JPMA offers new ideas, products

Discount Store News, Nov 9, 1998 by Laura Liebeck

DALLAS - The fashion orientation of juvenile products continues to move in sync with apparel and next year the two industries will hold their annual events together to form a children's products show.

Beginning next October, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association's annual four-day exposition of strollers, cribs and assorted accessories for children 0 to 3 will be held in conjunction with a childrenswear show sponsored by the Childrenswear Marketing Association. The event is scheduled for Oct. 24 to 27 at the Dallas Market Center. The JPMA portion of the show will run from Oct. 23 to 26.

Safety products, multiple use goods and licensed products dominated the recently ended show. Ergonomic designs in products as diverse as spillproof cups and flatware and carriage handles were popular, as were goods enhanced with electronics such as vibrating baby bouncers and buzzing, beeping and talking safety devises.

The big fashion color this year was navy. Denim remains popular, and chenille appeared in some bedding goods for upstairs markets.

New products, particularly the prize-winning items, garnered lots of attention this year. During the opening ceremonies, the JPMA awarded 10 prizes in its annual Show Off competition. Six of the 10 winners were safety-oriented products, and most were electronics-oriented. The winners were:

* Angelcare by Angel and Co., a combination sound and breathing monitor;

* Buckley Alert! by Blue Ridge International, known for its Safe-Fit line of goods. This is a car seat buckle monitor that sends audio signals when the buckle is engaged and disengaged;

* Transfermations by Camp Kazoo, an ironon pattern decorating kit for walls, furniture and fabric accessories that creates a paint-by numbers painting surface;

* Alpha Omega by Cosco, a car seat for children from birth to 70 lbs. that is rear facing to 30 lbs. Comes with a five-point harness;

* Evenflo Monitor and Intercom by Evenflo, a monitor with two-way intercom. The monitor has lights and is rechargeable;

* Fisher-Price Child Locator by Fisher-Price: a portable monitor-like device that attaches to child for easy locating when he wanders off;

* Back Sleeper by Munchkin: keeps a baby in the recommended back sleeping position;

* Physiobebe by Mustela USA: 2-in-i rinse-free cleanser and toner for face and diaper area;

* The Baby Shade Stroller Cover by Nuzone Products, an all-cotton fine mesh netting and white detachable solar guard;

* Baby Bjorn Toilet Trainer by Baby Bjorn, a portable potty seat that can be adjusted to fit securely to any toilet without scratching the commode.