Nursery Today

www.nursery-today.co.uk APRIL 2016 ISSUE 07 VOLUME 19

nic e g r e l l a Hypo Wool

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S upportiv e Coconuts

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contents the team Editor Penny Franks penny@lemapublishing.co.uk

Assistant Editor Paul Donnelley pauld@lemapublishing.co.uk

Ad Manager Christine Contreras christine@lemapublishing.co.uk

Re g ul a r s

APRIL 2016 ISSUE 7 VOLUME 19

Contributors

News ed 10 Spott sing News 12 Licen iler Profile 14 Reta g Shop 16 Talkin 70 BPA

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8 18 40 60 66

Christian Jones, Gro How strong is your blogger?

Shop Matters with NSG Yasmin takes a look back at Harrogate

GfK Ross Hewitt Where are you with your video marketing?

David Fairhurst, Intelligent Retail David takes a look at the impact of online user reviews

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Design Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Profiles

Publisher Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Managing Director

Circulation Robert Thomas robert@lemapublishing.co.uk

Lema Publishing Ltd

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1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2UB Telephone: 01442 289930

Subscription per annum: UK £40, Europe £50 (surface), £60 (airmail)

A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation

Little Green Sheep

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Britax

Features

Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

www.nursery-today.co.uk

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34

Carriers and Slings

42

Travel Time

52

Traditional Toys

56

Ride Ons

62

Dress Up

Show Review: 20

27

Harrogate International Nursery Fair

22

BANTA winners

24

Stars of the Show

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editor’s letter www.nursery-today.co.uk Twitter: @nurserytodaymag

W

elcome to the April issue, where we take time to reflect on the wonders that the Harrogate International Nursery Fair offered to visitors.

No one is stating that the halls were totally crammed, but every exhibitor we spoke to reported a strong show, with many independents (in fact, we even saw newcomers) together with the major multiples seen walking the show floors.

We bring you a full review of the show, products that you may have missed and those that were considered a Star of the Show. You will also find all the winners of the highly coveted BANTA awards, sponsored by Nursery Today and Clarion Events. The judges spent many hours deliberating over the short-listed products, and all agreed on their winning selections – congratulations to everyone who won or were highly commended.

Big news has been announced by the show organisers. For the first time, the 2017 show will fall during the week — from Tuesday to Thursday. These dates were announced after much consideration and discussion with both retailers and exhibitors, who felt that as Sunday is now a trading day for many, to open the show on a weekday basis made solid business sense for all.

Adrian Sneyd, the show’s organiser stated: “Times have changed and while the show historically always opened on a Sunday for independent retailers who generally closed for the day, Sunday is now a busy trading day.

The overall consensus from everyone participating in the show is that mid-week opening works best. We also talked to the organisers of Toy Fair who

confirmed that a similar change in days boosted visitors numbers for their show.”

Your diary date for next year’s show is 28–30 March 2017.

Pop it into your diary now.

We also bring you a feature on baby carriers and slings. This sector continues to grow and has risen steadily in its popularity. Information from Gfk is reporting that this sector is presently worth just under £3million with a double digit growth rate. Baby Carriers are becoming more expensive year on year, thereby driving value growth.

There are many advantages to stocking these products — take a look by turning to page 34.

This issue also focusses on all things travel, trav whether it’s products required for a safe sa and happy summer holiday or items item that generally make everyone’s lives live easier when out and about.

From accessories through to strollers — this is a win-win sector — str jump aboard and take a look at our ju feature starting on page 42. fe Just to ensure we keep you all occupied, we also peek into the world o of o traditional toys (page 52) and Ride Ons O (page 56). Both of which are continually keeping on trend and are experiencing a demand by the consumer.

On a final note, our annual Golf Day will be upon us very soon. With a new venue and location, Puckrup Hall near Tewkesbury. If you haven’t already secured your space, contact Malcolm Naish on 01442 280030 or email: malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk. The date to mark in your diary is 28 June.

a r r i er s o r c r fo g in k o o L g ot s l in gs ? Weer’ve de . it c o v

Fantastic slings from We M ade M e Soohu

“ Put the date

di in I nternaarty : H a r ro g a te y ou r i Fa i r —o2n a l N u r sery 8-30 M arc h 2017

”

A Star of the Show ca me from Bebecar

Another bright idea Litecup, the non-spill cup and night light www.hippychick.com 01278 434440

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news

in g h t o l c s u o Fabul llecti on co

Unisex collection unveiled The launch of Frugi’s SS16 collection marked the start of a new era for the multi-award-winning children’s clothing brand, as they have unveiled a wider offering of unisex clothes in its babyware range.

This significant development is in direct response to feedback from both retailers and customers who have been calling for a unisex collection. Frugi’s baby clothes, which cater from newborn to four years, now includes a number of new gender neutral designs and styles.

This development makes it easier for retailers to shop the entire range by product type, as items have been grouped together rather than separated into genders. It has also allowed retailers to experiment and be more creative with the range. They can move unisex pieces around the store making new and exciting outfit combinations that will keep their collections looking fresh, appeal to even more customers and ultimately offer them a lot more choice.

Web: www.welovefrugi.com

Hippychick appoint new staff stic Hippychick are well known for being a fanta s for their award s ess busin won even employer and have of staff have been ers memb new Two de. attitu ng worki flexible will join Julia welcomed into the fold, Kelly Linthorne, who Heather Davies — and team, ting Minchin to head up the marke y and Export Suppl as er Octob in chick Hippy who since joining including both Office manager, has amassed a number of titles and Supplier Relationship Manager.

Web: www.hippychick.co.uk

Sleepover from ss Silver Cerro tage Cross quality and vin

Combining the Silv eds, a modern family ne appeal with everything a m fro ts ver easily con the Sleepover 2016 to ssic newborn pram cla d ne sig de lly beautifu shchair pu ible ers rev y full a pushchair, with the lished package. Plus, the po seat included in the plicity Sim the h wit perfectly chrome chassis pairs tem sys travel car seat, to create a w colourways Cadet Available in three ne d Mulberry; the grey, Hadria black an nd one fabric with on-tre gb rrin he ted sophistica c. ssi cla d an t gan ele both diamond quilting is y therette bumper, a cos lea art sm a ing tur Fea ss Cro er de and a Silv footmuff for pram mo r provides style and ove ep Sle e, dg chassis ba m 20 May 2016. comfort. Available fro rossbaby.com Web: www.silverc

Skip Hop go it alone in the UK Maguari has confirmed that its representation of Skip Hop in the UK will be terminated from 31 May 2016.

Formerly named Bibs and Stuff, Maguari first started distributing Skip Hop in the UK and parts of Europe around twelve years ago.

Back then it only had a few changing bags in its collection, whereas now the brand reaches into many categories across the nursery sector.

Maguari has been instrumental in building the success of Skip Hop in the UK and the brand has now grown impressively.

Maguari can assure customers that it will endeavour to fulfil its customer’s existing Skip Hop orders where possible.

Web: www.maguari.com

New dates for Harrogate 2017 Harrogate international Nursery Fair has announced its show dates for next year as Tuesday 28 March to Thursday 30 March 2017, opening mid-week for the first time.

Adrian Sneyd, the show organiser explains: “Tim “Times have changed and while the show historically always alw opened on a Sunday for independent retailers who generally closed for the t day, Sunday is i now a busy trading day. tr The overall consensus from everyone co participating in the show pa is that t mid-week opening works best. wor We also talked to the organisers of Toy Fair orga

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nursery today

who confirmed that a similar change in days boosted visitor numbers for their show.”

Adrian continues: “It was obvious to everyone that some of the larger brands chose not to exhibit this year, but rather than adversely affect the success of the show, it actually enhanced business for almost everyone participating.

“We had some fantastic brands such as BabyStyle, Peg Perego, Venicci, East Coast, Hauck and Bébécar to name just a few, and the majority of these reported an excellent show with independent retailers and multiple buyers choosing their products over the missing brands.

“The show was definitely all about quality over quantity this year. We had all of the multiple retailers attending such as Mothercare, John Lewis, Kiddicare, ToysRUs, The White Company etc, as well as the majority of supermarket buyers. It was noticeable that some of these companies have consolidated their buying teams with fewer attending the show.

“However, the orders placed with exhibitors remained high value and contributed significantly to successful outcomes for most exhibitors.”

Web: www.nurseryfair.com

sponsored by hardenbergco.co.uk 01785 503 305

We Made Mike Head of Finance

It comes with great excitement that We Made Me announces the appointment of Mike Andrews as Head of Finance, a role that will support the company’s continued global growth following its hugely successful re-brand last year.

Mike brings more than seventeen years of experience to the role, which will see him managing the company’s finances, as well as developing new ways for the brand to continue to grow and prosper.

In addition to his core responsibilities to improve the company’s overall performance, Mike will focus on making the brand more efficient and help to remove any barriers to increasing sales.

Mike will also work closely with the team to assist in raising finance to support the brands exciting future developments.

Speaking about the latest member to join the We Made Me tribe, Daniel Lucas, the founder of the company said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mike to the team, his appointment marks a significant milestone for the company.

“Since the re-brand last year and the ongoing developments to the product range, we have experienced phenomenal growth and needed someone with drive and focus to head up our finance department.”

...Become come a stockist st of our award d winning range... nge...

New Size 12-18m available now!

Web: www.wemademe.com

t c u d o r p g in n in Award w ay with Gold er stole Tiny Love walksnnaw Napp ing 3-in-1 Rocker

d-wi Tiny Love’s awar Awards.

2016 Prima Baby the show at the ker oc r/R ce e Baby Boun Nominated in th n wo er pp cker Na category, the Ro three recline th Wi d. ar aw ld a Go sic toy and mu d positions, light an no surprise it’s n, tio a vibrating mo rs.

Love’s best selle er is one of Tiny al ion ot em the Rocker Napp ’s by ing ba rfect for stimulat This rocker is pe s. kg 18 to senses from birth intelligence and e.com lov iny Web: www.t

e s on th Visit u k stand hic Hippyc 35 at 9 C2 / ate Harrog

Cosy little slipper socks!

Pouch company wins tender with NHS Fill n Squeeze will be supplied in hospitals nationwide, so babies and young children can enjoy homemade meals for the duration of their stay.

To celebrate this exciting news, Fill n Squeeze has teamed up with the Rosie’s Rainbow Fund, a charity supporting sick and disabled children in hospital, school and the community.

Fill n Squeeze have committed a generous supply of free goods to the charity whose patrons include celebrities Joanne Froggatt from Downton Abbey and the former EastEnder Lucy Benjamin, to help feed sick children across the UK. Commenting on this exciting news, Rifat Jan, the mum behind Fill n Squeeze said: “We are so pleased to have won this tender with the NHS. “It is such an honour to know that my invention will be supporting parents feed their children their favourite, nutritious meals during their stay in hospital.”

Web: www.fillnsqueeze.co.uk

Protecting babies knees!

www.sockons.co.uk All products are supported by a comprehensive press and pr campaign.

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news

How strong is your blogger?

Has Google ruined the Blogger product review?

Christian Jones, the Managing Director of leading safe sleep brand The Gro Company, looks at how recent changes in Google’s Blogger Guidelines could affect a brand’s blogger outreach efforts.

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ithin the last few years, the importance of rating highly in online search queries has become greater for brands and businesses. One of the key ways that a website can rank higher in search engine results pages is through increasing the number of quality inbound links to that site. As a result, search engines like Google have had to battle continually against unscrupulous practices of “unnatural” or paid-for links, which alter the supposed integrity of organic search results.

For many brands, reviews of their products by key online influencers such as bloggers have provided a mutually beneficial source of high-quality inbound links for several years. The bloggers have been required by advertising regulations to disclose that the review is sponsored, or that the product was provided free of charge, but the review is usually considered to be honest and authentic, and the link to the brand’s website counts as a high-quality link.

But in March this year, Google updated its Blogger Guidelines to state that any links from a blogger product review to the product’s website must now be made “nofollow”. This has several implications, but mainly: a) the link will no longer count as an organic link to help in search engine results pages b) failure to comply will be viewed as an intention to manipulate Google’s PageRank algorithm, and would therefore negatively impact a site’s ranking in search results.

Does blogger outreach still have value?

So is the blogger review doomed to be a thing of the past? Not at all. A well-written blog review has value way beyond the link. There is still much to be gained for companies with great products that want authentic recommendations — from real users, rather than celebrity endorsements.

Blog reviews can enable a brand to raise awareness among the communities of consumers it wishes to target, however niche or mainstream those communities might be. If a blogger has a great social media following, their recommendations can have even greater reach. In addition, blogger outreach programmes provide valuable contact with consumers who are motivated to give thorough feedback — which can then inform further product or customer research.

The Google changes may have negatively impacted the efficacy of blogger reviews for SEO purposes, but for most brands and businesses, word-ofmouth recommendations continue to be among powerful for their customers.

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R Really c clever Cle ClevaMama has successfully launched into another two Mothercare franchises. This an time it is Mothercare China and Mothercare Taiwan bringing their number of direct Mothercare franchises to thirteen.

Suzanne Browne, Sales and Marketing Director, expressed how important Mothercare International has been for the growth of ClevaMama: “Mothercare International has been instrumental to our growth in recent years. Our partnerships have been based on building good relationships whilst also offering exceptional products, service and support.” Sharing her plans, Suzanne went on to say that they hope to continue this trend as negotiations with Mothercare Middle East are also well underway.

Web: www.clevamama.com

Boost your 2016 sales UK companies wanting to dramatically boost sales this year have the opportunity to join the BPA’s UK Pavilions in China, Germany and the USA and could potentially receive government funding towards doing so.

The UKTI has allocated a number of grants of £2,500 to support companies wishing to attend CBME in Shanghai in July, and £1,500 for companies exhibiting at Kind und Jugend in Cologne in September. The BPA awaits confirmation as to whether funding will be available for ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas in October.

Web: www.thebpa.eu

Myweeteepee appoints Butterfly

Myweeteepee has joined forc es with Butterfly for PR and marketing across thei r range of handcrafted British-designed teepees for children and pets.

“I am thrilled to work with Myweeteepee,” said Kelly Jones of Butterfly.

“I fell completely in love with the range at the Harrogate Nursery ser Fair F i and d am so excited to embark on the amazing jour ney Kate and Gali are on with their brand. Any thing which captures the magic of childhood through play is a winner in my book!”

Web: www.myweeteepee.co. uk

Ridgebacks enhance offering In 2015 award-winning American brand 7am Enfant launched their collection of baby outerwear, stroller and car seat accessories here in the UK through UK nursery distributor Ridgebacks International and now Ridgebacks have just made available their collection of changing bags.

The collection consists of three stylish changing bags, a stroller hamper and a clutch bag, all designed to make life easier for the busy mum on the go.

Trade enquiries can be directed to: info@ridgebacks.co.uk

Our new arrival from birth to booster

Ultimate protection with a full steel frame and extended rear facing use

01827 310557 dionouk@diono.com uk.diono.com

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The pram for you

Shopping anyone?

Olympian Greg Rutherford and Susie Verrill’s son Milo has his very own Little Tikes Shopping Cart. Picture shared on Instagram by Susie Verrill.

Gurgle feature prams with muted hues to turn heads for all the right reasons. The Silver Cross Ze st is described as the pram fo r you “if you are constantly on the go”, it is suitable from birth and boas ts a UPV 50+ su n protection hood and fivepoint harness and is feather light at 5.8kg.

Joolz appears in John Lewis The spring issue of John Lewis magazine features Small wonders, focussing on stylish finds featuring Joolz with their Geo Earth.

Web: www.my-joolz.com

st e t a L od’s P a c a P Fan llis-Bextor was y t i r b Cer mloedel and stylish mum otifofonauryr SHoapsthieingsE 3-in-1 bag.paThrede to

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Singe she pre d’s revolu m fans as ng PacaPo er Instagra h spotted usi h it w to red a pho e. singer sha baby Jess te jet with va ri m fly in a p o .c .pacapod Web: www nursery nurser nur sery ser y ttoday oday oda d y

Call them bright sparks There was much excitement at Frugi HQ when the team spotted their SS16 rainbow parsnip pants in a Bright Sparks fashion feature in the recent issue of Gurgle magazine. Frugi is one of the UK’s leading and multi-awardwinning organic childrenswear brands, so they were thrilled to be recognised by the national parenting publication.

Web: www.welovefrugi.com

i promise you i’ll take you anywhere The NEW Stella pushchair from maxi-cosi The from-birth solution, designed to take you anywhere The Maxi-Cosi Stella is perfectly versatile for all the journeys to come. With its all-terrain, puncture-free wheels along with a compact chassis, the Stella is the complete travel system that can take you through the city as easily as the walks in the countryside.

Its lie-at seat, comfy liner and extendable hood offer protection for newborns, while its easy fold/unfold chassis and travel system options make it the perfect choice for parents.

/maxicosi.uk

/maxicosi_eu

/maxicosiuk

www.maxi-cosi.co.uk

news What’s in store...

One of the leading licensed character baby soft toys manufacturers, Rainbow Designs talks to Janita Khangura, buyer at Housing Units, about the current retail licensing trends in the nursery sector.

Is there a particular licence that is performing well at the moment for you in the Nursery category?

The Peter rabbit licence is performing extremely well for us. Customers of all generations relate to the characters, as they originated from the ever-so-timeless and popular Beatrix Potter books. The collection ranges from pull along, soft, and wooden toys to musical carousels, figurines, booties and collectable items such as tea pots, mugs and plates.

What do customers look for in a product when it comes to baby gifting?

Our customers generally go for a licence they are familiar with, which is both affordable and high quality. Nice packaging plays a big role too in the purchases for baby gifting.

Are customers prepared to pay a little bit more for baby gifts or licensed products?

Yes, we have witnessed customers are prepared to pay a little more for licensed products. They are perceived as more desirable, collectable and certainly well-received as gifts.

What do you predict will be a hot product for you this year in the Nursery/baby gifting category?

Roald Dahl is going to be massive this year for us. With the new movie The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) scheduled to be released in early July, we expect this range to produce highly popular selling items. We will be stocking a big variety of merchandise, from plush toys to books and other related gift/toy accessories, to cater for all budgets and taste.

New licensee Cheeky pTaettyrTeddsy is going m Chry o ny brand Ti

Nurse ength, performing from strength to str ar ail with year on ye extremely well at ret one r be m nu e th as growth and ranking d Spencer. brand at Marks an nursery character t product ddy baby and infan With Tiny Tatty Te rte Ca , rming well at retail lines already perfo to their ced a new addition un no Blanche has an rs. pe om Ch ky ee sees Ch growing list of licen ing, ns ce head of UK Li Sarah Quigley, the ky ee Ch d to welcome said: ‘We are thrille tty Teddy rte Blanche Tiny Ta Ca the to Chompers gorgeous e. These absolutely Licensing Programm r growing product ou in ucts sit perfectly ts. od pr ng thi tee by ba lution for new paren a stylish teething so e ar e “W d: de ad portfolio and provide rs Cheeky Chompe Amy Livingstone at ve chosen Tiny r first licence and ha ou g hin nc lau be and recognito ed cit ex ter has great appeal ac ar ch e th e us ca ies to engage with Tatty Teddy be us new opportunit e giv ll wi ny ce en lic tion. This o can add a new Ti ntly work with wh rre cu n’t do we s er retail t in to their range. y licensees in the Tatty Teddy produc 16 Tiny Tatty Tedd ns joi rs and pe om Ch Cheeky plush, nursery toys twear, publishing, foo , rel pa ap g rin ve UK co greetings cards. gifts, bedding and pers.com

chom Web: www.cheeky

Growing Disney Princess range Two new Cindere

lla and Snow White stroller dolls have been added to Chicco’s growing Disney Princess range. The dolls clip easily to strollers and prams and feature key themes from the classic fairytales. The Cinderella stroller doll benefits from a textured glittery clock and pumpkin ring with sliding mice, whilst the Snow White doll has a textured apple and mirror.

Web: www.chicco.co.uk

Beautiful licensed babywear In The Night Garden has collaborated with Zippy Baby to launch a new babywear range. Alongside stylish bandana bibs that look like beautiful clothing accessories but keep babies drier for longer and everyday essential muslin cloths with a pop of colour, the range includes this innovative zipped all in one.

Web: www.zippysuit.com

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focus BREXIT

Brexit and Intellectual Property rights: two key impacts As we are all no doubt aware, the UK referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union will take place on 23 June 2016.

atent Office P n a e p ro u E e h T pean patents ro u E t n ra g n a c t in the EU so o n s ie tr n u o c to nt (which te a P n a e p ro u E a collection of a ly e v ti c e ff e is patents) per l a n o ti a n f o ts lo e affected. b t o n ld u o w , e s esses may well in s u b r, e v e w o H r a UK patent fo ly p p a to e v a h European and a separate re, if Britain tu patent in the fu e EU. votes to leave th

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i iscussing i g th the iimpactt off what h th has b become known as “Brexit” with Elliot Bishop, of leading nursery industry distributors bébélephant, this article considers two key impacts on Intellectual Property Rights should Britain exit the EU. Under Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union, any Member State may withdraw from the EU. If a Member State choses to exercise this right they will then be expected to negotiate a withdrawal agreement with the EU. The Member State will then leave the EU either on the date specified in their withdrawal agreement or two years after the notification of their intention to leave.

During this time, and as part of these arrangements, we would expect there to be transitional provisions agreed and where necessary supplementary national onal legislation passed.

It is impossible to say how exiting the EU would pan out for Britain as it is unprecedented for any Member State to exit under Article 50, but two important areas will be of concerns to those who design nursery products in the UK.

1. What will the impact be on EU registered Intellectual Property rights?

These rights include European Patents, Community Trade Marks and registered Community Designs.

It does not include copyright which arises

auto automatically and is governed in the UK by English law and international treaties.

The European Patent Office can grant European patents to countries not in the EU so a European pat Patent (which is effectively a collection of lots of Pat national patents) per se, would not be affected. nat However, businesses may well have to apply for a Ho UK patent and a separate European patent in the future, if Britain voted to leave the EU. fut Community Trade Marks and the Registered Community Designs are issued by the Office for C Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM).

H Obtaining a registered trade mark or design O tthrough OHIM creates one right that gives the owner protection throughout all the EU. If the UK o leaves the EU, subject to any transitional provisions, owners would also need to register their rights in the UK. Some long standing brands may have let their UK registered trade marks lapse on the basis that they can rely on their community registered trade marks. th Such brands would need to consider registering their rights in the UK again, although long-standing brands would still be able to rely on the UK common law of “passing off”. In addition, Section 56 of the Trade Mark Act 199 1994 may be useful as it pro provides protection, by being able to apply for an a injunction, to foreign trade mark owners which are entitled to protection under p the Paris Convention th and whose trade marks are ar re we well known in the UK. Having to register trade Ha marks locally in the UK m upon an EU exit may preup sent a more difficult chalse

lenge to newer brands, of which there are many in the UK nursery sector, that are less than five years old and may find it hard to show such confusion for the purposes of passing off, or are not so well known for the purposes of section 56 of the Trade Mark Act 1994.

Upon an EU exit and going forward, businesses would need to bear in mind that they will have an additional expense to incur in paying fees to register both their EU and UK trade mark. For example, the typical cost for a straightforward community trade mark UK application is approximately £1,600 plus VAT, and the typical cost for a straightforward UK application is approximately £750 plus VAT. There will be similar cost implications and considerations for community registered and UK registered designs. A further consideration for designers will be the effect on unregistered design rights.

At the moment, unregistered design rights are protected for three years across the whole of the EU, after first being made available to the public. Whilst there is longer protection under English law for UK unregistered designs, the protection will be limited to the UK and will not extend to the whole of Europe.

2. What will the impact be on UK involvement in the proposed Unified Patent Court?

The proposed unitary patent would create a single patent which would be valid in all EU member states. In addition there is also proposed to be a Unitary Patent court whose decision will have effect in all signatory countries.

If Britain were to exit the EU, Britain would not be one of the countries which the unitary patent would be effective in, and it would be highly likely that it would not be appropriate to have a Unitary Patent court in the UK. As is therefore apparent, the consequences of Brexit could be far reaching and in the event of a British exit from the European Union, businesses with EU registered design rights should seek professional advice on the best way to ensure their continued protection.

firm Shoosmiths. He er in the national law rtn Pa a h tech, is sim As Gary mpanies in the hig co l na tio na er int d an g, enforcement regularly advises UK il sectors on brandin ta re d an es tri us intellectual creative ind ring all aspects of ve Co n. io ns pa ex l and internationa concept through to the beginning of a m fro s ue iss ty er prop iting it. ing and then explo Chloé and Dr protecting it, enforc g for Jimmy Choo, tin ac r fo n ow kn st He is be up the business s. He has also set se ca d rte po re ll lp their Martens, in we shion Council to he Fa sh iti Br e th r fo mentoring scheme rs. n Forward designe NewGen and Fashio nursery today

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retail

LEITH PRAM CENTRE

Customer focussed Leith Pram Centre has been a leading independent nursery shop in Edinburgh for more than 25 years and has an enviable reputation for selling wheeled goods and baby accessories with a focus on customer satisfaction and support. Carrie Carmichael, the MD, told us a little more.

As an established independent nursery retailer, can you tell uss a little history behind your store?

My parents started 40 years ago on the markets selling clothes a few years later they moved into retail premises specialising in children’s wear before moving into nursery products.

You state that you are a leading pram shop in Edinburgh — how have you achieved this?

We offer customers most of the leading brands and sbrands that are not available in the nationals. We pride ourselves on listening to our customers’ needs.

“ We live in an

ever - c h an g in g s oc i ety an d f a s h i on an d l i festy les s c h an g e a ll t h e t i me , t h ere fo re w e n ee d to b e re a d y fo r t h e n ext must - h ave ”

Would you say that we are experiencing a savvier consumer at present?

We tend to find that customers have done a lot of research before they even come into the shop and they know what products they want.

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Being an emotive industry, how do you manage customer expectations and anxieties?

We like to engage with our customers and being mothers ourselves we can allay any anxieties our customers have.

You offer a wealth of products and brands, how important are these to you?

What Wh hatt are your customers looking for cus and how engaged do you feel they are with brands?

Our customers are looking for package deals, everything from a packa three-in-one system including three accessories at a reasonable price. acces

Do you y look for new com companies, who may offer something different, but are not as established as an existing brand name?

We are always looking to expand on our range of products for example Venicci who are not as well known as other brands however they do offer good products at a competitive price.

It is important to be able to offer products and brands from the low end to high end of the market.

Which category performs best for you at present and why is this?

We mostly sell wheeled goods as we feel customers like to visit the shop and compare brands and get a feel for the products before making a final decision on which brand they prefer.

How do you drive footfall to your store?

We promote the store through our website, Facebook and also word of mouth which is probably the best advert of all.

How important is social media to you?

It is very important as the society that we live in today is driven by social media.

Do you offer the same products online as you do in-store?

No, there are some products that cannot be sold on-line because of supplier terms and conditions.

the time, therefore we need to be ready for the next new must have.

How often do you run special offers or promotions on product?

We run offers and promotions all year round.

Do you feel we have sufficient innovation at present, or would you like to see more?

Finally, do you have any exciting plans on the horizon that you wish to share with us?

We live in an ever changing society and fashion and lifestyles change all

Yes, we have plans to renovate the shop in the near future.

Red Kite 2016 collection 01454 326 555 www.redkitebaby.com

Competitive prices

nursery today

15

talking shop We spoke to retailers about their visit to Harrogate International Nursery Fair, what they expected, what products they discovered and their overall experience.

Steve Liasi,

BABY BOOM 2000, RUISLIP, MIDDLESEX

What was your must-visit stand??

We went to see Venicci and BabyStyle. yle. We had a good look around at many of the stands d and d spotted many new items.

What products caught your eye?

We deal with a lot with wheeled goods so I would say the new BabyStyle Hybrid pushchair and, in fact, most of their pushchair range. There were also the new Venicci models.

Did you spot any trends?

There seems to be a lot of items with grey fabric and brown handles. That seems to be the trend at the moment..

BABY BEARS, FIFE

What was your must-visit stand?

I went to see quite a lot of different suppliers because we sell a lot of different ranges. I saw Clair de Lune, BabyStyle, BeSafe, Emma Younger, Hippychick, Close and Dandelion Clothing.

What products caught your eye?

In the main it was the different prams and the car seats.

Did you spot any trends?

Not really it still seems everyone is going down the route of grey is the colour.

PELLY’S PRAMS, BARNSLEY

It’s good to talk!

nursery today

Gordon Meikle,

Ruth Pell,

Contact Penny Franks for a chat on 01442 289 947 penny@lemapublishing.co.uk if you would like to be included in our next issue.

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Sponsored by

What was your must-visit stand?

We had a look round and saw many stands. We spoke to Peter at Venicci, MJ Mark, Schnuggle, Bébécar and Mutsy.

What products caught your eye?

MJ Mark’s travel system. I have had my eye on that for a bit. I saw it in Nursery Today magazine.

Did you spot any trends?

In my opinion, every travel system seems to be aspiring to be Venicci.

Debra Blythin

POLLYANNA’S CHILDRENSWEAR, GRIMSBY

What was your must-visit stand?

We went to Dandelion who are one off our suppliers, also Kite. li l Ki What products caught your eye?

We went there looking for clothes, which is what we sell. It was a lovely show.

Did you spot any trends?

We noticed that the big Lamborghini highchair seemed very popular. That was amazing.

Margaret Waddelove

STORKTOWN, LEIGH

What was your must-visit stand?

We went round the whole show. The one we were looking forward to seeing was BabyStyle. It certainly lived up to our expectations.

What products caught your eye?

One by Bebecar – it was all sparkly. It touched my heartstrings. It is the sort of thing that you just have to put into the shop window. It really excited me. I thought it was so lovely. And the egg – I just love that.

Did you spot any trends?

Colours! Everyone is painting their nurseries grey and white. There is small swing to navy but I don’t think that it is going to catch on as well as the grey. Sleep bags also seem to be popular. And the trend for prams seem to be for them to be smaller and easier. We still sell traditional, classic prams – they go well but now people want prams that go into a car. They want one that is small and folds quickly.

Did you spot any trends?

The trends seemed to veer towards prams and pushchairs in the same colour and style.

how sim see p

! is to use!

What products caught your eye?

One product that did catch my eye was a stand not too far from Merrygoround, which sold bins for car seat backs for children to put rubbish in.

They were Tidy Freaks.

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What was your must-visit stand?

We specifically went to see Cloud b, Merrygoround and then had a browse round.

slips on like a t-shirt ique doub un l

Suzanne Fletcher

SOMETHING DIFFERENT, WENTWORTH

A wrap without all the wrapping...

place carrier over your head.

separate the two loops.

place one arm through each.

www.2012ltd.com • info@2012ltd.co.uk Tel (01202) 303 777

nursery today

17

talking shop NURSERY SUPPORT GROUP

Shop matters with NSG B a b y S tytlea ll pulle d otuop s the s Yasmin Ali, Babyland, Fife

c a se d w o h s r a c é B é b l c o lo u r w a y s w on der fu nother Harrogate Nursery Fair wrapped up!

What can I tell you and where do I begin? Well, most definitely the show’s pulling brand for many was also the stand-out.

BabyStyle did not disappoint, so many rabbits were pulled out of their hat!

The new Hybrid: one chassis equals three strollers.

So many combinations, appealing colours, it’s really an overall flexible trend setting new product.

The new egg colours are really nice and bold — we also saw the new

A

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nursery today

g the n i k c a b doon a ep en dents in d

oyster colourways and new stroller in the oyster range.

The team have also brought out new furniture to match the Hollie cot bed in white and walnut — something consumers have wanted, so I am very happy with that.

I believe BabyStyle are the backbone of this show, so thus they are the backbone of the independents. I hope attendees gave them the support they deserve. Well done, team, on the award win; thank you for being great hosts in the evening and thank you most of all for the support you give us, the indies, and the colourways being grey and new bronze, and again the opportunity to help put that together.

Venicci also won a BANTA and had lovely new products on show.

Huge congratulations to Anna and Peter on the birth of baby Ollie, lovely pram choice!

I loved the new Pure, the now iconic 195 denim grey with leatherette on white chassis — stunning. I also love the graphite chassis, adding another chassis choice for customers. The carbo collection is really different and well received. Also very pleased with the new updated car seat — a great step forward.

Italian company Peg Perego are back in the UK and have appointed Phil Howe as the Country Manager

currently loving: ● Babystyle Hybrid & Egg ● Venicci Pure & Carbo ● Bébécar groovy & lemon ● Everything Clair De Lune

V en ic c i

d id e l y t S y b a B o int , p a s s i d t o n bb its a r y n a m so e d out l l u p e r e w at ! o f t h ei r h

for the UK and Ireland. The ranges are lovely and bang on trend — I’ve seen a Peg-shaped gap in the market for some time, e, so glad it’s back — and what consumer won’t love a carrycot that folds on the chassis? I love the brand and I’m looking forward to seeing the UK indies-only new ranges launching at some point this year.

I had fun spending some time with the Brennan family — who took me around CuddleCo (lovely new memory foam products); Doona (backing out of some nationals, taking the indie road — bit of marketing support behind this); Little House (stunning new grey Brampton range, new tall boy in little dale and great quality glider chairs I know are already doing well with

e C l a i re don e L un e -t h e o f st p rett i e g look in s sta n d

in indies, Navington and the new improved Deltim range which I was im really impressed with. I didn’t get a re chance to see Uzturre but it’s ch gorgeous continental loveliness. My go other stand outs: Bébécar’s beautiful ot lemon pram, so pretty and refreshle ing, in the new Privé range is a sure hit.

Kudos to Bébécar for putting K themselves at the forefront for th originality. Obaby’s new Winnie the Pooh dreams and wishes furniture and bedding is so sweet, white and grey so totally on trend — a really refreshing take on Pooh — a definite hit with grey loving consumers.

By far, the prettiest, best looking

stand without a doubt was Clair De Lune. No one else came close. The new ranges are classy, different, innovative takes on products we already know and love. The colours are fresh, still the same high quality British-made products we know and love — with some new pretty colours and appealing designs.

There was a load of people I didn’t get to see but have heard lots about!

Sorry for missed and late appointments, we are only human after all! Otti Prams, MJmark, Natures Purest, Gummee Glove and Rosy Fuentes — I hope you all had a greatly successful show.

Here’s to next year! nursery today

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focus HARROGATE REVIEW

Happiness at HINF 2016 The doors to Harrogate International Nursery Fair closed on what many felt was another successful event.

W

ith more new exhibitors than ever before, nestling happily amongst the larger more established brands, this year represented a superb opportunity for those in attendance to view lots of new and interesting products which were on display all offering great new lines for your customers in the coming months.

Adrian Sneyd, the show organiser, commented: “The show was definitely all about quality over quantity this year. We had all of the multiple retailers attending such as Mothercare, John Lewis, Kiddicare, ToysRUs, The White Company and more as well as the majority of supermarket buyers. It was noticeable that some of these companies have consolidated their buying teams with less attending the show; however the orders placed with exhibitors remained high value and contributed significantly to successful outcomes for most exhibitors.”

As an exhibitor, BeSafe appeared to be buzzing throughout the duration of the show. Paul Sirett told us that for them they experienced a very positive flavour to the show. “We want to send a big thank you to all the retailers who came to our stand and continue to support BeSafe as a key part of their business. The specialist retailer is at the heart of our business and it is so uplifting to meet up at Harrogate and share a common approach and purpose.”

Business appears to have been brisk all round with many exhibitors pleased to have seen not only the majority of major buyers who attend the show each year, but a good turn out of new independent retailers too.

Claire Mitchell of Chillipeeps — an innovative teat which attaches to bottles and cartons, said: “We’ve had a great show and have seen a lot more independents this year than we did in 2015. In fact, we took more orders just on Sun-

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nursery today

2017 Show AnnouncedDates 28th M ar c h – 30th M arc h

day than we did for the entire duration of the show s last year!”

Of O course, there were many m destination brands, brands for example, Bebecar, Bebeca East Coast, Emmaljunga, Emmalj Joie, Venicci, Obaby and Saplings. BabyStyle was also one and a draw for many who attended.

Andy Crane told us: “Harrogate 2016 was good for BabyStyle. We enjoyed catching up with retailers; we had time to show more of the range, and of course give full demonstrations of the new Hybrid.”

It would also appear that there were newcomers with regard to independent retailers. Adrian told us: “Over a third of exhibitors were brand new to the show in 2016 and this trend is also reflected in the visitors. There was a high percentage of brand new independent retailers at the show this year, including many from the children’s clothing and gift sectors and again, this contributed to the successful outcome for exhibitors who report that they opened more new accounts than in previous years.

“Feedback from the independents who attended has also been excellent. They were delighted with the variety and quantity of brand new, never before seen products and also the abundance of special show offers.”

Ian Davidson of Babyliscious based in Liverpool, who attends Harrogate every year, commented: “The show this year had a lovely relaxed feel, was easy to get around with no rushing from stand to stand or waiting for appointments. There were loads of new items to see an plenty of pick-up lines and gift ideas such as the MatchstickMonkey, Little Saints Benbat Collection and Tidy Freaks car travel accessories to name a few. It was lovely to meet new exhibitors from far and wide and also see some old names back again such as Navington, X-lander and Storksak. There were some great offers from many exhibitors and amazing new colourways from Egg. I saw so many beautiful changing bags and a whole lot more exciting new Polish designs, plus strollers, bedding and accessories from Europe that have not been before. We spent over two days at the show and we still did not fit it all in properly. Anyone who attended for just a few hours must have missed an awful lot of amazing new products.”

Visitors were notably impressed with the number of new products on offer this year and The Hub in Hall H, where many new exhibitors were located, proved particularly popular.

Adrian concluded: “There was definitely a good buzz in the halls with great camaraderie amongst exhibitors and visitors alike and excellent business and networking opportunities up for grabs for everyone who attended. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the show in 2017.”

For more information, visit the website at www.nurseryfair.com

grows every way. for every stage. meet every stage™ I’m the ultimate transporter from teeny tiny to 12 years old because everything should adjust to every stage. I face rearward up to 18kg because everything should simply 0+/1

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For all sales enquiries, please contact Joie UK on 01889 808 900 or email: uksales@joiebaby.com

focus HARROGATE REVIEW

Best in show FEEDING, CLEANING AND CHANGING

Who won what? Which products really stood out for the judges of the much coveted BANTAs? Let’s take a look.

T

he industry was on tenterhooks while judges deliberated who would pick up the prizes at this year’s BANTA ceremony, held at the Majestic Hotel.

It was a tough call for the panel of judges to pick just one winner from each category’s shortlist. “This year’s entries were exceptionally difficult to judge with so many fantastic products covering many categories,” agreed the judging panel.

“After spending many hours deliberating and putting the products through their paces, we all agree on our final selection. We believe these will be fantastic sellers at retail and appeal to new mums and dads as they embark on their parenting journey.”

The winners of the BANTAs were announced by Christine Scippo at an awards dinner and party night which took place on the first night of the show. The Best New Product of 2016 was awarded to BabyStyle for the Hybrid Edge — a funky looking single pushchair which converts into a tandem stroller for two children.

The Highly Commended entry for Best New Product was Taf Toys Musical Boat Cot Toy.

WINNER: Micuna ovo City — Lapsi UK Ltd HIGHLY COMMENDED: Twistshake — Twistshake of Sweden AB

BEST NEW PRODUCT WINNER: Hybrid Edge — BabyStyle UK HIGHLY COMMENDED: Taf Toys Musical Boat Cot Toy — Halilit

Team Joie were thrilled to win SAFETY WINNER: Anglecare AC1300 Monitor — Hardenberg&Co HIGHLY COMMENDED: ifindyou — ifindyou

SLEEP ACCESSORIES WINNER: Duux Night Light — Hardenberg&Co HIGHLY COMMENDED: My First Friend Sleeping Bag — Natures Purest

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nursery today

TOYS WINNER: Globber 5in1 — Greenover Sports HIGHLY COMMENDED: “Say Hello” Tummy Time Discover Toy — East Coast Nursery

Venicci were all smiles

TRAVEL WINNER: Venicci V3 HIGHLY COMMENDED: Nuna REBL — Joie

IN HOM

WINN ER: B reath Beds a ide C rib — ble Chic k Lon Little d on HIGH LY Katie COMMEN DED: Crib — Sapli ngs

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n o d n o L k ic h C le t t to Li t n e w d r a w a e The In Hom

TRAVEL ACCESSORIES WINNER: Nuna SENA — Joie HIGHLY COMMENDED: Tidy Freaks — Kidnative Ltd

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focus HARROGATE REVIEW

BANTA Award winner Halilit Winner of the Highly Commended award in the New Product Category of the 2016 BANTAs, the Musical Boat Cot Toy from Taf Toys is an innovative, long-lasting product that can be used from birth. The base attaches to the cot rail and music and movement are combined as the owl sails along projecting stars onto the ceiling. As baby develops, the base can be placed on the floor for tummy time play and when baby becomes more mobile, it encourages crawling as the boat is used independently of the base, sailing along the floor. Having already had great feedback from retailers who have recently taken stock of this product, great sales are expected.

Tel: 01254 872454 Web: www.halilit.co.uk

Fantastic fabrics All smiles with Bébécar Bébécar had a fantastic show, with their eyecatching display of new fabrics going down wel l with everyone. The bes tselling colour of the show was the Hip-Hop in White Shadow, a striking combination of black and white leathe rette.

The Crystal and Rose Spa rkle fabrics deserve a me ntion too. These incredible materials have taken Fac ebook by y sto p rm, p and a the reaction when people n the H saw them in rrogate o person was even better. led at Ha ality, u rk q a p h s ig i h n e ia ik th N g n d vi n Bébécar would like to tha bag bra uyers lo to offer. nk everyone ors and b nge had Gorgeous who visited their stand. with visit ce the ra rom d F n n re t! ta e fe s w if y d g c in ti h e yt th n Mumm s a e da ld well, ing Tel: 01692 408801 detail an ned to ho rproof lin stunning are desig lean wate , s c g g Web: www.bebecar.co a a b to B r y t s lle e a .uk The W as stro s, the e as either th nappie d y lo e d c s n u a to h e s b a n d a n c a d h n c swimsuit a u tion mini po at protec side is a offers gre kpack. In c a b r o g ba guin, Lulu shoulder Chili Pen t, n a t. h a p m le E wl. changing s Charlie d Stella O e include t Dog an u o The rang c S t, n pha bbles Ele y.com Lamb, Pe pymumm p a h @ a n m n o a c : y.

Email mumm w.happy Web: ww

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Mumm

nursery today

Brand new l o ok, same beautiful quality

01692 408802 nursery@east-coast.co.uk www.eastcoastnursery.co.uk

Exposure for you Content for media Leading journalists in the family sector source content from Ace Media.

Discovering nursery products and downloading their images to feature.

Our product image gallery is an invaluable promotional tool for brands, PRs and marketeers.

But at a cost that leaves Ace Media’s rivals rather exposed too.

Helping make media coverage happen www.ace.media

focus HARROGATE REVIEW

unity! t r o p p o e h t b gra Independents w presenting their ne st Harrogate ever, be ir the d ha fe BeSa r Seat System. to Modular i-Size Ca Today: “We want Safe told Nursery fro stand r ou to Paul Sirett m Be me ca o ailers wh you to all the ret business. send a big thank a key part of their as fe Sa Be ort pp su to e s and nu es nti sin and co of our bu ailer is at the heart mmon co a "The specialist ret are gate and sh meet up at Harro it is so uplifting to

rpose.” approach and pu grabbed some de The indepen nts rtuniextra margin oppo great offers and this year. ties with BeSafe 638 4 81 6 Tel: 0160 s.no Email: sales@ht t.co.uk ea rs ca w. ww Web:

BANTA award winner

Fabulous re-brand East Coast Nursery Harrogate was set to be a huge event for East Coast Nursery, and it didn’t disappoint.

The reaction to their new branding was fantastic, with everyone agreeing that the new logo looked great and that the move to focus more on building brand recognition among consumers would benefit everyone. They are grateful for everyone who took the time to give their feedback.

The “Say Hello” toy range received a great reception, with compliments on the colour palette and the unique partnership. The furniture displays were popular too, with praise for the quality of the range, from the budgetfriendly Fontana to the luxurious new Dorset oak collection.

Tel: 01692 408802 Web: www.eastcoastnursery.co.uk

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nursery today

And breathe on Little Chick Lond

ch, the new In-Home Award at its UK laun Winner of the BANTA 2016 bed sharing to Crib is a safe alternative Little Chick London Bedside t the wan not do but p their baby close for mums that want to kee leeping. risks associated with co-s for le mesh sides are breathable hab was ble ova rem The are also and trol con re atu per tem optimum air circulation and always see her baby. see-through so mum can venient for tresses and sheets, so con Fits standard size crib mat to finish tone in contemporary warm grey mums, and available in a with home decor.

Tel: 07976 773486 on Web: www.littlechick.lond

Move into Maternity nd new Shnuggle introduced the bra ss at tdre nigh Mumme Code maternity the show. it can A unique, patented design, for and ncy gna pre ing dur n be wor feeding. ticles Containing silver micro par the , boo bam and made from and night dress is anti-bacterial with a hypo allergenic , super soft baby can breathable fabric meaning ul and utif Bea . too ably feed comfort ity ern mat e Cod me Mum the soft, with d igne nightdress has been des ail: Em d. min mum and baby in martin@shnuggle.co.uk

Stay put bedding Tuck n’ Snug Harrogate was a very exciting time for Tuck n’ Snug and marked their official launch where they showcased two brand new fabric designs. In addition to this, they were extremely proud to be shortlisted for the BANTA 2016s. The product received a lot of interest from prospective retailers, both independents and national stores, in the UK and abroad.

Tel: 01273 930960 Email: info@tucknsnug.co.uk Web: www.tucknsnug.co.uk

• Adjustable leg room • SIP+ • 5-belt harness • Double cushion inserts

To join in contact BeSafe UK/Ireland on: sales@hts.no

nursery today

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focus HARROGATE REVIEW

BANTA winning product

Meet the Fro oglies

Frugi made thei r debut appear ance this year. leading organi As one of the UK c childrenswear ’s br ands, they show new collection cased their bran of toys, The Fr d ooglies. The m brand unveiled ulti-award-winn Dash, Giggles in g et hi cal an d Doodle, resp giraffe and croc ectively a leop odile, each with ar d, th eir own story to and were thrille tell at the show d with the reac tion. Made fro including 100 m signature Fr per cent organi ugi fabrics c velour, Froogl perfect for cudd ies are super co les and the 10 sy — 0 per cent organi different sensor c corduroy adds y texture for lit a tle ha nds to touch an lovable charac d feel. These ters certainly st ole the show.

Tel: 01326 55 8462 Email: info@fru giwholesale.co m Web: www.frugi wholesale.com

Twinkle Twinkle design aby ir gorgeous new 2016 BreathablewB aby in the form of the came from BreathableB

A definite star of the sho e in all ablle star print. Availab — Twinkle Twinkle. simple with a soft grey ully utif bea is e s and nkl Twi crib Twinkle i version sized to fit Timeless and classic, h solid end, and a min wit s cot for ed t -sid ect fec two per wrap, for 2016 and a three platforms — full Twinkle is spot on trend om Alma crib, Twinkle cradles such as the Blo n tion eacctio sery. e and the rea compliment to any nur industry for the first tim the to rs line crib e from abl ty breath d comfort and safety BreathableBaby brings the fact that mums nee ely positive, reinforcing rem ext s wa s tor visi from day one.

Tel: 07976 773486 -group.com Email: rachelle@rhsm by.com ba ble tha rea w.b ww Web:

Loved by parents PHP Gift & Baby unveiled the brand new babybundle Widgey Reversi at Harrogate this year. It’s the same fabulous, firm maternity and feeding pillow loved by parents and health practitioners but the Reversi sports a different fabric on each side of the pillow. There’s super-cosy, soft-touch fleece on one side for snuggly nursing for mum and baby and a luxurious cool, cotton side for slightly warmer months and moments! Think of it as a Widgey for all seasons in one. The Widgey Reversi comes in a range of sumptuous new colour combos and patterns and will retail at £34.99.

Tel: 01784 225 925 Email: sales@phpgiftandbaby.co.uk Web: www.phpgiftandbaby.co.uk

Litecup my world Hippychick Every parent knows that life is just a little bit easier with more sleep. Gavin Reay, an inventor from London, had four boys within seven years — strong motivation to look for a way to minimise night time wake up calls.

Desperation led to innovation and he invented the Litecup — a clever nonspill beaker with an integrated nightlight.

The patented design has a 360-degree no-spill valve and a gentle nightlight which makes the cup glow softly at night to ensure it can always be found.

Retailing at £8.99, this quality product delivers great value.

Web: www.hippychick.com

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nursery today

Full rotation Joie

/4 p 0+/1 — suitable from birth to 18kg The new Joie Spin 360 car seat Grou x.

Isofi with y easil lls cing seat that insta years is a rearward- and forward-fa so you degrees to any position imaginable 360 es rotat seat car The Spin y place easil and ion posit ng loadi -on front can move the car seat to a side- or ensure rap them without a fuss. This helps a little one into the car seat, or unst five ions; posit e reclin The seat boasts ten correct fitting for maximum safety. and rest head ght i-hei mult ther Grow Toge rearward and five forward facing, the removable a has it ion, addit In . hand one harness which adjust together with toptimal security, comfort and adjus full body insert and head support, for ment for the best fit.

Tel: 01889 808 900 Email: uksales@joiebaby.com

Hatching soon – award winning products Managed by the RHSM Group Web: www.littlechick.london Email: hello@littlechick.london Tel: 07976 773486

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focus HARROGATE REVIEW

Dazzling toy s Little Saints

There was a gre at reaction to th e Benbat launch the Little Saints of Dazzle Toys on stand — activity toys that enterta stimulate senses in babies and he . Four cute char lp acters make up range, and they th e launch all come packed with fun activitie to the eye-catch s in addition ing fascinating lig ht and colour eff natural light shine ects when s through the sp ecially developed in the centre of material each character.

Benbat designe of toys to help de d th is range velop essential skills that all ba need to learn inc bies luding fine and gross motor skills well as visual an , as d tactile skills, all while having fun.

Tel: 020 3744 1056 Web: www.little saints.com

Disney paradise

ir Winnie the ge, in particular the ir Disney furniture ran racted attention att s ha it Obaby displayed the n. Since its release, tio lec col s she Wi tion. The & Pooh: Dreams s definitely no excep y and Harrogate wa pla dis on en the wooden be ile wh it’s wherever our to any nursery d subtle hints of col ad s on ati str illu ble adora style. ch of elegance and bed with under engravings add a tou tures a matching cot fea ge ran y ne Dis the in n range tio Each collec The Disney furniture obe and gliding crib. rdr wa it, un available, ing ing ng dd be cha drawer, and with matching ething for all tastes som ers off y ab Ob from ney paradise. rsery into a little Dis can transform any nu Tel: 01652 641491 uk Web: www.obaby.co.

All about the graphite Venicci Venicci were back at Harrogate with a bigger and better stand this year where they showcased two new prams plus some of the existing products. The new Venicci graphite chassis was on display. With the same easy to use lightweight aluminium frame, open shopping basket, easy click mode for swapping between the different modes and the simple folding system made this a star for many visitors.

The carry cot, seat unit and car seat have been given a makeover with a new unique fabric which gives the Venicci a modern stylish look.

Tel: 01302 953872 Email: info@venicci.co.uk Web: www.venicci.co.uk

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Everyone co mmented on the bea With their utiful Silve base pale rcloud dis tt e of whites, collection play and it creams an has a coh s dreamy d greys, a esive feel, colours an the grey a nd hints o and the bla d luxuriou nd white n f pink, sage s fabrics. nkets, bed ursery furn and blue, d in g The brand iture. and new gi the Silverc new Made fts made a loud With Love characters wonderful gift range and tactile display on w a fa s b ve ri particularl cs. The littl ry well rece y well. e Bear an ived; custo d Bunny C mers loved Tel: 0169 omforters the adorab 2 408802 and Chime le Web: www Rattles we nt down .silverclo udnursery bedding.c o.uk

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supplier snapshot Nursery Today loves to hear your views.

This month we spoke to exhibitors at Harrogate International Nursery Fair for their thought s.

Anna Wik HAPPY MUMMY

What type of visitors did you experience on your stand?

Mainly independents, some regular customers and some new ones as well.

How successful was the show for you this year?

Always a great show and lovely to catch up with existing customers and meeting new ones as well.

Unfortunately, we know there were a number of customers that couldn’t come to Harrogate this year which was a shame as it’s a great opportunity for suppliers to show their full and new range to as many retailers as possible.

Did you have a particular product that caught the eye of the buyer?

Our Baby Elephant Ears collection of neck pillows with matching blankets and bibs and the Nikiani Changing/wet bags and the fab Buggy Butler stroller organiser/bag.

Stephen Gridley NIMANS HOME

sery Fair Harrogate International Nur t was the wha rs, doo ir the ed has clos r? highlight for you this yea

nity For us, it was a fantastic opportu ans Nim look new the se to showca d and Home and our much extende tions. solu tech y comprehensive bab What type of visitors did you experience on your stand?

major A great mix of independents, s made t-up star new ing exit chains and tomer cus the show interesting from one to the next. w for you?

How successful was the sho

but for new Extremely, not only for sales look and new r Ou . opportunities also . ived rece l wel ly real was io portfol product that Did you have a particular er? buy the of eye caught the

generated Both yoomi and Crane USA not let’s but a mass of excitement, s will ther mo all t tha forget the brand nitor mo the of rock bed true a trust BT, market.

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Kate Janach MYWEETEEPEE LTD

Harrogate Nursery Fair has closed their doors, what was the highlight for you this year?

This was our first year at Harrogate, actually it was our first trade show so to set up and display our range of designs was really exciting. Receiving such a positive response was definitely the highlight along with the lovely friendly atmosphere in the halls.

What type of visitors did you experience on your stand?

We had every kind of visitor, the teepees seemed to appeal to everyone which was great. Some very excited children visited us and played in the teepees, it was brilliant timing as a buyer was just passing and their enthusiasm for the product drew them over to our stand.

How successful was the show for you?

It was a really big success. We met some fantastic people and new accounts have been opened and we have many new opportunities to follow up.

Did you have a particular product that caught the eye of the buyer?

The teepees are by design a really eye-catching product and buyers seemed to love the complete range which was great news. Our new designs were also well received, especially our mini teepees for dolls that will be launching soon!

Phil Bulpitt

Denise Carr

EAST COAST NURSERY

PHP GIFT AND BABY

Harrogate Nursery Fair has now closed their doors, ors, what was the highlight for you this year?

We’ve had a great year at PHP Gift & Baby so we came to Harrogate with a good story, brilliant new product development and a few awards under our belt. It was great to have the opportunity to share our successes at the show and we were impressed by the quality and seniority of the audience.

What type of visitors did you experience on yourr stand?

We had a good mix of visitors to the stand from m both the independent sector and the multiples. It was encouraging to see such a strong attendance from the grocers and a high percentage of the buying teams out in force.

How successful was the show for you this year?

2016 has been our most successful year at Harrogate yet. A strong business performance and the ability to showcase some genuinely innovative products helped but we definitely felt a positive shift in the quality of the audience.

We’ve come away with some solid contacts, established new relationships and already agreed some orders in principle. We’re very excited about the rest of 2016 and are looking forward to some significant advances in our distribution strategy for 2017. st Did you have a particular product that caught the eye of the buyer?

Our new baby bundle Patch & Hoppy Track-a-toy was a real hit. We’ve simply taken our award-winning Safebreathe Patch & Hoppy cuddly cot companions and added a tracking device. This coupled with a handy free smartphone app means the totally breathable Patch and Hoppy can be located within a 30m radius if accidentally dropped or mislaid on travels.

The audience could see the real value in the product and its ability to remove the anguish that parents and children experience when a toy is lost.

They also recognised Track-a-toy’s potential for the gift market. It’s the perfect fusion of traditional toy and digital technology and totally on-point for today’s media-savvy, millennial mums.

Harrogate Nurseryy Fair has now closed their doors, s, what was the highlight for you this his year?

Unveiling our re-brand brand was undoubtedly the most exciting part of the fair forr us. After so many months in n development, it was as wonderful to see the he branding on the stand, tand, and to hear everybody’s reaction on to it.

What type of visitors did you experience on your stand?

We were lucky to have both quality and quantity ity of visitors. We had a good blend of key accounts and independent buyers, and also pendent buyers spoke to several new accounts which will mean exciting things for the year ahead.

How successful was the show for you this year?

It was a very successful show. The reaction to our range, our stand and our re-branding was fantastic, good orders were taken, connections were made, and the stand was almost consistently busy — we couldn’t have asked for more.

Did you have a particular product that caught the eye of the buyer?

It has to be our “Say Hello” toy range. After launching at Toy Fair in January, this was the first time some of the nursery buyers had seen it, and the reception was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone loved the display, with our product videos, and people complimented the colour palette and the East Coast partnership with Baby Sensory.

Rachelle Harell

THE RHSM GROUP TH

Harrogate Nursery Fair has closed their doors for Ha another year, what would you say was the highlight ano for yyou?

The RHSM stand had a fantastic response and being able to showcase our brand new UK launch of Little Chick London was really exciting. To top it all, we won Chic BANTA for the Breathable Bedside Crib of which the B are immensely proud. we ar What ttype of visitors did you experience on your stand?

We wel welcomed a wide range of visitors this year, but it especially nice to have met so many of our indewas esp pendent customers that regularly purchase our goods via BabyBase, who this year had a presence on our stand.

BabyBas

How successful was the show for you?

We feel we had a great show. The quality of visitors we welcomed to the stand was terrific and it was wonderful to hear so many people either stock BreathableBaby or had heard of it and came on find out more or place orders. Little Chick London had a great launch to the industry and the innovative products were well received by all.

Did you have a particular product that caught the eye of the buyer?

For BreathableBaby, the new Twinkle Twinkle design was a hit and an obvious choice or extension to order for a lot of our customers.

Little Chick London’s Breathable Bedside Crib proved popular with orders already on the books for July delivery.

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focus CARRIERS WHEEL GOODS & SLINGS

*Picture courtesy of Little Life

Carried away We take a look at the baby carrier and sling category. We can see a clear growth and rise in popularity. Let’s take an in-depth look.

W

e all know the benefits of carrying a baby in a carrier or sling, the closeness this brings to both the wearer and the infant. This is also perhaps a growing category with dads who seem to be opting for these to enable them to have an opportunity to bond with their new baby.

This isn’t a new trend, but it is now one which is growing. We are seeing more and more parents turning to the use of these and they can be easily spotted on the high street.

However, parents are also extremely savvy when making their decisions — looking at not only design, but are conscious now of much more — ergonomics, functionality, ease of use and longevity.

Daniel Lucas, the founder of We Made Me, explained why perhaps we are seeing an increase in the popularity of baby slings and carriers. “The benefits of babywearing are well known now, thanks to education and promotion over the last few years. Babywearing has become ingrained in the culture of parenting, with a carrier, wrap or sling now being seen as an essential everyday item for new parents.”

We posed the same question to Annika SanderLofmark at BabyBjörn. She told us: “Parents today are more aware of the great benefits of being close to their little one as often as possible. A big change is that parents want to continue carrying their children much longer, up to three years of age sometimes.

“When they are close to their babies, parents can immediately respond to their babies’ needs. They communicate all the time and the baby will be calm hearing their voice, feeling their heartbeat and noticing

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their parent’s smell. Having their hands free helps the parent to get things in everyday life done, especially important if there is an older sibling who wants attention.”

Independent retailer John Westcott, a director of Oxford Pram Centre, feels that there are clearly

“ The big trend we

are seein g is adjustab il ity. A ca rrier w it h re al fun ct ion al ity to fit every jou rn ey is a must th ese d ay s. ” Daniel Lucas

several factors. “I feel we are seeing an increase in popularity for several reasons. Flexibility: a sling or a carrier gives new parents much more flexibility of movement since it leaves them to do things which a pram would restrict them from. For example they can control toddlers more easily, go shopping or go for walks in the countryside —

things which prams can sometimes make difficult.

Closeness: babies and their parents love to be close to one another — with a sling the baby can interact more easily with their parent. Health: it is also claimed that having a baby in a sling or carrier helps to reduce crying and colic.”

Thus, there are certain plusses in this sector as you are able to offer your customers the power of choice in a growing sector. In some circumstances it may just not be practical to use a pushchair or pram and therefore these are a perfect solution and offer a natural way to travel with baby, providing comfort for the infant and intimacy for parents looking to build on those precious bonding opportunities. For some parents, a carrier is the only available option in particular situations and environments, as these give a truly off-road solution enabling the travelling family to continue any journey in any conditions, beating even the best of buggies.

And what about current trends, what’s currently emerging? Daniel told us: “The big trend we are seeing is adjustability. A carrier with real functionality to fit every journey is a must these days. Fashion is also playing a big part in this category, people are looking for seasonal prints or patterns and keen to see current on-trend colours, this is something we are excited to be working on this year.”

John feels that perhaps this isn’t such a brand-dominated category. “The trends as such seem to be more with colours and fabrics rather than a brand. As a whole in baby products right

now, the autumn-toned colour scheme seems to be doing very well for us for example the greys, browns and the deep reds. In addition, some brands offer more comfortable and luxurious fabrics that make carrying even more comfortable for parents and baby.”

Another area for consideration is that these are also proving popular with dads as they offer an opportunity for fathers to further bond with their infants. Is this perhaps further driving the carrier and sling sector?

Annika stated: “Definitely, dads don’t usually get to spend as much time with the baby as the mum so they want to make as much of the time they have. Having your baby close to you on your chest means that you communicate all the time. “ Information from Gfk shows that this category at present is worth just under £3million with a double digit growth rate. Baby carriers are becoming more expensive year on year, thereby driving value growth.

A clear advantage of a carrier or sling is also that they enable the parent to be hands free while out and about, whether it be a trip to the shops, or indeed perhaps giving a sense of freedom on holiday. It is vitally important to many parents that baby is at the heart of the family and not be excluded from activities.

Carriers or slings being offered in store offer fantastic selling opportunities and could also be an up sell area when parents are looking at perhaps their first wheeled goods systems.

And what about retailer benefits — how can stocking these have a positive impact?

What benefits can retailers expect when stocking

these products? We asked Annika to respond.

“These provide parents with something that makes their life easier gives the retailers credibility,” she said.

“As there are many different kind of baby carriers it is important that the retailer can provide the family with the right style for their needs.”

From a retailer perspective John outlines what he considers to be the main positives for retailers. “Parents-to-be are often overwhelmed with so much to choose from — both in terms of pram, car seats and other accessories. We like to guide and advise new parents through the maze of options.

“We feel that by stocking baby carriers and slings we are offering parents additional ways to transport their new baby — one which is becoming increasingly on trend and one which offers a number of benefits as indicated above.”

Daniel also feels there is clear evidence that this is a category not to be overlooked, or indeed underestimated. “Given the growing interest in babywearing every retailer should be stocking multiple products in this category and looking for ways to improve sell through.

“This year we are excited to be launching a comprehensive training programme, as well as unveiling new POS including display units and a new video book all geared towards driving interest and increasing sales.”

*Picture courtesy of Baby Bjorn

focus focus CARRIERS WHEEL & SLINGS GOODS

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focus CARRIERS & SLINGS

y Ergonomeicdall design

Close To You

Comfort pact m madet co rban erfect for u

n dp Close Pare ht, portable, compact anadventurers. A carrier g e li d is si DXgo e front and country

Caboo art on th bers and nd back, st beach com od the front a explorers, th integral ho o s b It n . o used months) stages and 6 d 3 n – a 8 es g that can be m a ro ll (f a t ck a a rt b o e th k supp rry their then flip to ead and nec It allows parents to ca as they h t en ll ce n provides ex little ones. ght positio verage for actly the ri full shade co fectly supported in ex r. per icality, style carrie little ones, rt and pract wear r newborn fo ei m th co m n o ee fr iods of nce betw transition tended per ag es the bala ored for ex a change b il DXgo strik a in T re e. o is st m d n ro a p n m w e co ck do without th ough to pa nd light en a ll a sm t ye . ys on hand so it is alwa 45

Chicco

The Close To You carrier from Chicco ensures par ents can feel comfortable and close to their babies when they are on the move.

The carrier has been des igned to grow with the chi ld from birth up to 15kg, allowin g three different carrying positions to suit your lifestyle and environm ent. It has been ergonomic ally designed to help relieve pressure on the back sho ulders and abdomen of a parent wh ile allowing you to be clo se to your baby.

Close To You offers maxim um comfort for the baby with an extra padded harness, and a practical bib that is atta ched to the sternum strap, meaning it is mess and fuss free. It can be used parent-facing, forward-fac ing and on the parents bac Web: www.chicco.co. k. uk

2 5540 Tel: 0199 nt.com .closepare w w w : Web

ntry u o c s s o r c g n i Go ces a new , Littlelife introdu sortment for 2016 as er pular models, rri po ca st ing mo nn e’s ard-wi many of LittleLif of s Extending its aw on rsi ve d durable w with a stylish an on. Featuring ne ‘Premium’ collecti ed carrier designs wn no re e’s Lif mbines Little e. t the collection co al for everyday us maximum comfor makes them ide at th ic Premium offers try un Co ing ‘Slate’ fabr s ot os piv Cr complete with under, the new ble backsystem An excellent all-ro nted to a fully-adjusta ks an LittleLife’s pate th th ild wi ch at d -shaped child se to both parent an lly , ica ge om ra at sto an r d fo adjustable an ltiple pockets hip belt and an atures include mu emium carrier ltiple practical fe Mu ding and every Pr s. es loa rn ple ha sim d an X-Buckle ble sta r fo nted Anchor Point LittleLife’s pate Face Pad. ed int pr lo® fa uf comes with a Gr 33 Tel: 0118 981 14 .com Web: www.littlelife

LittleLife

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nursery today

focus WE MADE ME

What’s hot with We Made Me Designed by experts and crafted by artisans, these revolutionary soft-structured carriers, super-stretchy wraps and award-winning slings are all made with good conscience and an unflinching commitment to style, function and above all, safety. Take a look at products that are currently available to you from the established brand We Made Me.

hu Star exciting The Soo g, meaning star sling, is an The Soohu Slin multi-award-winning reinvention of the brand’s ing Hav . ing aSl product theBab e som , ers tom cus ed consult rove changes were made to imp ile Wh . her furt n eve t the produc the of ts efi ben the g inin reta e original 5-in-1 hammock-styl e hav ers ign des the sling, seamlessly incorporated some new features to promise flawless comfort, functionality and uncompromised style.

Key developments include, a new split shoulder pad to allow the user to distribute the weight from the muscle onto the ball of the shoulder. Also a new adjustment system, which is now one complete loop, makes it easier for the wearer to get the perfect fit when wearing baby.

tional Multi-diraebrc illiantly versatile

It’s a wrap Since launching the Wuti Wrap the team at We Made Me have heard from parents that this carrier is invaluable in early days.

The wrap’s thoughtful design creates the perfect place for baby to stay close to mum or dad and its truly innovative breathable material stretches both lengthways and crossways to ensure it is super-strong and flexible — perfect for wrapping baby in.

In those first few months, babies yearn for all the attachment and support they can get. The Wuti Wrap, which can be used out or just around the home, allows parents to wear their little one cocooned close enough to nurture, bond and sooth.

Tel: 01273 320 590 Web: www.wemademe.com

is The Pao Papoose ultired carrier. The m tu uc str ftso 1 3-inm fro e ad which is m directional carrier, s nt re pa les ab en 100% soft cotton, rent-facing mode to carry baby in pa and has also been and on the back, t to support the mos carefully designed g cin -fa rd ct forwa ergonomically corre ntly stylish as ine Em . ion sit po g sittin Pao Papoose e th al, on well as functi , pebble and is available in black complete with es m lavender, and co re cyan blue the brand’s signatu its patentbuckles. Thanks to juster parents ad r ou pending cont e shape of can easily adapt th building ely tiv the straps, effec natural eir th nd ou ar r the carrie body shape.

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focus CARRIERS & SLINGS

Tw o w a y c a r rier Bonding made easy Clippasafe The Carramio from Clippasafe, allows parents to keep baby close and snug with a carrier that’s as stylish as it is comfortable.

Designed to offer optimum comfort for baby and wearer, it features a lightweight, soft fabric lining to keep baby cool, with wide padded straps and lumbar support to spread the baby’s weight evenly across the wearer’s body.

The Carramio is a two-way carrier which safely carries babies of 3.5kg to 9kg and meets UK and EU Safety Standards.

Available in black, grey & oatmeal.

Web: www.clippasafe.co.uk

Freedom of movement Maxi Cosi Keep baby close while enjoying freedom of movement. The Physiological Cocoon design of the Easia baby carrier emulates the natural foetal position to ensure baby’s absolute comfort. Easy to install with only four clicks, the Dorsal Support System transfers baby’s weight to your hips, relieving the pressure on your shoulders. Whether world- or parent-facing, your baby will feel twice as light to carry! Use from birth up to approximately 12 months and available in black denim or pure denim.

Web: www.dorel.co.uk

Baby wearing rocks

Rockin Baby

Rockin’ Baby slings and pouches are suitable from newborn to toddler (up to 40lb), and allow a variety of ways to carry a baby, distributing weight to suit the wea rer’s body and your baby ’s comfort.

Two looks in one: Rockin’ Baby reversible slings and pouches give wearers the choice of two stylish designs in one. Wearers can choose from a beautiful print or block colour depending on their outfit selection and plans for the day, this is a unique feat ure from Rockin’ Baby. With 30 stan d out fabrics we are certain ther e is something for everyone.

Web: www.rockinbaby.com

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focus LITTLE GREEN SHEEP

A good night’s sleep starts with Nothing is more important to parents than their baby’s health and wellbeing, and good health starts with a good night’s sleep.

T

housands of parents around the world are investing in luxury natural sleeping spaces for their children to ensure their little ones wake up fresh and ready for the day. But as consumer awareness grows, purchases are increasingly being driven by intelligence. Rather than just focussing on looks, buyers today want to know more about the materials used and how they were created. A focus on all things natural was once primarily the focus of health foods, but it’s fast becoming a desirable label for clothing and bedding, particularly for products designed to be used next to the sensitive skin of babies and children.

The Little Green Sheep is a pioneer in creating luxury sleeping spaces for babies and toddlers and the company has always sought to make the most of high quality organic and natural materials.

In fact, finding a natural alternative to chemically-treated baby mattresses was the reason the company began in the first place.

Mark Nicholls and Paul Maurice, the company’s founders and current directors, met in 2003. A couple of years later, after reading an article about the surprising use of chemicals in baby mattresses, the pair decided that they wanted to create a business that would provide a genuine solution to tackling the prevalence of chemicals in baby mattresses.

They were inspired to create a real alternative, and began diligent product development to position themselves at the forefront of natural nursery products, by designing and manufacturing a baby mattress that combined the best quality support, made in the most natural possible way. By 2007, Mark and Paul had launched the UK’s first Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified baby mattress at the NEC Baby Show.

From these early steps, The Little Green Sheep has grown into a much-loved business with a full range of products for natural sleeping spaces for babies, including organic sheets, blankets, mattress protectors and more. With carefully matched designs and beautifully soft organic materials, their baby bedding has proved hugely successful with parents.

The original product, the organic mattress, has evolved from the first cot mattress offering to provide a full range of sizes and options from the Moses basket mattresses for little ones, to the Twist mattress, designed with two firmness options to offer support from baby through to toddler, with the junior mattress providing a natural sleep space right through to teen. The thought and care that goes into all the company’s mattresses has been recognised by parents and industry publications across the

The company has alwuayrasl worked with the natsuch as qualities of materials,of coconut the inherent support lly fire husks, the natura sheep’s retardant qualities of natural wool, the durability ofthe best latex and of course ry cotton. quality breathable luxu Tel: 0800 028 1433 Web: www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk country with accolades including a 5/5 rating when Tried and Tested by Mother & Baby, the title of Best Value Cot Mattress, and the number one place in Emma’s Diary’s Top Ten Baby Mattresses for the Twist mattress.

The company has always worked with the natural qualities of materials, such as the inherent support of coconut husks, the naturally fire retardant qualities of sheep’s wool, the durability of natural latex and of course the best quality breathable luxury cotton.

This helped them to achieve their aim of creating a baby mattress free from toxins and harmful chemicals, and without the need for fire retardant sprays.

The results have far exceeded their original expectations and through continuous hard work

and fresh ideas the team have made an enduringly popular product.

The team itself has grown into a family of around 30 members of staff, who strive to keep delivering expertise and quality in everything they do. Thanks to their hard work, more than 100,000 babies in 32 countries have slept on a Little Green Sheep mattress and more outlets are recognising the value of luxury organic products every day. The company’s friendly and ethical approach hasn’t changed, but its product range and team are growing with beautiful new additions in development.

At the heart of The Little Green Sheep’s story is a brand trusted by thousands of parents to keep their baby safe and sound in a pure and healthy environment, and the next chapter is just beginning. nursery today

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GFK

The flight to quality

Tullika Bhalla

The UK nursery industry moved into high gear in 2015 as consumers gravitated towards premium purchases helping to push double digit value growth across the year compared to a very volume-driven 2014.

A

t the Harrogate Nursery Fair, GfK explored the reasons behind this flight to quality.

As the growth continues to be in double digits over the last three months, the industry is projected to cross the £1billion mark in 2016.

While all sectors are growing, the main drivers include furniture, transport and safety.

Product areas like thermometer have grown by 35% and cribs, carrycots and moses basket by 41%.

Affluent parents: true or false?

Over the last two years, premium consumer goods have seen a significant value growth. These include 42cm TVs over £660, range cookers over £1100 as well as bean to espresso machines and kitchen mixers.

Within the nursery product areas, growth of premium products has been equally significant. For example, baby monitors over £80 and baby strollers 40

nursery today

over £400 have grown by 9%.

Some of the factors influencing this surge of affluence are macro-economic.

Consumer confidence has been at its highest in last 13 months, the average 25-35-year-old takes es 24 years to save to become homeowners ers and low interest rates tes have encouraged spending.

UK ends 2015 as one of the fastest growing major developed economies and employment is at an all-time high.

Consumer spend is also being influenced by the choices available as well as promotions. Black Friday 2015 was the highest online spending day on record with sales of premium products like wearables, 43-50cms

TVs and turntables growing by more than 100% year on year. While no direct impact was noted on the products in the Nursery sector, there was a significant uplift in the equipment categories, with online sales growing at three times the total sales.

Interestingly, within Nursery, choices are increasing, and unlike many other consumer products, consumers are spending more in-store.

®

Exist! Don’t be silly, of course they don’t. But take a look again, are you sure?...

While parents are trading up online for most products, Strollers command a premium in-store.

Omnichannel shopping Some of the common advantages quoted by shoppers for shopping across platforms include ease of shopping, trusted recommendations and the experience. Within the UK, 48% of shoppers prefer to have the ease of shopping across channels. Physical

retail, while important is becoming more about the experience and maximising the impact of events.

At the event, GfK’s account manager Tullika Bhalla said “While economic risks and changes may limit spending long term, aspirational parents are on the rise.

Coupled with increasing price and product choices, this will influence affluent parents to drive up value sales.”

your way to the shops, in this superb Silly Monster themed stroller and twin. Silly Monster offers the same excellent features of an Obaby stroller, plus extra luxurious features including memory foam seat unit, UPF 50+ extendable hood with parent window and sun visor, cup holder, one hand seat recline and much much more.

Matching footmuff and changing bag* included.

About GfK GfK is one of the world’s largest research companies, with around 13,000 experts working to discover new insights into the way people live, think and shop, in more than 100 markets, every day. GfK is constantly innovating and using the latest technologies and the smartest methodologies to give its clients the clearest understanding of the most important people in the world: their customers. In 2012, GfK’s sales amounted to 1.51 billion euros.

To find out more, visit www.gfk.com/uk or follow GfK on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GfK_en

www.obabytrade.co.uk 01652 641491

focus TRAVEL WHEEL GOODS TIME

Sun, sea and fun A good time is to be had by all on a summer break but beware there are pitfalls

I

t is that time of the year when people begin to think seriously about their summer holidays — where to go and what to pack.

People with toddlers and babies need to take special precautions because their skin is far more susceptible to sun damage.

In years gone by, the choice was limited — sun hats and sun tan lotion — but now there are many products for mum and dad to choose from.

As well as items to protect little ones in the sun, mum and dad have to think about the journey to their holiday location. Packing is half the fun. Okay, it’s not half the fun but it is just as important.

Parents can now buy many travel accessories to ensure the safety and comfort of little ones on the journey. Little Saints are the UK distributor for Benbat, essential travel accessories, designed to brighten the lives of babies, toddlers and children at home and on the move.

Peter Holm, a director of Little Saints, told us: “Parents are always looking for any items that make their lives easier and their babies both safer and more comfortable.

“As UK distributors for the Benbat range of essential travel accessories we are seeing an increase in orders for our Travel Friends range of head and neck support cushions, which are perfect for long car or plane journeys, and the Yummigo travel seat, a folding seat that fixes securely to most chairs so that babies can be fed when they are on the move.”

The journey is completed and the family has arrived at their (hopefully) sunny destination.

While adults are aware of what damage the sun (and sea) can do, infants and babies not to mention children have to be protected.

Helen Wooldridge from Cuddledry said: “Our products are becoming a parental Peter Holm, Litt must-have. We know so much le Saints more about sunburn and cancer now, and how sunburn in children has a profound effect on skin cancers in later life.

“According to the Skcin — a leading skin cancer charity we at Cuddledry have worked

Pa rents are “ alw ay

s look in g fo r any item s th at m ake th ei r lives ea si er an d th ei r ba bi es both sa fer an d more co m fo rtab le”

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with, ‘One blistering sunburn in childhood or o adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.’ m “With statistics that significant, UK parents are taking the protection of their p babies’ and children’s skin a lot more ba seriously. We are catching up with other se countries like Australia where there has co been greater awareness for a longer time.” bee Wholesalers and retailers have noticed emerging trends in this category not and they all revolve around safety.

Retailer Angela Bigland of Babyworld Kendal has noticed the way parents prepare Ken holidays. “They spend a lot of time for h researching what is out there before they resea come in to see us. If they are going to a rural com place like where we are, they tend to buy plac something with bigger wheels for safety.” som Little Saints are also the UK distributor for Swimtrainer and Peter Holm told us: “Every child should learn how to swim and the earlier they are introduced safely to the water to help build their confidence the better.

“We have young children ourselves and could immediately see what a great product the Swimtrainer is as a safe swimming aid for babies, toddlers and young children.”

The Swimtrainer is suitable for infants from three months, comes in a variety of colours and places the child in an ideal swimming position.

Cuddledry have developed a product that protects little ones as they wander around after a dip.

Helen Wooldridge told us “The Cuddledry Sun Protection Poncho Towel has been created to offer protection at those times when tiny ones are pottering on the beach or by the pool – often a moment when they may have been wet from the pool or sea so have taken off their UV sunsuit, and would be at risk if not properly covered up.

“We use a specialist dye in our poncho towels called Rayosan – patented to provide UVA and UVB sun protection.”

So it can be seen that the sector is ever-expanding and shows no sign of abating any time soon.

Instant Sun and Wind Protection for Little Beach-Goers LittleLife Beach Shelters

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focus TRAVEL TIME

Children’s comfort in mind Lässig — Clever Clogs Tradin

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After a very successful lau nch at Harrogate, Clever Clogs are delighted to announce the new Splash & Fun range from Lässig is available to order now. The new range, just like all Lässig products, focusses on the use of non-toxic materials and high design. Down to the smallest details, Lässig has children’s comfort in mind. By replacing metal eyelets with soft embroidered ones and car efully selecting materials and seams, Lässig protect sensitive skin. Pat ent pending with one-direc tional wicking function ensures that hig h quantities of water are pulled between the lini l ng and the outer mater ial by a highly absorbant terry cloth material.

Lässig is distributed in the UK and Ireland by Clever Web: www.cleverclogstrad W Clogs Trading. ing.co.uk

Swimm?ing anyone

Movemen

Little Saint

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Perfect trave l companion

Dorel

Summer is around the corner and that means more family the sun. An exciting fun in trip to the sea is no w that much easie new Maxi-Cosi St r with the ella pushchair. Th e Stella offers com flexibility in destina plete tion and promises to follow a family’s move, serving as th every e perfect travel com panion. With its sli frame at just 55cm mline and its big, all-terra in wheels, this push overcomes any obsta chair cle with the smooth est ride. Use from a newborn, as a pr birth with am or a travel system Web: www.dorel.c . o.u k

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t matters

As one of lif e’s essential skills it’s nev the Swimtr er too early ainer from to learn to sw Ger many gi toddlers. Th ves confiden im and e combinat ce to babies ion of five in shoulders st and flatable cham raps and th e horseshoe bers, inflatab as three mo shape supp le nths allowin ort babies fr g them to in they grow o om as youn stinctively fr lder and mo g og kick in th re confiden slightly less e water. As t, the next st buoyant an age of Swim d hel of ar m and trainer is leg movemen ps children learn the p erfect co-ord t. The third an active sw ination stage of Sw imming posi imtrainer al Tel: 020 3 tion and hel 744 1056 lows for p s th e tr an Web: www sition to free .littlesaints swimming. .co.uk

Reflecting elements for better safety Bouncing Bob and Mad Mabel help keep your child safe on the road!

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bouncing bob Distributed in the UK & Ireland by Clever Clogs. www.cleverclogstrading.co.uk

• • • • • • • • • •

Raincover supplier Established in 1987 Specialising in pushchair raincovers Extensive product range available with over 250 designs on file Full raincover design service available from a member of our specialised team A wide range of special needs pushchair raincovers Only the highest quality for our customers Next working day delivery available on stock items The best cover up job in the business!

Call today to place an order

•

01723 865 001 sales@apolloraincovers.co.uk

focus TRAVEL TIME

om HOT STUFF fr iert! Shade is a clever item designed to warn aHer u ari’sg M Al at ini M Magua ISI rm. r is dangerously wa ction parents when the ca aches by efficient su ndow shade that att os log ive sit A glass mounted wi e heat-sen r warning sensor. Th rd cups features a cleve replaced with the wo y all gic ma are d an es gre de 37 at disappear be used. ts the shade should ect the HOT, warning paren the shade helps to refl of ial ite mater ains rem ild ch ur yo Once in place, the wh d an cool as possible as ys sta r ca the g heat, ensurin l out the journey. n label brand of usefu comfortable through range is Maguari’s ow le tra litt a es liv ts’ The ISI Mini vel ren pa make all designed to help travel accessories — ildren. ch d an s bie ba th g wi easier when travellin Tel: 01923 592170 guari.com Email: sales@ma

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un s e h t m o r f Safe shchairs will be Obaebsuymmer months nearly upon us, putim r e. Why not offe

With th untry in no hes across the co early such as hitting the beac em in the mood th t ge to ng hi somet n? This from your customers ottage Rose desig C r la pu po its in ys with its UPF the Obaby Zeal e hot summer da th r fo y foam ct rfe pe is e sun, its memor birth stroller ones safe from th ging tle an lit ch ep d ke de to clu 50+ hood e and the in bl rta fo m co es do em r th the weathe seat unit to keep er essentials. If m m cover su in e ra th d of an l ing footmuff bag to store al ch at m d de clu , the in e weather, the decide to change o matter what th N y. dr d an m war summer to even will keep them s add a touch of ay w al ill w n sig Cottage Rose de ys. the dullest of da 1491 Tel: 01652 64 y.co.uk ab ob w.

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Life’s a b each LittleL ife

Be sun smar t at the seasid e this summ perfor mance er with LittleL beach shelte ife’s range of rs. Offering during bluste highprotection fr ry summer da om both sun and ys durable, UP , the beach sh wind F 50+ rated el te r is constructed fabric whole family from a to escape from that creates a cool and shady area fo the sun’s harm Available in r the ful UV rays. two sizes, fam fast to erect ily an d co mpact, LittleL and have a st able, semi-ge ife’s beach sh for reassuranc odesic design elters are e the shelter with large sa will stay put day, the shel nd pockets on windy da ters pack com ys. At the en pactly into a easy transpor d of the portable carr tation. y bag with a Tel: 0118 9 handle for 81 1433

Web: www.li ttlelif

e.com

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nursery today

C lo ses in j ust t h ree sec on d s

Designed by rocket scientist SpaceCot Travelling with a baby? Cue the rocket scientists. Yes, a real life rocket scientist has developed SpaceCot, the only super lightweight and easy to use travel cot available in the market. SpaceCot opens and closes in three seconds, weights just 5kgs, and comes with a comfortable hypoallergenic mattress that can be adjusted to two levels. Machine washable and eco-friendly, SpaceCot fits neatly into a stylish protector bags with a strap making it easy to carry.

Pre-orders available for July deliveries.

Email: contact@oxfordspacestrucutres.com Web: www.spacecot.com

Rain, rain , go away Apollo Rainc overs

Affordable rain covers, from th e Apollo Group compromise on without the ne quality or desig ed to n. Made from supple clear PV high quality 18 C. These rain 0 micron covers safely pr rain. otect children from wind and Apollo have be en established comes to push sin ce 1987 and ar chair raincove e a specialist w rs with a man They also offe hen it ufacturing pres r a bespoke se ence in the UK rvice.

Tel: 01723 86 .

5 001

Email: steph@ apollorainco vers.co.uk Web: www.ap olloraincove rs.co.uk

b Great crum catcher

focus TRAVEL WHEEL GOODS TIME

Catch and Fold Max Brother rpro side-opening Velcro which is both of-lined soft cotton with easy-to-use Made from wate le crumb for weaning. The flexible and removab comfortable for little one and practical l case for trave a as ling doub also e dropped food whil catcher sits away from baby to catch means two away after a messy meal. The pack of bib & cutlery. It is perfect for tidying . there’s one for now and one for later tumble-dryer safe too. & hine mac The bib is washing Tel: 01280 878266 Web: www.brothermax.com

Keeping bab y comfy Sum mer Infant

Cus shy Straps from Summer Infant are super-soft provide extra pa straps designe dding and com d to fort for babies mat a erial of stan on the go. The dard seat belt ha rs h st ra ps can sometim for babies when es cause irrita travelling in th tion ei r ca r seats; wherea are made from s Cushy Straps a soft velboa an d ar e ki delicate skin. nder and gentle r on babies’ The strap cove rs are simple to use and attach se s lf-fasteners easily with to standard se at belt straps.

Designed with cute little bear s on either sid help make jour e, Cushy Straps neys more fun and comforting Web: www.sum for babies. merinfant.co.uk

All change Diono The new Diono Travel Changer is a compact and stylish changing bag, perfect for on-the-go nappy changes. The modern clutch design allows for easy one-handed access to the changing pad, wipes and other nappy change essentials. The wipeable Travel Changer features a padded changing pad with a subtle unisex black and white star pattern and a reusable soft wipes zipped pouch to keep wipes freshly moistened.

Tel: 01827 310557 Web: www.diono.com

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focus focusTRAVEL WHEELTIME GOODS

Little accidents happen Summer Infant

Summer Infant’s Piddle Pad is an inno vative waterproof seat liner and a perfect protector for car seats and buggies, designed for toddlers who are in the process of potty training. The Piddle Pad uses a quilted terry cloth material that is soft on little one’ s skin. With its waterproof vinyl and absorbent layer s, it soaks up soiling and prevents staining and is conv eniently machine washable. The Piddle Pad has been designed to be universal and so can fit into mos t seats or harnesses.

Web: www.summerinfant.co.uk

Great for home and away

Kit for Kids

Kit for Kids mattress es provide protection for the baby both at home and away. Their award winning range of travel cot mattresses offer the be st in comfort and sup port as well as convenience for the pa rent.

The VentiDry Trave l Mattress is Kit for Ki ds’ latest innovation. The 3D structure of the inner mattress core promotes air circulat ion for enhanced bre athability and helps to prevent overheating while sleeping. This ma ttress is entirely machine washable at 60°C and also quick to dry. This mattress can be rolled into a ha ndy travel bag makin g it the perfect travel accessory for pa rents on the go.

Email: sales

Sitting comfortably Hippychick The most lightweight, compact and versatile travel highchair available – Totseat turns almost any chair into a safe and secure place to sit for little ones. The fully adjustable design simply slips over the back of a chair, and the clever tabs can be tightened for the correct fit. Available in a wide range of designs and with its own matching storage pouch, Totseat is both highly stylish and safe for use at home, visiting relatives and in cafes or restaurants.

Totseat is distributed exclusively in the UK by Hippychick.

Tel: 01278 434440 Web: www.hippychick.com

Gr d in ienagt ofo r ut

@kitforkids.com Web: www.kitforki ds.com

nursery today

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focus TRAVEL TIME

ne! o s d e e mn u m y r e Ev tette g 2 in 1 Po ard-winnin ich

wh i-aw Maregnnuialatrarviel essential itaetrmaviselthpeottmyuwltith the dinistopogsaebl,lemliankeinrsg disposaal A pe Use as rns liquid stock in Maguari. d which tu ers are available to a p t n e Plus from rb so n b li a t n ly e h ig lacem asee feature a h mess. Rep gs, for its e no fuss or h it w sy y folding le andy a d e n a h s . re 0 3 featu hah 0 or tte, which comes wit packs of 1 e the Pote the fact it s lu p , n g Mums lov ht desi ver design light-weig loo, the cle e of use and th ay g n g. si a u arry b t when aw ssed to hygienic c trainer sea ave progre a h s a n d re d se il be u Once ch tte Plus to 2 in 1 Pote e th s w o ll a ome. from the h 70 3 5921 Tel: 0192 @maguari.com les a s : Email

Wheelie good hero’s LittleLife For 2016 LittleLife has added to its award-winning range of Wheelie Duffle suitcases with a new Spider-Man design complete with highly-visible, reflective eyes. Developed to stand up to the daily exertions of toddlers and children, all LittleLife Wheelie Duffles are made from hardwearing and durable, nylon fabric and feature smooth-rolling wheels plus a high-quality zip closure.

For easy transportation, each bag has a toddler-sized telescopic handle and also features an easy-to-grip, top grab handle. The suitcase’s clever ‘stay-put’ lid folds back to reveal a spacious 20litre interior with an additional smaller pocket for accessories. Ideal for family holidays or overnight adventures, LittleLife Wheelie Duffles offer plenty of room to store clothes, toys and essentials.

Tel: 0118 981 1433 Web: www.littlelife.com

Stars by night Diono The new Diono Starry Night Sunshade is the only blind to block the sun by day and provide Day-Glo stars by night. The unique shade provides year-round protection from glare and the sun’s rays whilst the magical starry night design glows long after the sun has set. The shade attaches securely to the window with simple suction cups and rewinds with the touch of a button.

Tel: 01827 310557 Web: www.diono.com

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NewMan Spidedresign

Distinctive designs Summer Infant recently launched a comprehensive new range of changing bags, offering style and great functionality but at affordable prices. The new range consists of five bags, each with their own distinctive design and colourways to suit a range of different consumers’ tastes.

All of the new bags have been thoughtfully designed, they come with lots of pockets and a separate external secure pocket for keeping keys or purses safe and to hand. They all come with both carry handles and a carry strap as well as really useful universal buggy straps so the bag can be hung from the pushchair, so avoiding the need to purchase separate buggy hooks.

Each bag also contains a handy changing pad that folds neatly away.

Web: www.summerinfant.co.uk

Extra versatility Kes-Vir Kes-Vir Incontinence Swimwear was designed to provide that extra versatility required. The swimwear is fashionable as well as functional, providing adjustability, especially around the girth of the upper leg and around the waist, where snug fitting is crucial — to prevent leakage. Suitable for children who are not yet potty trained, but love swimming and splashing about in the pool.

Their complete children’s range includes girl’s designer halter-neck and waterfall swimsuit and boy’s swim trunks and wrap shorts.

Email: enquiries@kesvir.co.uk Web: www.kesvir.co.uk

tion Added protec

r Crotosgest some added protection from sun and Silveiou s way ur stroller An ingen sily over yo il fits quickly and ea wind. The buggy sa for your little one in t en m d shady environ an a ol co a ate cre to er if the weather is also a place to shelt is t bu p Po for d the sunshine, and ne ecifically desig sp en be s y ha nd It ha zy. a little bree supplied in t strollers. It comes os m th wi le tib t. pa com convenien ing it compact and carrying bag, keep aby.com

ossb Web: www.silvercr

Sometthing for all

Clever Clogs

Whether little one loves the fore st or the ocean, furry companions or mad monsters, there’s something to suit them all in the Lässig Kids Travel Collection. With backpacks, sports bags, pull-alo ng bags, toiletry bags and more, little one can bring the fun along on their travels while staying independen t with their very own luggage.

Lässig offer a range of bags for parents and kids as well as high quality pre-washed muslins, weaning products and a new Splash & Fun ran ge of swim and beach wear for children.

Lässig is distributed in the UK and Ireland by Clever Clogs Trading.

Web: www.cleverclogstrading.co .uk

nursery today

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focus TRADITIONAL WHEEL GOODS TOYS

Traditional roots Classic toys continue at a great pace for many independent retailers. We take a closer look at why.

Y

ou can’t beat days gone by when play was all about interaction, either one on one with a favourite toy, or in a group with others learning how to share from a young age whilst also encouraging social skills, fine and gross motor skills, in fact skills required in everyday life.

With traditional toys seeing an increase in their popularity we asked Liz Oxley of Hardenberg & Co, Sassy’s distributor, for her thoughts. “There’s been a surge in traditional toy sales that offer a sense of nostalgia and purposeful play features that aid the child’s development.

We’ve seen an increase in our Sassy toy sales and this lies parallel to the trends that can be seen within the toy category overall. General toy sales are on the up; particularly building sets (up by 12% year-on-year throughout 2015), which are a very traditional playtime activity for infants. This is great news for our new Sassy Sensory Building Blocks range which offer great value to the development of children when it comes to: fine motor skills, logic, mathematics, geometry, organisation and concentration.”

Traditional toys are here to stay; they generate huge appeal to parents and grandparents who wish to reminisce and share the fun toys they enjoyed playing with as a child to the next generation. Many have been given a modern twist giving some of the best loved toys a fashionable look too.

Sam Ireland, Operations Manager of Bigjigs comments: “For us traditional toys have done really well and continue to go from strength to strength. They have a unique selling point for retailers as they offer quality, longevity and nostalgia.”

Independent retailer Colin Pattison, the owner of Little Ducklings, told us: “Traditional toys are the mainstay of many independent toy retailers, being the exact opposite of the heavily promoted, over-priced, aggressively marked down plastic toys supplied by the major brands into the volume toy sector.”

So it would appear that these perform well at retail, we asked Liz her views. “Traditional toys can be played with in many ways,” she said. “They’re affordable without slacking on quality. A traditional good toy won’t present answers but pose challenges to solve. They should be attractive, colourful and hold valuable purpose in everything they do. They will be fun and suitable for all interests and overall be safe.”

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Toys in store can be a great footfall generator, as these are not only an item bought by parents, but give a great present opportunity and are often bought by friends and family. There are so many benefits to be gained from this particular category.

Traditional toys most definitely play a pivotal role.

“Toys can impact children’s behaviour in a variety of ways and it’s important to understand that play interest is greatly varied by culture, children and families. However, one traditional thought that passes through generations and has been tried and tested is that basic is best. There are toys that have been enjoyed for many years and can still be seen on shelves today. Having been around for more than 30 years Sassy really understand the importance of nostalgia amongst parents and how this can impact their own purchasing decisions,” stated Liz.

There’ s been a su rg e “ in

tr ad it ion al toy sa les th at offer a sen se of n osta lg ia an d pu rposeful p la y fe atu res th at ai d th e ch ild ’ s develop ment” Liz Oxley

And what about the materials used in the manufacturing process, how important are these?

Colin answers. “Wood is still very important in this sector, as to many customers it says quality. Mix this with trains as in the Brio and BigJigs range and you have certain winners.

“Equally Hape, Indigo Jam, and John Crane have extensive ranges of Infant and Toddler wooden products.

“There are of course good quality plastic suppliers as well, Galt owned Ambi have some clever preschool lines, and Wow is always popular.”

Sam agrees: “The trend over the past five to eight years that we have really noticed is that consumers are looking for quality, but at a sensible price. Wooden toys by their very nature are generally seen as a longer lasting, better quality product which has driven their success.”

Talking of trends, are we seeing anything specific emerging? Through their social media channels, Hardenberg have been monitoring this.

Liz told us: “When communicating with mums over social media and talking to our retailer customers we’re finding that parents are wanting bright and bold colours. It seems that parents are moving away from pastel toys that are gender specific. UK parents are excited to see vibrant and unique colours and patterns in the toys that they choose to buy for their child or as a gift. This trend can also be seen when it comes to nursery décor too, where parents are choosing bold colours to accentuate the nursery, again in colours that are non-gender specific such as bright yellows, limes and reds.”

Finally, we asked Colin if he has any advice he can proffer to fellow independent retailers? “As far as the nursery retailer is concerned, the main object of stocking a range of toys should be to extend their range and gain incremental sales, on top of the high profile items travel systems, car seats buggies etc, that the consumer expects to find.

“Nursery retailers tend to have more space than many Toy retailers therefore, how about traditional toys for outdoors now spring is here?

Not just slides and swings, but tents and tunnels which are popular for smaller gardens, balls with preschool characters, together with large scale versions of traditional games.”

Toys in this category which are developmentally appropriate will bring satisfaction and enjoyment and encourage repeat purchasing and free advertising via word of mouth. Why not get on board the toy express and reap the rewards alongside other retailers who are seeing first-hand and already experiencing the additional footfall this sector brings.

Cute & Cuddly Comforts

www.bigjigstoys.com 0 bigjigstoysltd 1 bigjigstoys

Tested for play and educational value

focus TRADITIONAL TOYS

aterials Responsibly sourced m

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g the cat gine or fire rescue re or rescuin re re en fi h the fi g n ti h fig sing the fi ds. Speed throug ncy Whether the emergency u a lo e e em rge ovable to with rem s and straight to th er or use the fire can race s e g ia rr dd y ca sign mb the la xterity and and hand el, past the road ble to cli a n de il n , a n v tu o a n ti a o re stati d this set. imagin s ghters a e fi g re ra to expan fi u o le o c b tw a n il E re a ! e v a h re fi w are le with fight the cessories compatib materials. re a s hydrant to n. Additional ac d n y bra rced atio sibly sou en railwa co-ordin ty, respon s and consists of jor wood a li a m u r q e h th Most o from hig standard ail. Made European safety t Bigjigs R n e s to curr Confor m ces. e play pie in thirty-n 50400

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om 03 2 gstoys.c Tel: 013 ww.bigji w : e it s Web

Quack qu ack!

Cudd ledry

It doesn’t get much more tr aditional at ba with a classic by bathtime th rubber duck. an fun And this chee Cuddledry is ky little one fr a true rubber om ducky made fr latex, which ha om 100% natu s been fully te ral sted and is sa hold and chew fe for little on . These ducks es to ar e and look cute soft, easy for in any bathro babies to hand om with their le, bestselling gift, polka dot desi beautifully pa gns. A ckaged in a ne ribbon handle at little box w an ith Tel: 01823 32 d a nice neat RRP too at just £7.99.

3363 Em

ail: trade@cu ddledry.com Web: www.cu ddledry.com

Pass the ball Tiny Love Discover Tiny Love’s enchanting and colourful, elephant-shaped ball and stacking game.

Easy-to-grasp, soft, stackable links and rings, as well as three colourful rattle balls that set off electronic lights and reward sounds, make this traditional toy a must-have for six to 24 month olds.

The Musical Stack & Ball Game stimulates baby’s cognition, fine motor skills, senses, imagination and creativity and includes play options for various ages and stages.

Tel: 020 8236 0707 Web: www.dorel.com

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Agent Required Organisation:

Malaika

Location: Salary:

All GB territories Commission only

Summary:

Malaika are launching throughout UK/Ire Italian child car seat manufacturer Kiwy, devoted to safety, innovation, Italian styling and elegance.

Please forward a CV

Closing date: Contact:

30/04/2016 info@malaikaeurope.com 07549 7548 61

Kes-Vir Incontinence Swimwear • The swimsuit has waterproof swim pants made from breathable PU coated polyester.

• Chlorine resistant and UVF 50+.

• The leg cuffs and waistband are adjustable with a pull of the elastic tape.

• Available in 6 sizes from age 3 to 14.

• Machine washable and quick drying.

Our range of swimwear includes: Boy’s Swim Trunks; Boy’s and Men’s Swim Wrap shorts; Girl’s Waterfall swimsuit; Men’s Swim shorts and Ladies sash swimsuit.

For more details: contact Daksha on 01189560295 or enquiries@kesvir.co.uk Visit our website: www.kesvir.co.uk’

! k c o l B e h t n o d i K w e N

PROFILE

good toy can be played with in many ways.

It’s affordable without slacking on quality.

A good toy won’t present answers but pose challenges to solve. They should be attractive, colourful and hold valuable purpose in everything they do.

The Sassy Silly Sensory Blocks Collection helps children learn to stack blocks with minimal frustration.

Bright colours, patterns, textures and adorable characters will stimulate your baby’s imagination and tactile development.

Beautifully designed to develop your baby’s senses, thinking skills, logic and also their motor skills. Children don’t have to be precise when stacking these blocks, they can easily learn to stack, build and tear down their block towers using the innovative Sassy Stay Trays.

These Stay Trays allow little ones to feel the satisfaction of building a tower, whether it is straight or wobbly, because the blocks will stay put in the trays until they are ready to be knocked down!

Let children explore and discover plenty of ways to have fun with the collectible Silly Sensory Blocks Collection. Gorgeous gifting for pre-schoolers and each set works in conjunction with one another; adding longevity and value to the toys.

A

See full Blocks and Gear range at www.hardenbergco.co.uk

nursery today

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focus RIDE WHEEL ONS GOODS

Ride on time We take a look at the Ride Ons category – what’s currently hot and driving this sector forward? e’ve all been witness to it, youngsters on their scooters merrily making their way to school, but the Ride Ons sector starts way before that.

With a multitude of opportunities, this category continues to be buoyant among parents, gift-givers and of course small children.

Balance bikes are definitely a continuing trend and are now a staple first bike product choice for many.

Simon Booth, the founder of Kiddimoto, has seen trends develop and understands why these are so popular at present. “Ride On toys are popular because they help boost large motor skills like balance in children and they even aid to develop strength to help with walking. Ride Ons get children moving during play time and gives them a love for physical activity at an early age.”

These could also be considered a traditional toy, as their original concept has been around for years. Judith Dayus, director of Great Gizmos feels that the traditional toy upswing is linked to the popularity of Ride Ons. “Ride Ons are recognised as being traditional toys, which consumers have fallen back in love with over recent years. Ride Ons tend to be sturdy products that last for years and can be handed down through the family. They provide unlimited play time and encourage children to explore role play.”

And about the benefits that retailers could expect by stocking these? “Due to the popularity of Ride On toys, they sell consistently well and by selling Ride On toys, stores will be promoting active play in children which is a great way for them to start a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Furthermore, many Ride Ons such as the Kiddimoto London Bus are attractive meaning it will help with the aesthetics of the store or website which will entice customers further,” commented Simon.

Retailer Victoria Lavery of JD Williams believed that the price point is a key benefit for shops stocking Ride Ons. “The most popular ones we have are licensed ones,” she told us. “Thomas the Tank Engine and Peppa Pig are very popular. We have a steady flow of sales.”

Judith also feels there are clear benefits by stocking these product instore. “Some retailers are often put off

by Ride On price points and also the space they take up in the shop. However the benefits far outweigh these setbacks. Our Ride Ons have always been incredibly popular, especially for birthdays and Christmas presents. Consumers are not put off by the price and love being able to see the product made up on the shop floor to really get a feel for the quality of the toy. We have many options available for retailers to help with display, such as stands and we also drop ship these items if requested to.”

W

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R ide O n s c ould a ls o b e c on s idere d a tr a d it i on a l toy, a s t h eir o rig in a l c on c ep t h a s b een a roun d fo r yea rs

As with many nursery product categories, this is no exception with innovation continuing to flow through. Simon takes the reigns and told Nursery Today that trends play a pivotal role in this category. “A trend that is really starting to take a strong foothold is the wooden Ride On toys with built-in storage. This enables a child to take their favourite toy along for the ride. Additionally, Ride Ons that replicate well known iconic vehicles such as emergency vehicles are also becoming very popular again.”

Victoria Lavery sees updating existing models as the major innovation. “We see a lot of sticking with old favourites and models being updated,” she said, “as new licences come along.”

So it would appear that while traditional Ride Ons are also at the forefront of innovation with new models and licences arriving on the scene regularly.

It’s a category that has the benefit of being fun for the child and also beneficial for their health, getting them exercise and into the fresh air — an all-round winner.

Ding! Ding! All aboard the Kiddimoto Bus. Based on the original London Bus, and crafted in traditional wood, the fabulous retro design is a Walker and Ride-On. Inside there is plenty of space for their favourite toys and passengers.

Hop on the Kiddimoto Bus, and let the adventures begin...

www.kiddimoto.co.uk +44 (0)1749 871175

nikki@kiddimoto.co.uk

focus RIDE ONS

Move n G row Chicco ut Zoom Abo t with Grea Gizmodalscars make for

The 360 Sit ’n’ Ride-On is ideal for d skills and fo eveloping m rms part of otor co-ord Chicco’s po Swivel whee in pular Move ls ensure to ’n Grow ran ation tal freedom lots of fun fo ge. o f movemen r mobile littl t and guaran e ones. The Push ’n Go tees 360 can be thanks to a used as eith removable it extremely er a handle or a versatile. T Sit ’n’ Ride, here is also seat for toys making a useful sto or drinks an ra ge area und Web: www d sn ac ks. .chicco.co er the .uk

pe Ride Ons and play and or or outdoor do in al on iti ad tr s allow little ’ latest model Great Gizmos zoom age of one to ones from the ction about. dal Cars colle The Classic Pe itional ad tr of vintage to d an brings a touch es di bo o-designed play with retr g bi as ch iling su authentic deta ned seats. padded cushio d an s ht spotlig n and ee ble in red, gr Already availa w ne a s ha nge now yellow, the ra Ride-on lst hi w nk pi r wde addition in po n the Ride O models such as Retro n Rocket and oo M the Aeroplane, to d ad d re d n an Racers in gree choice. classic vehicle 21 32 Tel: 01293 54 trade.co.uk gg w. w w : eb W

All Aboard the Kiddimoto Bus bus is de on toy, the walker and ri e th g, ticin bright and en e sure to captur is gn si de otr re om fr n io s attent your little one’ for is a must-have d an it e se ey th t en the mom every home.

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www.kiddim

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Feature BRITAX

The new all-in-one pushchair from B-READY is all sets to hit the nursery shops in June!

T

he B-READY is a new travel system offer from Britax launching in the UK in June 2016. The long-awaited model is welcomed by the nursery trade as it offers total flexibility for families with one child, siblings or twins.

This all-in-one stylish model comes in a high-end finish, and allows for both rearward and forward facing seating that parents can choose, e, thus encouraging bonding and exploring for the child.

The new B-READY comes with integrated click and go receivers for use with Britax carrycot and infant carriers, making the pushchair travel system ystem ready right from the beginning and suitable from birth. When the baby is six months old, parents can switch to the seating unit with a choice of rearward and forward facing. And as the family keeps growing, there is the option to buy additional accessories to accommodate two children. This makes B-READY the perfect choice for families

who are planning to grow as the pushchair can simply be converted from being a single pushchair to an in-line tandem travel system.

High comfort is built into this travel system offering. The height-adjustable handle allows parents to change the setting that’s most comfortable to their own height so they can stroll without back and shoulder strain. Equally str q y the multi-position recline and the adjustable footrest make a comfortable ride for co little ones whilst the central suspension aand lockable swivel front wheels ensure fro the B-READY cruises smoothly and reliably. smo The large hood of B-READY comes the B with a sun visor for the child and a viewing wind window for the parent.

UPF 50+ sun The U protection of the hood is a highly sought after feature by parents, making the B-READY not only comfortable and practicable, but also safer.

Practicality is also well thought through.

The B-READY can be folded with both the main seat and second seat in forward facing position, which is a life saver for the busy parent on the go.

Wheels also come with a quick-release feature that allows for their quick and easy removal to make the pushchair more compact for storage – ideal for cars with smaller boots.

Thanks to the puncture-free wheels, parents will also not get stranded during their outings due to a puncture.

The new B-READY from Britax comes in four colours – Cosmos Black, Flame Red, Steel Grey, Mineral Purple, and with a suite of matching accessories.

“W ey e - c a t c h iit h fou r ng on o ffer, tc o lou r s c o m b in a t i h e p r a c t i c a lly on s a re en d les s . ”

Tota l flexibility

For more information on this upcoming product, you can visit Britax’s website at www.britax.co.uk

Product specifi cation

Weight – com plete pushch air 13kg Weight – chas sis and whee ls 9kg Dimensions – pushchair fold ed (with seat H 35cm x W unit and whee 61cm x D 97 ls) cm Dimensions – chassis folded (with wheels) x D 86cm H 33cm x W 61cm Dimensions – pushchair un fo lded with heig handle ht adjustable H 89-115cm x W 61cm x D 98cm Maximum we ight capacity – child in mai Maximum we n seat 17kg ight capacity – child in seco Maximum we nd seat 17kg ight capacity – shopping ba Maximum we sket 7kg ight capacity backrest pock et 1kg

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social media ROSS HEWITT

Spring into lights, Camera, action So, quarter one of 2016 is already a fading memory… Harrogate has been and gone (I had a blast by the way, looking forward to next year already) and spring has truly sprung.

H

Ab out Ro ss He witt Ro ss He witt, M ana gin g Di rec tor of Sec ret Pie and aut hor of ‘Savvy Soc ial M edi a’.

Ro ss, beg an his dig ital ma rketin g career in 19 98 and had his first for ay into the nur sery industry as He ad of M arketin g & Eco mmerc e for Silver Cro ss in 20 08 . He set up Sec ret Pie in 20 10 and has been help ing clients get found and love d onl ine ever sin ce. ww w.secretp ie.c o.uk Ro ss@ sec retp ie.c o.uk 019 04 410 02 7 wit T ter : @R oss _H ew itt

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opefully by now you are enjoying a life of calm and controlled marketing as your content schedules and plans are being followed.

Digital marketing is so much easier with a plan and if you have followed my advice in recent months then you will have started to schedule your email star newsletters and social media new posts pos and everything is tickety-boo. tick So let’s up the ante a bit… where whe are you with your video marketing? mar 2015 was widely labelled as the year yea of the video.

If you spend too much time on Facebook, then you might have Fac noticed through last year that your not friends stopped sharing so many frie pictures of their cats and cakes and pict just began sharing videos.

In April 2015 stats were revealed that showed that Facebook was playing play host to a staggering four billion video views every day. bill

By October, that figure had doubled and more than billion videos were being watched every day on that one social media platform.

Throw YouTube and Vimeo into the mix as well as Instagram launching video capabilities too and it is becoming

e t h at r e h w e m o s Fil m et i s w e ll lit .ileG, even p eop le to lis m it j ust a ttle b clear that the moving picture is moving marketing pitches onto a whole new playing field and you need to start setting your video stall up if you haven’t considered creating them already.

Video is the king of content and with mobile devices what they are today making them is easily within the grasp of any retailer or brand.

But before you start buying tripods and make up and one of those fabric director’s chairs you need to set your strategy.

This goes back to understanding your customers and your audience and having genuine insight into who you want to attract.

Maybe it is a forty-second video that shows how to properly fold that pushchair, and you know that it solves a problem for many because you always get asked about it on your Facebook page.

Perhaps, for retailers, a member of staff giving a detailed demonstration of a product is a new way to get your store found and loved online.

But making one video is not a strategy, and neither will it get you found or sought after.

You need to be consistent and you need to start as you mean to go on.

At least one video a month for the next four to six months is realistic and

will give you a great “test & learn” environment to gauge whether video is something that can move your marketing and audience engagement up a few notches.

Ideas for content will come a lot easier than you might imagine if you give it a little bit of thought.

How about customer video testimonials?

Can you tempt someone who can clearly string a sentence together to get in front of the camera and big you up?

Are you going to an event that warrants a bit of film time that you can share…

Harrogate was a great example, but maybe next month’s NEC Baby Show is a good opportunity.

Maybe a video interview with someone we don’t normally hear from… a product designer for example, or a midwife or health visitor?

When you have a brainstormed list of videos then separate the wheat from chaff and put the final list into a calendar and give yourself plenty of time to get them filmed and finished.

And onto the videos themselves.

You need to make them as polished as possible.

We’re not talking Hollywood standard, but one example is if someone is talking on the video then the viewer needs to actually be able to hear them! They may look great, they make be extremely articulate but if your viewer cannot hear them, then it is pointless.

Buy a tripod, it makes for a much better video than a tired arm shaky-cam effect.

Film somewhere that is well lit.

Get people to smile, even just a little bit.

Aim to grab the viewer’s attention in the first five to ten seconds as that is crucial to keeping them watching and make sure you have a very clear and obvious call to action at the end of the video.

Don’t leave people hanging.

BABY CARE INDUSTRY STRATEGIC MAP Do you want to be visible on foreign markets?

We recommend those with whom you can ;!ยฃ0 #<9-2'99W '; -2 ;3<$, >-;, ;,' 8'68'9'2;!เฆง ='9 of the best trade magazines.

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NETHERLANDS BABYWERELD T { เขฐ รฃ S PA I N P U E R I C U LT U R A M A R K E T SWEDEN LEK & BABYREVYN

BCMI President Marek Jankowski tel.: +48 71 733 65 78, bcmi@branzadziecieca.pl www.babycaremagazines.com

focus DRESS WHEEL UP GOODS

Funky fashions This issue we take a look at the world of baby and toddler dress up — are we seeing a growth in the popularity of this category? ancy dress is always extremely popular among adults, with parties often having a dressing up element thrown in for good measure and fun.

This doesn’t stop with adults. Many parents are now taking to the trend to filter this through into their offspring from a young age, whether it be a cute rabbit baby grow or a more adventurous outfit.

As soon as babies turn to toddlers, the fancy dress category starts to really shift. What little girl doesn’t want to be a fairy, or little boy a superhero?

Manufacturers and suppliers are now more on board with outfits being available from as young as three months.

Independent retailer Kiddymania knows that this sector is all about the quality of the fabrics used to really drive customers to their door. Proprietor Judith Blackford told us: “There are very few good quality baby and fancy dress in the market today and we tend to find that the quality of the fancy dress drives customers to the website.”

Harrison Palmer, the Sales & Marketing Director at Pretend to Bee, knows this to be true and ensures that the quality of their items reflect quality together with functionality. “Our baby dress up items really stand out because of their high quality. Consumers are attracted to the high quality and functionality as well as the character. They know that by buying a Pretend to Bee costume they can be assured that the product will be hard-wearing and provide lots of fun too.”

What about current demand, has there been a notable increase for baby dress up products? Harrison gave us his views. “Most definitely. Parents love to get their child involved in any occasion and dress up goes

F

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hand in hand with that. Pretend to Bee has such a wide array of costumes for little ones that any occasion is a dress up opportunity.”

We asked Harrison what he thinks is currently the driving force behind this. “In the UK, there is an increasing number of dress up opportunities added to the traditional occasions such as

Parents lo ve to “ get

t h ei r c h ild ren in vo lved in any oc ca si on an d d ress up go es h an d in h an d w it h t h at ”

Harrison Palmer Pretend to Bee

Halloween and Christmas. World Book Day, Roald Dahl costumes and nursery curricular initiatives all drive demand for our generic role play dress up lines.”

Charlotte Cox, a marketing executive at Amscan stated. “Potentially the increase in popularity of dressing up for events are at key

times of the year, such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter; where parents may want to dress up their little one for the occasion.”

Are we experiencing any specific consumer trends at present? Judith feels that there are definite trends. “We find that the market for baby fairies and animal costumes are trending at the moment, and surprisingly cowboys and pirates demand appears to be dropping. The demand for the premium young age range is growing and has been for a few years. People are tending to move away from the cheaper end of the market which may be due to the poor publicity these products have had in recent times.

“We steer away from licences apart from Disney which will always be popular but are still on a lower demand than the pretty princess range.

This may be to the versatility of the costumes and could be doubled up as a smart or party outfit.

The other major trend comes with World Book Day and that appears to be increasing year on year.”

And what about benefits, what can retailers expect when stocking these? Dena Pearce, the Head of Sales & Marketing at Travis Designs told us that you can expect “an increase of sales in the gifting category along with impulse buys as these products are so cute and appealing. The gifting market is a growth area, with the new development being great quality on costumes that really appeal to the consumer.”

It looks like baby and toddler dress up is on trend and will see a growth — have you got it covered?

focus DRESS UP

Let’s pretend

children of all ages.

Pretend to Bee are renowned for creating high-quality dress up lines for dress up for every have they genres, all across lers preschoo and babies for s With costume the first port of call are they so occasion. The company’s roots are in traditional dress up and ss every role encompa designs modern The items. for parents wanting to find generic role play s costume the are only Not doctors. and police nurses, ghters, play possibility including firefi extend the to ies accessor plush with available also are they realistic and wholly authentic imaginative play possibilities even further. the UK and their Pretend to Bee supplied to the three largest educational distributors in the education of brand trusted the become they as Europe ut presence is growing througho standards safety toy to adhere , washable machine are s costume Bee to Pretend sector. All ent. and are robust enough to withstand the vigour of a nursery environm Tel: 0115 921 5690 Web: www.pretendtobee.com

E n c o mppalas yses ro le

Extended range Amscan has extended their costume collection this year to include some adorable new animal options for tiny tots! Little party animals will love the cosy new outfits ideal for any fancy dress occasion. The new additions to the collection of creatures include; Jumpin’ Joey (complete with a cute kangaroo toy), Little Roar, Monster Mash, Playful Pup, Precious Panda and Tiny Tiger. Each of the new styles are available in ages nought to six months, six to twelve months and 12-24 months.

Web: www.amscan.co.uk

Feeling a little plush Travis Designs These cute Finding Nemo — Disney Baby tabards are now available from stock. They are made from soft plush and are lined for comfort with an easy popper opening.

The feature hat and fin detail are very cute.

Sizes from three to six months, six to twelve months, twlve to eighteen months and 18 months to two years. These new tabards are part of a lovely collections of baby char acter outfits including the Classic Princesses, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey and Minnie and other popular characters. All available from stock.

Ema

il: costumes@travis.co.uk Web: www.travis.co.uk

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Growing your business

nursery today

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st. s a re ve a d ha goo k, we ’s a is as r e a P g han ton l. It y a c t Staver krup Hal just off a s y a rs The Puc situated he M5. t 9 yea e Hilton r e t f club es from st tee A th e h o t t t u h d e1 n it move ourse w a few mi ext to th sing the n u t tc grea 8 and jus ted right ed direct 6200 a 3 k 9 u the A tel is sit n be boo 01684 2 % will be o e 0 a 1 n H c r The oms lepho lable less he fee fo o e r T d – i n t a a 0 1 v p do a e B off e to NAS est rate ed to ke v a G h e ou ag ow cod the l ave man 5, so all y e r e eh wh £9 ed. W ltered at n to us. r e f f a o retur ay un the d plete and m is co

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E A Y R S 8 1 Puckrup Hall Nr Teswkesbury, Glos .

AN EARLY REMINDER We want more of you to enjoy a brilliant day’s golf next year at Puckrup.

Quite frankly, trade support for what is the only trade golf day now on the calendar has been pretty pathetic. I appreciate that business is tough and we all have to work hard, but

COME ON! Just one day in your diary out of 365 for a sport you enjoy playing can surely be managed?

Either give me a call on 01442 289930 or email malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk for full details

Malcolm Bubba Naish

retail TECHNOLOGY

User Reviews — Virtual Gossip or Goldmine It’s funny how no matter what direction technology pushes us in, people always default to what they know works.

I David Fairhurst Head of Creative Online Marketing - Intelligent Retail

f yo u ’re a b r i c k s a n d m o r t a r nu r s e r y re t a i l e r a n d yo u ’ve b e e n t r a d i n g fo r m a ny ye a r s, yo u w i l l p ro b a bl y re m e m b e r a t i m e b e fo re a l l t h i s i n t e r n e t m a l a rk ey wh e n wo rd o f m o u t h w a s t h e k ey t o g e t t i n g s a l e s.

Pe o p l e wo u l d t r ave l f ro m m i l e s a ro u n d t o t a l k t o yo u a b o u t p u s h ch a i r s a n d p r a m s a n d e a ch c o nve r s at i o n w i t h a p ro s p e c t i ve c u s t o m e r wo u l d s t a r t o u t “ M y f r i e n d ( i n s e r t n a m e h e re ) t o l d m e t o c o m e a n d s e e yo u ! ” B e l i eve i t o r n o t , t h i n g s i n 2 0 1 6 a re t h e s a m e … bu t m ay b e n o t i n a w ay yo u m ay i m m e d i at e l y re c o g n i s e.

t h e wh o l e o f E a r t h a n d i t s s i x b i l l i o n i n h a b i t a n t s.

Fo r e C o m m e rc e t r a d e r s, t h i s m e a n s yo u r rev i e w s c a n c o m e f ro m wh e reve r yo u s h i p t o, bu t eve n i f yo u d o n’t r u n a n e C o m m e rc e we b s i t e fo r yo u r bu s i n e s s a n d yo u t r a d e s t r i c t l y o f f l i n e, rev i e w s a re s t i l l ava i l a bl e a b o u t yo u r bu s i n e s s, b e c a u s e a ny b o dy wh o h a s ex p e r i e n c e o f yo u r s h o p c a n l e ave a rev i e w o n l i n e. Yo u h ave t h e wo rl d ’s at t e n t i o n . W h at yo u d o w i t h t h at at t e n t i o n i s re a l l y d ow n t o yo u a n d yo u r bu s i n e s s g o a l s.

We b r e v i e w s

T h e re a re t wo d i f f e re n t t y p e s o f rev i e w s y s t e m s ava i l a bl e o n l i n e. T h e s e a re g e n e r a l l y k n ow n a s O p e n Rev i e w s a n d

I f yo u ’ve eve r u s e d a G o o g l e s e a rch e n g i n e t h e n yo u w i l l b e f a m i l i a r w i t h u s e r rev i e w s. Yo u m i g h t n o t k n ow i t , bu t eve r y t i m e yo u d o a s e a rch a n d g e t re s u l t s f ro m G o o g l e, yo u ’re b e i n g ex p o s e d t o t h e rev i e w phenomenon.

Why are reviews important?

We b rev i e w s a re j u s t l i k e g o o d , o l d - f a s h i o n e d wo rd o f m o u t h , bu t a l l owe d o n a g l o b a l s c a l e.

T h i s m e a n s t h at wo rd o f m o u t h fo r yo u r l i t t l e c o r n e r shop is no longer confined to t h e g e o g r a p h i c a l a re a a ro u n d yo u r b r i c k s a n d m o r t a r s t o re wh e n i t c o m e s t o g e t t i n g rev i e w s o f yo u r p ro d u c t s a n d s e r v i c e s, yo u t r u l y d o h ave a c c e s s t o t h e eye s a n d e a r s o f

David Fairhurst Head of Creative Online Marketing Intelligent Retail www.intelligentretail.co.uk David has been involved with Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and web development since 1999 and has spoken at many different retail and SEO conferences including Spring Fair and SES London

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Open and closed reviews

Web reviews, aoreld just like good rd of fashioned wo owed mouth’,but allscale on a global C l o s e d Rev i e w s, bu t t h e re a re o t h e r n a m e s s u ch a s U s e r G e n e r at e d a n d P r i vat e Rev i e w s fo r e a ch o f t h e s e t y p e s o f s y s t e m s, s o wh at ’s t h e d i f f e rence?

• O p e n Rev i e w s – t h e s e a re rev i e w s y s t e m s h o s t e d o n a s e r ve r o u t t h e re s o m e wh e re o n t h e Wo rl d Wi d e We b.

A nyo n e c a n re g i s t e r a n d p o s t o n t h e s e rev i e w s y s t e m s. T h i s m e a n s t h at yo u r c u s t o m e r s, s t a f f, ex - e m p l oye e s a n d competitors can all put a rev i e w u p a b o u t yo u r bu s i n e s s. O p e n rev i e w s s o m e t i m e s a l l ow re s p o n s e s t o

rev i e w s ( m o s t re p u t a bl e rev i e w s y s t e m s d o t h i s ) a n d s o m e t i m e s yo u c a n d i s p u t e a rev i e w a n d g e t i t re m ove d .

S o m e o f t h e b e t t e r o n e s ( l i k e, fo r i n s t a n c e, Tr u s t p i l o t ) a l s o a l l ow ve r i f i c at i o n o f p u rch a s e, s o t h at c o m p e t i t o r s c a n’t p u t u p a b a d rev i e w ( w i t h o u t bu y i n g s o m e t h i n g f ro m yo u r s t o re ) . O p e n rev i e w s h ave t h e a d va n t a g e t h at t h ey a re m o re b e l i ev a bl e. T h e s e a re t h i rd - p a r t y rev i e w s s o p e o p l e k n ow t h at t h e re t a i l e r h a s n o c o n t ro l ove r t h e rev i e w, t h e re fo re a nyo n e re a d i n g t h e rev i e w w i l l b e m o re l i k e l y t o b e l i eve t h e rev i e w. T h e d i s a d va n t a g e fo r t h e re t a i l e r, o f c o u r s e, i s t h at yo u h ave n o c o n t ro l ove r wh at i s s a i d .

• C l o s e d Rev i e w s – t h e s e a re u n d e r yo u r c o n t ro l , s o we b s i t e u s e r s c a n p u t a rev i e w u p a b o u t yo u r p ro d u c t s, bu s i n e s s o r s e r v i c e s bu t yo u h ave t h e o p t i o n t o e i t h e r p u bl i s h t h i s rev i e w o r n o t .

T h i s g i ve s yo u t o t a l c o n t ro l a n d i s s e e n by m a ny a s b e i n g t h e s a f e o p t i o n , h owever c o nve r s e l y t o o p e n rev i e w s we b s i t e a n d G o o g l e u s e r s a re l e s s l i k e l y t o b e l i eve t h e rev i e w.

B o t h t y p e s o f rev i e w s y s t e m s s h o u l d g i ve yo u r we b s i t e a s t a r r at i n g i f t h ey h ave b e e n d e s i g n e d p ro p e rl y.

This means those stars will a p p e a r i n s e a rch re s u l t s.

Why star ratings matter

T h e c ove t e d f i ve - s t a r r at i n g i n s e a rch re s u l t s i s n’t j u s t a v i s u a l c l u e t o exc e l l e n c e fo r a p ro d u c t , bu s i n e s s o r s e r v i c e, i t ’s a l s o u s e d t o r a n k we b s i t e s i n s e a rch re s u l t s. G o o g l e a n d o t h e r s e a rch e n g i n e s u s e t h e rev i e w d at a i n t h e i r ow n a l g o r i t h m s wh i ch f i g u re o u t t h e p a g e re s u l t s t o s h ow fo r

made in the uk

INCLUDING

LBP LOVEDBYPARENTS

WINNER Best Baby Accessory

2014 2014

2014 lovedbyparents.com

a rs t s e h t n i l Al

users â&#x20AC;&#x201D; generally higher star r at i n g s f ro m rev i e w s w i l l p u s h a p a r t i c u l a r we b p a g e u p i n t h e re s u l t s, l owe r s t a r r at i n g s w i l l d o t h e o p p o s i t e.

We b p a g e s w i t h m o re rev i e w s w i l l a l s o w i n o u t ove r p a g e s w i t h l e s s rev i e w s a n d i f yo u l o o k at t h e d at a o n t h o s e we b s i t e s wh i ch t e n d t o s h ow p a g e s at t h e t o p o f s e a rch re s u l t s yo u w i l l s e e t h at t h e s e we b s i t e s h ave m a ny g o o d rev i e w s f ro m a b ro a d r a n g e o f ve r i f i e d p u rch a s e r s.

S o s t a r r at i n g s f ro m rev i e w s

m at t e r fo r r a n k i n g i n s e a rch re s u l t s, bu t t h e re a re o t h e r b e n e f i t s.

S e e i n g a 5 * r at i n g i n a s e a rch re s u l t a l s o m e a n s p e o p l e a re mu ch m o re l i k e l y t o c l i c k o n t h at re s u l t , wh i ch m e a n s h i g h e r t r a f f i c fo r t h at we b s i t e, wh i ch g e n e r a l l y ( i f t h e l a n d i n g p a g e at t a ch e d t o t h at re s u l t i n G o o g l e i s o p t i m i s e d c o r re c t l y ) w i l l re s u l t i n m o re s a l e s.

To p q u a l i t y rev i e w s t h e re fo re h e l p c o nve r s i o n s a n d m a k e yo u m o re m o n ey. nursery today

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tri c e m o e g c i D y n a mf a b ri c s

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Block it like you own it Dorel With fresh combinations of fashionable and dynamic geometric shapes in solid colours, Quinny has transformed their Moodd and Buzz Xtra pushchairs into the ultimate new fashion finds for 2016. Introducing Bold Block! For anyone with an eye for design, the Moodd in Reworked Grey is the obvious choice. This city-smart pushchair still offers the same adaptability, sophistication and style, but with a new bold and edgy design that is set to rock the streets. The Buzz Xtra is Quinny’s bold explorer. Thanks to the foam-filled, all-terrain tyres, this bold explorer will go the extra mile and take on any terrain. Whether it is on sandy foot paths or the muddy tracks of the forest, The Buzz Xtra is ready to break city boundaries.

Tel: 020 8236 0707 Web: www.dorel.com

Developmental fun Dorel — Tiny Love Suitable from birth to 12 months, the Gymini Kick & Play, in the new City Safari design, is the perfect choice for stimulating development of a baby’s gross motor skills and senses. The extra-large mat with adjustable arches and foldable borders offers baby seven fun activities including a dual-position Kick & Play light and music pad, rattling toys, wind chimes as well as a mirror for encouraging tummy time and independent head lifting.

Tel: 020 8236 0707 Web: www.dorel.com

Cuddledry shades of grey to demand from

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G RA N D c a se a t i s a r g re a t i de a !

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The new Grand from Jané Grand from Jané is an evolutionary car seat for Groups 1, 2 and 3. And that means it is designed to protect babies from 9 kg up to 36 kg. Or in other words, from about nine months up to ten years. That’s ten years without changing your car seat.

The design means that for the first few months the baby uses the fitted seat belt of the device (Group 1). Then, as the child grows, they can use the car seat belt, adjusting the height of the headrest to suit each child perfectly because life is one long journey, and Grand will always be there.

Ah, and talking of journeys, to offer the maximum comfort possible on any trip, Grand is also a reclining seat.

As always, at Jané we have taken safety issues very seriously. That’s why the Grand has been designed already in line with the future i-Size regulations, thereby complying with the strictest European safety standards. Among its numerous safety measures, it is also fitted with the Isofix system to anchor it to the vehicle correctly, and with the Top-Tether anti-rotation system.

Tel: 02890 849045 Web: www.johnstonprams.co.uk

The Disney M onsters Inc ra nge from Oba was first anno by has been ga unced and, w ith the first lin in be even more es now fully av ing attention since it popular than ailable, they’r anticipated. T bassinette trav e proving to he latest addi el cot and high tions to the ra ch design that co nge are a ordinates with air, which both feature th e same little m the rest of th stroller, luxuri on e range. With ous twin, cosy a versatile from sters carrycot, thre stylish travel e groups of ul birth accessories av tra-safe car se ailable, the D everything co ats and isney Monster vered. s Inc range fr Tel: 01652 om Obaby ha 641491 s Web : www.obaby .co.uk

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The brand that parents trust www.clippasafe.co.uk

nursery today

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BPA notice board More export opportunities for 2016

Robert Anslow M anaging Director

Busy show for the BPA he BPA team returned from a busy and productive Harrogate International Nursery Fair, where it staged its annual industry awards, informative seminar programme and took the opportunity to meet and network with members.

Julie James, the membership and technical services manager, explains: “Harrogate is the most important event of the year for the BPA. Now we no longer have our own trade show, it provides an important platform for BPA initiatives and we are grateful to Harrogate International Nursery Fair organisers for allowing us to have such a prominent presence at their event.”

The winners of the BPA’s 2016 Concept & Innovation Awards were announced as Mohammed and Akbar Dedat in the Concept category for Baby Throne – a bathing aid for showering babies in homes where no bath is available: and Lesley Cartwright Taylor in the Innovation category for KiddieRail – a child sized, height-adjustable hand rail for adult stair cases to make ascending and descending safe for young children.

The judges commented that Baby Throne would be particularly popular in countries where traditional baths are rarely fitted into bathrooms these days; and that KiddieRail was a true innovation with nothing else like it in the industry and addressing a real market need.

The Concept & Innovation Awards were sponsored by law firm 3volution and both winners will receive £750 each of legal advice to help launch their products to market.

The two runners up were also highly commended by judges and received a lot of attention from retailers and buyers attending the show. These were Peter and Victoria Seagrim with Milk Monster, a baby bottle safety accessory; and Matt Dyson, Matt Sparrow and Nick Webb with Rockit a soothing pushchair or crib accessory.

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Many exhibitors at Harrogate this year took advantage of the UKTI opportunity to meet almost 40 Chinese buyers at the show. In response to the relaxed one-child policy in China, a baby boom is expected in the next few years with particular demand for European products. Many exhibitors began negotiations with these buyers and can continue the dialogue and seek new opportunities by joining the BPA’s UK Pavilion at CBME Shanghai in July.

2016 will be the sixteenth Shanghai Children Baby Maternity Products Expo and is the world’s largest business to business sourcing event for baby, child and maternity products. The exhibition boasts 223,305 sq m with more than 3,000 brands from 2,250 exhibiting companies and includes international pavilions from Australia, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan and the United States.

Booths in the UK Pavilion at CBME which takes place from 20 to 22 July 2016 are selling fast and there are also a limited number of UKTI grants available for companies wishing to participate.

Full information and application forms for the show and also grants can be downloaded from the BPA website at www.thebpa.eu

Best of the BANTAs Without doubt, the BPA’s annual Baby and Nursery Trade Awards (BANTAs), which are open only to companies exhibiting at Harrogate, add an element of anticipation and excitement to the show. These awards not only give recognition of quality and excellence from industry experts but provide important endorsement to retailers and buyers seeking the best must have products at the show which are likely to do well in stores.

The winners of the BANTAs were announced at an Awards Dinner and Party Night, which took place at the Majestic Hotel on the first night with the Best New Product of 2016 awarded to BabyStyle for the Hybrid Edge, a funky looking single pushchair which converts into a tandem stroller for two children. The Highly Commended entry for Best New Product was Taf Toys Musical Boat Cot Toy. The other winners and highly commended entries are below.

SLE EP AC CE SSO RIE S den berg &C o WI NN ER : Duux Nig ht Ligh t — Har st Friend HIG HLY CO M ME ND ED : My Fir st Sleepin g Bag — Natures Pure AN GIN G FE ED ING , CLEAN ING AN D CHsi UK Ltd Lap — City ovo a icun WI NN ER : M ake — HIG HLY CO M ME ND ED : Twistsh AB eden Twistsh ake of Sw TOYS 5in 1 — Greenover Spo rts ber Glob : ER WI NN lo” Tum my HIG HLY CO M ME ND ED : “Sa y Hel Nu rsery st Coa t Eas — Time Discover Toy IN HO ME b WI NN ER : Bre ath able Bed side Cri

Grants available for Kind und Jugend The BPA confirms that a small number of grants are available for companies exhibiting at Kind und Jugend in Cologne in September, but these will be allocated strictly on a first-come first-served basis, so anyone hoping to be considered should return their application forms as soon as possible.

Once again, the BPA will be hosting its hugely successful UK Pavilion at the show, covering a staggering 2,500 square metres in Hall 11.1. Last year more than 60 British companies participated and all reported a hugely successful event with almost 2,900 leads taken collectively, valued at an estimated £4,427,000.

Full information about joining the UK Pavilion at Kind und Jugend (which takes place from 15 to 18 September 2016), plus applications forms and grant applications forms can be downloaded from the BPA website at www.thebpa.eu

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www.thebpa.eu

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