WEAR IT WELL

INDX KIDS: NEED TO KNOW

When: Sunday 2 July, 9am to 6pm; Monday 3 July, 9am to 4pm

Where: Cranmore Park Conference and Exhibition Centre, Cranmore Avenue, Shirley, Solihull B90 4LF

Who: Some 130 brands including Bam Bam, Blade & Rose, Fable & Bear, Kite Clothing, Lilly and Sid, Little Lighthouse, My Little Chick, Natural World, Snuggle Baby, Tiny Baby, Turtledove London and Watch Me Grow to name just a few.

Website: www.indxshows.co.uk/ indx-fashion/kidswear/registration creates responsibly produced shoes for children; Fable & Bear - an environmentally conscious, organic cotton babywear range; and Peggy Green which specialises in traditional children's clothes, from hand smocked dresses to perfectly piped trims.

INDX Kids is set to return to its West Midlands venue - Cranmore Park Exhibition and Conference Centre - on 2 and 3 July.

As an integral part of the INDX portfolio of trade shows, curated by buyers, for buyers, which is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year, INDX Kids is organised by Associated Independent Stores (AIS), the UK’s leading buying and services group for fashion, home and leisure.

With a buyer and business driven focus, INDX Kids brings together the biggest selection of brands in the UK across apparel, footwear and accessories including an extensive representation of European labels – from countries including Turkey, Poland, Spain and Portugal.

INDX Kids is curated by a team of buying and retail experts whose knowledge and experience combine to ensure visitors enjoy a commercial edit of suppliers, as well as a trenddriven product presentation.

Unique to the market, the show remains the must-visit calendar event for all preschool and childrenswear stockists. From leading lifestyle labels and sustainable collections, to showcasing the industry’s latest, new and emerging talent, INDX Kids aims to present an unrivalled selection of exhibitors, as well as delivering a warm and friendly buying environment.

Following the success of the last edition of the show, which took place in January, 85% of attending exhibitors have already re-booked for the July show for which, at the time of going to press, there are fewer than 10 stands remaining.

The January event also introduced the ‘Stand Out’ competition for exhibitors, which received points for creative stand design, innovative visual merchandising and conscious use of props. The winners included Finest for Baby Agencies (Happy Horse/Bam Bam) in the Accessories category, and Eleanor Charles England in the clothing category and both will be returning to defend their titles this season.

To date, 130 brands have confirmed their places at the summer show, while 10 new brands have signed up to make their exhibition debut.

The list of newcomers will include Pip & Henry which

Also exhibiting for the first time is Harris Kids with its luxury children’s loungewear, and Erve which is the official licensee for a portfolio of brands including PAW Patrol, Pokémon, My Little Pony, Disney Frozen and Star Wars.

James Crabtree, head of fashion at AIS, believes the future of the childrenswear industry is bright, and is looking forward to bringing suppliers and retailers together once again.

“The kidswear industry is very friendly, and the shows are always enjoyable - even from an organising point of view,” James comments. “Over the last couple of shows we’ve started to welcome an influx of new stockists, new retail businesses, and new to market suppliers, which is a great indication of the future.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support and for continuing to help evolve the show into being the UK’s biggest dedicated kidswear event.”

INDX Kids is free to attend and open to all retailers. Onsite parking is free and visitors also enjoy complementary barista coffee and refreshments, plus free breakfast pastries.

Left: The future of the childrenswear industry is bright, according to AIS, the organiser of the show.

Celebrate with your favourite dog, Bluey! Choose from party, foil balloons & costumes, available to order online now!