UPDATE: Kmart Introduces Exclusive Doll Line Just in Time for Holiday
The What a Doll!鈩� collection allows girls to match their dolls with new apparel and accessories from Kmart
Dolls are back as the new must-have toy and kids are using them to express their inner creativity by playing dress up, matching outfits, holding tea parties - the possibilities are endless for an imaginative child. Kmart is introducing every little girl's new best friend in its exclusive What a Doll!鈩� collection for the US, created by Kahn Lucas Lancaster, Inc, one of the world's leaders in girls' fashion since 1889.
"Kmart is excited to help little girls make everlasting friendships by bringing the What a Doll! collection to stores nationwide," said Dev Mukherjee, president, Seasonal & Toys, Sears Holdings. "We hope parents will appreciate the value of the dolls, not only for their affordability, but also for their children, who will learn new means to express themselves through safe and creative playtime."
Girls can fuse their personal styles with their newfound friends: all girls' apparel comes with a matching doll-sized version. The collection includes dolls, travel bags, identical outfits, cosmetics and accessories to inspire girls' friendships, creative play and imagination. Doll apparel and accessories fit standard 18-inch dolls. The collection launched in July with new outfits available in stores for the 2010 back to school season. New dolls and a seasonal assortment of clothing will be available beginning in October and November to celebrate the holiday season.
Howard Kahn, CEO of Kahn Lucas Lancaster, Inc said, "The What a Doll! brand creates a positive, pretend play experience uniquely tailored to millions of Kmart consumers. The strong price/value relationship gives us the ability to drive incremental toy, apparel and accessory opportunities not currently addressed by market offerings."
Kmart is also bringing the What a Doll! collection online to Kmart.com. The website www.WhatADollGirls.com offers fun activities for parents to do with their children, including play date and sleepover party recommendations, healthy cooking ideas, coloring pages, seasonal tips for activities like outdoor fun and gardening. Plus, it offers easy online shopping for moms and gift-givers.
"In this era of playtime, there are virtually millions of way kids can entertain themselves," said Mukherjee. "Dolls have been a part of our lives for many generations and Kmart is enhancing the tradition with a fun, safe website for What a Doll! fans."
The What a Doll! collection also makes the perfect gift. Parents can choose to take advantage of Kmart's layaway program - both online and in store - and reserve What a Doll! items early, pay over time and cross them off their daughter's holiday wish list early.
Products in the What a Doll! collection are affordably priced to meet the Kmart shopper's budget. All of the dolls are available for $29.99. Clothes and accessories range from $19.99 to $24.99 and are sold separately. Customers can shop for any of the What a Doll! toys exclusively at select Kmart stores in the US and online through www.Kmart.com.
About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, County Living and Route 66. For more information visit the company's website at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.
About Kahn Lucas鈩�
Kahn Lucas Lancaster, Inc鈩� is one of the world's leaders in girls' fashion and has remained a family owned and operated business for more than 120 years. Now headquartered in New York City, Kahn Lucas apparel is distributed both domestically and internationally at all levels of retail through its brands including Youngland庐, Sweet Heart Rose庐, Bloome鈩�, Emily West庐, Jenny & Me鈩�, Krazy Legs鈩� and its newest additions, Dollie & Me庐 and What a Doll!鈩�. For more information, visit www.kahnlucas.com.
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SOURCE: Kmart
CONTACT: Amy Dimond of Sears Holdings, +1-224-735-8983,
Amy.Dimond@searshc.com; or Leah Linder of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR,
+1-212-367-6820, leah.linder@eurorscg.com, for Kmart
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