Behind, Bear and Moo, New Zealand

As a new mum, Hannah felt overwhelmed by the lack of accessible information on cloth nappies and affordable options to make them more cost-effective.

This experience inspired the creation of Bear & Moo!

Since its humble beginnings, Bear & Moo has quickly grown into one of New Zealand’s favourite online retailers for baby and kids’ products. With a passion for supporting everyday families, Bear & Moo is dedicated to providing an educational shopping experience that prioritises quality and value, ensuring customers feel heard and appreciated.

We dive into the details of this joyful business that enjoys having a little fun along the way!

What products and services do Bear & Moo offer?

We proudly offer three of our own brands: Bear & Moo (cloth nappies, reusable products, silicone toys, and swimwear), Hello Poppet (kids’ clothing), and Launder & Love (cot sheets).

Plus, we retail a wide range of products for your parenting journey - everything from lactation products and lunchboxes to toys, books, bath products, and a wealth of information!

What trends in the industry have you observed that have influenced your growth strategy?

Our customers value the experience and want to feel appreciated.

With many retailers offering similar products, we focus on community building rather than just price or range. Our epic loyalty programme and engaging social media content help foster that connection. While customers are price-conscious, they’re willing to invest in quality.

We analyse sales data to ensure we stock products that resonate, continuously bringing in new items based on customer feedback.

How does Bear & Moo engage with the local community?

Giving back is important to me, and I recognise the privilege I have. As a business, we partner with Loving Arms as a drop-off point and support Little Miracles Trust by donating products. We regularly contribute to fundraisers across the motu and offer donation options at checkout, allowing customers to support local charities.

What are your long-term goals for Bear & Moo?

I want to expand our product range so customers can find everything they need in one place.

We’re quickly outgrowing our warehouse and hope to host more community events, providing a space for parents to connect.

My goal is to be a beloved shopping destination, our growth will come from excelling in what we do. I also aim to share my knowledge and help other business owners thrive.

What feedback have you received from customers about your products/ services?

We take great pride in the reviews we receive - customers love our nappies for their ease of use, earning us the title of ‘Best Cloth Nappy Brand’ from the OhBaby! Awards in 2020, 2022 & 2024!

Our other products also receive fantastic feedback, and I’m proud of our ratings on both our website and Google.

What advice would you give to other businesses looking to expand into a new market?

Trust your gut and launch quickly, just go for it!

We activated shipping and ads to see what happens. If we grow fast, we can hire more staff and restock; if it gets too big, we’ll explore other options. It’s all about testing the market and adapting.

I’m a get-things-done person, and remember: if you can live with the worstcase scenario, it’s worth pursuing.

Finally, what has been the most rewarding aspect of your journey with Bear & Moo so far?

The most rewarding aspect of my journey with Bear & Moo is seeing our products in use, whether it’s swimwear on kids, bags at events, or clothing on friends at kindy.

I never get used to being recognised as ‘the Bear & Moo lady,’ but I get a kick out of knowing that our brand is well recognised across the country.

Awards based on public votes mean the most to me, as they reflect our customers’ love and support!

@bearandmoonz