Rugged Bear makes a return to retail marketplace
Rugged Bear, which for years had successful stores in West Hartford Center and Canton before closing abruptly in the first quarter 2011, is rising from the ashes of bankruptcy under new ownership and no retail store component — for now.
TRB Acquisitions of New York acquired the rights to Rugged Bear shortly after its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization for an undisclosed amount. its parent company is now known as Cutie Pie Baby inc. both it and TRB are led by President Eli Yedid.
The classic, New England-style clothing brand has built its name on quality products and affordable price points. Stemming from what started as an outer-wear brand for children in 1980, Rugged Bear has since become a full-line seller of children’s apparel including newborn, infant, toddler, and children’s apparel as well as footwear, cold weather accessories, pajamas, underwear and hosiery.
Chelsea Kunkel, product and social media manager for Rugged Bear, said the brand resumes this summer in time for back-to-school sales with a heavy emphasis on boys, which she described as an underserved segment when it comes to children’s clothing.
“It’s mainly a boys line,” she said. “We’re focusing on ages 4 to 7. There’s a real need for clothing for boys that age.” but, she added, Rugged Bear is going to have something for both genders from infants up to size 18.
The Rugged Bear clothing line has expanded by enlisting the following licensees to help continue the name: iApparel, LLC for outerwear; Cutie Pie Baby for newborn, infant and toddler apparel; Eastman Group for footwear; FAB/Starpoint for backpacks; CNY Apparel for underwear and pajamas; and Gina Group for hosiery and crib shoes.
The new clothing line is going to rely on a mixture of social media like Facebook and Twitter and traditional outlets like newspapers to increase awareness of the brand, which is not being sold online through its own website. instead it will be sold through retailers, both in-person and online like Lord& Taylor, Nordstrom’s and Amazon.com.
“We’re still courting stores,” Kunkel said.
The initial marketing push this summer will be through print media, Kunkel said. most of that will be focused on the New York market but could expand to other areas like Connecticut, which was once home to nine Rugged Bear locations.
Rugged Bear was once a strong regional brand but its leadership wants to move beyond the Northeast. “we want to become a more national brand than a Northeast brand,” Kunkel said, adding that she doesn’t the brand will be hurt by its absence from the market. its more than 30-year reputation for quality should ease its re-entry into the marketplace.
The possibility for a return to retail outlets exists, according to Kunkel. she said Yedid has an eye turned to that possibility but not before 2014 at the earliest. He wants to see how the brand does before making the investment in brick and mortar locations. The previous owners of Rugged Bear had 39 stores in New England, New York and New Jersey when it closed.
Kunkel said the stores that used to be located next to Rugged Bear stores have expressed an interesting in carrying the clothing line. “We’re interested in working with people who know the brand,” she said, adding that people interested in selling the clothing line can go to RuggedBear.com for more information on carrying the line.
Sweet Nest opens
The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Sweet Nest to 968A Farmington Ave., West Hartford. The store is owned by Amy Valente. Sweet Nest provides tween-age customers with items to create one-of-a-kind bedrooms. Sweet Nest is open Monday — Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. find the store at sweetnestkids.com and on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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Valentine’s Day numbers
Now that Valentine’s Day has passed, curious about how much was spent and how?
According to PriceGrabber, an online shopping site with more than 23 million unique shoppers monthly, 68 percent of shoppers showed their love for less than $100 in 2011. its Valentine’s Day shopping survey other key findings include:
• 42 percent of Valentine’s Day shoppers will use a daily deal site to purchase a gift;
• 56 percent of consumers will spend the same on Valentine’s Day this year as in 2011;
• 68 percent will spend their money on a spouse;
• 35 percent will purchase a greeting card;
• 43 percent will shop one week in advance.