Interview RED KITE
Push Me Tandem 2005
Lets Fly a Kite Playgym 2008
Red Kite t As an established nursery brand, Nursery Today caught up with Debra Tucker, one of the original founders of Red Kite as they celebrate their 20th anniversary to discuss challenges, successes, innovation and trends over the years that the business has experienced. Red Kite Baby is celebrating 20 years of innovation in nursery products. Can you take us back to the beginning? What was your very first product range? Red Kite started with a very basic small range of only 8 lines. But as the original key team all had previous experience in the nursery trade, we quickly built on the early success and luckily already had many loyal contacts and customers happy to have faith in our new brand and company. We still have the same core sub ranges that we introduced 20 years ago as an example, Feed Me, Push Me, etc.
Over the years, how have you seen the landscape of the nursery product sector evolve, and what do you think have been the most significant changes?
Push Me Stroller 2005
I think the growth of online and different platforms including social media means that both selling and marketing has changed considerably over the years. Whilst I firmly believe nothing can substitute experience and advice from a dedicated sales person in a retail store, the fact is that young people are constantly on phones and online and have very different attitudes to purchasing products these days.
Consumer preferences and trends change rapidly. How has Red Kite Baby kept up with these shifts to ensure your products remain relevant? It is sometimes unbelievable how fast trends can come and go and that can often be a challenge when you are having to look ahead and forecast demands and trends! Nursery can be very fashion led so looking at colour trends on cat walks and online gives an indication of what is in and out! Also, home styling is key for interior colour themes as parents more often
Feed Me 100 2005 32
want complementary colours to match their homes these days. I personally had a dark brown pram for my eldest son over 40 years ago and browns and earth colours are everywhere again now. Often these things come back around! Trade shows both home and abroad also help showcase innovation in products so these also are a key factor in looking ahead.
It is sometimes unbelievable how fast trends can come and go and that can often be a challenge when you are having to look ahead and forecast demands and trends! Nursery can be very fashion led so looking at colour trends on cat walks and online gives an indication of what is in and out! Looking back, what would you say has been the biggest challenge Red Kite Baby has faced during its 20 years in business? We have grown very steadily over the past 20 years despite many challenges such as Brexit and the pandemic which when working closely with partners in the Far East daily gives many frustrations. Outside factors beyond your control can present challenges that can be difficult to work with, but we have dealt and strengthened during these periods by being honest and transparent with our team and customers.
Harrogate Nursery Fair 2006
nursery today
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14/03/2025 18:47