JPMA petitions CPSC to establish bumper standard
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ — The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association petitioned the Consumer Product Safety Commission this week to adopt a rule to define and distinguish between what they see as hazardous “soft” pillow-like crib bumper pads and traditional crib bumpers.
The petition said that parents will benefit from a clarifying standard when shopping in the marketplace for products that protect babies from limb entrapment, abrasions and contusions when safely placed in cribs on their backs to sleep.
JPMA said in a statement that it is dedicated to promoting the safe use of juvenile products and affirms that when used according to manufacturer’s instructions, traditional crib bumpers prevent head injuries and limb entrapment.
“Our fear is that if there is an elimination of crib bumpers, parents will still want the product and will begin creating their own makeshift bumper as a protective barrier from the tight slat/spindle dimensions and hard wooden surface of the crib slats,” said Michael Dwyer CAE, executive director of JPMA. “We are already seeing early evidence of this in social networking forums and through injury reports, and parents need to be able to trust products that are currently available on store shelves that have passed rigorous safety and reliability tests.”
JPMA said it is concerned that any recommendations that results in the de facto elimination of safe and useful products specifically designed for infant use will have unintended consequences.
“Manufacturers are committed to working with CPSC and other stakeholders to develop a mandatory standard for crib bumper pads,” said Dwyer. “The standard process, led by ASTM, is currently underway for infant bedding and crib bumpers. JPMA believes that the ASTM crib bumper dynamic requirements, which were supported by the subcommittee, can now provide a reasonable basis for a federal crib bumper performance standard that distinguishes safe products and allows consumers choices.”
ASTM, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, facilitates discussions to establish voluntary standards for a variety of industries including juvenile products. Manufacturers, alongside consumer advocates, government agencies and engineers, have been working to define the crib bumper standard to help parents in their selection process.
Currently balloted items include enhancements to the warning statements to ensure consumers are properly using and affixing bumper products in cribs. This, along with a new test method to measure bumper thickness and the strength of ties, will result in a stronger standard.
Add comment May 11, 2012
Young America launching ‘Buy Local and Save’ program to support retailers
Stanleytown, Va. – Infant and youth manufacturer Young America has announced the upcoming launch of “Buy Local and Save,” a new initiative designed to drive customer traffic to Young America retailers and set to launch Jan. 3. The program communicates to consumers that they can save significantly when they purchase Young America products at a retail store compared to purchasing the same products online.
In conjunction with the program’s implementation, Young America will be adding “Buy Local and Save” messaging and product pricing to the brand’s website so consumers can better appreciate the value offered by Young America retailers. Visitors to YoungAmerica.com who choose to “Buy Local and Save” will be taken to the site’s retailer locator, where they can find a Young America retailer in their area and achieve the advertised savings.
“Leveraging the Internet has been a challenge for many retailers, so we developed the ‘Buy Local and Save’ program to provide consumers with an incentive for purchasing in-store rather than online,” said Young America Director of Marketing Neil MacKenzie. “We know that consumers – especially Young America consumers – go online to research a product as the first step in their shopping process. ‘Buy Local and Save’ leverages consumers’ interest in online shopping to provide them with valuable pricing information and to make them aware of the savings they can obtain simply by purchasing from a local retailer.”
Prior to announcing the “Buy Local and Save” initiative, Young America conducted two 60-day tests of the program in Georgia and Connecticut. Participating retailers in both markets reacted favorably to the tests, said MacKenzie.
“The ‘Buy Local and Save’ test definitely brought business into our store,” said Scott Hellman, owner of A Room of Their Own in Kennesaw, Ga, and one of the test stores. “While shopping on YoungAmerica.com, a customer discovered the ‘Buy Local and Save’ option. When she realized she could save a significant amount by visiting a Young America Signature Shop, she requested nearby locations and was directed to my store. She called us and purchased a full-size Harbor Town bunk bed that same week. That sale proved to me that ‘Buy Local and Save’ works, and I’m excited about the national rollout of the program.”
Although it may appear contrary to the program’s goal at first, one of the key elements of Young America’s “Buy Local and Save” strategy is to allow customers to purchase Young America products directly from the brand’s website. As a result, YoungAmerica.com will soon feature a “Buy Now” option as well as the “Buy Local and Save” opportunity. While the “Buy Now” function will offer consumers the convenience of purchasing online, the products sold on YoungAmerica.com will be priced at a premium to encourage consumers to “Buy Local and Save” instead, sending consumers to local retail outlets.
“It may seem a bit unusual, but our goal in enabling consumers to ‘Buy Now’ on YoungAmerica.com is to drive traffic to our brick-and-mortar retailers,” explained MacKenzie. “Consumers who purchase from our site will pay more for the ease of online commerce, and while we’re willing to accept such orders, we expect that most consumers will take note of our prominent ‘Buy Local and Save’ messaging and opt to purchase from a local retailer and save money.”
Add comment April 13, 2012
Dorel Juvenile Group and Best Brands Consumer Products announce new partnership
The Safety 1st licensed line will include everything needed for those moments on the run, from shopping cart covers to sunscreen, cold packs to hand sanitizers and wipes.
On the home front, bath time will be made easy with bath mitts and poufs to shampoo and towels. Safety 1st Essentials will be a comprehensive line with special features including relevant safety tips on all packaging.
“This is a perfect partnership for Safety 1st, as Best Brands understands the needs of our customers and will design products that complement our brand appropriately, providing added value to our core business,” said David Taylor, president and CEO of Dorel Juvenile Group USA.
According to Peter Felberbaum, president of marketing & licensing for Best Brands Consumer Products, the Safety 1st line will offer quality, innovation, and strong value to the consumers, in addition to being functional and fun.
“We selected this fine brand because it is highly recognizable and delivers confidence and security to their market audience, essential to our consumers as well,” said Felberbaum. “Our new product line will be a natural extension of the fine Safety 1st franchise.”
The company said products will be competitively priced and begin to roll out at retail in early 2013.
Synergy Licensing, licensing agent for Dorel Juvenile Group brokered the deal.
Add comment April 13, 2012
