Progressive Preschool May/June 2017

The B2B Publication For Preschool Products and Retailers

ISSUE 29 MAY/JUN 2017

Heading For Harrogate Toymaster 2017 Show Preview

Fashion Forward INDX SS18 Preview

A Family Affair The Puppet Company Interview

Let’s Go Outside

Summer Travel Essentials

Trade Publication. Sign up to our newsletter at www.progressive-preschool.com and follow us on Twitter at @prog_preschool

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www.progressive-preschool.com MARKET LEADING TRADE MAGAZINES

March/April 2013

MARKET LEADING TRADE EXHIBITIONS

MARKET LEADING TRADE AWARDS

this month MAY/JUNE 2017

Creating a natural affinity with preschoolers’ parents is the holy grail for toy, nursery and preschool brands.

Building a strong relationship with consumers is essential for companies who rely on word-of-mouth to drive their business and there’s no stronger Above: PPS’ Jacqui and Rob with the network than parents looking to share preschool sector’s newest television-favourite, their latest amazing find – or their latest Frances Bishop of The Pud Store. big disappointment!

Research announced at the third annual Mumstock conference revealed that there are a number of key characteristics held by brands which have a strong affinity with parents – with names like Disney, Lego and Ella’s Kitchen making the top ten ‘favourite’ brands. See our news story on page 7 for more information on how they do it – and which of their best practise tips can be applied to your own business.

It’s certainly true that certain brands hold great sway with parents – and children, of course – and one of the strongest names on the preschool circuit is CBeebies.

The dedicated kids channel is a daily go-to for many, with popular characters and careful scheduling creating a real safe haven in the world of preschool programming.

PPS spoke to licensing director Rikesh Desai to find out more about the company’s plans for Hey Duggee, Mr Tumble and more, there’s certainly no shortage of content.

This year’s Licensing Expo – the biggest licensing show in the world – will be taking place in Las Vegas from 23 – 25 May. A veritable hotbed of networking, showcasing and decision-making, it will act as a launchpad for hundreds of exciting new brands – many of them relevant to the preschool industry.

Of course, trade shows are the lifeblood of many retail-focused industries, and with We hope you a successful Harrogate now behind us, we enjoy the fabulous are now looking forward to Toymaster and Nick Jnr special INDX – both of which we preview in this supplement we’ve issue. Toymaster (16 – 18 May) is widely included with this hailed as the place to go for independent issue of Progressive Preschool. Jamtoy retailers, while INDX (2 – 3 July) is packed with information an order-placing heaven for kids clothing about the latest programming plans buyers. and exciting upcoming retail activity, It’s not all visiting shows and gossiping it’s an invaluable guide to the here at PPS HQ though, we’ve also been characters and product which will excited to receive the first raft of entries for be making waves throughout the what will be the fifth Progressive Preschool second half of 2017 and beyond.

Awards. Reflecting market changes, we’ve introduced a new category focusing on STEM products for the under-fives. Anyone looking to enter the product, retail and marketing categories should turn to pages 16 and 17 for entry information. Entry forms can be downloaded from the website, while the very lovely Jo will be able to answer all your questions – you can contact her on jop@max-publishing.co.uk.

Until next time...

The Progressive Preschool Team

Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP T: 020 7700 6740 F: 020 7607 6411 www.max-publishing.co.uk

Rob Willis, Jacqui Parr, Samantha Loveday, Jo Pilcher, Ian Hyder, Jakki Brown, Warren Lomax Progressive Preschool is published by Max Publishing Ltd. Rob Willis - Publishing Director.

Jacqui Parr - Editor. Jo Pilcher - Account Manager. Samantha Loveday, Fiona Pavely, Michelle Board and Sarah Welsh - Editorial Wordsmiths. Jakki Brown - Editor-in-Chief and Joint Managing Director. Ian Hyder and Warren Lomax - Joint Managing Directors. Tel: 020 7700 6740 Fax: 020 7607 6411 Email: robw@max-publishing.co.uk, jacquip@max-publishing.co.uk, saml@max-publishing.co.uk Copyright 2012. The publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers nor any organisation mentioned in the text.

PROGRES SIVE PRESCHOOL

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contents 07 19 25 27 29 33 43 45 51 57 62 65 67 71 76 79 86

29 BBC

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TOYMASTER 2017

NEWS Reporting from the preschool sector MEDIA WATCH Looking at the brands making headlines INDUSTRY ANALYSIS The latest industry numbers from GfK ASK ANNA Top tips for outdoor play BBC The preschool slate has never been stronger TOYMASTER 2017 show preview CATHY’S COLUMN Why website updating matters OUTDOOR It’s better than being indoors, and kids love it TRAVEL Latest product ripe for retail ahead of summer FURNITURE Sector update for furniture and homewares RED KITE Talking product with team innovation LEE LOVES Geting outdoors and playing INDX Spring/Summer 2018 show preview CREATIVE PLAY Up there with most important aspects of play PUPPET CO The big interview with family Lockey FEEDING Sector update for feeding product BEST SELLERS Retailers best sellers and big hits

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OUTDOOR

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RED KITE

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INDX

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FEEDING

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OCTOBER 17–19, 2017 LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER, NEVADA

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My show is ABC Kids Expo, where I get up-close, hands-on access to the products, people and retailing strategies that will help me make better buying decisions, increase profit margins and find broader selling opportunities.

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NEWS

PPS TAKES A LOOK AT THE RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE PRESCHOOL WORLD

TOP STORY

The Secrets Of Parents’ Top Brands

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ew research from parenting website Mumsnet and marketing legends Saatchi & Saatchi has revealed the seven key habits of brands that have won the loyalty and trust of modern parents.

Brands that keep their offering simple and prioritise being confident, authentic and generous have the greatest affinity with parents, according to the research, which analysed the best practice methods adopted by ten market-leading brands.

Mumsnet consumer panels narrowed their favourite brands down to a list of ten with an exemplary record of effectiveness and commercial success.

These are: Disney, EasyJet, Ella’s Kitchen, Ikea, John Lewis, Lego, Lidl, Lush, National Trust and Warburtons.

Saatchi & Saatchi then identified seven habits possessed by each of these highly-effective brands. These are: Precision (parents naturally gravitate to brands that save them time), Sorcery (working their magic; being generous and over-delivering), Elasticity (brands that can work around busy schedules), Showmanship (reflect confidence and position themselves as leaders), Attentiveness (where

Harrogate: A Quality Show

understanding parents’ needs has become habitual), Integrity (true to what they believe in as a business) and Enhancement (executing with passion and a focus on empowerment).

“If you are a highly effective brand and you have a formula going on, the habits are really engrained in you and parents respond to it,” commented Mumsnet co-founder Carrie Longton who discussed the findings at the annual Mumstock conference on 26 April.

Below: Disney was named as one of parents’ most trusted brands.

Little Tikes Teams Up With Diggerland Leading toy company Little Tikes has announced an exciting partnership for 2017 with UK theme park chain Diggerland.

The joint venture will see fullybranded Little Tikes Play Zones established inside each of the four Diggerland parks. The Play Zones will be packed full of the Little Tikes’ Wheelz range including dirt diggers and dump trucks, as well as hero outdoor products such as sand and water tables and members of the iconic Cozy Coupe family.

“We are excited to have secured this partnership with Diggerland,” said Little Tikes’ UK brand manager Victoria Starr.

“Our expertise within the preschool category means we’re able to help provide the type of experience that will really engage the under-fives and add real value to families visiting this existing attraction.”

Right: HINF moved to a mid-week format for 2017.

The UK’s nursery sector headed for Harrogate in the last week of March to enjoy three days of business, networking and socialising. The new mid-week format was popular and many exhibitors found that the third and final day was particularly productive, with a number of major retailers placing orders.

“Harrogate International Nursery Fair has been an annual event for the UK nursery industry for over 40 years and we are pleased that

it is still considered an important occasion for sourcing new business and networking for many retailers and suppliers,” said show organiser Adrian Sneyd. “We thank everyone supporting the show this year and hope to see everyone again in 2018.”

The Baby Products Association (BPA) had a significant presence at the show this year with a Car Seat Advice Centre co-hosted by Cybex and Maxi-Cosi and the BANTAs awards announcement. A full list of BANTA winners and shortlisted products can be seen at www.thebpa.eu.

Wigwam Makes Hero Shortlist A Brighton toyshop has been shortlisted for an inaugural High Street Hero Small Award, established in partnership with Facebook, to recognise the achievements of small and micro-businesses.

Family-run independent toyshop Wigwam Toys – which won a Progressive Preschool Award in 2015 for the Best Independent Gift Retailer – was named among the shortlisted finalists. Last year was the shop’s most successful to date with plans to launch an e-commerce website later in 2017.

All businesses must be active in their community and be working to drive footfall to their business and neighbouring businesses.

“We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Small Award,” said co-founder Clair Letton. “We are truly passionate about the role of small businesses, and how they impact positively on how people feel about where they live.”

Wigwam Toys will find out if it has won at a ceremony in London on 25 May, hosted by comedian and television personality, Sue Perkins.

Gertie Sells Out

The latest addition to the SweetDreamers product portfolio – Gertie the Good Goose – recently appeared in the health pages of the Mail on Sunday’s much loved You magazine before selling out in a matter of hours.

“We were so pleased that the Mail on Sunday gave our product such a brilliant endorsement,” said Lynda Harding, founder of SweetDreamers and official UK distributor of this wonderfully endearing new teething toy said: We couldn’t believe it when we completely sold out in less than 24 hours!”

New shipments are already on their way.

Inset: Gertie the Good Goose is an all-natural teether.

www.progressive-preschool.com t@Prog_Preschool www.progressive-preschool.com PROGRES SIVE PRESCHOOL

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For further licensing information please contact bbcw.licensing@bbc.com HEY DUGGEE™ and character logos™ & © Studio AKA Ltd 2014. Licensed by BBC Worldwide Ltd BBC logo ™ & © BBC 1996.

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NEWS TOP STORY

New Website Boosts Mothercare Sales As Price Hikes Likely

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aby and nursery specialist Mothercare has credited its new online offering with helping the retailer drive sales across its UK business, while also announcing that it will raise prices by up to 5% as a result of Brexit’s effects on the £pound.

The website overhaul helped Mothercare report its best performance for 18 months, with a 13.6% jump in online sales pushing like-for-like sales across the UK up by 4.5% in its final quarter (ending March 25).

Mothercare said it had seen a good

Little Tikes’ Announces Play Expert

response to its new website, with online sales now accounting for around 41% of UK sales. However the international division is also experiencing some difficulty, with sales falling 1.7%, despite an increased amount of retail space.

Chief executive Mark Newton Jones has also said that there is no longer room to absorb higher costs and rising prices must be passed on to customers.

“From the middle of the year our selling prices will move by 3% to 5% as that inflation flows through,” he said.

As part of the ongoing store revamp plan, some 70% of Mothercare’s

Above: Mothercare’s prices are set to increase by 3% to 5%, following the decline in the value of the pound.

retail estate has been refurbished in the past two years, which has helped to attract customers.

Parents Search For Peach

Toy company Little Tikes has confirmed its signing of child psychologist and media personality, Emma Kenny, for the second year running.

Following on from a number of successful activities in 2016, including the launch of Little Tikes Newborn, Emma will spearhead several key campaigns for the brand, building Little Tikes’ offering to parents.

“Working with Emma in 2016 showed us that UK families look to our brand for more than just toys and product information,” said Little Tikes’ UK brand manager Victoria Starr. “Emma quickly added value by bringing her experience and knowledge to parents in a relatable way. It’s fantastic to welcome her back in 2017 and we’re excited at the campaigns which lay ahead.”

Emma adds, “Understanding children and how they develop through play is a total passion of mine. I’m thrilled to be able to take my clinical knowledge and practical experience and apply it to the global brand that is Little Tikes and their exciting 2017 campaigns.”

Below: Emma Kenny’s first campaign will follow four families as they embark on their parenting journey.

Consumer organisation Which? has unveiled its latest figures from Google Trends, revealing that iCandy’s iconic Peach pushchair was the most searched-for pushchair throughout spring 2017.

These statistics underline the Peach’s lasting appeal to parents, as it was the first multi-configuration single to double travel system within a single footprint.

ABC Partners With Children’s Shelter All Baby & Child (ABC), the largest juvenile products trade show in North America, has partnered with The Children’s Shelter of San Antonio, a local non-profit organisation that provides a safe haven for survivors of abuse, neglect and abandonment.

Exhibitors at the show, which took place from 1 – 3 May, were able to donate product from the show – including cribs, strollers, toys and clothing – directly to local children via The Children’s Shelter.

“We’re excited to help out a great local charity like The Children’s Shelter,” said Doug Tritton, chairman of ABC. “We know that the products donated to the shelter will greatly benefit and have a positive impact on the children they serve.”

Shop The Season

Frugi, the UK’s leading organic and ethical childrenswear brand, has announced the winner of its popular ‘Shop the Season’ retailer initiative.

Edinburgh-based independent children’s boutique, Pippin, was named the winner for AW16 after impressing Frugi with its beautiful window display.

The ‘Shop the Season’ competition was launched last year to encourage retailers

BTHA AGM And Industry Day

A jam-packed day of toy talk will be taking place on 28 June, at the Great Fosters Hotel, in Surrey. The British Toy and Hobby Association’s AGM will start the day at 9.30am, to be followed by the Industry Day, which starts at 10.15am.

A valuable networking opportunity, The Industry Day also offers an opportunity for the toy industry to hear from expert speakers on issues relating to the industry.

Dylan Collins, ceo of SuperAwesome, will provide an insight to current technology trends, platforms and compliance issues facing the industry, while following this will be a presentation from the world’s first British astronaut Helen Sharman OBE focusing on space, STEM and the wonders of science.

The Industry Day will conclude with lunch and the presentation of a prestigious BTHA Lifetime Achievement Award to industry stalwart Roger Dyson.

Tickets can be requested at www.btha.co.uk. to get creative with their window and instore displays to bring Frugi’s seasonal themes to life.

“We’re really proud to have been awarded this accolade from Frugi,” said Pippin’s founder Erica Stahl. “We work very hard to keep the shop looking beautiful so it’s great to have our efforts recognised!”

Above: Pippin’s imaginative window display celebrated the ‘The Magic of Stories’ theme.

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From the organisers of The Baby Show

18 -19 Nov 2017 ExCeL London

Book Your Stand Now

Russell.Rule@clarionevents.com

0207 384 8125 babytotoddlerevents.co.uk

• Over 200 exhibitors • Over 20,000 visitors • Perfect opportunity to capture the Black Friday and Christmas shopping frenzy • A one-stop-shop for everything parents need for babies and toddlers up to 4 years of age • The show will be marketed to The Baby Show database, which sees over 70,000 parents per year

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NEWS TOP STORY

Timmy Time Educates Early Years

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ardman – the production company behind preschool animation Timmy Time – has announced that it is launching a new educational online series for early years English language learners, in collaboration with the British Council.

The series – ‘Learning Time with Timmy’ – is set to launch on a dedicated YouTube channel later this summer, and is the latest addition to the educational portfolio which teams Aardman’s much-loved characters with the British Council’s teaching expertise.

The 26 ‘Learning Time with Timmy’ episodes will be released on a weekly basis and will follow the curriculum developed by the British Council, alongside fun and engaging bonus

Fisher-Price Wins Tommy’s Award

Above: Pakistan’s newest store is situated in Lahore’s largest mall, home to over 200 stores.

The Entertainer Continues International Growth

High street toy retailer The Entertainer has added another store to its growing international portfolio, with a new opening in Pakistan. It has also extended store space in three of its Cyprus outlets.

The Pakistan store was opened in partnership with existing franchise partner, the SEFAM Group, on Saturday 25 March. Four other stores have already been successfully launched in Lahore, with one other in Islamabad.

“We are thrilled to welcome families into the newest edition to our growing collection of Pakistani stores,” said The Entertainer’s founder and managing director, Gary Grant.

“We are very much looking forward to bringing even more joy and wonder to the children of Lahore.”

Elsewhere, following a successful Christmas trading period, the Ermes group in Cyprus is extending the space in three Debenhams shopin-shop concepts and expanding into two new stores which will be opening later this year in Korivos (Paphos) and Apollon (Limassol).

The Entertainer currently has 132 stores located across the UK and 12 international stores through its successful franchise partnerships.

Infant and preschool brand FisherPrice has been awarded the ‘Best Baby Toy Brand’ at the 2017 Tommy’s Awards Ceremony for the third consecutive year.

Over 36,000 parents voted for the brands they think have gone above and beyond to be baby-and parent-friendly, with Fisher-Price taking the top prize in its category.

The charity awards, now in their 22nd year, also recognise families who have been touched by pregnancy complications or the loss of a baby.

“This is a wonderful accolade for us to receive for the third year running,” said Wendy Hill, director of brand activation at Mattel UK, “and we are very proud to be acknowledged for making parents lives easier – it’s certainly something we strive for.”

Baby To Toddler Heads To Birmingham

Following a successful launch at London ExCeL in 2016, the Baby to Toddler consumer show is set to expand further with the launch of a new Birmingham show, which will be held at the NEC over the weekend of 2 – 3 December 2017.

Run by Clarion Events (organisers of the Baby Show) it caters to parents of children from newborn up to four years old. “After a successful first Baby To Toddler at London ExCel last year we are thrilled to be expanding,” said Susanne Rauberger, show manager.

“We expect shoppers to be eager to capitalise on the brilliant Black Friday deals, so it’s a brilliant opportunity for exhibitors to capture this market.”

Baby to Toddler will also be returning to London ExCeL on the 18 and 19 November.

content. Three ‘Learning Time with Timmy’ apps are also available and have been designed to develop cognitive skills and English language development in young children, while an online course for parents and educators supports the programme.

The team is also developing an international publishing and licensing programme to extend the brand and allow more children, parents and educators to access the learning experience.

Above: The partnership between Aardman and the British Council first began in 2014.

Micro Scooter To Target Toddlers

Outdoor toy specialist Micro Scooter has announced it will be concentrating on the preschool and toddler sector for 2017, currently the main drivers of growth for the company.

“We have seen year-on-year growth over the past 12 months,” said Ben Parkhouse, head of sales and business development. “Significantly, scooters have been added to the ‘basket of goods’ used to measure the UK’s inflation rate, which was a huge moment for us and reinforces the growth there is in the sector.”

Micro Scooter’s popular Scoot Safe scheme is also currently being developed to suit younger children. It will sit alongside new toddler product, such as the Mini 2 Go Deluxe Plus (a multi-adaptable ride-on scooter for children from 12 months).

LICENSING LOOKOUT ▶ I n the Night Garden’s Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy are set to celebrate ‘10 Years of Magical Journeys’ with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). A range of activities will run throughout May and June, with interactive trails across the UK. ▶ C haracter Options is building on the knockout success of its Teletubbies master toy range with the upcoming release of the new and hotly anticipated Tiddlytubbies collection. ▶ Orange Tree Toys is designing its first collection of wooden toys for Disney, based on a classic and well-loved group of characters. Products will be available from autumn 2017. ▶ Nurture Rights has announced that fashion retailer M&Co is expanding its Dinosaur Roar! offering with a new children’s range, produced by Fashion UK. ▶ Gemma International has added eOne’s preschool brand PJ Masks to its portfolio, with a new range of licensed cards, giftwrap and partyware.

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Creative Play from

Pretend to Bee – a specialist company providing the best design and manufacture of children’s dressing up costumes, educational toys and accessories, as well as licensed ranges. www.pretendtobee.com support@pretendtobee.com +44 (0)115 921 5690

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TOP STORY

The Bedtime Book Club

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hildren’s book publisher Walker Books and baby sleep brand The Gro Company have teamed up to create a Bedtime Book Club, celebrating the joy of books at bedtime.

Running throughout the year, each seasonal promotion and competition will focus on a key Walker Books publication and associated product from The Gro Company range, with highlights including classic picture book Owl Babies, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and will be paired with The Gro Company’s

Peppa’s Box Office Hit

Preschool favourite Peppa Pig has charmed cinema audiences across the UK and Australia with theatrical debut My First Cinema Experience: Peppa’s Australian Holiday.

The film has enjoyed box office sales of just over £3m in the UK, where it screened in over 500 cinemas nationwide and ranked in the top five UK box office releases in its opening week.

brand new sleep aid, Ollie the Owl. The Bedtime Book Club will feature on Walker Books’ picture book blog, www.picturebookparty. co.uk, and will be promoted across both The Gro Company and Walker Books’ social channels, reaching over 337,000 consumers collectively.

“Picture books are at the heart of our publishing, and we’re delighted to be working with The Gro Company to celebrate books and reading,” said Jill Kidson, head of consumer marketing, Walker Books.

Right: Preschool feature film My First Cinema Experience: Peppa’s Australian Holiday was a hit over the Easter holidays.

PEOPLE NEWS “Despite a strong start to the holidays, we faced a combination of sluggish sales and intense promotional activity,” said Dave Brandon, chairman and chief executive officer, Toys R Us. “However, we remain focused on improving in every area of our business.”

One key focus for the coming year includes the expansion of the retailer’s joint venture with Fung retailing in Asia, which will see Toys R Us Japan (160 stores), become part of Toys R Us Asia.

BPA Encourages Export With inflation creeping up, British consumers feeling the pinch and slow growth in the UK nursery sector, the Baby Products Association (BPA) is advising UK manufacturers and suppliers to explore buoyant international markets. The UK’s nursery trade association organises UK Pavilions at CBME in Shanghai, China (July) and Kind und Jugend in Cologne, Germany (September).

“The Chinese market is booming,” said organiser Simon Anslow. “Low £GBP rates make British products particularly attractive to consumers and retailers, who gain higher margins.”

September’s Kind und Jugend is a

Above: Walker Books and The Gro Company are working together to highlight the power of a book at bedtime.

Both countries supported the release with heavyweight marketing and PR campaigns, as well as co-ordinated retail activity and a range of spin-off licensed merchandise from licensees including TY, Penguin, Trademark, Underground Toys, Redan and Portmeirion.

Toys R Us Financials Fall Short Sluggish sales and intense promotional activity have been listed as the reasons behind Toys R Us’ decrease in end of year sales.

The US-based toy retailer reported a decrease of $8 million in its financial results for the full year and fourth quarter of 2016, totalling $792 million for the full year.

Continued weakness in the entertainment and baby categories for the retailer has been blamed, alongside the current tough retail environment.

Heidi Steel, marketing manager at The Gro Company agreed, saying: “Bedtime is such an important part of a child’s daily routine. Teaming up with Walker Books is a natural fit for us, as a good story can make bedtime magical.’

great opportunity to reach buyers from around the world, with 22,000 trade visitors travelling from 112 countries in 2016 “We generally have over 60 participants in the UK Pavilion with a waiting list for space,” said organiser Adrian Sneyd. “Anyone looking to join us is advised to complete and return the booking forms as soon as possible.”

There are a limited number of Trade Access Programme (TAP) grants (£2,500 for CMBE and £1,500 for Kind und Jugend) available for both shows.

Full information and application forms can be downloaded from the website at www.thebpa.eu

www.progressive-preschool.com

▶ Mothercare has announced that Gillian Kent has joined the board as non-executive director. Gillian has had a broad executive career and currently holds non-executive director roles at five other companies. ▶ Experienced trade fair specialist Jörg Schmale has been named as the new project manager at the Kind + Jugend trade fair. Jörg has been working at Koelnmesse since 2001 and was most recently responsible for photokina. ▶ Tomy has signed Nicola Jenkins as new head of UKI marketing to expand the growing senior management team at the toy and games giant. Nicola has a strong track record in both retailled and direct to consumer sales. ▶ Children’s dress-up specialist Pretend to Bee has appointed Kate Skitt, who has over 16 years experience within the retail sector, as sales manager for the company. ▶ Nursery distributor Cheeky Rascals has signed Debbie Grant as sales director.

The role will see Debbie leading the sales and customer service teams, supporting overall plans for strategic growth. ▶ Summer Infant has expanded its sales team with the appointment of Daniel Kidd as national account manager, responsible for Amazon & UK grocery accounts as well as some targeted new business ventures. ▶ Hardenberg & Co has announced the arrival of new trade marketing executive, Joe Swanston.

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Wilberry Mini’s 27 lifelike animals to collect, average height 15cm and just £8.50RRP each!

Tel: +44 (0) 1462 446040 www.puppetsbypost.com The Puppet Company - Progressive Preschool - May issue.indd 13 78_PPS_May_June 2017.indd 1

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TOP STORY

Great British Style

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hen it comes to buying products for the family home, style has been ranked as the top priority for 97% of British parents, coming second only to safety.

Conducted by SnüzPod, the recent survey of hundreds of UK parents has revealed that families are putting increasing levels of significance on nursery furniture. More than 75% of the participants claimed that ensuring nursery furniture matched the home décor was important, with more than half claiming that colour was the most important aspect when making purchasing decisions.

Snüz co-founder Mark Nicholls commented on the recent findings, saying: “Over the years we have seen a dramatic rise in

Strong Start For Toy Fair 2018

Toy Fair 2018, taking place at London’s Kensington Olympia 23–25 January, has already welcomed 142 returnee applications just two months after the close of the 2017 show; approximately 63% of the total number of 2017 exhibitors.

The 2018 show will once again follow a three-day Tuesday to Thursday format. The event welcomes companies of all sizes, from established brands through to those that are brand new to the industry and looking to make their mark.

“It’s really pleasing to see such a high number of bookings at this early stage of the year,” said Majen Immink, head of Toy Fair operations and sales. “We look forward to speaking further to returning companies and prospective new exhibitors over the coming months with a view to creating the best possible platform for the industry to do business over a busy three days.”

Companies that are keen to exhibit at the 2018 fair are encouraged to submit their online applications at www.toyfair.co.uk as soon as possible.

the level of importance parents give to the style of products, especially furniture, and these results show that has showing no signs of slowing down. We pride ourselves on creating products that exceed on safety and function with ease and looks great too, so it’s great to know that we’re focusing on the right thing!”

Below: The research was undertaken by the team behind the award-winning and stylish SnüzPod bedside crib.

Hello Baby Goes Traditional

The latest online nursery store to make the move into traditional retailing is Hello Baby (www.hellobabydirect.com), which opened the doors to its new bricks and mortar store on 20 April 2017.

The company has been trading successfully online for the last eight years and boasts a turnover of over £2m and customers in 30 countries.

Based in St Albans, the shop will showcase the best in nursery gear and accessories and will offer an impressive range of everyday and high-end brands.

“An out of town location is perfect because parking is easy and we can offer a car seat fitting service,” said shop manager Belinda Starkey. “We are also excited about creating a community around our store with events such as book readings and free coffee for parents. After being online for so long we are really looking forward to finally meeting customers face-to-face!”

Below: The new store will also serve as a click and collect base for the website.

Bigger Focus For FunFest 2017

The FunFest Influencer Summit will be returning to Whittlebury Hall in Northampton on Saturday 16 September, with some exciting new changes.

Now in its third year, FunFest is the UK’s first family-friendly blogger conference and brand ambassador event. The conference and expo has grown to accommodate a broad spectrum of bloggers, vloggers, YouTubers and social media influencers, all key within the fast-changing world of media and communications.

This year’s event will see a larger programme of activity and an extended showcase of brands and entertainment properties exhibiting and getting involved, and will be co-organised by Mimram Media, in partnership with MI PR Global.

“The influencers of today are as likely to use YouTube, Twitch and Facebook Live as they are to present their media channels via the written blog,” said Mimram Media director Lisa Carter. “We’re ensuring that FunFest 2017 will better reflect all areas of social journalism,” For more information about the FunFest Influencer Summit 2017, visit www.funfestuk.com.

NEWS IN BRIEF ▶ Bugaboo’s latest limited-edition collection features colourful and playful prints

by French graphic artist Niark1, who has worked with global brands such as Converse and collaborated with music industry giants including Pharrell Williams. ▶ Nursery distributor bébélephant has taken on the UK/ROI distribution for a number of exciting new brands, including the jacket expander panel manufacturer Zip Us In, safety brand Pogu (which develops reflective safety products) and new kids on the nursery block, Belo & Me. ▶ littleCONCEPTS has launched an online B2B ordering system to help retailers easily place trade orders for PlanToys, Scribble Down, Avenue Mandarine and BrickStix. ▶ Story Starters, a new early years’ literacy programme backed by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, was launched on Monday 3 April to help give Merseyside children the best start in life. ▶ Prince Lionheart has been appointed the sole distributor of the much-loved Baby Banana range of infant and toddler toothbrushes in the UK, Belgium, Luxembourg and France. ▶ Cornwall Wildlife Trust and childrenswear company Frugi are celebrating their ten-year partnership, which has seen an incredible £111,000 in donations from the business to the Trust.

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The Progressive Preschool Awards take place on Thursday 9 November 2017, at The Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair, London.

Now in its fifth year, the PPS Awards is a hugely popular awards ceremony that sees all sectors within the preschool product and retail sector coming together to network and celebrate the past year.

The Progressive Preschool Awards recognise retail and product excellence, in addition to marketing prowess and people power. The nomination and voting process differs for each category, utilising the skills, experience and knowledge of experts in the sector. This ensures that the utmost integrity is maintained.

All categories now open for entry Product Award Categories – Judged in person by top retail buyers Marketing Award – Highly coveted, judged by marketing gurus Retail Award Categories – A chance to nominate your leading retail partners Outstanding Achievement Award – Recognising talent from product or retail Wholesale / Distributor Award – Rewarding the often unsung heroes of trade Entry is open online at www.progressive-preschool-awards.co.uk Contact a member of the PPS Team for guidance on nominations and entry: Rob Willis: robw@max-publishing.co.uk Jo Pilcher: jop@max-publishing.co.uk Jacqui Parr: jacquip@max-publishing.co.uk Samantha Loveday: saml@max-publishing.co.uk Join industry peers across manufacturing, licensing, supply and retail for a day of celebration for the preschool sector in a glorious setting.

“What a great honour to receive the award. We have had great support from a fantastic group of suppliers partners that have worked hard with us in order to deliver a customer-focused range.”

Dawn Lavalette, head of buying for toys and nursery, Tesco.

“It is amazing for Sainsbury’s Argos to be recognised in the PPS Awards, and I feel incredibly proud of my team who have worked many late nights to deliver a fantastic preschool offering.”

Chris Watters, buying manager - preschool, Sainsbury’s Argos.

"To win Best Outdoor Toy Range had made us all so very proud, especially with it being such a prestigious category and up against some real industry giants. We couldn’t be happier.”

Nikki Jeffrey, UK key account manager, Famosa.

For ticket information Please contact Clare Davies, Createvents Ltd: T: 01183 340085 E: clare@createvents.co.uk W: createvents.co.uk

www.progressive-preschool-awards.co.uk

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The Retail Award Categories • • • • • • • • • •

Best Supermarket Retailer Best Multiple Retailer Best Mixed Retailer Best Department Store Retailer Best Online Retailer Best Retail Initiative Best Independent Toy Retailer Best Independent Apparel Retailer Best Independent Gift Retailer Best Independent Nursery Retailer

The Product Award Categories • • • • • • • • •

Best Preschool Essentials Range Best Preschool Reading or Writing Range Best Preschool Home or Furniture Range Best Preschool Mobility Range Best Preschool Apparel or Accessories Range Best Preschool Toys or Games Range Best Preschool Tech, Development or STEM Range Best Preschool Gift Range The Innovation Award

The Special Awards • The Marketing Award • The Outstanding Achievement Award • Best Wholesaler or Distributor Award 2017 Sponsors include...

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MEDI A WATCH

IN THE

Public Eye

In Media Watch, Progressive Preschool takes a look at the preschool products featuring in the consumer press and social media to find out what will be in demand at retail over the coming months.

MAY 2017

Sound Asleep The May issue of Mother & Baby magazine saw a panel of parent reviewers testing travel cots for their little ones. Impressed with its speed and ease of use, they awarded the SpaceCot 14/15, making it the overall winner. Comments included: “This is hard to beat if you want a travel cot that takes seconds to fold and unfold.”

Baby Bites Comforting teethers are an essential for many babies, as the April issue of dad-focused publication FQ Magazine pointed out, featuring both the vanilla-scented Gertie the Good Goose teether and the fab squeaky GaGa Elephant teether from Infantino in its feature on the best baby chew toys.

Sing A Rainbow Rainbow-themed clothes and products are undergoing a resurgence in the popular nursery press at the moment.

This rain-soaked feature in May’s issue of Gurgle magazine included East Coast Nursery’s Little Raincloud musical play gym from the popular Say Hello developmental toy range.

Toy Time The spring issue of Mother & Baby magazine sorted through all the best toy releases this spring, giving readers a fab lowdown on the latest must-have baby and toddler toys due to be hitting the shops. Highlights inlcuded wooden toys such as Le Toy Van’s bee-themed Gears and Cogs toy and tech lines such as Infantino’s Leon the Chamleon shape sorter.

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MEDI A WATCH

Flower Power

Go Go Gadget!

Celebrating the spring colours and themes found at the most recent edition of the Bubble London trade show was the Spring Bounty feature found in the March/April issue of Baby London. The rather lovely Kite Lightweight GO Coat was selected for its gorgeous detailing and on-trend floral print.

A force of nature!

This Press Association article featuring ‘six of the best baby gadgets’ was picked up by a number of outlets, including the Edinburgh Evening News. Described as ‘pure comfort’, Sweet Dreamer’s popular night-time comforter Ewan the Dream Sheep was celebrated for being a ‘technically savvy bedtime soother’.

Miffy’s Day Popular preschooler bunny Miffy can be seen across books, televsion shows and a whole plethora of nursery product.

Thanks to a new app, previewed in both Baby London and Gurgle, fans of the Dutch bunny can now learn all about Miffy’s Day, as they are encouraged to develop their own independence and creativity.

Clever Converting The Big Test in the spring issue of Mother & Baby focused on future-proof pushchairs, those which convert from carrycot to stroller to tandem buggy at the flick of a cleverly concealed switch. The overall winner, with a fabulous 12/15 was the Silver Cross Wave, which was described as being stylish, of exceptional quality and ‘built to last’.

MAY 2017

Who’s Who?

The PR companies, distributors and suppliers featured in this issue of Media Watch are: Bump PR (Infantino Bkids, Cheeky Rascals, SweetDreamers), Le Toy Van, Orchard Toys, East Coast Nursery, Highlight PR (Miffy), Hippychick (Space Cot), Kite Clothing, Orange Tree Toys and Lil’ Spin (Silver Cross).

Travel Tools A travel feature in The Sun on Sunday 23 April featured a breakout on clever gadgets to make travelling with children more enjoyable. Cheeky Rascals’ My Carry Potty was given pride of place, thanks to its ‘great design’ and wide selection of colours and fab designs. The paper was impressed that there would be ‘no risk of little accidents’.

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www.FunFestuk.com

CONNECTING BRANDS WITH INFLUENCERS

Saturday September 16th 2017

Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa, Northamptonshire

FUNFEST 2016 BLOGGER/VLOGGER SOCIAL REACH

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The FunFest Influencer Summit will give brands the opportunity to meet with influential parenting bloggers and vloggers from across the country.

It is no secret that parenting bloggers and vloggers are some of the most influential in the UK, making great brand ambassadors for a variety of products and using them as a secret weapon in killer marketing strategies.

FunFest, now in its 3rd year, is the UK’s only family friendly parenting blogger conference and brand ambassador event. Following feedback and demand from the influencer community, FunFest 2017 will have brands from additional sectors including: Toys, Nursery, PreSchool, Video Games / Apps, Tech, Music and Sports.

FunFest provides brands with an excellent opportunity to network, meet and engage with some of the UK’s most established bloggers and vloggers – a perfect solution for companies looking to connect with potential brand ambassadors in a friendly and relaxed environment.

The combined social reach of delegates, bloggers & vloggers at FunFest 2016 hit 1,620,668 people.

Make sure you’re connected with the next generation of influencers to help build your brands and remain one step ahead!!!

To find out how you can meet up with these influencers – and engage with their audiences – contact Ruth.Leonard@miprglobal.co.uk or call 07723 028635

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I N DU ST RY I N S I G H TS

AN OPEN OPPORTUNITY As one of the world’s largest market research companies, GfK offers retailers and suppliers valuable insight into the way people live, think and shop. Here, nursery business manager Tullika Bhalla takes a look at the latest figures and market trends. aximising Retail M Opportunities “As we began preparing for the GfK seminar which took place at this year’s Harrogate International Nursery Fair, it became increasingly obvious that growth within the £921million Nursery sector is finally slowing down.

With a decline showing right across the January and February 2017 sales figures, the start of the year has been a somber one, with unavoidably disappointing results. With parents feeling the economic pressure and inflation creeping up, we can clearly see the sale of non-essential baby products stalling.

However, this means that there is an opportunity within the retail sector to work with the manufacturers in order to provide the best deals that parents can buy.”

seats, baby monitors, highchairs, bottle/ breast feeding, soothers, teethers and toddler feeding) are now made online, with purchases for a number of essential products growing to the extent that they are beginning to outpace in-store sales.

For example, while sales of video monitors are declining within bricks-and-mortar stores, online sales of the high-tech safety devices have grown by 42%.”

However, this has not had an impact on Black Friday sales throughout the wider nursery sector. While the nursery retailers are following the example of their Below: Promotions are key to driving sales and there are a number of different approaches retailers can take, some more effective than others.

Inset: Consumers now commonly use a smartphone to check deals, compare prices and place orders while instore.

CE counterparts, Black Friday has not yet been adopted whole-heartedly.”

A New Dimension “As Anthony Williams from GfK highlighted during his Harrogate presentation; ‘The nursery sector is in a unique position to add a new dimension to the retail experience – this could be developmental or multi-stage. It could be done by choosing a hero product or bolt-on bundle deals to maximise sales.

Ranging on the shelves is also a good option, based on the developmental need for the nursery shoppers.’

Retailers can also benefit from the 10% rule. The uplift seen in sales from a 10% discount has been bigger than when deeper discounts are offered. Consumer decision making is becoming more budgetcentric, however, it is also more considered and parents are happy to trade up when they perceive a deal as offering more value for money.”

Retail is Changing “Consumers are changing the way they shop. Armed with a smartphone, reading reviews online and comparing in-store pricing to online, retail is becoming truly omnichannel.

Parents expect to be able to shop the same way for their babies and toddlers.

One third of sales within the nursery categories (which includes strollers, car PROGRES SIVE PRESCHOOL

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COLU MN I ST

THE GREAT OUTDOORS ASK ANNA In her debut column for Progressive Preschool, Anna takes a look at the importance of encouraging outdoor play and considers what independent retailers can do to help encourage kids to get outside.

Anna Taylor is a research assistant at Fundamentally Children, an organisation dedicated to helping children develop skills through play. www.fundamentallychildren.com

“

W

ith the muchpublicised rise in childhood obesity and the increasing numbers of children under five who spend an average of four hours a day staring at a screen, parents are – understandably – desperate to encourage their children to be more active.

Getting outside to play really gives children the freedom to run around, make noise, and get messy – all important things for play, but which are often a little restricted when playing indoors. Active play is brilliant exercise for children and helps to keep them fit and healthy. It also means they can put their physical skills to the test; strengthening muscles, improving coordination, and developing their confidence.

Outdoor toys also naturally encourage this healthy, active play.

We always suggest to parents that they don’t have to buy lots of toys for their children – a few well chosen ones are all they need. There are of course the classics like skipping ropes and footballs, but while testing

and evaluating products for the Good Toy Guide we’ve come across some real winners that parents might never have heard of before.

For instance, we recently reviewed the BubaBloon, which is so simple yet genius. Children love balloons; balloons love bursting and floating away. So BubaBloon adds a layer of protection – in the form of a washable, removable cloth balloon cover – meaning that children can enjoy their balloon all day without the risk of tears. Another plus is that the BubaBloon isn’t as heavy or hard as a regular ball, so young children can throw, catch and kick much more easily.

Bubbles are also a big hit with children and a brilliant way to get them running and jumping

around the outside space. Little ones have a natural fascination with bubbles – they will follow the same one for some distance, just waiting for the simple pleasure of popping it. The Gazillion Whirlwind bubble machine gives this experience an upgrade, blasting out thousands of bubbles per minute for children to dance around in.

Another exciting way for children to get active in the garden is the Peppa Pig Jump and Squeak Pogo.

This is a bit more challenging than some of the more usual ride-on toys, so it really pushes their coordination and strength skills. Plus, they will burst with pride when they show off their new skill to nan and grandad.

Children love burning off some excess energy outside, so it’s the perfect opportunity to encourage exercise.

Establishing a fit and healthy lifestyle as early as possible means children will reap the benefits throughout their childhood and beyond.”

Left: Outdoor play offers numerous benefits, from developing valuable motor skills to honing social interaction..Below: Bubbles are a great way of keeping children of all ages playing in the great outdoors.

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FACE TO FACE WI TH B B C WORLDWI DE Inset: “We have built robust plans to grow our preschool properties into sustainable franchiseled businesses,” says Rikesh Desai.

A Preschool Powerhouse BBC Worldwide has an enviable clutch of successful preschool brands, with the consumer products programmes carefully cultivated to hit every touchpoint that is important to their army of fans.

PPS finds out more about the plans for Hey Duggee, Go Jetters and Mr Tumble among others.

I

t’s fair to say that BBC Worldwide is on something of a roll at the moment when it comes to its preschool portfolio. From big award wins for Hey Duggee (see box out) through to major success with experiential initiatives such as the CBeebies Village at the Hamleys Parade last Christmas, the company is going from strength to strength.

“We’re lucky that we work with some exceptional creative talent and have really strong brands that are performing well on air, both in the UK and globally,” Rikesh Desai, licensing director for merchandise and gaming, consumer products, tells PPS. “This has resulted in a growing demand for toys, clothing and publishing, extending fans’ enjoyment of their favourite shows.”

“Over the last few years we have built robust plans to grow our preschool properties into sustainable franchise-led businesses,” he

continues, “both domestically and globally, which we hope will lead to great success for all involved.”

That success is already coming to the fore for Hey Duggee. The strategy for the past year has been to focus on growing the softlines business – with partners including Aykroyds TDP and Blues Clothing – supported by a brand campaign to coincide with National Hugging Day in January.

“We saw a phenomenal reaction to the initial launches across both nightwear and daywear,” says Rikesh.

“The ranges sold out online, often within hours – some sizes within minutes.

This strong performance resulted in repeat bookings, new retail listings and we have some really fun products in fast track development.”

Off the back of this success, Hey Duggee 

Winning Streak Hey Duggee has been making good use of his tuxedo over the past few months, as he seems to be on something of a winning streak.

The show picked up the Preschool Animation accolade at last year’s BAFTA Children’s Awards, while – just a few months later – it won the prestigious International Emmy Kids Award for Preschool.

“It is wonderful to have the experts in the children’s media industry, both in the UK and globally, recognising what a truly brilliant show Hey Duggee is,” says Rikesh. “Winning two such prestigious awards so close together raises the profile of Hey Duggee and we feel honoured to be working with this special brand.

“Since the wins we’ve been inundated with enquiries about licensing categories and available rights,” he continues. “But also, equally important, these awards further establish Hey Duggee as a power brand within the media industry and having supportive broadcast/digital partners globally is also critical to the success of a preschool brand.”

Below: Rikesh says he is honoured to work with a brand as special as Hey Duggee.

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NOW PRODUCING BABYWEAR

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FACE TO FACE WI TH B B C WORLDWI DE

Going Live When it comes to extending the connection between its brands and the fans even further, live events and attractions are key for BBC Worldwide.

The CBeebies Village at last year’s Hamleys Parade was a runaway success, while CBeebies Land at Alton Towers has grown, with the addition of the Go Jetters Vroomster ride and the opening this summer of the CBeebies Land Hotel.

“Events like this are brilliant,” says Rikesh. “They help build brand awareness and fan engagement, which form part of the overall approach to building a successful franchise preschool property.”

He continues: “Beyond watching the content and owning consumer products, fans love coming face-toface with their favourite characters and response to both our CBeebies Village at Hamleys Parade and brand new Go Jetters ride at Alton Towers was amazing.”

will be expanding to swimwear and

underwear, with stationery, lunchware, socks and bedding also on the horizon.

Meanwhile, the Go Jetters merchandise programme is moving

Right: Sarah & Duck is heading out on tour in May.

into its second year with a roll out into new categories. Aykroyds TDP is launching new nightwear, underwear and swimwear, while Blue Sky Designs is creating a range of art, stationery and activity products – both of these will be complementary to the successful toy line, which will welcome a second wave of launches this year. On top of this, the brand will be boosted by retail activity, plus the new Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom ride at CBeebies Land Alton Towers.

There is also good news for fans of Mr Tumble, with Rikesh and his team planning to dial up the focus on the brand.

“You will see a range of retailerspecific activity to support both our existing and new partners to drive brand awareness and sell-through,” Rikesh continues. “In terms of categories, with our master toy partner Golden Bear we will be launching a new hero toy line this autumn/ winter, alongside the already in market categories of greeting cards, lunchware, books and bedding.”

Traction is also expected from new partners K3Y for daywear, Princess Foods and Trends for ELAs, while the new Something Special bedroom at CBeebies Land Hotel opens in July.

Elsewhere, the Sarah & Duck merchandise programme will be built out from the existing strong publishing base, while a live show recently opened at the Polka Theatre and will go on a UK-wide tour in May. It’s a busy time for the BBC Worldwide team within preschool, but those carefully laid plans are bearing fruit and, in a fiercely competitive market, it is certainly succeeding in getting front of mind with licensees, retailers and consumers.

Below: Work is well underway on the CBeebies Land Hotel which will boast themed rooms including Something Special.

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TOYMA STER S P ECI A L Inset: : The Majestic once again welcomes the toy trade through its doors this May.

MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE Something of a toy trade tradition, the annual Toymaster show returns to The Majestic in Harrogate in May. Running from May 16-18, its mix of business and social interaction between retailers and suppliers creates a unique atmosphere quite unlike any other trade event. PPS finds out more.

W

ith one sentence, Toymaster’s md Ian Edmunds encapsulates one of the reasons why the May show holds a special place in the collective heart of the toy trade. “It’s not a ‘looky looky’ show,” he tells PPS, “it’s a ‘get your pen out’ show. There is a reason for both suppliers and members to be there. Toymaster’s job, at the end of the day, is to facilitate trade.”

Below: : Interactive learning buddy Master Moves Movi joins Mattel’s preschool line-up.

With 106 exhibitors taking up residence in the various rooms at The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, there is certainly likely to be a deal for every retailer, while the suppliers benefit from that all important face-to-face time with customers.

“The Toymaster show is a great opportunity and sometimes the only chance in the year to showcase new lines to our independent accounts, many of whom don’t travel to the shows held at the beginning of the year,” says Suzie

Howes, head of marketing and licensing at Rainbow Designs.

For Orchard Toys’ sales director, Simon Prest, the timing of the show is perfect: “Many independents attend the show, whether members or not.

Its timing in the calendar means they are all beginning to consider the stock they’ll be needing for the



Why We Support Toymaster “The Toymaster show gives us the opportunity to properly show our brands for the year in a much more ‘finished’ state, which enables our independent retailers to select ranges with more confidence ahead of the main season. It is a fantastic opportunity to hear what is happening in the high street and learn first hand what we are doing well or not so well.”

Nicola Bergot, commercial director, Flair

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SEE US AT THE TOYMASTER 2017 SHOW

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TOYMA STER S P ECI A L



Left: Ravensburger saw another year of growth with Toymaster in 2016, says Derek Scott.

The Retailer’s View For retailers, a major factor in supporting the show is the fact they know they are going to be presented with a host of deals.

“It is the one show where most of my Christmas orders are placed,” says Bhav Patel, md of Toy Galaxy. “After the toy fairs and previews, you gain a better insight into what is coming out for the year and what may potentially be the hot toys.”

He continues; “The May show is the platform where all these things come together and you commit to the stock you want to take. It may seem too early in the year to be thinking of Christmas, but planning that far ahead also means you are better prepared to deal with your merchandising. Seeing them all in three days can be tough going, but it is far more productive than any other show in the trade.”

Another major benefit of the show is the ability to meet up with other independent retailers, talk and exchange notes, says Bhav. “As independent retailers, it’s great to talk to fellow members as we all collectively strive to drive our own businesses forward.”

Below: Toy Galaxy’s Bhav says most of his Christmas orders are placed at the show.

important fourth quarter of the year.”

Mattel – which takes over the French restaurant area – believes it has its ‘best ever’ selection of show offers this year. “The Toymaster show is a fantastic opportunity to show the new ranges to independents in a more personal setting, with a lot of time to socialise with customers, too,” says Steve Asbey, key account manager at Mattel UK. “We consider the independents an important element to the UK toy trade and Mattel.”

Ravensburger is another company bringing a bumper lineup – showcasing 220 new lines.

“The members support us and the show, and as a result we achieved yet another year of growth with Toymaster in 2016, despite it being a challenging year,” comments general sales manager, Derek Scott.

“We can build ranges to suit each member’s individual requirements.”

Why We Support Toymaster “A number of reasons – firstly, it’s the one show where we get to see so many independent customers under one roof. The time of year means we can unveil all our new autumn/winter releases and our independents get to see these first. The amount of indie customers that visit the show, the intimacy and atmosphere you get is great and there’s nothing quite like it.”

Stewart Middleton, md, Jumbo Games

important partner in this area,” says account manager, Boyd Denton.

There is no doubt it’s a full on three days, but the show is a mustattend in the preschool calendar.

Just be sure to bring plenty of pens.

Left: Le Toy Van is expanding its Petilou toddler collection.

Le Toy Van’s Marie Bureau calls the show ‘unique’ and says it is a great opportunity to build on its strong relationships and show new price point items. “With our Petilou toddler collection expanding, the independent preschool toy sector is becoming more and more important to Le Toy Van,” she says.

Gary Wood, UK country manager at Infantino BKids, will be exhibiting for the first time since the company’s rebrand. “Toymaster has always been a fantastic show to exhibit at,” he says. “We hope to secure more Toymaster distribution.”

It’s not just toy suppliers that benefit from the show either.

Usborne will be showing its range of bestselling children’s books and toys, including two ranges of books for babies. “We are constantly looking for new routes to market and see the toy trade, particularly the Toymaster group, as an

Why We Support Toymaster “It is a great occasion to speak to members, listen to their concerns and work together on a compelling range for their shoppers. It is a very close friendly show that offers open discussions with its members.”

Severine Hemms, senior brand manager – trade marketing, TOMY

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WHAT’S NEW TOYMASTER 2017 New products featured at this years’ Toymaster Show JUMBO GAMES Jumbo Games will be showcasing its brand new Thomas & Friends Large Foam Floor Puzzle and 4-in-1 Shaped Foam Bath Puzzles and its new Peppa Pig Puzzle and Colour double-sided jigsaw puzzle. It will also be showing new products available in its extensive GOULA wooden puzzles, games, toys and arts and crafts portfolio.

Tel: 01707 260436 www.jumbo.eu

RAINBOW DESIGNS On show at Toymaster will be Rainbow Design’s new, fun-packed TV Peter Rabbit range that includes a soft toy assortment of the characters from the show, as well as two exciting feature plush lines.

The 24cm Talking Peter Rabbit and Lily Bobtail characters speak five different phrases and the award-winning 40cm plush toys not only talk and giggle away, but also waggle their ears and hop up and down.

Tel: 01329 227300 www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

SMART TOYS AND GAMES

MARBEL As distributors of one of the most iconic wooden toy brands, Hape, Marbel will introduce its all new award-winning Mighty Mountain Mine at Toymaster. This is the crowning glory to a new range to the existing railway collection labelled Mountain Mine. The set captures the hustle and bustle of a real working mine as it brings train play to life where children can explore the fantasy and imagination of playtime.

Tel: 0845 6000286 www.marbel.co.uk

Smart Toys and Games is delighted to be showcasing brand new sets from SmartMax and SmartGames this year. This includes the brand new game Snow White, where children use logical thinking to discover how to place all the characters in their right position.

With puzzle pieces that are safe and tactile to hold and a booklet with multi-level challenges, this game will have kids puzzling for hours.

Tel: 01903 885669 www.smartgames.eu

K’NEX Kid K’NEX introduce construction play to children aged 3+, supporting their cognitive development with sets that feature chunky and brightly coloured pieces. In addition to a Kid K’NEX Budding Builders Tub with a hundred pieces and fifty building ideas, the 2017 line also features animal and wheel inspired sets.

Tel: 01189 253 270 www.knex.co.uk

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WHAT’S NEW TOYMASTER 2017 New products featured at this years’ Toymaster Show GALT TOYS Especially for all budding young scientists, Galt Toys is delighted to introduce its exciting new Explore and Discover range featuring five great Lab Kits. Science Lab shows how to make a floaty ghost, test tube kaleidoscope and bouncy ball with instructions for 20 fun experiments!

Tel: 0161 428 9111 www.galttoys.com

CLEMENTONI Clementoni is showcasing its three hero categories at Toymaster this year – infant, STEM and puzzles.

Strong focus is being placed on the infant category with Baby Clementoni and the 2017 line includes brand new Musical Elephant and the new Interactive Football Table. Clementoni is also bringing robotics to the preschool category for the first time with the brilliant DOC – the first ever game that brings children closer to educational robotics in a fun and creative way.

Tel: 0208 782 1143 www.clementoni.com

TRENDS UK Trends UK is introducing new Thomas & Friends ELAs, including the Thomas Flip & Learn Phone and Thomas Learn & Play Alphaphonics.

Young Thomas fans will love the fun new toys with lots of activities and sounds to explore. Peppa Pig fans can join in with Peppa Pig Laugh and Learn Alphaphonics and the new Peppa Pig Play Mat with fun sounds, graphics and activities.

Tel: 01702 208175 www.trendsuk.co.uk

USBORNE Usborne is delighted to be exhibiting at Toymaster in 2017.

It will be showing its key new releases, including fingerprinting and magic painting activity books, book and jigsaw sets, plus new titles in the internationally bestselling ‘Sticker Dolly Dressing’ and ‘That’s not my...’ series.

Tel: 0141 306 3100 www.usborne.com

PAUL LAMOND GAMES On show at Toymaster will be two fabulous new lines from Paul Lamond Games for the renowned Tiger Who Came to Tea brand - a Memory Card Game and 4-in-1 Games Cube.

The new Tiger Who Came to Tea 4-in-1 Games Cube is a little box jam packed with four traditional fun games for preschoolers Matching Bingo, Snap, Twisted Pairs and Four Shapes in a Row. These new lines will join the Tiger Who Came to Tea 4-in-1 puzzle set and 24 piece jumbo floor puzzle.

Tel: 0207 2540100 www.paul-lamond.com

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WHAT’S NEW TOYMASTER 2017 New products featured at this years’ Toymaster Show HALILIT Halilit will be introducing True Dough - a truly creative activity that lets children mix, make, shape and bake their own creations.

With various colours and sizes available, preschoolers and beyond can easily make their very own modelling dough using the patented True Dough powder.

Introductory offers available for retailers.

Tel: 01254 872454 www.halilit.co.uk

WILBERRY TOYS

HTI

The new Mini Animals range from Wilberry Toys has got to be one of the most appealing and adorable ranges its ever made. The soft and very cute little friends are just waiting to be cuddled and played with. With a collection of 27 different ones to choose from, it is going to be hard to pick out a favourite.

Tel: 01462 446040 www.wilberrytoys.com

New Toymaster Catalogue lines from HTI include the Paw Patrol Skye Character Case – a uniquely tooled carry case containing fun musical instrument toys that pack away inside for tidy away play.

There’s also the new Peppa Pig House Tea Set which is modelled directly from the house in the TV series which little fans will instantly recognise – the interactive teapot plays the theme tune and features various brand sounds and light up windows.

Tel: 01253 775544 www.htigroup.co.uk

INTERPLAY Interplay will be showing Fuzzikins Craft at the Toymaster show .The feedback and sales data have shown that the range particularly worked well in the independent market. Fuzzikins Craft will appear on TV and other platforms from this autumn/winter period. To see these and many more exciting products, visit Interplay’s stand.

Tel: 01628 488 944 www.interplayuk.com

SAMBRO SAMBRO has grown rapidly over the past few years and is now one of the leading licensed product manufacturers in the country.

Creating ranges across multiple categories, SAMBRO has cemented its reputation as a company who delivers award-winning, high-quality lines working with some of the biggest licenses around including Disney, Hasbro, Nickelodeon and Universal. It will be showcasing 2017 ranges at the show.

Tel: 0845 8739380 www.sambro.co.uk

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COLU MN I ST

US! CATHY’S CONTACT There are more ways than ever to get in touch these with Facebook, Twitter and emails making sure COLUMN days, customers can get in touch at any time of the day or night. But, as Cathy points out, it’s easy to miss out vital information!

Cathy Bryan has been part of the nursery industry for the last 28 years. You can sign up for Cathy’s free newsletters at www.nursery-online.com.

E

opening hours. Make sure these are up to date – a customer that has just driven a long way to see you isn’t going to be too happy to find you’re now closed on Mondays!

I also believe that mail addresses are very useful, although I think the number of websites which rely on a contact form as the only method for getting in touch is amazing. Maybe I am just old fashioned, but I’m always a bit unsure of them – can I be confident I will get a response? If the retailer is on the ball and I’m asking a simple straightforward question, then that’s OK. The system works.

But what if I’m complaining?

What if I want to have a moan

“

very so often Nursery Online updates its databases and in recent weeks we have been checking our list of independent UK retailers to make sure everything is as right as it could ever be.

One way of checking is to look at their website and I loved seeing what actually was there… and – perhaps more importantly - what was NOT there!

My favourite has to be the Contact Us page that said “Please phone for an appointment before visiting.” Fair enough. But it would help if they actually listed a phone number and gave a location for the showroom!

It is so easy to miss out vital information.

The essentials include the name of your shop. A fancy logo at the top of the page isn’t enough, as sometimes the image might fail to display or not show up on a different device. If you are a bricks and mortar shop, you’ll need to display your address along with the postcode for the all-important sat nav. Your phone number is another essential, as are your

Top: Contact Us pages need to make it easy for consumers to get in touch. Above: Facebook is a powerful branding tool – and these rules apply to retail brands as well.

about customer service? The poor packaging? The fact my goods haven’t been delivered? Could I be certain of getting a response and if I didn’t, what else could I do? Rightly or wrongly, I have the

sneaky suspicion that poor retailers hide behind the anonymity of these forms. Do other customers – your customers? – feel the same?

A Facebook page is free, easy to set up and gives a presence to those retailers that don’t want a full e-commerce site. It is great for interacting with your customers, but I’ve seen a lot of pages where a query has gone unanswered. I’ve also seen short, curt answers which border on the rude!

One frequent question is; “Do you stock this brand?” The curt answer is simply; “Yes we do,” but isn’t there an opportunity to say more? “Yes, we have this popular pushchair from Bloggs currently in store in the favourite colour Charcoal and we can order in any of the other fabulous colours. Visit the shop and see just how easy it is to use!”

On the other hand, if you don’t stock that brand, the answer is often a short, simple; “Sorry, no!”

But why not take the opportunity to explain more? “Sorry, we have decided against stocking that because we feel that the pushchairs from Smiths offer better value. Pop in and see their Megaglide. We’re sure you’ll be impressed with its blah blah blah!”

Maybe you won’t persuade that person to come in and buy, but these comments can be seen by everyone, including those prospective parents who had never heard of the Megaglide but are now interested. It also shows that you know your stuff and are willing to help them discuss their purchase. People buy from people, even if it is online!

So any nursery retailer reading this doesn’t get the weekly Nursery Online newsletter, just drop me a line or give me a call. (Of course, knowing you can reach me at cathy@ nursery-online.com or on 0151 203 6301 does help!!)

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OU T DOOR TOYS

t a e r G e h T utdoors O

Inset: Honey-Bee Adventures has developed a range of modular children’s play equipment.

CREATING A BUZZ While we’re not necessarily blessed with the perfect weather in the UK, the outdoor toy sector is in rude health, even with the rise of more indoor activities. PPS chats to some of the suppliers innovating in the category and making sure that preschoolers get out and about to explore.

I

t’s that time of year when the weather is warming up, the days are longer and it’s time to shed the fog of winter and head back outside.

The outdoor toy category is generally healthy, however – like all sectors – it is faced with its own unique challenges; seasonal sales peaks and rising material costs sitting at the top of the list.

“Both our licensed and ownbrand business has been growing Right: Peg Perego’s Santa Fe ride-on train is designed especially for toddlers.

steadily over the last few seasons,” Phil Ratcliffe, sales and marketing director at MV Sports, tells PPS. “I think the biggest issue for us over the last 12 months has been the need to increase domestic prices as a result of the devaluation of sterling and increasing raw material costs.”

He explains MV Sports’ reluctance to increase prices, saying; “We haven’t passed on the full impact to our customers and are hopeful that the situation will 

British company Honey-Bee Adventures has developed a unique range of versatile, modular children’s play equipment, based on a strong honeycomb shape.

The range – which is fully ROSPA-accredited – consists of six main play-set combinations, featuring elements such as slides, tunnels and dens, all of which interconnect and are interchangeable. Suitable for use by children aged six-months-old and above, the equipment adapts to a range of uses and is created on a bespoke basis.

“We are proud to have created a truly unique playset concept at Honey-Bee Adventures – there really is nothing else like it available in the play equipment market,” says md John Radford.

“Every element of our play systems have been carefully considered to offer parents the adaptable, low maintenance and durable play equipment that we know they need.”

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OU T DOOR TOYS Left: The JCB Excavator enjoyed a successful launch last year.

DIGGING IT To strengthen its message of ‘Dig the Adventure’ – which encourages families to get outdoors and discover new adventures – the JCB range of outdoor toys are tough, durable and fun replicas of the real machines.

Kids@Play is looking to build on the successful launch of the JCB Excavator in Q4 last year. Complete with multi-positional excavator arm, bucket scoop, detachable trailer, rake shovel and hard hat, the Excavator has a 360 degree turning unit and easy movement with foot to floor power.

In addition, the Rolly Toys range includes the JCB Tractor and Rear Excavator, plus JCB Tractor with Trailer. Also for budding builders, there is also the JCB 8250 V-Tronic Tractor with Front Loader – which features anti-slip pedals so children can ride it just like a bike.

Right: Hy-Pro’s Tri-to-Inline Scooter grows with the child’s confidence. Below: MV has grown its Cars range this year to coincide with the third movie.



stabilise going forward.”

MV Sports has a number of high-profile licences in its portfolio, with new launches for 2017 including Cars and Disney Princess to take advantage of the big movie releases, while Phil has high hopes for PJ Masks. In addition, the company has increased its presence in the battery operated vehicle segment, with key new models launched for Batman, Cars 3, PAW Patrol and Thomas & Friends.

“Given that outdoor toys is the second biggest revenue generating category in our industry, it is sometimes overlooked in

favour of higher profile segments,” Phil continues. “Outdoor toys benefit children in terms of them being more active, and evidence suggests that the more active a person is in childhood, the more active they remain as an adult.”

This is a view shared by HyPro’s commercial director, Simon Pickavance. “Fortunately,” he says, “outdoor toys are a prevailing staple of childhood, even with the rise of more indoor activities.

Children are still very much getting out and playing.”

Hy-Pro is launching a new Trito-Inline Scooter for ages two and up this year, with the back wheels which can switch from a tri-scooter to an inline and back again, changing with the child as they grow in confidence.

“Multi-faceted products are definitely on the rise,” he continues.

“Consumers see the benefit of an item that will grow with their child or keep them active in more than one way. They provide more value to the end user and there is continuous innovation in this area.”

Italian preschool company Peg Perego is a newcomer to the UK market, and has launched an extensive battery-operated range at retail. It includes a Santa Fe ride-on train with circular track for toddlers, as well as a six to 12 volt ‘motorbike’ range for children aged from three years and up (including a superb selection of Ducatis and a stylish Vespa). For older children, there is a John Deere-branded range.

“It is important that children are given the opportunity to use their imagination through play from a

very early age, as this helps them make sense of the world around them,” says Phil Howe, country manager UK and Ireland. “We encourage outdoor, imaginative play and support the industry in promoting this on a wider scale.”

It seems like it’s definitely time to throw open those doors and embrace the great outdoors once again, firing up preschoolers’ imaginations even further.

Below: Scoot Lock helps teach youngsters about security.

SECURITY FIX Scoot Lock was invented by Cheryl Fox, an idea which started when her son had his scooter stolen and is now available on Halfords, Kiddicare, Tesco, Argos and Amazon, plus a number of Smyths outlets.

The premise is simple yet effective – Scoot Lock enables children to lock up their scooter and is always attached to the stem, so it goes everywhere the scooter goes. It comes in five different colours and has a four-digit code which can be personalised, a 90cm long tough steel retractable cable and a reflector front badge.

“Teaching children about security and looking after their belongings at a young age is imperative in my opinion,” Cheryl explains to PPS. “We lock our cars, so let’s teach our kids to lock up their wheels, too. I made it easier for the youngsters, and their lock is always on their wheels, so there’s no excuse. Just lock it, leave it and retrieve it.”

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WHAT’S NEW HIPPYCHICK Here are a few of the new products Hippychick have on offer.

OMNIO This British innovation is a full-size stroller with a compact fold. Its unique wearable design leaves both hands free and the revolutionary omni-wheels offer agile steering across multiple terrains. Omnio’s sleek yet robust frame folds down to a compact size and is the only lightweight stroller that can carry up to 22kgs.

SPACECOT SpaceCot’s stylish and super strong design was inspired by the way satellites unfurl 30,000 miles above Earth. It’s so simple to pop up and down, the unique design means SpaceCot can open and close within three seconds. SpaceCot weighs just 6kg, giving parents complete freedom – for use up to 30 months.

TUMTUM Allowing babies to feed themselves with what they choose has to be a good thing, and making it fun with foodie faces is even better!

Introducing TumTum’s range of weaning products from Dippy Face Plates to no spill Tippy up Cups and Swapsie Spoons. Bamboo dining sets also available.

NATTOU Nattou launches a brand new cast of cuddly characters – meet Alex and Bibou. Not only does Nattou supply soft toys and comforters that little ones love, they also bring nurseries to life with rooms sets made up of beautiful themed accessories such as growth charts, play mats and sofas.

TRON Tron solves the age-old problem of when little ones need the toilet, and there aren’t any! The disposable Tron cardboard potty is extremely practical, fits easily into a handbag and is lightweight and highly absorbent. The biodegradable SAP pad inside quickly eliminates odours absorbing 250ml of liquid within just 30 seconds.

AQUAPLANE Build children’s water confidence with Aquplane! Aquplane is a unique 3-in-1 swimming aid that covers all of the main stages of a child’s swimming development.

Children fly through swimming with this brilliant combined back float and kick board. Aquaplane helps little ones achieve a correct swimming position while not restricting movement.

Contact the Hippychick team to discover the full range of products they have on offer: Tel: 01278 434440 www.hippychick.com 48

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WHAT’S NEW OUTDOOR TOYS New products aimed at the outdoor toy market for summer 2017.

MARBEL As the newest addition to the much loved push and pull collection from the specialist wooden toy brand Hape, the Street Surfer combines quality and thoughtful design, creating a wooden kick scooter .The three wheeled surfer has a flexible yet robust design, with extra-large wheels to offer enhanced grip and stability. Using only the finest natural materials and water based paints, the Surfer is put through rigorous safety and quality assessments, to fulfil and exceed parent’s expectations.

Tel: 0845 6000 286 www.marbel.co.uk

HY PRO

MV SPORTS

The new Tri To Inline scooter

by Zinc is designed with an easy interchangeable function with no tools required, converted by easily swapping out the rear wheel component.

Soft foam grips provide comfort for even the littlest of hands.

This scooter can grow with little ones from age two plus, so it’s perfect for development and boosting a child’s confidence as they learn to ride.

Tel: 01582 813033 www.hy-pro.co.uk

MV Sport has now launched its full range of Teletubbies wheeled toys.

The Po Scooter with sounds and elements from the TV show matches perfectly with the Po Helmet complete with iconic antennae. MV Sport has also launched Teletubbies bike, trike and My First Ride on. The bright and bold designs are fun and exciting for little Teletubbies fans and help them with their first steps into wheeled products.

Tel: 0121 748 8000 www.mvsports.co.uk

CHICCO New to Chicco’s Fit ‘n Fun range is the Jungle Rugby, a 3-in-1 toy which encourages motor and socialising skills through three different play modes. The rugby match format, training mode session and stacker toy function work together to create a fun-filled toy that any budding rugby fans will love.

Tel: 0208 9536627 www.chicco.co.uk

SAMBRO Sambro’s Teletubbies range, including ball pit and art easel has been delighting fans since launch. The Teletubbies round ball pit is ideal for both indoor and outdoor play and comes complete with 20 balls. The Teletubbies themed travel easel that will keep your child entertained for hours and is particularly suitable for long trips or holidays. This will allow the little ones to be creative and create magical masterpiece art work.

Tel: 0845 8739380 www.sambro.co.uk

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We can’t guarantee a smooth journey, but we can help babies feel at home, wherever their travels take them…

Best ProdTravel uct Under £25

The Travel Grobag, the Gro Anywhere Blind and the Grohush – the award winning travel collection from The Gro Company /TheGroCompany

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FOCU S ON : T RAV ELLI N G WI TH TOT S Inset: East Coast Nursery’s Say Hello activity spiral attaches to pushchairs, car seats and cots .

Out And About Travelling with young children can be stressful, so the nursery industry is constantly coming up with groundbreaking new products to help solve the many problems that can arise. PPS jumps onboard with the latest travel accessories to hit the preschool market.

H

aving a small child in tow can sometimes make going on a simple trip to the park seem as complicated as packing for a two-week holiday. Parents – especially new parents – are consistently looking for on-the-go accessories that will make their parenting journey easier, regardless of how long that actual journey is going to take.

Starting with the basics, Victoria Taylor, brand manager at East Coast Nursery points out that toys are essential to capturing a fraught little one’s attention while parents are juggling bags – a fact that is as true in the

supermarket as it is in the airport.

“Bright colours, appealing characters, and lots of details and textures to explore are the key elements,” she tells PPS. “Any item that is designed to fit a car seat, infant carrier, or pushchair needs to be checked and updated to ensure it fits the latest styles. In terms of function, variety is important – activities that engage multiple senses help to keep baby’s attention for longer.”

East Coast’s Say Hello Car Activity Centre and Activity Spiral are selling well, the former offering both visual stimulation (and distraction!) for rear-facing babies, the latter ideal for entertaining older babies who want to grasp, pull and shake things.

Taking a more long-haul approach to the travel market is Rob Pascoe, group commercial director at The Gro Company. Rob points out that Above: Skip Hop stroller liner keeps baby cool. Left: The SpaceCot uses clever technology to make a fast, easy fold.

KEEP COOL “We have an array of coordinating on-the-go accessories, including bottle bags, portable changing stations, stroller organisers and our new cool touch stroller liner. Launching in May 2017, the stroller liner keeps baby comfortable all year-round with a top layer to wick away moisture, a bottom mesh layer to allow air to flow and quilted channels to move warm air away. Parents want to feel rest assured that the products they are using will keep baby safe, so the design element is absolutely vital.”

Gemma Stokes , marketing, Skip Hop planning travel can be extremely daunting for parents. “There’s a lot that can go wrong and they want to be reassured that products they take with them will make life easier. Retailers can entice parents by offering a clear travel product range with a true mix of new innovation and proven bestsellers.”

Gro’s multi award-winning Travel Grobag is one such bestseller as it has proven to be a hit with parents looking to keep their routines consistent while on the PROGRES SIVE PRESCHOOL

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The easiest, thinnest & lightest full-size folding travel cot

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FOCU S ON : T RAV ELLI N G WI TH TOT S Far left: Weighing in at only 6kg, the Pop Up & Play Ultimate Playpen is great for travelling.

Left: The award-winning Travel Grobag is a must-have on parents’ holiday shopping lists. Below left: The BumGo changing wrap is great for on the move.



move. New innovation comes in the form of the Insect Shield Grobag which combines Insect Shield technology with a lightweight cotton Grobag, giving peace of mind and protection from mosquitos and other biting nasties. “It’s important that the products a parent chooses to take on their travels work hard for them,” says Rob, “and that they do it in a truly portable, packable way.”

Taking away the hassle and stresses of travelling with young children is key to this sector and distributor Hippychick has a number of lines which do exactly that. “Good travel products need to be simple, convenient and easy to use,” managing director Jeremy Minchin comments. “Products that are extremely portable and space-saving tend to become the most favoured among parents.”

New travel products for Hippychick include Tron, a collapsible travel potty which can be folded away and bought out when little ones get caught short,

and SpaceCot, a travel cot that can be folded and unfolded in under three seconds. “It is obvious to anyone seeing SpaceCot that it is a real game changer in the travel cot spectrum,” says Jeremy. “It truly deserves its countless awards and accolades!”

Also looking to help ensure babies and toddlers get a good night’s sleep while away from home is Catherine Curtis, founder and director of BabyHub. SleepSpace is a mobile cot which can also be used as a

BOTTOMS UP! “We have been working hard on new launches of clever baby products, such as the BumGo. The handy changing ‘wrap’ stores all essential baby items when nappy changing and s all about convenience – ideal at home, when out and about and for longer journeys. It really is perfect for any type of travel – especially flying as it won’t use up valuable hand luggage space!”

Sinead Murphy, cofounder of Shnuggle

play space, and is the first to feature a safe-to-use mosquito net cover.

“It’s very important to keep up to date with design and technology to help make parents lives easier and ensure their child is safe,” says Catherine. “SleepSpace was originally designed for ease of use in homes and for travelling, with its innovative pyramid design, but it soon became apparent during production how important a mosquito net was for parents – so we added one!”

Reacting quickly to the demands of the market by offering a solution to a problem is essential in such a competitive sector and so space-saving design and innovative, lightweight materials are always important. “Travel products must also be easy to transport and simple to assemble,” agrees Hashim Yilmaz, Summer Infant’s vp/general manager, “as many parents want to retain the mini-break and holiday lifestyle they had pre-kids, so that truly necessitates good travel infant and toddler products!”

Summer Infant’s entire POP (Portable On-the-go Products) collection is a focus for 2017 with the latest addition, the new Pop Up & Play Ultimate Playpen.

A clip on full-coverage canopy protects little ones from the sun, while a padded waterproof playmat and a plastic pouch for tablet computers offer protection.

“It folds down so compactly it takes up as much space as a traditional folding camping chair,” says Hashim, “making it perfectly portable while still giving baby plenty of room to play.”

When out and about, parents want to feel assured that the products they are using will keep baby safe, so good design is absolutely vital.

As travel becomes more accessible for families it has become commonplace for parents to take young children on all sorts of adventures – and many different problems can arise from this. Happily, the nursery industry is constantly coming up with groundbreaking new products to help solve those issues – in the travel world, there’s always something new on the horizon.

Left: The multifunctional SleepSpace, from BabyHub, can be used as an insect-free travel cot or play area.

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WHAT’S NEW TRAVEL Pre-summer update for the travel sector.

BABYHUB The new SleepSpace, from BabyHub, is a revolution in design and a multi-functional safe space - it can be used as travel cot, play area, insect-free zone and children’s play teepee. So simple to use, SleepSpace can be opened and closed even while holding baby and its innovative pyramid design provides style and structure for babies from birth to 36 months.

Tel: 01534 867984 www.babyhubshop.com

SKIP HOP UK

DREAMBABY

Skip Hop is expanding its changing bag range and is launching the Greenwich Simply Chic Changing Bag collection in May 2017, featuring a stylish backpack and fashionable tote. Offering laidback luxury for the effortlessly chic mum, the Greenwich Changing Bag Collection is made of durable, wipe-clean vegan leather.

With earthy colours and clean lines, it features multiple pockets for ultimate organisation.

Tel: 01582 434250 www.skiphop.com

The Dreambaby Adjusta-Car Shade Stretch-It, Shape-It, Fit-It is a brand new car shade that is flexible, easy to use and easily moulded to suit any windows’ shape - perfect whilst travelling. Dreambaby Adjusta-Car Shade Stretch-It, Shape-It, Fit-It can be easily folded away for simple storage. It is ideal for short or lengthy car trips and is easily stretched so it can fit to most car windows. It has a simple suction cup attachment, unique innovative design and is sure to please parents and carers.

Tel: 0844 800 9445 www.dreambaby.co.uk

CLOUD B With its practical heart-shaped clip, Sweet Dreamz On the Go is a compact and convenient all-in-one baby soother which easily attaches to strollers and car seats while soothing little ones with eight beautiful sounds and melodies. It also features a builtin nightlight and a sound sensor to reactivate when baby wakes. Sweet Dreamz On the Go is the ultimate sleep aid and a must have for every family, wherever bedtime may land.

Tel: 0203 7611729 www.cloudb.com

LITTLE CHICK LONDON Little Chick London’s inflatable bed bolster takes the stress out of strange beds while on holiday by ensuring that little ones can’t roll over and face an inadvertent bump on the floor. This convenient bolster folds into a small travel bag complete with hand pump, making it ideal even for international travels – or popped into a drawer ready for visits to grandparents. When pumped up, simply place under the bottom sheet and it provides a safe barrier to keep children securely in bed.

Tel: 07976 773486 www.littlechick.london

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TA LKI N G H EA DS

“FEEDBACK”

Furniture Feedback Decorating the nursery is something of a milestone for new parents as they repurpose the spare room, creating a special haven for the newest member of their family. However, furniture trends are always changing. Whether parents like traditional, modern or scandi style, brands need to ensure they are keeping up with current trends, as PPS found out...

Melanie Allan commercial product manager, Silver Cross UK

“

Consumer confidence has begun to rise recently.

Families have been more aware of their purchases in the past year and so purchasing decisions are more considered than previously, as people are looking for longevity and quality.

We have found that parents are also much more conscious of buying products that will last long term, and are willing to invest in a more expensive furniture set if they believe it will last from birth through to teenage years.

Parents are always looking for new innovation and new design elements such as soft touch closing drawers, under cot storage, flexible hanging space and designs that last from birth to beyond. We have seen a very positive reaction to the extra functionality of the patented pullout changer top, which features on the Silver Cross Soho.

The Soho has also been cleverly designed with a smaller nursery in mind – there are plenty of space-saving solutions such as the wardrobe and dresser combo which offers additional storage without expanding the overall footprint.

”

Below: The Silver Cross Soho includes a hidden changer unit which can be folded away when not in use.

Victoria Charlton nursery sales manager, Harrison Spinks

“

Most of the time parents concentrate on getting the ‘look’ of the nursery right, so the cot mattress itself can often be an afterthought. It is important to educate parents about the importance of a cot mattress; after all it will help their baby sleep, which means they will be able to sleep too!

The most important purchase new parents make is the car seat, but after that it is the cot mattress, as a baby’s growth is so rapid, particularly in the first year where their spine will grow by 50%. It is important to choose a mattress that will support the child through each stage of development.

With the NaturalStart collection of 100% natural cot mattresses, we are working hard to explain the benefits of choosing natural materials over manmade fillings as well as our BabySprings which offer improved comfort and support.

NaturalStart is a fairly new product for Harrison Spinks Baby, so we’re seeing sales grow as awareness increases.

”

Above: The NaturalStart mattresses have been accredited with a Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development

Danny Green stock control and marketing, Obaby

“

As nursery furniture is a crucial part of having a baby, demand is always consistent. Ensuring that products are available to suit all budgets is an important consideration for us.

As with all products in the nursery sector, quality and value seem to be the most important factors when making a furniture purchase. The style and colour of the nursery furniture depends completely on the individual, and having a mix of on-trend colours (such as taupe and grey), patterns and styles enables us to always have something available no matter what is in fashion at the time. Although a classic look and crisp white finish always remain a popular choice!

Customers are always on the look out for new products, so keeping the market fresh with new ideas is crucial. Our new Stamford range was launched in January. We have seen promising sales over the first quarter and with an extensive range of colour options available soon, we expect sales to increase even further.

”

Right: The mix and match Stamford range (seen here in Iced Coffee) is Obaby’s latest addition.

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Elegance, Style & Quality

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www.obabytrade.co.uk 01652 641491

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TA LKI N G H EA DS Victoria Taylor brand manager, East Coast Nursery

Below: The Fontana Ice furniture set has a washed-wood finish with white drawers.

“

Furniture is a consistently good part of our offering, and sales are steady. Parents are looking for something that offers good value for money, but doesn’t compromise the look of their home or the safety of their child.

White furniture is still selling as well as ever – it’s always the most popular. Consumers are making bolder choices in their nursery furniture, so it’s worth pursuing different colours and finishes to appeal to a wider audience. Our navy blue room set got everybody talking at Harrogate, and looked fantastic on the stand.

Having said that, we expect our new new Acre collection, which launched at Harrogate, to be very popular with indies.

It’s a Shaker-style range in white, with a low recommended retail price for the room set.

It’s also important to offer products that can evolve past those early years. Features like convertible or removable dresser tops, and cot beds that convert into daybeds are great long-lasting, functional items.

”

Paul Maurice director at Green Sheep Group

Sinead Murphy co-founder, Shnuggle

“

The furniture sector has seen a boost in the last 12 months, purely because of the amount of innovation now available in the category. There are so many solutions for a child’s first bed which all offer unique USPs and the category has grown to absorb all these new products.

Ultimately parents are looking for the safest first bed for their child – something that is practical, value for money and actually looks nice in a nursery, bedroom or living space. Our first bed – the Dreami – has done really well and continues to be a strong seller. We have opened new accounts this year based on it selling well in other retailers, so for us, furniture has performed strongly.

We are seeing nursery décor trends embrace darker colours, so we decided to launch Dreami with a darker base option and chalky matte finish. We’ve also teamed this with premium leather handles in white so the whole product has a wonderful luxurious, designer feel.

”

Below: The original Dreami in a soft colour palette, with 3-in-1 stand.

“

Over the years we have seen a dramatic rise in the level of importance parents give to the style of products, especially furniture. We pride ourselves on creating products that exceed on safety and function while looking great, so it’s good to know that we’re focusing on the right thing.

We recently commissioned a survey and found that when it comes to buying products for the family home, style had been ranked as the top priority for 97% of parents, second only to safety. The survey also found that 75% of the participants said ensuring their child’s nursery furniture matched the home décor is important, and that colour was the most prominent aspect for over half of respondents.

This year marks the arrival of our highly anticipated SnüzKot cot bed, which will allow the consumer to choose their own style. With 15 different style and colour combinations, parents can design a cot bed that is individual to them.

”

Below: The all new SnüzKot allows retailers to capitalise on the latest trends and colours.

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To find out more about the range, or to discuss becoming one of our growing list of stockists, please do get in touch with us directly by calling 01432 279055 or 07815 179574.

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WHAT’S NEW FURNITURE Product update for the furniture and homewares sector.

SLUMBERLAND Slumberland’s debut cot mattress, the Slumbertime Luxury Pocket Sprung Cot Mattress was designed with breathability, practicality and of course safety in mind. The sleeping surface is free from all fire retardant chemicals because it uses a naturally fire retardant fibre, allowing for the sleeping surface to be free from all antinomy, phosphorus and arsenic chemicals - the safest ways for babies to sleep plus peace of mind for parents.

Tel: 01823 668 324 www.slumberland.co.uk

BABYSTYLE

KIT FOR KIDS

Visitors to the recent Harrogate Nursery Fair would have seen the latest addition to the BabyStyle Charnwood furniture range, the three piece Marbella room set consisting of cot bed, wardrobe and dresser. As with all BabyStyle room sets the company offers delivery direct to your customers door.

Tel: 01509 816444 www.babystyle.co.uk

The Kit for Kids Group has over twenty year’s experience in the design and manufacture of cot mattresses. It is the manufacturer of choice for many retailers around the world and this year it is extremely excited to be launching its new cot mattress brand Merifor. To view the product range and find out more information about Merifor, please visit Kit for Kid’s website.

Tel: 01732 455000 www.merifor.com

OBABY In addition to the white, country pine and walnut, the Obaby Stamford range is now available in taupe grey and iced coffee and offers even more design choices for the style conscious parents out there. With each finish available across all items in the range and with even more exciting colours still to come, the Stamford range truly does offer something for everybody.

Tel: 01652 641491 www.obaby.co.uk

POTWELLS The 3 Sprouts toy chest is the perfect organizational tool for any room. With sides reinforced by cardboard the toy chest stands at attention even when empty and the lid keeps all toys out of sight. Large enough to hold whatever parent throws in it, this toy chest adds a pop of fun to every room. The 3 Sprouts toy chest makes organising a room full of toys easy.

Tel: 0845 6531493 www.potwellstrading.co.uk

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TAL K I N G TO : R E D K I T E Left: The Baby Go Round range of walkers and entertainers is a key line for Red Kite.

FLYING

High

It was no surprise to see nursery specialist Red Kite at the Harrogate International Nursery Fair in March; the team have shown their affordable, relevant products at every single show since they first began. This year’s prime location and some exciting new ranges meant that the 2017 show was another success for the company, which has been an important part of the nursery industry for the last 12 years. PPS spoke to commercial director Debra Tucker to find out more.

“W

e have always exhibited at Harrogate,” said Debra. “We find having an opportunity to showcase our full range and meet both current and new customers in this environment offers us a

New Launches great chance to develop and build on those vital relationships.”

It’s a practise that has paid off, Debra explained, as fostering strong relationships with large UK multiple retailers has helped Red Kite grow both its brand awareness and market share. “We retain a personal relationship with our retailers, including a large section of the independent sector. As a smaller brand we are able to be responsive and reactive to consumer and market feedback, which definitely helps.”

Left: Sales and marketing executive Sara Austin and commercial director Debra Tucker collecting a Banta Award 2017 for the new Panda booster, which won the ‘In Home’ category.

62

Founded in 2005 by a small team, all with previous experience of working in the nursery market, Red Kite is well-known for offering all the essential products parents will need in the first few years of their child’s development. A talented design team ensures products are stylish, desirable, safe and reliable, while tight overheads and keen pricing have secured its reputation for offering great value products.

“We are recognised for our high quality, affordable nursery essentials,” said Debra. “Brand awareness and consumer confidence is not something which happens overnight, but we are now considered as a key brand within our target market.”

Red Kite has received a number of industry awards and accolades for its wide-ranging portfolio, despite often competing against higher profile and higher priced brands, and Debra is rightly proud of the brand’s success in this area.

“We have worked tirelessly to ensure our overheads are as lean as possible,” she said, “and to ensure we can retain competitiveness – which in the current economic climate is obviously challenging!”

Working primarily in the value end of the market means cost is always a driver when evaluating new lines, and Red Kite continuously monitors gaps in the market to find opportunities to provide more affordable versions of popular products without compromising on quality or reliability.

With such a wide range of product available, Red Kite is focusing on a number of key lines for this season. A new Linen collection is being introduced, which includes the new Snoozi bedside crib, the new Lullaby swing and the Cozy Bouncer.

“These all had a great response at Harrogate which was really encouraging,” said Debra. “We also identified a gap in our own range of highchairs and wanted to introduce a booster seat, so we have developed a funky Pandashaped booster and floor seat which was a huge hit!”

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TA LKI N G TO : RED KI T E

Award Winners!

“We have won a record (for us!) six awards from Made for Mums 2017 which is really gratifying as we still consider ourselves as a smaller brand,” said Debra.

“These awards are given by mums after thoroughly testing products so we really were so chuffed and pleased to have won so many awards this year!

We were also surprised but delighted to win a Banta Award for our new Panda booster as we really had not expected this. It was a great platform to launch this new product.”

“Our Push Me Fusion travel system range is a prime example of that,” said Debra. “We wanted to develop a great quality travel system that was available for parents at a much more affordable price bracket than many of the other popular models on the market.”

Since launching the product two years ago, Red Kite has won the Made for Mum Gold Award for best Travel System under £500 – twice! The company has also introduced a premium version due to consumer demand.

Being reactive to customers’ needs is important to Red Kite, which regularly reviews ranges and designs to ensure they appeal to current consumer tastes and trends.

“Consumer feedback is key!” Debra Right: The stylish Fusion Galaxy is a premium version of the award-winning Push Me Fusion.

Below: An on-trend unicorn collection includes this colourful play gym.

emphasised. “In the past we have held focus groups with local parents and we are currently working with a team of bloggers to test new and established products. Social media is a massive part of all of our lives – both good and bad! – and this is an area that we are still working to grow within our business.”

Crucially, the company isn’t shy about reacting quickly to the feedback it receives from its customer base.

“We have been known to simply refresh an established successful line with fresh colours and designs if necessary,” explained Debra.

“This ensures our core range always remains valid and offers new appeal to consumers. ” Is much importance placed on parenting and design trends when creating new lines or marketing current ones? “We always consider commerciality when we look at trends Above: This award-winning Panda booster seat doubles up as a floor seat for younger tots.

and will certainly try to react to any obvious demands or trends that are proving popular,” she continued, “which might explain the several new unicorn-themed lines due to launch this summer across our toy/ walker and accessory ranges!”

Many of Red Kite’s ranges are themed to allow parents to choose a co-ordinated collection of products.

This continues to be an important focus for 2017, which will see the company consolidating key ranges – such as the Baby Go Round range of walkers and entertainers – with updated colours and designs.

The second half of 2017 will also see plans being put in place to grow Red Kite’s presence at UK retail in the future. “As a company we intend to continue ensuring we offer valid and desirable products,” said Debra, “but we also need to make sure service levels to our customers are maintained. Within such a competitive market, many other factors make a difference and ensuring we offer good customer service and useful consumer aftersales is a key area for us.”

“We will also be considering our options for promoting our brand to consumers in a more direct approach,” said Debra, “and we have some key marketing initiatives currently being considered. It’s going to be a good year!”

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COLU MN I ST

A PARENT PUBLIC PARK VS PERSPECTIVE GARDEN RETREAT

In her latest column for Progressive Preschool, columnist Lisa – a blogger, graphic designer and parent to two-year-old Taylor – explains why having a selection of outdoor toys is an essential part of creating an idyllic parent’s retreat.

Honest and upfront thoughts on parenting from columnist, blogger and parent-of-one Lisa Beever. www.leeleeloves.co.uk

A

“

s summer approaches and warmer days set in it’s time to get outside and play.

I’ve been putting a lot of thought into the garden recently.

You know, that patch of grass at the back of the house that weighed so heavily on the choice of house we bought. The one which generally only gets used for two weeks of the year, if we’re lucky.

With a toddler to entertain we’ll be looking to use our garden a lot this year; accessorised with a select few outdoor toys, of course. It’s our first summer in the new house and after choosing a house with a good sized garden we’d be silly not to. I’d much rather have a nice garden for the little one to play in than take him to the park.

I know many parents might gasp at this and of course I do take him to the park, because it gets us out of the house and keeps me sane. But I’ll never stop cringing at how filthy

it is. Feeling on edge every time a dog comes in or monitoring other peoples’ kids and begrudging their apparent inability to take turns.

There will always be that one kid who hogs the much-loved swing set while your child waits patiently for a turn. Normally the same one who pushes them the moment you’re not looking – although of course that’s all part of growing up.

The playground is a public minefield of lines you cannot cross, so it’s not really my idea of a fun outing. I’m all too often torn on when it is and isn’t acceptable to ask somebody else’s child to move on and let your toddler get past or tell them to play nicely

because their parents are nowhere to be seen.

Given the chance I’d much rather stay at home and let his little friends come to play and enjoy our own little patch of the outdoor world. It’s calmer, more peaceful and you can watch in comfort with a cup of tea in hand. Who wouldn’t prefer that? Having a nice garden was never a high priority before we had Taylor but having children changes everything. And yes, that nice garden will include a good selection of outdoor toys!

Top of my shopping list this summer is a water table and new slide. Simply because the little one is now longer than his toddler slide. How did that happen? As much as I’d like to fill the garden with a swing set, trampoline and other large garden toys, that won’t be happening.

Partly because the man of the house won’t let us get a trampoline. Spoil sport! But also because I have visions of those gardens you pass with ten-year-old play houses that have faded and started to grow their own village. And because I want a nice place to sit on a warm evening with a glass of wine and not feel like I’m at a toddler group (again).

Instead of biting my tongue and watching other people’s children on the park, I’ll be basking in the glory of our garden, glass of wine in hand while the little one plays on his very own. I know which I prefer!”

Top: Outdoor play is important, but the park can be a minefield.. Left: Decking out the back garden with a selection of outdoor toys makes summer days at home far more enjoyable.

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UK Distributor to some of the world’s most unique children’s brands

Sale or Return

£200 Min Order On-Line Ordering

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orders@potwellstrading.co.uk / Tel: 0845 653 1493

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Free Free Free Free

Entry Refreshments Lunch On-Site Parking

S H OW P REV I EW: I N DX KI DSWEA R

Cranmore Park Exhibition Centre, Solihull, B90 4LF T: 0121 683 1415 16190 Indx Kids Half page Progessive Jan Ad.indd 1

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Above: New lines for a/w17 and s\s18 are on show. Inset: Networking and a friendly atmosphere.

SHOW STATS

LITTLE LABELS

T

rade shows are at the very heart of the childrenswear industry. After all where else can you scout out amazing new designers, network to your heart’s content and dream up a cutting edge new buying strategy for your independent shop in just the space of a few hours?

Perhaps the only downside can be the adrenaline-fuelled speed at which your visit to a top retail buying event takes place.

Well INDX Kidswear is designed to be different, providing a stressfree, relaxed environment in which stand-alone retailers can peruse more than 150 exciting kidswear brands at entirely their own pace. It’s a bit like shopping on a Sunday – which is exactly why the opening day of the next event, at Solihull’s Cranmore Park Exhibition Centre, is being held on a ‘day of rest’ on Sunday, 2 July.

INDX Kidswear bills itself as a unique type of trade show, held twice a year, and set up to provide a warm welcome to both visitors and exhibitors, with a friendly ambience all of its own. Adding to this calm atmosphere is free entry, free onsite parking, free exhibition guides and even complimentary refreshments and lunch.

Plus the next pint-sized INDX outing, on 2 and 3 July, 2017, promises to be the show’s biggest kidswear event to date, focusing on clothing collections for AW17

and SS18. It will feature more brands than ever before, covering everything a children’s retailer could possibly need – from gorgeous baby clothes through to special occasion outfits. And don’t forget that INDX Kidswear is focused entirely on the independent retailer, setting it apart from the competition.

“When we started thinking about how we wanted the INDX shows to be it was natural to approach it from a buyer’s perspective,” explains

Above: INDX is a colourful show.

show coordinator, Varsha Chohan.

“High on our priority list was making visiting the shows a stress-free experience and creating an informal, relaxed yet professional environment.

INDX Kidswear S/S18 Location: Cranmore Park Exhibition Centre, Solihull, B90 4LF Show dates: Sunday 2 July, 9am – 6pm, Monday 3 July, 9am – 5pm T: 0121 683 1415 E: varsha.chohan@ aistores.co.uk www.indxshow.co.uk/kidswear

“We knew that our purpose built exhibition facility, Cranmore Park, was already easy to find and it was also important that visitors could park right outside the front doors.

“Next we looked at how we could lessen the expense of visiting a show and the most obvious solution was to make everything free – so parking, admission and even lunch and refreshments are free for everyone – something which our existing visitors rate very highly!”

Some of the labels exclusive to INDX at the July show will include: Losan, Blue Seven, Toby Tiger, A Dee and Mitch and Son, while new brands showcasing their collection for the first time at INDX include: Angel & Rocket, Blueberry of London, Cute Cute, Miss Francis and The Essential One, to name just a few.

Kidswear ranges returning to the show include: Country Kids, Rahigo, Jose Varon, LazyOne, Natures Purest and Week End a La Mer. Tried and trusted occasionwear brands showcasing their wares range from Peppermint and Sevva to Pretty Originals and Next Generation.

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A bespoke trade show exclusively for indie retailers

INDX KIDSWEAR

REGISTER ONLINE NOW

www.indxshow.co.uk free entry free refreshments free lunch free on-site parking

Spring Summer 2 - 3 July 2017

COLLECTION

Cranmore Park Exhibition Centre, Cranmore Avenue, Shirley, Solihull, B90 4LF | T: 0121 683 1415 Kidswear SS18 ad Progressive full page.indd 1 08_PPS_May_June 2017.indd 1

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WHAT’S NEW INDX SS18 New products to look out for at INDX Kidswear SS18 BLUES BABY Blues Baby is a leading supplier to many distributors and boutiques throughout the UK and Europe and will be showcasing its range of beautifully designed traditional children’s clothing. Its products are from birth to toddler and feature super soft velour and jersey sleepers, classic knitwear and pretty wovens, all in a traditional palette of baby blue and pink.

Tel: 0161 828 8730 www.bluesbabywear.com

KITE

ZIPPY BABY

Kite Clothing will once again be exhibiting at INDX and will be launching its SS18 collection.

Its theme for this season will be ‘adventuring in Dorset’. The collection will be full of gorgeous prints inspired by the world and Kite’s love of adventure.

Tel: 01202 733222 www.kite-clothing.co.uk

Zippy Baby launches a new range of its multi-award winning bandana bibs featuring licensed designs of Little Baby Bum, the YouTube sensation for preschoolers. This is the latest addition to Zippy’s brand licensed range which includes JCB, In The Night Garden and Cloudbabies. Zippy has created gift boxed sets of bibs featuring the characters and nursery rhymes from Little Baby Bum. Tel: 01625 569530 www.zippybibs.com

LAZYONE Imagination meets relaxation, with all new Critter Blankets from LazyOne. These rather cute blankies are made of lightweight, super snuggly polyester fleece.

This means little ones will love transforming into their favourite animal alter egos at playtime, bedtime or anytime. The range offers sleepwear, loungewear and accessories.

Tel: 01278 423600 www.somdiff.com

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Artistic Licence

CREATI V E P LAY Left:The Baker costume is the latest in Pretend to Bee’s roleplay line.

Creativity and imagination is such a key part of how a preschooler learns that it’s no wonder the creative play and ‘make and do’ categories have seen strong growth.

From role-play and crafting, through to simple classic activities such as drawing and painting, there’s something to suit all pockets and retail shelf space, too. PPS chats to some of the suppliers enjoying success in the sector.

C

reative play has always been a key part of the toy market, but over the past couple of years, the popularity of ‘make and do’ has increased to Instagram-worthy proportions, with parents, retailers and children embracing the arts and crafts arena.

Classic favourite Crayola enjoyed strong growth in 2016 and is aiming for this to continue in 2017 with a number of new additions.

“The top three best sellers in our preschool range for 2016 were My First Crayola Markers, My First Crayola Jumbo Crayons and My First Crayola Jumbo Decorated Pencils,” Zaja Calder-Grant, brand manager for Crayola at Vivid, tells PPS. “PAW Patrol items have also been among our strongest My First Crayola items.

We have just relaunched

Color Wonder and these have had a great start to the year.”

Indeed, the Color Wonder range is getting a makeover for 2017 with a ‘brighter, whiter’ look, while productwise, the Color Wonder Mess Free Light-Up Stamper is due later in the year. Another key launch will be Colour Pop! Colour & Erase Mat. “When you ignite the spark of originality early in life, children go on to do magnificent things,” Zaja continues. “Due to the increasing number of babies born to millennial parents, a wave of growth in the five and under age band is coming. This has the potential to deliver incremental category sales into preschool for the likes of My First Crayola.”

For Fiesta Crafts, creative play is one of the most important sectors for preschoolers.

“Much of what we

Cooking Up A Storm Pretend to Bee has a wide array of dress-up costumes dedicated to nurturing a child’s development through creative and role-play.

Its ‘People Who Help Us’ range is popular with preschoolers, while it says that the ‘Occupation’ collection was such a hit with both retailers and consumers that it has been extended for 2017.

Taking a steer from the popularity of all things baking, the new Baker costume is designed for preschoolers who dream of following in the footsteps of Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood. Other popular costumes in the range include the new Beautician, as well as Vet, Shopkeeper, Pilot and Male Nurse.

produce is creative play, as we believe it is so important for children to use their imaginations and creativity as part of their development,” explains Andrew Bacon, director of sales and product development. “Business has been great over the past 12 months, so people must be recognising



Inset: Crayola enjoyed healthy growth in 2016 and is looking to further grow with new lines in 2017.

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No.1 mechanical design property*

12m+

Little Puppy Aquadoodle Starting little ones creative play journey!

T

NEW

THIS AW17 Call the sales department on 01392 281 928 or email ukcustomerservices@tomy.com

*Source: NPD 2016 EpoS Value sales

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CREATI V E P LAY Right: Licences are included on a number of Paul Lamond’s crafting products.

Below middle: Stickabouts have been very successful for Fiesta Crafts.

Mess-Free Fun With over 15 years of success in the market, Aquadoodle remains the number one property in the mechanical design category.

Notably, it grew by 9.5% last year (source: NPD 2016 EPoS value sales) with three out of the top five skus within the mechanical design subclass from Aquadoodle.

Best seller is the Super Colour Deluxe mat, while Peppa Pig remains the strongest licensed mat. Thomas & Friends and PAW Patrol also joined the licensed portfolio last year.

“The creative play journey is very important for preschoolers – children learn and develop through writing, drawing and first mark making skills,” says Camilla MacQueen, senior brand manager UK at TOMY. “Aquadoodle provides age-appropriate, endless and rewarding creative play where toddlers create their own doodles, encouraged by instant results and colourful surprises.”

New additions for 2017 include the extension of the core range down to 12 months+ with the Little Puppy mat to capture the first birthday market, while there will also be new licensed additions.

For Paul Lamond, the creative play element of its business is a great complement to its core games and puzzles portfolio. “Creative activities are fundamental at the preschool stage,” comments md Richard Wells. “Craft is very tactile

“

Due to the increasing number of babies born to millennial parents, a wave of growth in the five and under age band is coming.

and so where possible, retailers should display samples made up from the kits to make it easier for customers to touch and feel the end product, as well as help show the diversity and quality of the product.”

The Crafty Kids Puppet range is one of Paul Lamond’s strongest creative play lines, including six different puppet sets. Meanwhile, the popular Brain Noodles are jumbo fluffy noodles with added

“

how important creative play is.”

The company has seen solid sales of its hand puppets, finger puppets and Stickabouts, while its magnetic activity boxes won Best New Creative Toy at Toy Fair in January.

“We also have four new Stickabouts titles that are proving to be very popular already,” Andrew continues. “[In terms of trends] people are willing to spend on higher priced items if  they are good value for money.”

extras to enable little ones to make different creatures and creations.

The company also has a popular Paint by Numbers range that includes Thomas & Friends, Dinosaur Roar and Rainbow Magic, as well as a Thomas & Friends washable activity tablecloth.

Meanwhile, Trends UK has established a thriving electronic learning toys range featuring Peppa Pig, and it has also extended into traditional creative play, working with Little Brian on its Paint Sticks line. The solid sticks – which mean preschoolers can paint with no need for water – come in Metallic and Classic, as well as Day Glow.

“Metallic Paint Sticks provide a shimmer effect, while Day Glow Paint Sticks allow for fluorescent colours to be applied,” says Lindsay Hardy, marketing director

at Trends UK. In addition, the company will also be launching Peppa’s Play Mat for autumn, encouraging kids to get active with fun graphics, sounds and activities.

Whether it’s painting, drawing, role-play, puppet-making, stamping or doodling, there are a vast array of creative toys in the marketplace, all ready and waiting to inspire young imaginations.

Below: Paint Sticks have joined the Trends UK portfolio this year.

Right: Aquadoodle sales grew by 9.5% in 2016, says TOMY.

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EXCITING THINGS COMING

ANIMAL JAM © 2017 WildWorks, Inc. All rights reserved. Despicable Me 3 2017 © Universal Studios. © 2016 All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, Shimmer and Shine and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Nickelodeon and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Blaze © 2014 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, Blaze and the Monster Machines and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. ©2014 Moose Enterprise (INT) Pty Ltd. Shopkins Shoppies™ and Shoppies™ logos, names and characters are licensed trademarks of Moose Enterprise (INT) Pty Ltd. Angry Birds Hatchlings and Piggy Takes © 2017 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group Inc. © 2016 Rovio Entertainment Ltd. MR. POTATO HEAD and MRS. POTATO HEAD are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2017 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro. HASBRO and its logo and PLAY-DOH are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2017 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.

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WHAT’S NEW CREATIVE PLAY New products on offer for the creative play sector.

JUMBO GAMES New to Jumbo’s Educational range is the Dessineo ‘Learn to Draw’, the creative drawing inspired, box set that launches this August. This educational drawing aid is perfect for stimulating the creativity and imagination of a child and will keep them entertained for hours as they learn how to draw a variety of pictures, step by step, rather than just tracing finished pictures. The product can be neatly stowed away inside the transparent lid, making it ideal for the children wanting to draw on the go.

Tel: 01707 260436 www.jumbo.eu

GOLDEN BEAR

MARBEL

Paint-Sation is turning the world of paint upside down. The range includes revolutionary, gravity-defying stackable paint pods - providing the perfect washable, no-spill creative play solution for children aged three plus. Using unique technology, these paint pods are proven not to drip, even when held upside down. This portable, travel friendly paint range includes a Table Top Easel, Stackable Pods, Mini Rollers, Finger Nibs, and an On the Go carry case.

Tel: 01952 608308 www.goldenbeartoys.com

Distributed by Marbel, the exciting new Carioca Baby range from Carioca, offers a wide range of the brightest markers, crayons, pens and finger paints so children can express their inner artist. Providing all the tools needed to get creative, this new range allows little ones from age one upwards to join in. Carioca have designed this range to fit even the smallest fingers, while ensuring all colours are created from food dyes, making them safe for all involved.

Tel: 020 7060 4582 www.marbel.co.uk

LITTLE BRIAN The perfect solution for creative masterpieces with no mess, Paint Sticks from Little Brian twist up and down just like a glue stick and quick drying on a wide variety of surfaces. Available in bright, bold and metallic colours. See the new point of sale displays at the Toymaster show.

Tel: 01702 208175 www.trendsuk.co.uk

RAINBOW DESIGNS Rainbow Designs’ brand new range of innovative craft products from The World of Eric Carle, that are now available, will be on show at Toymaster. The craft range includes Super Dough Model Kits that requires no baking as it hardens in the air, but it is also reusable, as well as the Sew-n-stuff Caterpillar, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Colour and Construct 3D Character set and The Foam Character Design set.

Tel: 01329 227300 www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

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FAC E TO FACE : T HE P U P P ET COM PA NY Right: The ‘hideaway’ Rabbit in a Lettuce hand puppet.

A firm favourite with independent toy retailers across the UK and beyond, The Puppet Company is a muchloved name throughout the toy industry. Specialising in producing puppets of all shapes and sizes, PPS spoke to founders Peter and Sue Lockey to find out more.

Talk To d n a H e Th S

tory-telling, role-playing or putting on a full-scale show – puppets offer a significant amount of creative and developmental play potential, not to mention the very real sense of Below: Peter and Sue Lockey (either end), seen here with their four children.

The two ‘boys’, Sam and Joe, work as The Puppet Company’s sales manager and design manager respectively.

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magic when a young child sees them ‘talk’ for the first time!

“It’s a wonderful thing to see,” Peter told PPS. “Our products capture the essence of what makes a really fine toy as they allow the user to be creative, to entertain and more than anything else, to have fun!”

With over 700 different puppets in the collection, The Puppet Company

produces puppets of all shapes and sizes, including finger puppets, glove puppets and full-body puppets.

“We have built our reputation on our ability to translate almost any animal or character into a beautifully made and well-functioning puppet at a very competitive price,” says Sue, explaining how the company first started.

Formed in 2004 by the husband and wife team, The Puppet Company started life on a kitchen table.

Originally called ‘The Tabletop Theatre Company’, Peter made wooden puppet theatres while Sue painted and decorated them. Now, some 13 years later, the pair own six warehouses in Hitchin, north Hertfordshire and are helped along by a team of 25 staff, including many members of their family.

The Puppet Company still offers a small selection of play theatres, but now it focuses primarily on plush puppets, although it also produces a line of high-quality soft toys and rag dolls under the ‘Wilberry’ brand name.

HELPING HANDS The Puppet Company prides itself on its extensive charity work. For the last six years it has paid the salaries of the 12 teaching staff at Freetown infant school, in Gunjur, Gambia. It has also helped larger building projects around the school.

This year Sue and Joe (the pair’s youngest son) spent two weeks in the school working with the teaching staff, while Joe’s half marathon sponsorship raised enough to build and fit out a new school kitchen.

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FACE TO FACE: T H E P U P P ET COMPA N Y

GOING SOFT This year sees The Puppet Factory greatly extending its non-puppet Wilberry brand.

“Some of these soft toys are realistic whilst others are complete flights of fancy!” says Peter. “We strive to develop new product that will appeal to a wide variety of outlets and stores, so that there is something for everyone – pricewise and tastewise. We are really excited with the forthcoming launch of Wilberry and have already started taking orders for this new range.”

Inset: The parrots are some of the most popular puppets.

“We add around 60 new designs each year to make sure we keep the collection fresh,” says Peter. “Although one of our best-selling collections continues to be the large bird puppets – and they were also one of our very first ranges back in 2004!”

The preschool toy market is a particularly crowded one – how do Peter and Sue ensure The Puppet Company remains competitive?

“We just keep designing and that keeps us ahead of the competition,” Sue explains. “We also listen to our sales team and our customers and try to design puppets and soft toys that meet their requirements.

I also think that our reputation for quality and good prices has really

Right: Soft toys and rag dolls are produced under the Wilbery name.

helped us through some difficult times. Our customers are very loyal and we are really grateful for their continued help and support.”

Designing new toys and coming up with clever ideas comes naturally to the pair, who worked as art and primary teachers in their pre-puppet years. The design process will start with a simple idea – it might be as basic as creating a range of large creatures.

“We then discuss what animals would be popular and set about sketching and drawing,” Peter explains. “In recent years we have found Google images to be a great help, as things like eyes and ears must always be the right size and scale! Once we have the basic range we will then set about making patterns so they will work as puppets. They must function easily so this part of the development process can take quite a long time.”

After the initial design has been finalised the team play with the samples to work out what changes need to be made before placing their final order. “We will order between 2,000 and 5,000 pieces per style,” adds Sue, “so if it’s a forty piece range that’s a lot of puppets!”

With such a strong focus on product design, the pair admits that they have found the last few years quite difficult. “We came through the recession and were just beginning to think that things were going to settle down,” Peter comments. “Then Brexit happened and overnight the

pound tumbled! For a design company like ourselves, this has been a disaster! We are more fortunate than many other toy companies though, as we own a US company so we receive payment in dollars, which avoids any currency fluctuation.”

Internationally, the company is a great success, with puppets being shipped to almost 30 different countries.

There has been particularly good growth across Scandinavia, the USA and Australia in the last two years.

“We decided this year to drop two of our traditional UK exhibitions and to do more overseas events,” says Sue. “We did well in Nuremburg – which is always our favourite show – and New York. We have two more USA shows planned for 2017 as well as a new show in Dublin. We definitely believe that trade shows are our best way to reach new customers, showcase new product and get immediate feedback. We think of them as the ‘shop window’ of the company!”

At retail, the company has a large and varied customer base, ranging from independent toy and gift shops to large multiples such as The Entertainer and Wyevale garden centres. The team try to keep in touch with occasional emails and plenty of trade advertising, although they do admit to being ‘rubbish’ at social media, prioritising strong customer service and quick delivery times instead.

Currently working on a new marionette collection and a budget price glove puppet range which looks terrific and will retail at under £7, the rest of this year will also see Peter and Sue focus on continuing to develop the non-puppet brand Wilberry, with a tight collection of teddies, cuddies and realistic plush. And so, as The Puppet Company continues to innovate and develop classic high-quality toys, retailers can be sure that they will always be able to offer their customers something undeniably magical.

Left: The Puppet Company’s Sockettes puppets are a great starter line.

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Progressive Training Cutlery

Teaches young hands to hold cutlery correctly

Thumb and Finger Guides Train your child’s hands to hold in a correct and comfortable manner

Feed Surface Makes self feeding much easier

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Orientation Grip For greater control and strength

Index Finger Locator Helps guide young fingers into the correct position

www.obbabee.com

03/05/2017 12:12

FEEDI N G A N D WEA N I N G

Inset: The Pop n’ Sit Booster is an innovative portable booster that supports on-the-go lifestyles, making feeding time easy.

Left: The Siesta from Peg Perego is a contemporary, multifunctional solution for modern living.

Less Mess: Less Stress!

Parents are constantly told how important it is that mealtimes are an enjoyable experience, but that advice can be a source of stress in its own right. As the sector continues to grow, PPS talks to some of the suppliers behind products ranging from clever cutlery to mobile dining solutions.

T

here can be few things more soul-destroying than making a perfectly nutritionally-balanced meal for your baby or toddler, only to be cleaning it off the floor seconds later. While retailers’ hands might be tied on that front, there are plenty of products they can offer to make the rest of the dining experience as painless as possible.

The feeding and weaning sector has performed well over the past 12 months, as this phase of development continues to be a source of stress for new parents, meaning products that can help simplify the demanding period will always be welcomed.

“Modern parents are very proactive in supporting and encouraging their child’s development,” says Laura Thomas, founder of ergonomic cutlery company Doddl. “This desire to find simple solutions, combined with the recognition that parents have busy lives

means there is greater interest in products that can make feeding and weaning a simpler and more positive experience.”

The desire for innovation is prevalent across every nursery sector and feeding and weaning is no different. At such a hugely important time for a child’s development, forward-thinking businesses providing simple and functional solutions are vital to meet a growing need.

Doddl cutlery is one such innovation, and is already transforming meal times for families.

“Researched, tested Right: Doddl cutlery helps children develop hand-eye coordination and motor skills, meaning less mess and stress at mealtimes.

and designed specifically to help children eat independently, Doddl cutlery helps children develop hand eye coordination, build confidence, dexterity and strength,” says Laura, “which means less mess and less stress for families at mealtimes!”

This desire to ensure that a child has a positive introduction to food means that the sector is one of the best performing segments of Hippychick’s portfolio. “Our feeding products have really taken off in the last year, and we will be definitely looking for other brands to expand this area of business,” says marketing executive Kelly Linthorne.

The nursery distributor offers a number of essentials across the feeding and weaning sector, from the stylish Bumkins bibs to the clever Tidytot placemat. “Parents are looking for any products that make weaning with little ones easier,” Kelly continues.

“Another of our new lines, TidyTot, does this by eliminating the gap between baby and highchair (less mess!) while giving them a larger surface area to explore their food. It ticks all the boxes – easy to clean, easy to store and simple to use.”

Also finding that feeding products have been performing really well over the last year is Summer Infant, which offers a range of products focused around on-the-go feeding which is becoming increasingly relevant in modern life. 

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FEEDI N G A N D WEA N I N G

FINGER FOOD The Tum Tum ‘Weany’ range of plates, bowls, spoons and cups is perfect for introducing children to their first foods in a fun way. Parents can find imaginative ways of presenting the food and then a cute bear’s face is revealed as the child eats, making mealtimes fun for babies and functional for their parents.

The double suction base ensures that the plate will stay put, while the ears are also perfect for dips, yoghurt or sauces. The muted blue colours of the range, combined with the bear design are both contemporary and neutral, while the bamboo fibre means they are entirely biodegradable.

Above: TumTum’s Dippy Face plate is both fun and functional, with a contemporary design.



“Busy parents are looking for solutions to make life easier with baby,” said vp and general manger Hashim Yilmaz.

“That is particularly relevant when it comes to feeding; whether that’s making eating out and about easier or providing solutions for occasional meals at the grandparents or carers’ houses.”

Summer Infant has a range of foldable, portable feeding seats – including the

Right: A contemporary grey version of the popular TidyTot will be launched later this year.

The Pop N Sit Booster – which give parents a more versatile approach, offering compact designs that fold down for convenient storage, making them easy to store and transport.

“Innovation is critical,” says Hashim, “and understanding consumers’ needs and responding to them through innovative product is essential.”

Responding to parents’ needs is just as important for more traditional product such as highchairs. An essential bit of parenting kit, highchairs are available in many different styles, each offering something different. “There is so much choice in this market and parents need items that will deliver solutions and make their lives easier,” says Phil Howe, Peg Perego’s country manager UK and Ireland.

Peg Perego’s Tatamia highchair offers three-products-in-one; a four-position reclining back rest (suitable from birth) a swing and a classic highchair. It can also be set to nine height positions! “It’s a premium product and where parents can see the opportunity to save space on multi-use innovations, they are willing to make the investment,” Phil continues.

Parents are also looking for stylish, practical and user friendly products that can be stored away easily – such as the compact and freestanding Siesta which is suitable from birth and perfect for modern living.

The super-stylish Orb+ highchair from Ickle Bubba is also ideal for modern families, and according to founder Fran Vaughan, has seen sustained growth during the last 12 months.

“Parents are looking for adaptability to last from young baby to toddler stages,” says Fran. “Although comfort and easy cleaning surfaces are also still important!

Inset: The Orb+ highchair comes with its own ergonomically designed infant inlay.

Function is always an important aspect of the feeding routine and features such as adjustability continue to evolve.”

Suitable from birth, the Orb+ has its own ergonomicallydesigned memory foam infant inlay and a tilt-back mode which provides extra back support and better feeding angles for younger ones, so even newborns can enjoy family mealtimes from day one!

So parents looking for ways to reduce the mess, and the stress, have plenty to choose from as the industry offers clever products that can make feeding and weaning a simpler and positive experience.

Below: Babycup is a trusted, award-winning brand that continually receives rave reviews from consumers.

BOTTOMS UP! Weaning toddlers off their bottles and teats used to mean an over-reliance rely on sippy cups, bottles and straws. Babycup First Cups has changed all that, as ‘the little cup that’s kind to baby teeth’ encourages open cup sipping and is the ‘go-to’ brand for oral and dental health experts.

“Paediatric dentists recommend the introduction of an open or free-flowing cup from six months,” says Claire Stevens, vp for the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry. “I love Babycup – they are perfectly designed for small hands and great for establishing good dental habits from an early age.”

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Prog Preschool copy.pdf

1

25/11/2016

13:19

The first step in the Nomi concept The Nomi concept, one chair that takes a child from birth to teenage years, meeting their needs at all stages.

A pre-birth purchase, the Nomi concept allows nursery retailers to secure the highchair sale from day one and hold in store margins.

Available in a wide selection of colours and finishes and backed by a supply solution that minimises retailers stock holding.

C

M

Y

For more information contact us now at info@dcukltd.com or call 01422 383555

CM

MY

Nomi Baby 0-6 months

CY

CMY

K

Nomi Chair 24 months +

Design: Peter Opsvik

Nomi Mini 6-24 months

Distributed in the UK by DCUK Ltd. www.dcukltd.com

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WHAT’S NEW HIGHCHAIRS & BOOSTERS A selection of the latest highchairs and boosters on the market.

DCUK Winner of the Progressive Preschool Best Home or Furniture Award 2016, the Nomi highchair takes highchair design to new levels. Suitable all the way from birth to teenage years, the stylish range of colours and wood finishes are brought right on trend with the launch of the new Grey range.

Tel: 01422 383555 www.dcukltd.com

SKIP HOP

RED KITE BABY

Give kids a boost at the table with the help of a Zoo pal. Offering two stages of use, the Skip Hop booster seat grows with baby. The booster includes adjustable chair straps and non-skid feet to provide stability and safety for little ones. With a lightweight, streamlined design, the portable booster seat makes it easy to eat on the go. Coming in Owl, Butterfly and Bee and available to order in May 2017.

Tel: 01582 434250 www.skiphop.com

The new Panda Booster from Red Kite is a unique cute character based booster seat to allow feeding at table and then can be used independently as a floor seat.

With a comfy padded seat liner and harness, the booster can be strapped to chairs for family meal times. The booster includes a detachable feeding tray that lifts up forming a deeper back rest and reveals a cute panda bear face. The chair straps can be stored in the handy tray in the rear of the seat.

Toddlers will also love the additional play toys which fit into the feeding tray.

Tel: 01454 326568 www.redkitebaby.co.uk

JOIE The new Joie Multiply is a highchair meets table, converting from a maxed out highchair to a mini table with every mealtime milestone in between. It begins as a reclining or traditional highchair, and then converts to a booster seat, youth chair and toddler play table. Featuring five height adjustments and three recline positions, including a 3-position footrest, it allows the chair to be the perfect partner for every stage of development and to adjust to fit varying table or island heights.

Tel: 01889 808 900 www.joiebaby.com

ICANDY The iCandy MiChair is a stylish beautifully crafted piece of furniture for children. A timeless piece of furniture, the highchair is suitable from birth when used with the iCandy Pod. The iCandy Pod simply docks on to the highchair to bring baby up and away from the ground, to parent height when feeding. As the child develops, it converts into a stylish child’s chair or rocking chair.

Both the chair and rocking chair can be used up to the age of six.

Tel: 01767 604400 www.icandyuk.com

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Ardega Advert_Layout 1 10/03/2017 18:22 Page 1

• Quick turnaround • Low MOQs • Dedicated team • Over 250 products • Awards-Winning brands

Distributors of the following brands….

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Email: sales@ardega.co.uk

Website: www.ardega.co.uk 01/05/2017 17:44

WHAT’S NEW FEEDING The latest products in the feeding sector.

BIBETTA The new Dinosaurs and Safari UltraBibs and UltraBibs with sleeves from Bibetta have arrived and are perfect for little ones embarking on their weaning journey. With friendly dinosaurs on a warm grey background, and lions, zebras, giraffes and elephants on a colourful orange background, these prints are proving a ‘roaring’ success. Made from neoprene, they are naturally waterproof, soft and stretchy, easy to clean, tough and durable – perfect for messy mealtimes.

Tel: 01223 840236 www.bibetta.com

CHICCO

2012 LTD

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Chicco’s NaturalFeeling range of feeding bottles has a unique truly angled teat, developed with the help of Chicco’s research centre, Osservatorio. The truly angled teat enables baby to find their natural feeding position, ensuring their neck is comfortable and the soft and wide base has flexors to simulate the elasticity found when they breast feed, allowing easy transition between breast and bottle.

Tel: 0208 9536627 www.chicco.co.uk

Distributed by 2012 Ltd, Pura bottles offer market changing innovation for feeding baby.

The Pura bottle is the only 100% plastic free bottle which evolves as baby grows. It transforms into a sippy cup, straw bottle, snack cup and sport bottle, just by swapping the silicone teats and sippers. This means the bottles can be used for years and the durable stainless steel bottles mean parents can be rest assured they are doing best for baby, and doing their bit for the environment too.

Tel: 01202 303777 www.2012ltd.co.uk

Just for lazy (little) ones, Something Different has a wide assortment of bibs for babies, as well as a whole host of other items for feeding and weaning, play and more. All its lounge and sleepwear products are designed with babies in mind, with hilarious funny phrases and captions. Be sure to check out its cute and comfy kidswear collection at INDX SS18.

Tel: 01278 423600 www.somediff.com

DR BROWN’S The Dr Brown’s Options range grows with baby and is the only feeding system a parent needs to bottle feed their baby. It also helps to alleviate the symptoms of windy colic, and is recommended by Healthcare Professionals. On top of this, the Dr Brown’s Options range is the first convertible bottle that can be used with or without the green vent system.

Tel: 01538 399 541 www.drbrowns.co.uk

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WHAT’S

HOT?

Progressive Preschool spoke to a number of independent retailers, to find out what’s been selling well across the preschool market.

Clair Letton-Marshal, owner, Wigwam Toys, Brighton

A much-loved local toy shop with a loyal following of the families of Brighton and Hove CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Wooden Toys

Plan Toys

All the Plan Toys in the range are popular and are at a great price point for the consumer, but in particular the little bath toys are great sellers.

Imaginative Play

The Puppet Company

We stock the My First Puppet range as well as the short and long sleeved full puppet range. There isn’t one that stands out because they are all loved by our customers!

Collectables

Glimmies from Flair

These are very popular as children can collect them and the single ones are at a ‘pocket money’ price point. Great for preschoolers as they have the light feature and glow in the dark.

Plan Toys

The Puppet Company

Caroline Pizzey, owner, Little Poppets & Co, Sevenoaks, Kent A family-run nursery shop recently relocated from North Wales CATEGORY

Pushchairs

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Egg by Babystyle

With the various colour schemes the egg comes in, including the new limited edition Jurassic Black and Jurassic Cream, this pushchair is a firm favourite with our customers.

Furniture

Boori

We have recently opened a showroom completely dedicated to Boori which is a first for them. They have great furniture and our customers love what they have to offer.

Sleep Accessory

Sleepyhead

Although this sleep positioner is at a relatively high price point, it is extremely popular because it is such a useful product to have! It allows parents to co-sleep with baby and also to have them with them around the house without the fear of them rolling off.

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Egg by Babystyle

Sleepyhead

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WH AT’S H OT

Helen Tonge, owner, Cheeky Monkeys, Retford, Nottinghamshire A boutique selling high-end childrens clothing, shoes and accessories CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Boys Clothing

Pretty Originals

Traditional clothing is very popular at the moment, with the boys short set with collar style outfit continuing to be a favourite. Pretty Originals offer a great range which are popular in our shop.

Girls Clothing

Mayoral

The ‘Royal baby’ affect continues!

Mayoral in particular offer beautiful, classic pieces for girls which our customers love.

Footwear

Accessories

Andanines

Joules

Pretty Originals

Mayoral

The traditional theme is mirrored in the footwear purchased currently, with patent t-bar style shoes being the most popular. Andanines have a fabulous range of different colours, with something to match every outfit!

Andanines

The bigger the bow the better seems to be the request at the moment! The affect of the TV show ‘Dance Mums’ has made the statement bow very popular with our customers. Joules offer a lovely range of hair accessories.

Kelly Burrell, sales assistant, Baby & Co, Keynsham, Bristol

A family-run independent retailer, specialising in pushchairs, prams, furniture and nursery equipment CATEGORY

SUPPLIERS/RANGES

COMMENT

Pushchairs

Mountain Buggy

All the models in the Mountain Buggy range are very popular with our customers as they are a one piece foldable pushchair which is great for public transport and also for fitting in car boots where space is often an issue.

Travel System

Silver Cross/Uppababy

Both the Silver Cross and Uppababy travel systems stand out and customers have an interest in when coming into our shop. They are particularly popular for the fact they easily change from a single pram to a double.

Car seats

Joie

Extended rear facing car seats are selling really well and due to the nature of the product we find there isn’t a particular brand which sells more than others. We usually find the priority for the customer is that the car seat fits in the particular car they have, which can vary quite a lot.

We do sell a variety of models though including, the Joie Every Stage and the BeSafe Izi Modular.

Mountain Buggy

Silver Cross/ Uppababy

Joie PROGRES SIVE PRESCHOOL

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NEW FOR SPRING

HEAVYWEIGHT MEDIA CAMPAIGN INCLUDING TV

Build, Splash & Play!

Loaded with interchangeable pipes and fittings!

Channel the water through three different fountains!

A fun, interactive way to introduce STEM learning.

Imaginations In Motionâ„¢

Call us: 0845 0533 333

Email us: Uklittle.tikes@mgae.com

www.littletikes.co.uk

MGA Entertainment UK Ltd, 50 Presley Way, Crownhill, Milton Keynes, MK8 0ES

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