Sector Focus: Travel & Holiday

Inset: Bambino Mio has designed its swim products to ensure little ones can splash about safely, sustainably and in style.

With the Government passing legislation to extend the foreign travel ban to midsummer, holidays abroad are beginning to feel like a distant memory. But the accommodation industry in the UK is now slowly reopening, so nursery travel suppliers are gearing up for a summer of staycations. PPS chats to some of them to find out their plans for the year ahead.

THE GREAT BRITISH ROAD TRIP

While the preschool market as a whole seems to have fared better than many industries throughout the last year, suppliers of travel products have had a less certain forecast with foreign travel proving very patchy as new strains of COVID-19 are identified.

But after a tough year, families are rallying round and embracing the idea of staycations. Richard White, director at LittleLife, explains: “Most places are already full and the families waiting to see what is going to happen might find it hard to find accommodation. There will probably be more weekends away rather than full weeks, as people wait to see what the weather will be like.”

Amanda Jenner, director of My Carry Potty, agrees that this trend is likely to extend beyond the lifting of the foreign travel ban: “I think from speaking to lots of families I work with, they are all saying the next 18 months they are looking at doing staycations and they sound very positive about this.”

Joanne Rice, senior business development exec at CarGoSeat, believes that the extra time afforded by lockdown has given us a new

Below: The baby & beyond change bag is a firm favourite among Bambino Mio’s fans, due to its versatile hybrid design. Below right: LittleLife has already seen that products such as the family sized beach shelters, which wouldn’t usually be bought for foreign travel, are in high demand. admiration of our home country. She comments: “Family time has been valued over the last year with time out to explore local parks, countryside and spaces which might have been overlooked before with obligations of other activities taking precedent over free time.

“This appreciation of our British countryside is something we expect to continue with families likely to make the most of even short breaks and getaways as well as the longanticipated family holiday abroad.”

Right: Little Goat Gruff is busy getting ready for reopening this summer.

Paris Booton, owner of independent retailer Little Goat Gruff, in St Ives, believes the trend towards staying in the UK this year will mean that summer lasts longer than ever. She explains: “Being in a busy seaside resort, it’s hard to imagine it could get any busier than normal as most accommodation locally was fully booked throughout the summer before the pandemic and travel ban, but we are expecting to see an ‘extended’ summer season into October and beyond with the travel ban.”

With a certain change in plans, travel suppliers have had to think carefully about product development in order to support families for this year’s holidays and beyond. Enhanced functionality and multi-purpose products are key for families trying to pack all they need into the boot of the car.

Damon Marriott, head of product development at Allison Baby, explains: “We can support families by creating great products that offer enhanced features for a great price. Parents with children from new babies to toddlers will be looking for strollers that are suitable from birth that will make travel simple and easy.”

Amanda sees problem solving products as key going forward: “We need to offer a large range of products that help parents going on long car journeys and offer products that solve problems when they are out and about.”

Such innovation is continually emerging. Abi Sullivan, digital marketing executive, Bambino Mio, says: “We expect to see a continued increase in demand for sustainable baby travel products that are convenient, lightweight and most importantly, easy to use. Our baby & beyond change bag is a firm favourite among fans due to its versatile hybrid design, lightweight fabric and the unique water resistant ‘messy pocket’ that securely stores wet swim wear, reusable nappies, reusable baby wipes, potty training pants and more.”

And certain essential products are likely to see a surge in popularity, as Damon explains: “We can certainly expect to see a growth in the sales of travel cots. As restrictions continue to lift and people are able to travel further afield to stay with friends and family, these items will become increasingly popular, whereas they haven’t been something people have needed to buy over the last year.”

It isn’t just products which can help families though. Little Life predicts an increase in camping and outdoor pursuits over the summer, as their products which wouldn’t usually be bought for overseas travel, such as family-sized beach shelters, as well as its Lifeventure brand’s camping plates and bowls, are already seeing increased demand. Richard sees information as a key area manufacturers can support consumers with.

He explains: “Information is the key and if the industry can help here that would be great. I believe that more people will be camping for the first time this year with their family. Camping with a young family is wonderful, but people often think you have to take everything with you, you don’t. If the industry can offer advice on what is essential and what isn’t, it would certainly help. To go a step further, having a database of locations that have vacancies would be very helpful.”

Eco friendly credentials are another aspect which all of the industry sees as an ongoing demand from consumers. Joanne comments: “Sustainability or recycling options are also a request of parents and as such we’re proud of our recycling programme available to minimise landfill once product is no longer in use.”

It’s also important to add some fun into the travel products. Abi concludes: “It’s been an extremely difficult year for many, so we’re delighted to see spring/summer 21 trends bring us some joy in the form of happy, vibrant and fun-loving designs as consumers start to look forward to the warmer months. Holidays may be looking different this year, but that won’t stop parents and their little ones travelling in style.”

SURVIVING BY THE SEASIDE

Being a coastal indie retailer has been a tough ask over the last year. And while Little Goat Gruff has felt the strain, online sales have kept the business afloat. And the team is now looking forward to better months ahead as they come up with innovative ideas to increase footfall, while also helping the environment.

Owner Paris Booton explains: “We have been very busy getting our little shop ready for reopening and we are very excited to be offering completely free wooden belly board hire to families this summer. Being a seaside shop we see the effects of the cheap foam body boards polluting our coast and decided to do something about it.”

Below: Allison Baby believes that parents will be looking for strollers that are suitable from birth that make travel simple and easy, like its Tourist model. Below right: CarGoSeat says that staycations are definitely on people’s agendas.

TRAVEL & HOLIDAY

MICRALITE

The Sleep&Go 3-in-1 travel cot from Micralite offers a multi-tasking sleep and play solution and can be used as a playpen, co-sleeping crib and travel cot, from birth up to three years. Remarkably easy to assemble and super lightweight, Sleep&Go unfolds and packs up again in seconds. It fits into a compact carry case, making it the ideal travel companion. Certified for overnight sleeping, Sleep&Go includes a newborn insert raised off the ground.

Tel: 01756 702410 www.micralite.com

KONFIDENCE

Konfidence has added two new designs to its popular Roll & Go chlorine resistant changing mat range. The two new under-the-sea designs have been created to colour co-ordinate with its Sea Friends collection of baby swimwear. The mat is great for parents with babies and toddlers who need an easy to carry changing mat at the swimming pool, whilst out and about, or on holiday. Available in a choice of colours – pink, blue, navy or red – and now navy and pink Sea Friends.

Tel: 01566 777887 www.konfidence.co.uk

RED KITE

The Strollshade from Red Kite is a convenient and safe way to protect baby when out walking in sunlight. The full cover ensures no direct rays can reach baby, giving the ultimate protection from harmful rays.It’s easy to fit with Velcro attachments meaning the Strollshade can fit most buggies and strollers.

Tel: 01454 326555 www.redkitebaby.co.uk

LAESSIG

The preschooler backpack from Laessig is the ideal companion for young adventurers and world explorers. Its water-repellent outer material makes it ideal for outdoor trips – both in the sun and in the rain. In the main compartment there is enough space for a change of clothes and snacks and in a separate compartment there is space for a cold pack which keeps food supplies fresh for a long time. The nature-related motifs of a dragonfly and a tractor, as well as a clear name badge sleeve on the inside, make this backpack unique and simply unmistakable. Available from NSA UK.

Tel: 01483 527799 www.nsauk.com SPLASH ABOUT

Whether it’s the paddling pool in the garden, the beach or swimming pool, Splash About’s new Happy Nappy Sunsuit is set to be a must have for babies and toddlers in the summer heat. The unique design combines the brand’s best-selling Happy Nappy swim nappy with a UPF50+ sun protection rash top for 2-in-1 protection in and out of the water. It’s suitable from birth to 24 months, in five designs; Hidden Treasure, Crocodile Swamp, Little Ducks, Vintage Moby and Under the Sea.

Tel: 0845 5280831 www.splashabout.com

TRAVEL & HOLIDAY

POTETTE

Cheeky Rascals is delighted to announce the potty-training experts at Potette have expanded their resources to further support parents through every step of the potty-training journey. The award-winning 2 in 1 Potette Plus is ideal for holidays and visits outside of the home to help parents and children with the potty-training process.

Tel: 01730 895761 www.potette.co.uk

RED KITE BABY

The Red Kite Travel Booster is a compact and super light portable booster seat that is perfect for mealtimes on the go. The safety straps and adjustable three point harness ensure that little ones are safe and secure at all times. The lightweight foam cushion with nonslip rubber feet is comfortable to sit on and the wipe clean fabric is easy to keep clean. It converts smartly into a stylish bag with shoulder strap and features a handy storage pocket for all of baby’s essentials.

Tel: 01454 326555 www.redkitebaby.co.uk HIPPYCHICK

The Dooky Travel chair creates a suitable seat for children aged from six months to three years when parents are on the go. It’s easy to adjust to a normal chair and is ideal for staycations, visits to family and friends, or restaurants. Parents can enjoy being out and about while their little one is sitting safe and calm next to them. The adjustable straps on the side can be fixed around almost any chair. The five point harness secures the child to the chair. Available from Hippychick.

Tel: 01278 434440 www.hippychick.com LITTLELIFE

Championing the amazing work of the emergency services, LittleLife is proud to introduce its new Emergency Services Toddler Backpacks. The Ambulance is one of three designs that take its iconic Toddler Backpack design, with BS EN 13210:2004 harness, and allows the child to be a paramedic for the day. High vis details and a fantastic blue flashing light - which flashes when tapped - will ensure children won’t ever want to take it off.

Tel: 0118 9811433 www.lifemarque.co.uk

BAMBINO MIO

Bambino Mio is launching a new sustainable swim collection for 2021, called Tropical Punch. The new collection features laid back pastels with punchy pops of colour. The Tropical Punch collection is perfect for little beach bums, pool paddlers and garden dwellers, introducing four new fruity character designs available in reusable swim nappies which will be launching alongside the brand’s wet bag, rash top, reversible swim hat and travel mat. The four new fruity designs include: pineapple party, cool citrus, mellow melon and lemon twist.

Tel: 01604 883777 www.bambinomio.co.uk