12 minute read
Executive Profile
Neil Montgomery, UK commercial director at Juratoys, talks adapting to the changing retail landscape, enjoying your work and wanting a sustainable level of business across all channels.
Neil Montgomery.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT JURATOYS?
I have been at Juratoys for five years.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT AT
THE COMPANY?
Despite facing some major challenges within the business, since I joined the company we have managed to deliver significant growth year on year, every year. My greatest achievement has been to build a great team of people that are committed to the business and collectively have allowed us to achieve this growth.
FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
I love meeting with our customers and talking about life in toys, so trade shows are something I love to attend. We are very fortunate that we launch over 200 new products each year and there is nothing better than presenting them to our customers and seeing their reaction. It’s also true that I enjoy socialising and trade shows also provide the perfect opportunity to work hard and have a bit of fun at the same time.
WHO IS THE UNSUNG HERO IN YOUR
COMPANY?
Everyone in the team that isn’t me. We are very lucky to work in a really nice industry with very nice customers, but there will always be issues that crop up for different reasons and the team around me do a great job of dealing with these. Whether it is the customer service team who are working hard to resolve an issue or the sales team who are managing to find an urgent solution for a customer, all their hard work turns potentially difficult situations into really positive outcomes.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE WITHIN THE PRESCHOOL INDUSTRY THAT YOU HAVE SEEN SINCE YOU HAVE WORKED IN IT?
I think the rise in online sales has been significant, especially in 2020 where the global pandemic meant many customers had to find new ways of trading when the physical stores were closed. We have all seen the retail landscape changing and its important that we adjust the way we work to meet these ever changing demands.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE THAT
YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
To make sure that you enjoy your work and the minute you stop enjoying it, it’s time to move on. It’s very true that most of us work long hours and spend more time with our work colleagues than we do our own families, so work has to be something that you enjoy and you have fun.
BIGGEST LESSON YOU TOOK AWAY FROM 2020?
That your health is the most important thing.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT
THE PRESCHOOL BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD
IT BE AND WHY?
The industry has lost too many good retailers in recent years – a mixture of large chains and smaller independents all offering something unique. I would like there to be a sustainable level of business across all channels to ensure that we reduce the number of good retailers that go out of business.
WHAT’S NEW
FIZZ CREATIONS
Fizz Creations has collaborated once again with Penguin Ventures, part of Penguin Random House, to launch a brand-new collection of licensed gifts featuring Peter Rabbit. Playing to the award-winning strengths of Fizz, the range includes lighting and children’s games in addition to keepsake gifting. The new Peter Rabbit collection from Fizz Creations is available for pre-order now.
Tel: 01903 327006 www.fizzcreations.com
LITTLECONCEPTS
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bilibo, MOLUK is launching a brand-new collection of pastel colours. Bilibo was the first MOLUK toy designed and remains in many ways the blueprint for the whole collection. MOLUK believe that good toys should inspire and challenge children to be active and creative rather than simply entertain and keep them quiet. The range of six new colourways is available to order on the littleCONCEPTS B2B portal now.
Tel: 07870 132595 www.littleconcepts.co.uk SNOOZESHADE
SnoozeShade is delighted to unveil yet another fantastic solution into its award-winning collection. SnoozeShade Twin Deluxe is perfect for parents with two in tow! The double-width pushchair sunshade fits all twin buggies and double pushchairs with either two separate hoods, or one wide one. Thanks to its thoughtful design it is cleverly proportioned to suit both babies lying flat, or one lying flat while an older child looks out - making it ideal for twins, or little ones of different ages.
Tel: 01932 951911 www.snoozeshade.com ENESCO
Enesco is celebrating its multiaward-winning Peter Rabbit Baby Collection. Having already won a Gift of the Year award and a silver award in the UKMums.TV awards 2021, the collection has now been shortlisted in the Progressive Preschool Awards. In addition to this the Peter Rabbit Changing Backpack has also been shortlisted in the prestigious Mother and Baby Awards, 2022 in the Best Changing Bag Category.
Tel: 01228 404022 www.enesco.co.uk
LE TOY VAN
This hand-crafted wooden toy box is the perfect place for children to store their treasures and toy accessories. Parents can also keep the playroom tidy and stylish with this elegant storage box which also doubles as a seat. The toy box has many appealing features including child safe soft closing hinges, turned wooden feet and embossed lettering, all finished in a neutral classic white and natural wood finish.
Tel: 0208 9792036 www.letoyvan.co.uk
Developed by Amanda Jenner, the UKs potty training expert, My Little Training Pants are an effective way to potty train, providing confidence to help the transition from nappies to big/girl boy pants.
★ An effective way to potty train, providing confidence to help the transition from nappies to big girl/boy pants ★ Designed with a water-resistant layer enclosed between absorbent cotton layers to catch small accidents yet allow your little one to feel wetness, encouraging them to want to use their potty/toilet. ★ Soft and stretchy elastic leg openings to help catch little accidents. ★ Super soft touch cotton fabric is breathable and provides comfort against the skin. Added stretch is perfect for active toddlers and kinder to their skin! ★ Machine washable at 40 degrees and reusable. ★ Comfortable and stretchy waistband to allow the child to learn to pull their pants up and down themselves.
Encouraging independence to make them feel like a big girl/boy. ★ Cute, fun engaging characters to provide further encouragement and match their other favorite My Carry Potty ★ Designed in the UK by Amanda Jenner, the UK’s toilet training expert. ★ 3 pairs of My Little Training
Pants per pack.
Tel: 01202 763711 www.mycarrypotty.com
MY CARRY POTTY
THE LATEST NEW PRODUCTS FROM MY CARRY POTTY
MY CARRY POTTY PASTEL RANGE
My Carry Potty looks forward to introducing its new, modern Pastel collection of Potties, Trainer Seats and Stools for 2022. These simple, contemporary designs will be available in fresh trend-led colourways of grey, pink, blue and green. It’s excited to be launching these in the new year for the modern parent and child.
MY LITTLE TRAINING PANTS
Introducing My Little Training Pants, designed by Expert Amanda Jenner. The pants are made from super-soft fabrics that are designed with protective water-resistant layers, allowing little ones to feel the wetness. This protective layer gives toddlers the confidence to wear big boy/girl pants. Cute characters have been incorporated into the designs, not only to encourage little ones to wear them, but to introduce consistency and independence throughout potty training. As a brand, it realises the impact that nappies are having on the planet. It’s excited to release the training pants to reduce the waste on our landfills and help little ones on their potty training journey.
NEW FRIENDS TO MY CARRY POTTY MY LITTLE FLASHCARDS
In addition to the Pastel range, My Carry Potty will be welcoming two new characters to the My Carry Potty family; Pink Dragon and Clownfish. The adorable Pink Dragon character has been created due to the success of the Green Dinosaur, which is loved by toddlers all over the globe. The brand-new, beautiful, bright Clownfish is the first sea animal to make it into the My Carry Potty family. These characters will be available with matching Trainer Seats, Step Stools and Potty Training Pants. Through demand from its customers, Expert Amanda Jenner has created some beautifully illustrated potty training flashcards that help educate little ones before they start potty training. The flashcards are there to support, encourage and teach toddlers to communicate confidently during potty training. Included on the flashcards are illustrations that are designed to help many parents with children who have Special Educational Needs (SEN).
Tel: 01202 763711 www.mycarrypotty.com 85
WHAT’S NEW
DODDL
Aimed at children from 18 months old, the ergonomic plate from doddl is expertly shaped to help young children transition on to a ‘grown-up plate’; the next step in successfully developing their mealtime skills. The gentle curve at the back helps keep food on the plate, making it easier for young children to use successfully. The wider flat front offers easy access to food with cutlery and the colourful splat focuses attention on to the middle of the plate. The non-slip base helps keep the plate stable but encourages children to learn how a ‘grown-up’ plate works at mealtimes.
www.doddl.com
RAVENSBURGER
This fun and educational ABC game from Ravensburger encourages children to learn the letters of the alphabet. All 28 unique, bright, colourful and self-correcting cards are printed on both sides, with one side showing the upper-case letters and the reverse, lower-case letters. Introducing upper case letters is a great step to move on to, once a child understands the connections between the pictures and the lowercase letters.
Tel: 01869 363800 www.ravensburger.org
JANOD
Janod’s Doctor’s Suitcase is sure to spark the light in any child’s imagination and inspire the doctor in little ones. Featuring ten wooden instruments – a syringe, reflex hammer, disinfectant, stethoscope, otoscope, thermometer, tongue depressor plus a prescription notebook, pencil and bandage roll, this extensive kit has got everything kids could possibly need to play doctors and patients and nurture their caring side.
Tel: 0208 8782133 www.janod.com INFANTINO
The Fox Cuddle Up Carrier from Infantino is as cute as it is functional, with the removable fox hood and a hoodie-inspired pocket for parent’s hands. This ergonomic carrier features a unique arched canopy hood that keeps baby in full sight and happily covered. The wide, ergonomic seat supports baby’s hips in the “M” position, keeping them supported from kneeto-knee with a naturally rounded back for a safe and comfy ride.
www.uk.infantino.com
ICKLE BUBBA
Mark all those special moments with the Ickle Bubba Baby Milestone Gift Set, perfect for capturing all those big milestones in the early months. The stunning monochrome style features pops of yellow, so it is sure to look good in any nursery, or around the house. The set comes with a soft 100% jersey cotton blanket, to lie baby down and mark the moments with adorable felt frames. It also includes a chalkboard for personal messages, as well as ten milestone cards which record those all-important dates in baby’s development.
Tel: 01554 707022 www.icklebubba.com
WHAT’S NEW
ROSA & BO
The Rosa & Bo Woodland Friends Nesting Babies have a fun twist on traditional Russian Dolls with loveable characters all the way from Santa’s workshop. Safety tested from birth and ideal for 12 months and up, this engaging toy supports development of hand eye coordination and motor skills, and for a festive surprise, once little ones have unveiled each layer to reach Bengi Bunny at the centre, they will be delighted to hear his twinkling chime.
Tel: 01702 831700 www.rosaandbo.com
ICKLE BUBBA
This three-piece knitted set from Ickle Bubba includes a super soft 100% cotton romper with popper fastening and a coordinating hat with 3D bear ears. It also comes with a cuddle llama toy - a perfect first companion for baby. The romper includes a popper fastening for quick changes.
Tel: 01554 707022 www.icklebubba.com
SMARTGAMES
A new addition to the Smart range this winter, is Grabbit. Hungry rabbits are jumping around the vegetable garden, different vegetables become visible as the rabbits look under leaves, but can children remember which vegetable is planted where? If not, animals that live underground will take their vegetables back! Will they be the first to collect all four different vegetables? Grabbit stimulates the following cognitive skills: concentration, flexible thinking, memory, planning and problem solving.
Tel: 01903 885669 www.smarttoysandgames.co.uk KALOO
Ideal from birth and made from the softest materials, the Tendresse doll from Kaloo will comfort little ones as they grow, soon becoming the star of any imaginative play and games, whilst looking right at home in a nursery from day one. Each doll includes a delicate ribbon necktie and soft, long legs for easy gripping, but each Tendresse has its own individual style, outfit and personality! Packaged in an elegant gift box, Tendresse make the perfect Christmas gift to find under the tree.
Tel: 0208 8782133 www.kaloo.com
LADYBIRD
Ladybird is delighted to extend its much-loved and award-winning Baby Touch book collection, as it welcomes the new interactive playbook Fairy Tales. Colourful and engaging, the latest addition to the series features easy grab tabs and touch-and-feel textures throughout the story, inspiring senses from day one. All the favourite fantasy characters feature in delightful and bright illustrations on each page, alongside a new surface for little hands to explore.
Tel: 020 71393000 www.penguin.co.uk
