nursery matters JOHN BARKER
Barking
Mad
john@pramland.co.uk
This month Pramland’s John Barker writes his article after travelling to events across Yorkshire and further abroad. Here he gives his overview of not only recent trips, but also how the industry is currently performing for independent retailers .
I
’ve started to notice a bit of a pattern around my articles. Every time I’m due to write one I’ve ever been to an event or I’m on my way to one, and this article doesn’t buck the trend. This evening I’m whizzing through the Yorkshire countryside on a train heading to Manchester Airport ready to fly out to Marbella for some sun and fun with the Maxi-Cosi team. I have zero idea what they’ll be revealing this year but I’m certainly looking forward to it. This lovely little trip comes off the back of my visit to the Bellfry with Silver Cross earlier in the week. This was my first Silver Cross event as I have only been a stockist for 5 months and made me feel so welcome I was humbled. I’d like to say a huge thank you to Nick and the team…the event was brilliant but completely overshadowed by the amazing newness you revealed to us. Silver Cross have without a single doubt knocked it out the park with their new travel system. Offering absolutely everything the customer wants at a price that is right on the money. . .. all wrapped up with a gorgeous Silver Cross badge on the side – this has the potential to be our 12
nursery today
new No 1 travel system in store! That’s not a statement I make lightly either. And from a commercial point of view the independent only exclusive promotion and enhanced margin all show they are certainly trying to turn the tide of recent (and sadly ongoing) pricing issues. The competition really will have to sit up and pay attention to this one when it’s officially revealed. Well done Silver Cross – It’s truly a fabulous time to start stocking this very popular brand. By the time you are reading this all your BabyStyle stands should be back filled with lovely Oyster4 goodness. Oyster has been such a staple of our industry for so many years now it’s been strange seeing a big hole in the display where it normally is. But it’s back now and hopefully us independents get behind it 100% and give it the sort that Andy and his team fully deserve. When it comes to supporting us little guys no one does it better than BabyStyle and we need to show them this appreciation with orders and more shop floor space. Don’t believe me? You just work out how much your other brands earn you per square meter and compare it to BabyStyle’s
By the time you are read ing this all your BabyStyle stands should be back filled with lovely Oyster 4 goodness. Oyster has been such a staple of our industry for so many years now it’s been strange seein g a big hole in the display where it normally is. But it’s back now and hopefully us independents get behind it 100% numbers - this may well make you think twice about giving more room to brands that don’t deserve your support as much. I have received some very good and positive feedback from many retailers both at events and via emails over the last few weeks relating to my last few articles. It would appear that my call for brands to address pricing is supported by many retailers (and some brands too!) and I remain confident that our voices will eventually be heard. The topic of costs was on lots of lips and many retailers voiced their concerns relating to rising employment costs and reductions in business rate support. Many felt that staff numbers may reduce and if so,
they wouldn’t be replaced until either business improved or margins allowed for further investment. A very valid point was raised that with any luck those retailers that offered excessive and frankly unsustainable discounts may feel the pinch in April and as a result reconsider their pricing. It’s a lovely thought and only time will tell if it comes to fruition. On the flipside of this coin is the opinion that rising costs could further increase their discounting to retain turnover – this however should prove fruitless and fingers crossed result in them eventually understanding that giving margin away does not result in good business. This got me to thinking, especially