6 minute read
Barking Mad
This month John Barker gives the first of a two part article taking an overview of his time at Harrogate Int. Nursery Fair 2022.
Hello everyone, I hope you are well and have finally recovered from Harrogate! If you haven’t, I’m not surprised - it was an amazing show and there’s so much to discuss my article this month will be split in to two, with the second part coming next month. So, without further deliberating let’s crack on. . .
DAY ONE
Day one started fairly subdued unfortunately, but that was selfinduced so I’ve got no one to blame but myself. A busy day was planned and things kicked off on Mamas & Papas. A few new colours here and there, a new addition to their home range and some fabulous new furniture – nothing dramatic but I don’t think anyone expected anything to out of the ordinary. Strong show offers and as always the M&P team gave me the warmest of welcomes. A real go to brand for me and I’m proud to say they are one of, if not my main, key account. Thanks M&P let’s hope 2023 can continue the success of 2022.
Leaving M&P and heading to my next appointment over on Ickle Bubba meant a long walk. It was brilliant to see the size of the show and every stand I walked past looked wonderful. Well done everyone involved. On Ickle Bubba I found a HUGE range change. Not only did they show a new version of the popular Stomp which should please consumers looking for a value product with the Instagram factor, but they also introduced more new wheels! With some exclusive for us independents and lots of new home products Ickle Bubba should be patting themselves on the back for a highly successful Harrogate 2023.
My next appointment was an easy, short walk across the hall to see Cosatto. Many of you have seen most of Cosatto’s newness either at their roadshows or on your very own shopfloors. Off the main stand floor was a “secret room” and inside something VERY exciting for 2023! I have always loved Cosatto but do understand that some consumers find it a little “out there”. With what they showed for 2023 will this readdress that? – something for every shop-floor I’m sure. Finally, it was nice just to reconnect with the team and I look forward to continuing to build a relationship with this fun and lively brand.
john@pramland.co.uk
Next appointment time, a quick shuffle off and I’d arrived at Cosy N Safe – If anyone at Harrogate got a glow up (something the youngsters say these days – or so JB Jnr tells me. He does have a habit of telling me certain words are cool just to try and embarrass me when I’m told I’ve said something wrong) it was the Cosy N Safe range. Wow! What a HUGE new range on show, with a car seat for EVERY need. It’s going to take time to digest all the seats but basically these guys are the masters of high quality at affordable prices and they should have a place on everyone’s shop floor. Not only do Cosy N Safe represent excellent quality and value but they are all, genuinely lovely guys and so welcoming!
My next appointment was with team Snuz. Nothing new here, after all we’ve had some cracking new products recently. Again, genuinely lovely people and so, so welcoming. A pleasure to deal with and they seem dedicated to resolving our issues re pricing. We’ve seen great successful with the brand since we re-introduced the range to the store and I’m hoping 2023 will continue to see this success.
After leaving Snuz it was time for an appointment with a brand I’ve not dealt with before, My Babiie – something new to me and not very me at all, but we must remain impartial – after all I’m not buying for me! An interesting range of products that really tap into the thirst for social media champions like some lady off a Chelsea show? And another lady that pouts lots? It’s all very unfamiliar territory to me but I’m excited to be working with My Babiie and I know my customers are going to love it!
By this time the day was getting late and I have one more appointment left. Time to head to Bebecar! One brand that never fail to wow! Some fabulously crazy fabrics as expected and that parents will love. The new Wei (Hope I spelt it right!) – pronounced Way and not like the Nintendo Wii, impressed and is a real change in direction for Bebecar. I’m looking forward to offering customers something different from this legend of the industry. Always supporters of us independents, Bebecar are a wonderful brand to stock and I’m looking forward to 2023 as a stockist, once again. On a side note the Port and cheese was really tasty and I left in “high spirits”.
Day one ended with a few drinks and lovely meal thanks to Maxi-Cosi. I’d love to say I was sensible and went to bed early but that would be a lie!
DAY TWO
It will come as no surprise but Day 2
If anyone at Harrogate got a glow up it was the Cosy N Safe range. Wow! What a HUGE new range on show, with a car seat for EVERY need.
started subdued (don’t worry you’ll start to see a pattern forming here), but I couldn’t just sit around I had appointments to get to, and the first one being BabyMore.
BabyMore, is another relatively new brand for me as we only became a stockist in April. We’ve seen good success with their range of high quality, affordable furniture and I was looking forward to seeing what newness they had planned for 2023. With a very good, both quality and price wise furniture range heading to us next year and the lovely new Lux nursing chair BabyMore really do have some excellent products and they are a brand I can see are clearly going places!
Next appointment was over on Dorel where I was shown some clever new products for the car and some brilliantly simple and affordable products for the home. Their growing range of home items has become a real go to range for many parents and I’m excited to see more of them soon. A new, two way stroller was also on display and that will clearly be a very popular item once it arrives on our shopfloors. Again, good promotional offers meant I was able to fill my boots with some great customer pleasers for extra margin. Thanks Dorel!
So there you go a day and half in a few hundred words - next month I’ll be running through the remainder of the show. Until then, I hope you are all busy and stay safe. See you next month for more Harrogate 2022!
EXTRA SMOOTH
AYLO
Style is nothing without performance. Aylo’s Tru-Ride2 technology delivers a supportive, effortless multi-terrain ride. Available in four colours. Stroller bundle RRP from only £799
COMFORT +sTYLE
EASY
ADJUSTABILITY
simple
ONE-HAND FOLD
FLIP-FLOP FRIENDLY
BRAKE
