News 44 New Products 46 The Baby Products Association 13, 25, 33, 35 Supplier Opinion

Baby Brands Direct announced as sole distributor of Kikka Boo

Kikka Boo products are established in a vast portfolio of categories covering everything a child needs from breast feeding to textile accessories. Baby Brands Direct are proud to make available such an inspiring brand to the independent sector within the UK and look forward to support from their retailers to ensure a long lasting and successful contribution to its continued growth and expansion.

Just like Peek-a-Boo, Kikka Boo is a fun loving brand for little ones, full of surprise and delight. The moderately young company brings together the latest in product innovation combined with its European design team that embraces soft pastels and adorable prints onto staple baby and nursery products that spans over the categories of feeding, bathing, hygiene, toys and textiles.

Operations Director at Baby Brands Direct comments, ‘I am really excited to be able to make this award winning brand easily available to the independent sector. The brand offers a complete range of key product differentials within each nursery category supported by good quality manufacturing combined with beautiful designs, with suitable packaging for retail display and all at competitive consumer prices.’

Kikka Boo products are exclusively imported into the UK by Baby Brands Direct, with over 100 products lines now available to independent retailers to purchase with more scheduled over the coming months

www.babybrandsdirect.co.uk

Bespoke Logistic Solutions for the New Year

Kiss Logistics offers a range of reliable, flexible and cost-efficient services from their Manchester-based warehousing facility that stretches across an enormous 275,000 sq ft.

Their dedicated team have a wealth of experience and is committed to helping businesses implement a logistics strategy utilising the latest technology. The warehousing and fulfilment services they have to offer include full inventory management, order pick, pack and delivery, along with a variety of other bespoke solutions.

info@kisslogistics.co.uk

UPPAbaby Merges with Canadian and United Kingdom Distributors

UPPAbaby, the USA based stroller brand, has announced the merger with its UK and Canadian distributors, DCUK Ltd and 5514KM, both co-founded and managed by Jeff Stock of Toronto, ON, Canada.

“5514KM and DCUK Ltd have been valued partners of UPPAbaby since they became distributors for us 13 years ago,” said CEO and co-founder Bob Monahan. “As we look towards the future and continued global expansion, this merger comes at a pivotal time for the business and will extend our customer experience, marketing operations and sales team reach throughout Canada and the United Kingdom. We look forward to working with, and integrating, both business teams to UPPAbaby officially as UPPAbaby Canada and UPPAbaby UK.”

Leveraging the relationships with retailers in both countries and the reach each business has in Canada and the United Kingdom, will allow for continued growth opportunities for UPPAbaby across all business units.

“Becoming a distributor of UPPAbaby more than a decade ago was a turning point for our two companies,” said Co-founder Jeff Stock. “UPPAbaby has and continues to be a brand built on customers first and offering parents quality products and a truly 360-approach to customer experience, which has always aligned with 5514’s and DCUK’s mission and values. This next step for us to become part of UPPAbaby and extend their global operations, is an exciting time for all and we’re looking forward to continuing to provide the best juvenile gear to our parents in Canada and the United Kingdom.” Richard Bamforth, Director of Sales for DCUK comments: “The move from a distribution model to being part of the UPPAbaby organization is the start of an exciting new era for UPPAbaby in the UK and puts us on an even playing field with other global brands. I’m extremely proud of what the team at DCUK, and our business partners, have achieved over the last 12 years, taking on the emerging UPPAbaby brand in 2010 and making it one of the UK market leaders. As a part of the UPPAbaby organization, I look forward to taking the brand to greater success in the UK.”

www.uppababy.com

Record festive sales for M&P

Mamas & Papas, one of the leading high street nursery brands, said year-on-year sales grew 16% in the eight weeks to 25th December as shoppers flocked to its stores during the retail sector’s crucial trading period.

The business, which designs, wholesales and retails travel systems, nursery furniture and children’s clothing ranges, also registered its best-ever trading day on Black Friday (25th November), with 30 of its 52 stores setting new records.

In a sign of a rebounding high street, store-based sales grew 27%, driven by double-digit like for like sales and new store openings.

Last year (2022), it opened a total of 15 concessions under its partnership with retailer NEXT, along with two new concessions with Marks & Spencer.

Its best-performing category over the period was children’s clothing, which was up 43% on the prior year, followed by toys and gifts, which increased 27%.

Mark Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of Mamas & Papas, said: “We’re delighted to be reporting such a strong performance as we head for a record-breaking financial year. Our digital business made a positive contribution, but footfall and store-based sales significantly surpassed prepandemic levels over the Black Friday and Christmas trading period, which is a clear sign of Britain’s love of the high street.

“Despite the ongoing cost of living challenges for many customers, we’re continuing to see the resilience across all product categories in the nursery market, where we’re now achieving a 17% share.

“In 2023 we are building on this momentum by continuing to invest in our growth strategy, meaning that customers will see even more concessions opening with NEXT and Marks & Spencer.

“We’re also developing new brand partnerships and product launches while increasing investment in our communities and colleagues through our ESG agenda.”

He added: “Whether it’s through our website or in-store, our goal continues to be the most accessible nursery brand with an unrivalled commitment to our customers.”

Earlier this year, Mamas & Papas introduced a new circularity strategy to help reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfill each year, including a new store-based take-back scheme under its partnership with charity Oxfam.

at Tutti Bambini

Tutti Bambini’s sales team is growing as they welcome Georgie as their Independent Sales Manager. With a background in the baby industry, Georgie is a face some of you might have met at the Harrogate Nursery Fair in previous years. She will now be the point of contact for all the independent retailers with the view to expand the brand’s presence whilst maintaining relationships with current accounts.

The brand has grown from strength to strength in the last couple of years, and it continues to invest in further developing its operations and expanding teams across all departments.

www.tuttibambini.com

Enesco to raise

money for GOSH

Enesco is delighted to announce a brand-new, special edition Peter Rabbit plush in collaboration with Penguin Ventures on behalf of Frederick Warne & Co. (owner of THE WORLD OF PETER RABBIT brand and part of Penguin Random House). The new Peter Rabbit GOSH plush will raise vital funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) (registered charity no.1160024) to help give seriously ill children treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) the best chance to fulfil their potential.

As part of the new reimagined Beatrix Potter Soft Toy Collection, featuring brand-new patterns and fabrics as well as high-quality super soft stuffings, the Peter Rabbit GOSH plush is wonderful to touch and oh-so-cuddly, while calling on the classic designs, character illustrations and original artwork from Beatrix Potter’s best-loved tales.

Available in large size measuring in at 30.0cm tall and a small measuring 16.0cm tall, the Peter Rabbit GOSH large and Peter Rabbit GOSH small retail with a SRP of £25.00 and £16.50 respectively. Both the large and small Peter Rabbit GOSH are presented with a co-branded ear tag featuring the logos of Peter Rabbit and GOSH Charity.

Rainbow Designs embarks on an animal adventure

In a Strategic Distribution Deal with the US Plush Powerhouse, Animal Adventure, Rainbow Designs will launch and distribute the Animal Adventure Soft Toy Collections in the UK, together with an appealing range of Seasonal and Promotional plush.

The Animal Adventure Collection, for Rainbow Designs features a carefully curated range of Everyday Softs for Baby and the cutest and most adorable line up of Animal Soft Toys for Kids of all ages.

In addition to the Core Domestic Stock opportunity, this agreement provides Rainbow and its customers access to the impressive and extensive Catalogue of Seasonal, Specials and Everyday Plush, from Animal Adventure and its affiliate, Dan Dee International, offering a wide variety of formats and designs for every occasion, available from their extensive plush sourcing and supply chain resource.

Anthony Temple, Rainbow Designs Managing Director commented: “This Distribution Agreement is an exciting new opportunity to expand and extend our current business into the Everyday Plush sector, alongside our traditional Licensed Character business. The Animal Adventure Collection adds an extra dimension for Rainbow and is complementary to our position as the Home of Classic Characters. Animal Adventure and Dan Dee have a proven leadership position in the US Soft Toy Market with amazing design and sourcing capability. We are delighted to be joining forces with them on this new Adventure. It’s a great fit and we are looking forward to working with the Animal Adventure Team.”

www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

www.enesco.co.uk Iconic appointment at Venicci Green Sheep Group growth in strength

Darren Pumfrett joins the UK team as a Commercial Director.

Venicci are proud to announce that Darren has joined their ever-growing team commenting: “We are delighted to have a person like Darren join our team.

“He has many years of experience and will support further actions for such an important market for us.”

www.venicci.co.uk

Fast growing nursery brand, Green Sheep Group (GSG), is delighted to announce the appointment of Mitch Levene. With more than a decade of senior level industry experience, Mitch joins the Warwickshire based business as Chief Operating Officer, in a highly strategic move for the business.

Formerly the Managing Director at Chicco and Artsana, Mitch brings a unique wealth of knowledge and expertise to the nursery brand. His unrivalled background in business development and commercial strategy, will be a huge asset as GSG continues to grow and expand both nationally and internationally.

In his new role as Chief Operating Officer, Mitch will work across both of GSG’s iconic brands, Snüz and The Little Green Sheep, with a clear objective to identify and pursue new business opportunities, as well as strengthen the brand’s existing partnerships. Drawing on his strong management skills and clear ability to lead strategically, Mitch will be instrumental in driving the team forward, to deliver on the brand’s ambitious plans for expansion and developments in 2023 and beyond.

Speaking about the appointment Green Sheep Group’s CEO, Roger Allen, said: “Mitch is a true professional with a huge wealth of knowledge and unique industry experience – we are excited to have him on board. His proven track record of success in building relationships and driving revenue through strategic growth makes him the perfect fit for our team, not to mention his skills and expertise, which will be a great asset as the business continues to grow.

“With Mitch’s addition to the team, Green Sheep Group is perfectly positioned to take on new challenges and continue our core objective of making parents’ lives easier,” continued Roger. “We are confident his appointment and future contributions will have a significant impact on the success of the company and we look forward to all that the future holds.”

Newly appointed COO, Mitch Levene, added: “I am excited to join the Green Sheep Group team and contribute my skills and experience to the company. I have always been impressed with the company’s commitment to innovation and its sustainable fast paced growth – I look forward to being a part of such a dynamic and forwardthinking team.”