Kids Today announces winners of Merchandising Awards

merchandising awards

By Lisa Casinger -- Kids Today, 2/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

Retailers across the country entered submissions for the first Kids Today Retail Merchandising Awards and winners were picked in the following categories — Best Use of Accessories; Best Overall Merchandising; Best Store Front; and Most Fashionable.

Judges included members of the Kids Today, Casual Living and Furniture/Today editorial staffs. Judging was difficult as retailers put their best foot forward with photos of well-appointed vignettes, displays bursting with product and creative looks bound to tempt shoppers. Judges based their decisions on images submitted by retailers.

Best Use of Accessories

Precious Cargo is a family-owned specialty retailer in Smyrna, Ga. selling baby to teen furnishings and accessories. The mother-daughter team of Bobbie Kelman and Dana Kelman Stein opened their store in 2006. The vignettes they submitted include a lot of accessories without being overwhelming or looking cluttered. A variety of colors, patterns and accessorizing options not only give customers an idea of the product choices, but also different ways they can use products like boxes and baskets to create extra storage.

 

 

 Best Overall Merchandising

Giggle was founded by Ali Wing in 2003 in San Francisco. Today there are stores in San Francisco, Pasadena, Corte Madera and Walnut Creek, Calif., Greenwich, Conn., SoHo and the Upper East Side in New York City and Greenvale, N.Y. with Chicago and Chevy Chase, Md. locations slated to open this year. Giggle is clean and uncluttered yet creatively packed with merchandise. Tall, white bookcases line the walls and are filled with product by category. The bath and body area includes a claw foot tub and sink while the stroller area not only offers “parking” for customers’ strollers but also parking meters.

Best Store Front

Magic Beans, with locations in Brookline, Hingham and Wellesley, Mass. was founded in 2004 by husband and wife team, Eli and Sheri Gurock. The stores are incredibly merchandised and accessorized but it was the creative store fronts that drew the judges’ attention. The Gurock’s use of a climbing bean sprout and a “magic” bean in its logo not only helps it stand out in a retail landscape of sameness, it also tells shoppers what type of store they’re entering and lets them know there’s fun to be had inside.

Most Fashionable

Ana Furniss opened Kreativa for Kids in the Bird District of Miami in 2004. The store is equal part youth and infant with an overwhelming emphasis on design and accessories. The vibrant use of colors and patterns, especially in the youth/tween vignettes, coupled with the blending of accessories and eye for design won Kreative for Kids the Most Fashionable for 2009.

Editor’s Pick

Lone Star Baby & Kids, founded by Mike and Karen Schaul with locations in Dallas, Frisco and North Richland Hills, Texas, receives the Editor’s Pick award for its well-organized, POP displays separated by brands and its creatively grouped and shelved bedding displays that enable customers to look at all options at once. The store also boasts uncluttered vignettes that give shoppers an idea of what the furniture and accessories will look like in their homes.