware baking collection can be used in the oven to create pint-sized treats. The nine piece child’s baking set includes a child’s size mixing bowl, cake pedestal, cupcake tray, pie dish and four snack plates packed in an irresistible doll house shaped box with handle. The set is microwave and dishwasher safe. For more information, visit www.rosannainc.com.

 

Bambu Babes

The Bamdino collection from bambu features utensils and plates specially designed for babies and children that are made from certified-organic renewable bamboo. The Bamdino set of natural utensils is sized and shaped for small hands and tender mouths and features friendly dinosaur profiles at the head of each spoon, fork and knife for easy hold grips. Food-safe, durable, and lightweight, these utensils wash up easily by hand.

The Bamdino Veneerware completes the look, with specially designed, single-use plates for kids. The Bamdino line of Veneerware is also made from certified-organic bamboo and designed with dinosaur characters naturally etched onto the base of the 9” plate. Two different characters accompany a message to remind kids to care for the earth. A fun alternative to paper or plastic, these plates are perfect for parties, picnics, at home, or on the go. A package of eight plates retails for $9.50. For more information, visit http://bambuhome.com.

 

Retro Dining

Check out the latest Kiddie Diner collection from Sugar Booger by o.r.e. This kitchy, retro-inspired collection features a melamine children’s dish set that includes a dishwasher-safe tray, cup, fork and spoon. The line also includes a kid placemat; lunch sack; and kiddie apron. For more information, visit www.oreoriginals or www.sugar-booger.com.

 

 

 

 

Little Trekkers

At the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) in January, The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) introduced eight Japanese design companies, including Shinzi Katoh’s colorful creations. Katoh started working as a commercial designer in the 1970s. Many of his works became popular in Japan and abroad. His design work included picture book illustration, for which he received a prestigious children’s book award. Among Shinzi Katoh’s tableware, bags, stationery and fabrics featured at the NYIGF, were stylish selections for children, like this Trekking Bottle—a double-wall stainless water bottle for every day adventures. The MSRP is $19.00. For more information, visit www.edg.jp.

Thirsty Kids

Specialty foods and beverages for the next generation of consumers was all the rage at the 2009 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, where a slew of new product introductions catering to kids were on display. One timely and tasty product that fit this bill was the new Little Citizen’s Herb Teas from The Republic of Tea. Meant to be enjoyed hot or iced, the new line of naturally caffeine-free, organic Rooibos-based, Fair Trade Certified herbal teas for children are available in three flavors: Strawberry Vanilla Tea, Tangerine Tea, and Apple Cherry Tea.

For every tin of Little Citizen’s Herb Teas sold, The Republic of Tea will contribute $1 to Room to Read, an organization committed to educating children in developing countries. Through this partnership, The Republic of Tea will provide funding to establish a bi-lingual library for underprivileged children in South Africa—the country from which Rooibos tea is sourced—as well as help Room to Read establish libraries in other countries in need.

Little Citizen’s Herb Teas are sold separately and have a suggested retail price of $10.50 for a tin that contains 36 round tea bags. For more information, visit www.republicoftea.com.

 

Hint Essence Water

HINT Essence Water is the brainchild of CEO and Founder Kara Goldin, a San Francisco mother of four. With a built-in test market of youngsters at home, it makes perfect sense that HINT would introduce a new line: HINT Kids at the 2009 Winter Fancy Food Show. The line, available next month, comes in three signature HINT flavors—strawberry-kiwi, tropical, and watermelon—is packaged in grab-and-go, 11-ounce Tetra Paks, and contains fluoride and no sugar or artificial additives. HINT, whose mantra is “Drink Water, Not Sugar,” is calorie-free.  For more information, visit www.drinkhint.com.

Honest Kids

Honest Tea has created a line of organic, low-sugar, fruit-flavored thirst quenchers for kids. Honest Kids is available in three varieties: Berry Berry Good Lemonade, Goodness Grapeness, and Tropical Tango Punch. Each contains less than half the sugar of most other pouch drinks. All are USDA-certified organic and certified Kosher. Honest Kids are packaged in ready-to-go, single-serve pouches that can be sold eight to a carton or individually. For more information, visit www.honest-kids.com.

Gourmet Gym

An hour in the kitchen is worth three in the gym.  No, it’s not the heat of the stove or the calories you’ll burn prepping food, but the fact that cooking at home is good for you.  As Americans eat out less often they may be shrinking more than their entertainment budgets– their waistlines will decrease.

 

I was listening to the radio the other day--- one of those talk show formats… and they were discussing fresh foods.  One of the nutritionists said that even if you cooked fried chicken and mashed potatoes, you’d be better off than eating at restaurants. That’s partly because of the large portions we get at restaurants, and partly because at home we can control the ingredients that go into the dish.  The trainer at my gym said that while she wouldn’t recommend a fried chicken diet, it was better than the hidden calories we eat (and drink) at fast food and other restaurants.

 

The point is that I’ve noticed more and more accounts about cooking at home and how much better it is for you.  Publicists working for various interests generate some of this, and it is increasing awareness in the consumer market.  It’s a trend that will benefit specialty retailing in the short term as people trim restaurant expenditures and carry over in the future as they get used to cooking at home and enjoy their “svelte selves.”

Ron Jakubisin

Elephant Walk

Like most communities around the country, Berkeley has seen its share of stores and restaurants close down since the first of the year, and some that didn't even make it through Christmas. It's disheartening, of course, not only for the retailers who have lost much but for the community as well. Dark windows on Main Street doesn't do any of us any good. Curiously, there was one store closing that I found more disturbing than most, and the reason for my dismay is that it could have been avoided.

Elephant Pharmacy opened in Berkeley several years ago, taking over a former sporting goods store at a busy intersection in the heart of what is affectionately known by locals as the "Gourmet Ghetto." We welcomed them into the community. They not only offered alternatives to conventional remedies, health and beauty products, and various household goods, they also revitalized a corner and a building that had languished for years beneath an ugly facade. After they had been opened only a short time, they began to add fresh foods to their selection of organic and all-natural foods. In addition to Newman's Own Organics, Nature's Path, Cascade Farms and Barbara's cereals, they began to carry Straus Family Creamery's dairy products, fresh produce, and artisanally made breads. They had mixed success with the fresh foods and the selection waxed and waned over the years until they finally gave up. The packaged and refrigerated foods, however, remained, at considerably lower prices than the upscale supermarket across the street and we remained loyal customers in the hope of helping them to survive. One thing bothered me from the start though. The buyers seemed to operate without supervision and they bought with abandon, especially at Christmas time. Whole aisles were dedicated to toys, bags, yoga equipment and gift items. I used to like to take my grandson in there and let him pick out a toy but it became increasingly difficult to do so. The toys were very expensive and all seemed to be of an educational nature. In other words, the philosophy seemd to be that a toy wasn't good unless the child was actively learning (that's sooo Berkeley), without realizing that children learn from playing, no matter what it is, as long as it stimulates their imagination. My grandson is very bright, reads books for fun, and loves art and puzzles. He wants toys that are fun. But I digress.

During the fourth quarter in 2008, I noticed they were buying huge amounts of everything - toys, gifts, books - but were often out of stock on key items like my wife's favorite shampoo and certain brands of toothpaste. In other words, they suffered in their core area because of too much emphasis on the ancilliary merchandise. I should mention that they had opened two more stores in less urban, more suburban areas, and rumor had it that they were not doing well. It became clear in the weeks leading up to Christmas that there was no way they were going to sell all of the Christmas merchandise. The buyers had run wild. I could tell without seeing the books that they were frighteningly overbought. After New Years the sale signs went up but it was too late. The sagging sales at the other two stores (both of which had iron-clad leases that Elephant could not get out of), combined with the poor buying at the Berkeley branch (and presumably the other two as well), sent the store reeling. They closed last Tuesday, informing the employees only the night before.

What are the lessons to be learned from the untimely closing of these stores? For one thing, undisciplined buying. There didn't seem to be any managerial supervision of the buyers, both in terms of the amount of goods they ordered and in the selection. Second, they succombed to the lust of opening new stores before they had completely defined themselves with the flagship. Third, they lost sight of their core values. They began as an alternative pharmacy and ended up a poorly thought out gift shop. Perhaps if the economy had not headed south they would still be blythely stocking the toy department, but I think they would have been in trouble regardless. Bad buying is bad buying, whether it's a boom year or a bust. I'm sad to see them go but in the end, I can't say I'm really surprised.

Lifestyle Sales

On a recent trip to LA friends took me to LAMill, a funky coffee house in Silverlake.  The owner, an interior designer of some renown, has created one of the most dynamic coffee shops I’ve ever seen. You pick your coffee and the way it is served: by traditional drip, vacuum-style, as espresso and 6 other ways.  We choose the vacuum approach and they brought the pot with a Bunsen burner and prepared the coffee tableside in a spectacle worthy of P.T. Barnum. People watched our table as the coffee percolated… and we looked at the various other preparations underway around the room.

 

I’m sure that many patrons like me were introduced to all sorts of new coffee making gadgets and that some (like me) might be tempted to seek out and buy the equipment they saw.  Our purchase decisions are often influenced by lifestyle experiences.  Take the trend of “hotel” quality bedding in homes. When hotels improved the quality of bedding in their rooms several years ago, demand increased at retail for higher quality mattresses and accessories.

 

Consumers want to bring such memorable experiences like a cool way to make coffee or a comfy bed into their everyday lives and will seek out the products that thrilled them.  As specialty retailers we need to be on the lookout for products that reflect the lifestyle experiences of our customers. 

Ron Jakubisin