Retail News - March/April 2012

NEWS
New
& Notable

tiple brands and produce them in Asia for the North American market.

The new collections were revealed at the Spring 2012 Toronto Gift Show.

514-735-4566, www.famoushomefashions.com

Worcester. These additional wellknown British brands have added to their success. 800-387-3864, www.portmeirion.com

Axicon World Imports signs new watch collection Axicon has clocked a new col lection of designer watches. Featuring Japanese movements and handfinished jewellery, Chic Tock Watches includes a variety of styles including ban gles and bracelets designed to appeal to the fashionconscious consumer. Watches retail from $19.95 to $49.95. 800-465-5587, www.axiconworld.com

use bag company started by trav eler and entrepreneur Wendy Knecht, was recently acquired by Ganz.

Former flight attendant Knecht began designing Beyond a Bag out of a desire to have functional, multiuse bags with flair and fashion. As a savvy traveler herself, she knew what designs were the most practical, and made sure to incorporate the features that make a good bag great. So, shoulder bags become backpacks, waist packs convert to duffle bags and trim backpacks become pet carriers.

800-263-2311, www.ganz.com

Nature’s Window debuts
thermal clothing and
accessories

Nature’s Window has secured the Canadian distribution rights for an innovative product line called Thermo. The collection of rechargeable, heatemitting clothing and accessories was developed in Austria and has been selling on the European market for the past two years.

Equipped with batteries, the items – ranging from belts and capes to gloves and slippers – are suitable for both outdoor and indoor use.

800-363-0421, www.natures-window.com

Chene-Sasseville unveils new bedding ensembles For spring 2012, Chene Sasseville is launching a new line of throws in 40 styles and colours. The waffle weave throws are a mixture of cotton and acrylic and retail for $90. 800-463-1237, www.chenesasseville.com

Ganz announces acquisi-
tion of Beyond a Bag
Beyond a Bag, the stylish multi

Famous Home Fashions brings European bedding collection home Famous Home Fashions has announced an alliance with Van Es Home, a leading fashion bedding company in Europe. Famous will license Van Es’s mul

Portmeirion Canada toasts 25-year anniversary During the Spring 2012 Toronto Gift Show, Portmeirion Canada raised a toast to 25 years in busi ness. President Robert Burke recalled the first year the com pany exhibited at the show. With a small booth in Hall 6 at the International Centre, the com pany sold exactly zero dollars. Today, Portmeirion is a leading brand of tabletop and giftware, providing Canadian retailers with many bestselling collec tions including Sophie Conran and Botanic Garden. In addi tion, within the last two years Portmeirion has acquired Spode, Pimpernel and Royal

Camden Canada launches
temporary lip tattoos

New lip tattoos from Camden Canada work the same way as children’s tattoo transfers. Available in 32 designs, the tat toos are applied with water and can be trimmed to fit any lip size, lasting up to eight hours.