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Accessories are recession-proof

Portfolio Accessories

By Gerri Hunt -- Kids Today, 11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

Balancing quality and price is on the minds of several baby and juvenile accessories manufacturers as they row against the poor economy. But they agree that this industry is practically recession-proof.

Barbara Laiken-Adams, president of décor and bedding producer Lambs & Ivy, said the business climate is challenging.

“I've heard a lot of complaints that consumers are cutting back on purchases,” she said. “But the great thing in this industry is that while they might not get a new car or remodel their house, when it comes to the baby's nursery and their children, it's the last place they'll stop spending.”

Laiken-Adams pointed out that this is a slow time of the year.

“The height of our season is in January,” she said.

And Lambs & Ivy is gearing up for that busy time, with several new collections coming out.

“We do very well with our accessories, because they are a little more unique, and they can sell with other manufacturers' bedding groups,” said Laiken-Adams.

Lamps and rugs always do well for the company, as do ceiling sculptures that gently move with air currents. New products include removable appliquéd wall art, fabric-covered wire wall art, and plush that has replaced pillows in some collections.

For the upcoming year, the color palette continues to be chocolate, espresso and cocoa, as well as earth tones.

Two new collections are 100% organic – Flower Power for girls, in pink, brown and cream, and Rock and Roll for boys, in blue, brown and cream.

“We've always had to use more muted colors to stay within the framework of organic,” said Laiken-Adams. “But now we can use deep, rich colors. It fills a gap for the environmentally-conscious parents.”

She said they had a great show at ABC, and expect to have a nice increase for 2009.

“People are looking for value. If you give good value, it pays off,” said Laiken-Adams. “We're all being more competitive in this tight market, and in the end, that benefits the consumer.”

At linens and accessories manufacturer Bebe Chic, orders have increased by about $300 retail, despite the weak economy.

“Business is okay – it could be stronger, but we're holding our own,” said Caren Karpik, president.

Bebe Chic added 13 pieces of artwork that coordinate with their bedding collections.

“We're selling a lot of accessories,” said Karpik. “Stores are selling less big pieces, but accessories are making up the traffic.”

For 2009, while Karpik sees the continuance of modern styles, customers have been asking her for more traditional styles.

“I'm seeing a resurgence of older designs,” she said. “They're hard to find.”

As for colors, natural tones of tan and ivory are popular, and Bebe Chic is mixing blue with brown.

“We're doing some orange this year, but a little goes a long way,” said Karpik. “We're using a lot of blues, like our Sahara set, and have added navy, which we've never had for girls.”

And steering away from the “typical” green and purple color combo, Bebe Chic is using different shades of purple.

“I get a lot of my inspiration from clothing, from the fabrics themselves,” said Karpik, who designs her own collections. “I see a style I like and see how I can interpret it into bedding, like for the bumper or bed skirt.”

Traditionally a toy and plush manufacturer, accessories have become the big focus for Kaloo, a niche player which caters to very upscale boutiques and department stores like Saks 5th Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

“Toys and plush are still our mainstay,” said Leif Quraeshi, president of Kaloo North America. But room décor and accessories is a huge push for the upcoming year.

After launching furniture a year and a half ago, the company has been filling the in-between with coordinating curtains, lamps, rugs, mirrors and wall stickers.

“We want to flesh it out. When you accessorize your baby's room, it's almost too easy when there's a lot of choice,” he said.

“We want to narrow it down to give 2-4 choices,” Quraeshi said. “But it's not like they pull out a page from an Ikea catalog and say, 'I want that room'.”

Kaloo had “pretty good” start for the first half of 2008, with sales on an upswing.

“Then we saw a slowdown in mid-September with the economic bad news,” Quraeshi said. “Because we're almost exclusively in independent stores, they behave in an immediate manner.”

He said the bad economy will probably last a few more months. And Kaloo isn't slowing down, continuing with its plan to add 20-30% new products every year.

Quraeshi said the colors he sees for 2009 include fresh floral palettes in pink, fuchsia, celery, orange and tangerine. “We take cues from France, and that's what has been coming out of there over the last nine months.

“But we're in the baby category, and people are always having babies,” said Quraeshi. “There will be an absolute pick up in 2009. Within the baby segment, the trend within families is to have children later and later in life… when they're more financially secure, mature, and they know what they want.”

	The Cinderella chandelier from I Lite 4U has four arms with a pink finish, all pink crystals and pink shantung silk shades, $575.
This hand-painted Wooden Trellis handle step from Clark & Lee Design features a simple trellis pattern with dots and stripes. Solid Parawood construction, it is primed, base-coated, decorated and clear-coated in paints and finishes that are water-based and safe for kids, $172
	These 4x10 inch wooden door knob hanging plaques from Light of Mine Designs indicate that baby is sleeping. Comes with grosgrain ribbon for hanging, $17.99.
The Pink Owl Ceramic Birth Certificate from Jamie's Painting & Design is an original hand-painted 6 x 8 inch tile that is personalized, individually hand-finished and heat-sealed. Comes with coordinating hanging ribbon, $35.
	HABA's Swinging Tent Solemio has a door flap and roll-up windows. Designed with flowers and colors to match the Solemio line of room decor. Can hold up to 175 pounds, comes with equipment for mounting, and is made of polyester and metal rings, $350
This five-piece wooden butterfly wall decor is part of the Raspberry Swirl collection from Lambs & Ivy. Designed to fit together like a puzzle, $27-30.
	This white paper linen box by The Grandparent Gift Co. is 9 x 6 x 6 inches and has magnetic closures. It holds keepsakes from baby's christening, baptism or dedication, $19.99.

Peking Handicraft's Always Kiss Me Goodnight hooked rug is 34 x 47 inches, 100% wool and 100% cotton. Designed by Kelly Rightsell, $100.
	This wall shelf by CoCaLoBaby is part of its Scooter collection, offering a traditional style with a modern twist. A traditional transportation motif with large graphic designs, $44.99.
The hand-painted Lime Circle Dot Frame is part of Ribbit-Ribbit's Tutti-Fruity collection, $40-45.
	Part of Crystorama Lighting Group's Imperial Collection, 3224-BH is a blush-colored, hand-painted wrought iron chandelier draped with hand-cut crystal jewels. It is 12 x 18 inches and holds six lights, $299.

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