Editor's notes
Lisa Casinger, Editor -- Kids Today, 8/1/2006
Summer is in full swing and my kids, who are both in day care, seem to have an outing every day. They go to the pool, park and movies a lot, but they've also taken a tour of a local racecar shop, a cookie factory and are slated for a trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop and a Harley Davidson showroom.
At first I thought the racecar shop and motorcycle showroom we're pretty odd, but it's clever marketing for these retailers. Obviously a 6- (and three-quarters he'd add) and 9-year-old (a self-described tween) won't be purchasing either anytime soon (or never if I have anything to say about it), but these companies are getting their names branded in the minds of potential future customers. Just a little food for thought; check out my blog on the Web site for some more get-'em-in-the-door ideas.
Our cover story this month is on Sprout in Manhattan Beach, Calif. This store also reaches out to its customers with a newsletter, story time, arts and craft days and more. When Sprout celebrated its first birthday last year it invited kids and parents in to tie-dye their own Sprout logo t-shirts. Not only did everyone have a blast, but the store gets free advertising every time someone wears their shirt. Very cool idea.
You'll also find our Metro Report on Miami retailers, Up Close looks at youth bedding and wall décor, the last installment of our Women in the Industry series, coverage of the gift and textile markets and a look at high design.
Our own big news is that we have a new publisher, Robin Martinez. Though we're sad to see Pete Cohen leave and we wish him the best, we're excited to have Robin on board. We're sure she'll bring new ideas to the magazine and the industry and help us continue growing Kids Today.
Next month we'll have tons of ABC-related coverage, along with an overview of the Las Vegas Furniture Market, a Metro Report on Dallas and the second part of our By the Numbers on Youth Furniture.
