To keep your children's clothing business marketable and competitive, it's imperative to stay abreast of current news and trends in the children's clothing industry. Children's clothing manufacturers must also always stay attuned to the needs of the market. There's been a huge boom in the children’s clothing industry, and if you're trying to compete in the children’s clothing market, educating yourself on the latest trends is crucial.

A massive amount of profit can be made in this industry if you research it a bit. Know the specifics of what you want to research. There may be adult clothing manufacturers who have added a children's clothing line, or there may be certain celebrities who have created a kids' clothing line which you may want to include in your clothing store. Consider the following when conducting your research:

1. Find and read about the children's clothing industry from children's clothing news articles. There are a number of articles available through a wide range of resources.

2. Learn what the most current children's clothing trends are from children and parent magazines. Many of these magazines include kid's clothing trends.

3. Educate yourself on the current children's fashion trends from a variety of blogs.

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Obtain children's clothing news from a variety of online articles

Online articles are one of the best resources for the latest children's clothing news. There are an abundance of online baby and children's clothing articles to choose from.

I recommend: Suite 101.com has an array of baby, children and teen fashion news articles available on their website. All of the articles include the most current trend information and latest stories. Maxx Family Life offers a children's clothing section, which includes news articles on children's apparel.

Gather the most current children's clothing trends from children and parent magazines

Parent and children's magazines are becoming more available due to their popularity. Many of these magazines include sections on children's clothing trends from time to time as the children's clothing industry continues to grow. Browse through a large variety of these magazines on the Internet to obtain the latest fashion trends.

I recommend: Dashin Fashion is a global online children's clothing magazine that provides up-to-date industry information and children's fashion trends in eight different website categories. Parents.com provides a kid style section which includes articles on baby and children's fashion.

Read several children's clothing blogs to keep current on the latest kid's fashion trends

There are an assortment of blogs written on the present children's fashion trends.

I recommend: Offering a diverse blog selection, Loobalee.com is a great information resource dedicated to children’s clothing. Search, scroll and read through their wide listing of current baby and children's fashion news and trends. AOL's fashion website, StyleList also provides a large mixture of children's clothing news and trends blogs. Some of the blogs include interviews with some independent children's clothing designers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Access the most current children's fashion trends from kid's clothing manufacturers. Specializing in wholesale children's clothing, Baby Bloomers Wholesale manufacturers classic styles of children's clothing. View their various clothing style choices on their website. Garanimals is a popular manufacturer which offers an array of children's clothing. Check out their What's Hot section on their website to view the latest clothing trends for children.

Adding a children’s department to your already thriving clothing store is a great way to reach out to a completely new client base. The children’s clothing business is constantly progressing. New trends in fashion as well as functionality and safety keep children’s clothing manufacturers eager to stay ahead of customer needs.

Identifying manufacturers of children’s clothing that produce quality goods at affordable prices is key to keeping your children’s clothing department or store running smoothly.

Understanding the ever-changing need of the children’s clothing consumer, as well as quality and safety standards will ensure you’re buying only the best from kids' clothing manufacturers, children’s wholesale distributors and baby clothing manufacturers.

Growing your knowledge of the children’s clothing business will:

1. Target marketing and research to particular ages, trends and demographics.
2. Empower choices in kids' clothing manufacturers, brands and wholesale children’s clothing distributors.
3. Focus your business on quality and customer satisfaction by bringing only the most reliable brands to your clients.
4. Foster confidence from your clients by providing them with the latest in research behind the products you sell.

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Visit children's clothing shows and expos

Trade shows are the best place to get an overall look at what's new, what's coming and what's yesterday's news in the world of children's clothing. Trade shows let you connect with people in the children's clothing manufacturers industry and build relationships that will strengthen your company's reputation.

I recommend: Bubble, the Kids Trade Show and the Atlanta Apparel Markets are great sources of information on the children's clothing business. Bubble has shows in both New York and London. Each Bubble show provides opportunities for vendors and retailers to meet. The Atlanta Apparel Market is America’s largest apparel market on the east coast and features AmericasMart Children’s World and Curiosity Corner.

Keep at least a portion of your floor space for reliable children's and baby clothing manufacturers

Carter's children clothing is synonymous with quality, safety and performance. Parents trust brands they know have been around since before they were children.

I recommend: Kids Resource One-Stop Apparel Shop and Bargain Children’s Clothing. Kids Resource is a multi-brand apparel wholesaler specializing in name brands for retailers. Bargain Children’s Clothing offers wholesale children’s clothing stock to children’s clothing retailers.

Stay up to date on the latest in safety in the children's clothing industry

Parent's want merchandise they can trust from sources that are knowledgeable in their field. Keeping informed about how products work, proper care of fabrics and issues related to safety will make you a children's clothing retailer that can be trusted.

I recommend: Stay informed about recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Keep current on issues related to quality and standards for children’s clothing from the business section of the CPSC.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider spending time working for an established children's clothing business. There's no better place to learn the ins and outs of the industry, brands, manufacturers and wholesale resources than from the floor of a children's clothing department.

Any new clothing store should consider stocking children's clothing. You need a large range of types and sizes because children grow so fast. When they get a little older, they also wear out clothes quickly from playing outside. Demand for this type of clothing will always exist. You will find that carrying children's clothing will attract a volume of customers to your store. You may even find that you can operate a children's clothing business rather than a full clothing line.

But not all clothing has the same quality. And not all name brand or designer brands necessarily have quality. You should choose carefully the types and brands you carry. The community and location of your store may also dictate what manufacturers of children's clothing you will contact. You should study children's clothing news and trends before making your selections.

Do some research on the children's clothing industry before making your choices.

1. Look at children's clothing industry publications for news

2. Study children's clothing manufacturers to get familiar with their product lines

3. Note government regulations and consumer advocacy groups that dictate quality children's clothing.

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Study information on children's clothing provided by non-profit organizations

Public sources can provide valuable information about the children's clothing industry. Such sources provide information to help protect the industry rather than to make a profit. As such, these information sources generally provide reliable information without bias.

I recommend: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission provides safety bulletins related to children's clothing. These bulletins provide important information that may help you in selecting safe products for children. The National Network for Child Care compiles an informative listing of how to select children's clothing based on age group, budget, safety and other considerations. The National Network for Child Care also provides an informative listing of how to make choices for baby clothing and retailers should understand, and stock, what parents want.

Identify trendy kids clothing manufacturers

You will find many sources of baby and children's clothing, but it might be difficult to choose which line of children's clothing manufacturer products to carry. Make your choices based on quality of product, uniqueness of product, safety of product, demand in your area and customer service of the company.

I recommend: One of many baby clothing manufacturers, Wee Wearz makes a line of clothing for infants and toddlers. Easy Access Clothing carries a line of clothing for special needs children. This children's clothing manufacturer has designed clothing with less cumbersome closures, softer fabrics and larger openings so special needs children can have independence in dressing themselves.

Find publications related to children's clothing

Look at print and online magazines to find out the latest news in the children's clothing industry. Don't limit your search to just children's clothing but also look at baby and toddler clothing articles as well. Articles that discuss economic trends, government regulations or safety in clothing may also help.

I recommend: Roy Thomsitt provides tips for buying baby clothes. These articles discuss sizing and comfort best for baby. The Afton Institute sells an informative eGuide for business owners who may wish to design their own line of baby clothes or children's clothes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before opening for business, make sure of your competition. Try to offer something different from the other retailers in your area. But also ensure you offer children's clothing items that consumers in your area demand.

Whether you already stock children's clothing in your store or you are interested in adding it to your inventory, it is important to have a basic knowledge of the language that is associated with these clothing lines. Children's clothing terms can terms you're not familiar with or common ones you've heard before. Either way, when looking for children's clothing items, it's important to keep some key terms in the front of your mind.

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Layette

Layette is a word that all new parents become familiar with before the birth of their first child. It refers to the complete arsenal of clothing items and accessories that are essential for a newborn baby. Layette items include newborn-sized shirts, bodysuits, pants, booties, sleepwear, socks and bibs.

I recommend: Get specific information about layette essentials at BabyZone.

Onesie

A onesie is a short- or long-sleeved bodysuit. It is worn by infants and toddlers, and is popular for its ability to help keep a diaper in place with buttons or snaps that secure the suit on the outside of the diaper.

I recommend: Shirts4Squirts.com gives a rundown of onesie basics and what ages for which the garments are made.

Outerwear

While outerwear is important at any age, it is especially important for children. Children's outerwear includes jackets, coats, hats, gloves and other pieces of cold-weather clothing.

I recommend: Check out Montkid for additional information about outerwear and the specific types that are unique to children.

Dancewear

Dancewear is imperative for most parents whether their child is taking ballet or other forms of dance. The best dancewear moves with a child dancer, and is often made from stretchy material.

I recommend: For insight on the latest dancewear for kids, visit JMGkids.org.

Stain resistant

Stain resistant is the new wave in children's clothing items. It is not a common key term, but it is one to look out for if you want to have the newest innovations in kids' clothing for your business.

I recommend: Nanotex offers information on apparel items that resist stains and spills.

Flame resistant

Flame resistant clothing items are largely unaffected by fire and flames. These children's clothing items are usually sleepwear pieces, but flame resistant labels can be found on other types of clothing.

I recommend: Fabrics.net gives a run-down on the basics of flame resistant clothing and what to look for in kids' items.