HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL NURSERY FAIR Inset: The nursery industry came back together last month at Harrogate International Nursery Fair.
Last month, the preschool industry finally reunited in person at the Harrogate International Nursery Fair, after almost two years of Zoom and Teams calls, and online presentations and meetings. Businesses really went to town with exciting new launches and fabulous stands. PPS catches up with the organisers and some buyers to find out how the fair went, and brings you some of the hot products from the show floor.
HOT AT HARROGATE H arrogate International Nursery Fair was a much-anticipated event for the preschool industry as it signified a return to some sort of normality, where we were finally able to meet in person again. And the show did not disappoint. With well over 200 brands attending and an extra hall of the convention centre opened for 2021, the space was bursting with innovation and excitement. Show organiser Adrian Sneyd tells PPS: “The show was phenomenal this year. We had obviously hoped for a great turn out with this being the first industry trade show for over two years; but participation exceeded all expectations.” Visitor and exhibitor feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, too. Adrian continues: “All the comments received have been how amazing it was to be able to meet and do business face to face again and apparently business was brisk with orders flowing in. In fact some exhibitors have
commented that this was their best Harrogate ever.” Buyers are also praising the return to Harrogate. Yas Ali, director, Babyland Fife, says: “HINF 2021 was awesome, can't wait for 22. Great show, needed to be longer, didn't get around all the halls. Amazing childhood vibes, remembering how full it was as a teen when I used to visit with my mum. “Being back with my friends and colleagues, was an incredible feeling after a very hard couple of years. So positive and absolutely buzzing.”
Below: A highlight of the show was the Sunday night party with over 600 attendees. Below right: Many brands, like iCandy returned to the show this year after a break from exhibiting.
Jenny Brooks, senior buyer, Online4Baby agrees: “It was a fantastic show. It was so nice to get back to meeting face to face and seeing products in person. We had some great conversations with brands on future business. As a buyer, seeing the product and watching live demos was the highlight – so much more value to see and try the products, view fabrics, colours and styles.” On the back of such a huge success, the dates for Harrogate 2022 have already been announced as 16-18 October. In 2023, the plan is to revert to a spring date to allow a healthy six-month time period before Kind und Jugend’s September dates.
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