focus HARROGATE
Heading for Harrogate The industry is set to come together as the doors to the Harrogate International Nursery Fair are soon to open.
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ften referred to as the ‘friendly fair’ Harrogate is an event not to be missed this year. This is your only nursery trade event in the UK and offers a great opportunity for you to see many key suppliers all under one roof. By attending you will be among the first to spot new trends, experience new product launches and meet innovative new companies entering the market. Momentum for this year’s event has continued to build with many major brands having made the decision to return, together with a selection of new exhibitors promising exciting fresh product launches for the coming year. The show this year is one that you shouldn’t miss. So far there are a number of new or returning companies (following an absence) booked to exhibit, for example, Recaro, Chicco, Cheeky Rascals, Ergobaby, Cybex and Johnston Prams & Buggies. These coupled with many more who have continually shown their support to the show, will ensure that visitors will have plenty of great ranges to choose from. Of course this is great news for the show - you wanted brand names and this year that’s exactly what you have. The show has firm supporters, who have continually supported the event and seen the benefits of exhibiting, for example BabyStyle, UPPAbaby, Venicci, Joie, Nuna, Hauck, Obaby, Slumberland, Shnuggle, Little Chick, Peg Perego, Roma Prams, Red Kite Baby, Bebecar and Diono. As an industry we can be extremely fixated on ‘brands’ and of course there are many reasons for this as consumers are brand focussed. However, every brand starts as a fledgling company and we have seen over the years how they grow and develop. Harrogate is a great opportunity for you to meet these smaller fledgling exhibitors and view their ranges. Independent Retailer, Whites Farm Baby Barn will be visiting again this year. We asked the owner, Sara Hubbard why this is a must attend event in their show calendar? “Harrogate used to be the main trade fair for us to visit - of course after it dwindled in size and everyone went to Cologne we had to shift our priorities to where the brands we stock were going. However - with bigger brands returning to the show this year we can’t wait to see what’s in store.” Exhibitors view Harrogate as an important trade event and many have always been strong supporters of the show. We asked BabyStyle’s Managing Director, Andy Crane, why they choose this as a key event in their yearly exhibition diary. “Harrogate
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happens when the year begins to start to hit its pace and it also comes at a date when we have had plenty of time to respond to the great feedback we get from our conversations with retailers in Cologne. “It is also the only 100% nursery focussed trade show in our own country and with so many independent retailers making the trip we could never begin to think of not attending, or even taking a year out. It is a vital show for our industry and it is vital that major brands attend and support and thank the independents for working so hard each year.” DCUK/UPPABaby are another exhibitor who have continued to show their support of the show, with this year representing their 11th year.
Harrogate so it’s key to delivering our business strategy and hitting our growth targets.” Remember, this year is also the year that the Harrogate Party returns! The night is sure to be a resounding success and provide the perfect way to wind down after a hard day networking in the show halls! Sponsored by some of the industry’s favourite nursery brands, the night promises to be an evening of entertainment in the Carriage Suite at the Majestic Hotel on Sunday 29th March, starting at 7.30pm, including free drinks and buffet until 10.30pm with music provided by a popular six piece live party band! For anyone in nursery retail, this is a not-to-bemissed event providing a one-stop-shop for everything for babies from pushchairs and car seats, to nursery furniture and sleep accessories to toys and gifts.
“ Harrogate is also the only 100% nursery focussed trade show in
our own country and with so many independent retailers making the trip we could never begin to think of not attending, or even taking a year out. It is a vital show for our industry and it is vital that major brands attend and support and thank the independents for working so hard each year ” Andy Crane, BabyStyle
“Harrogate Nursery Fair is the only UK trade show so we have always seen it as an unmissable event and a very important way to support the independent retailers.” Said their Director of Sales, Richard Bamforth. “We are celebrating our 10 year anniversary right now and this show will be the 11th one we have attended which hopefully demonstrates how valuable we see Harrogate as for our own business and for the industry as a whole.” Independent retailer, Jo Studholme of Pushchair Expert The Shop, told Nursery Today why the show is a highlight of their year. “The Harrogate Nursery Trade Show is one of the highlights of the year for us as a business - if we could take every member of staff we would. It is an opportunity to meet up with industry colleagues as well as see some of the best products currently available in the UK.” Online4Baby is another example of an independent retailer who wouldn’t miss attending as the event provides a great platform to build relationships with suppliers. “This is one of our key calendar dates to meet our suppliers, build new relationships and see what’s new to the market in terms of products, design and innovation.” Commented their Managing Director, Christy Foster. “We do a lot of our business for the year in
OPENING HOURS
Sunday 29th March - Monday 30th March 9:30am to 5:30pm Tuesday 31st March 9.30am to 4:00pm Web: www.nurseryfair.com
nursery today
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06/03/2020 14:21