6 minute read
Barking Mad
Harrogate International Nursery Fair is set to exceed expectations in 2021.
Barking Mad
This month Pramland’s John Barker take a quick look at stock issues, but what’s really on his mind is visiting the Harrogate Int. Nursery Fair - here he takes stock of the 2021 show!
Hello one and all, welcome to my little corner of Nursery Today. I trust the last month has been good for you all and you’re all looking forward to the final quarter and the inevitable boom that is new year. New Year! Are you crazy that’s months away and we have lots to look forward to before then. . . .like the return of trade shows!
Yes, October means we finally get to leave our stores and travel to a trade show, something none of us have done for a long, long time. More on the show later but first I thought I’d touch on the issues we are all experiencing with stock.
Stock delays are continuing, no news there. Stock issues are forecast to continue in 2022, no news there. However, the press are starting to mention on a regular basis the chaos being caused by a lack of HGV drivers and this is starting to have an impact on the attitudes of ours customers. Given the increased coverage in the media customers that take the time to keep up with the worlds events are now more aware of the issues being experienced.
OK, so the press are primarily focusing on the affects on the food industry but customers are far more appreciative that these issues extend to all goods. We have seen an increase in customers ordering early in order to avoid potential delays and in addition to this customers with items delayed are far more calm. It’s been a pleasant change not having customers tell us that it’s our fault their order is delayed by a week or two. I just hope that there’s no shortage of boxes of Christmas chocolates come December!
So back to Harrogate, literally! What’s not to love about Harrogate? It’s a super pretty little town and home to our very own UK nursery trade show. And what a show 2021 is set to be!
I’ve been in the industry for about 15 years now and I remember when I first started, my Dad used to visit Harrogate for the weekend, it warranted it. Lots of halls, rammed full of all the brands you’d hope to see. Cologne was always in the background but Harrogate was everyone’s “go to” show. Sadly, as brands started to leave the show and become more Cologne focused the Harrogate nursery show started to look a little flat. The weekend visits ended up as a day out and I even remember one year we spent a total of 4 hours in the halls! I may be wrong but I seem to think the show only Trade shows are brilliant for presenting new opportunities. It may be a brand you’ve been after for a while or something that just catches your eye. When you spend all day in your store it’s very easy to become blinkered, a trade show opens your eyes to the bigger picture and opens doors to new products and brands
consisted of 2 halls and many of the brands had vanished.
The last show in Harrogate, you’ll have to forgive me as I can’t recall if it was either 2018 or 19 (let’s be honest the past couple of years have been a slight blur) was a belter!
It felt different, there was more halls and those halls where FULL of brands. It felt like a corner had been turned and showed signs that the Harrogate nursery show was back on the map. Fast forward to 2021 and just look at what will be waiting for us in those hallowed halls. We have returning stalwarts like BabyStyle and Bebecar and so many more – Silver Cross, Venicci, Joie, Cosatto and iCandy. Then we have brands that I haven’t seen in Harrogate for years like Cybex and Dorel – and there’s even brands that have never shown like Mamas & Papas! If you visited Cologne and had access to the brands showing at Harrogate you’d be happy – but on your doorstep, here in the UK it’s something to be really pleased about. When it comes to trade shows there’s a few reasons to attend. Firstly the social aspect is hugely important. It’s great to catch up with reps, some of which we may not have seen for some time due to COVID restrictions. But it’s also a wonderful chance to meet names you know from other stores. We all see names pop up on the NSG forums – now’s your chance to finally put a face to that name and share your thoughts with like minded people. Secondly, trade shows are brilliant for presenting new opportunities. It may be a brand you’ve been after for a while or something that just catches your eye. When you spend all day in your store it’s very easy to become blinkered, a trade
show opens your eyes to the bigger picture and opens doors to new products and brands.
Finally trade shows are a fantastic place for brands to show you what’s coming. We all love new products and the innovations they bring. I especially love the wonderful technology that is spawned by the car seat industry and I’m hoping to see some great new innovations at Harrogate.
Normally before I attend Cologne I mention a few things I’m hoping to see and a few little gems that I would recommend you look at if you don’t currently stock them. . . Today is no exception! So, here’s JB’s list for Harrogate 2021.
I know Andy Crane reads this so fingers crossed he can help me out on this one, I’m hoping to see some more firm news of an Oyster 3 tandem Adaptor. It was teased a couple of years ago at Cologne and I’d love to see the Oyster 3 become a Max. It’s a brilliant product that’s really become a must have product in the industry and if it offered parents the ability to double up it would take it to the next level.
Over on the Cybex stand I have no idea what newness we’ll see but it will no doubt be crazy! If Cybex know how to do anything it’s how to bring us innovative, market leading products and I’m sure this trend will continue for a long time.
Anyone looking for a high quality, affordable car seat range with good margins should head over to speak with Warren over on the Cozy N Safe stand. They have some very good, parent friendly products and they are a really nice bunch of guys to deal with too. Their Comet car seat is a winner and I can honestly say it’s worth a visit to check out!
It wouldn’t be a show without Bebecar showing some head blowingly crazy fabrics and I’m hoping 2021 is no exception. Sadly there’ll be no Kevin but I’m sure the welcome on the stand will still be as big and happy as always.
So, that’s me done for another month. If you see me wandering around the halls like Gandalf in Moria looking a little lost and fleeing from a Balrog don’t forget to say hi!
