Ni Oct09 PG06-07.PASSED:NOV_08_p.6-13_News_legal.qxd 24/09/2009 09:16 Page 6
Ni K+J Review
Defying the recession
Lassig
Nicola explained that the carrier design supports a natural sitting position for
babies, eliminating any compression of the spine and hips caused by
unsupported suspension. The baby carrier also balances the baby's weight to
parents' hips and shoulders, alleviating any physical stress for the parent.
ERGObaby’s stand was alive with visitors and Nicola - Account Manager for
the UK and Ireland - was pleased. She explained that while the product was
hugely popular in countries like the US and Germany, distribution was still very
much in its infancy in the UK. An aspirational lifestyle product, it is definitely
one for UK retailers to consider.
Over at Mamas & Papa’s, Nicola Hodgson was rushed off her feet! She
welcomed Sue and I onto the stand, before asking us to take a look at the
brand new Mylo. This super stylish travel system is fully customisable with a
warm palette of colours to choose from - Black Jack, Dove Grey, Lime Jelly,
Plum Pudding, Raspberry Ripple, Sandcastle and Welly Green.
The Mylo comes with a range of accessories, including a sleek and stylish
saddlebag, a blanket boasting all the colours of the Mylo rainbow, a changing
bag, footmuff, compatible travel system, parasol, raincovers, sunshields, a
stand for overnight sleeping and a toddler handle and cup holder. The perfect
fusion of fashion and function, I expect these to sell like hot cakes at retail
next year.
Over at Dorel, Andrew Ratcliff was another happy exhibitor, his stand so
filled with visitors that we had to speak up to be heard! With brands like
Quinny, Maxi Cosi, Safety 1st, kub, hoppop and Baby Art under its umbrella, its
not hard to see why Dorel has become such a household name within the
industry.
From one busy stand to another, at Concord we met with the lovely Sue
Wilkins from Panache PR who introduced us to Managing Director Jans Kache,
Sales Director Henrik Liedberg and Marketing Manager Nicole Hahn. Concord
child car seats, buggies and kids’ furniture were available in many new designs,
equipped with materials bearing the ‘Proved Materials’ seal.
Concord introduced a new child car seat for Seat Group I: the Concord
Absorber, while in Seat Group II/III it launched the Concord Lift Core.
Talking of the Concord Transformer meanwhile, Sue said: “It’s not cheap,
but it is beautiful” and indeed, having won an innovation award from the
show organisers, it clearly boasts a range of features that make it a safe, stylish
and reliable choice all round.
The Moving line featured the Concord Fusion and the Concord NEO, each
with a new, especially eye-catching model. Known as Fusion Quantum and
NEO Quantum, they are equipped with a matt black aluminium frame. In
Becci Knowles reports on the resounding success that was
addition, they come with many practical accessories such as a parasol,
mosquito net and carry bag.
Kind + Jugend 2009
Sue Wilkins explained that as the most expensive pushchair there is, the NEO
has sold very well into the top end of the market, while the Quantum was
It has been reported that, despite the recession, the number of trade visitors to
designed to look like the NEO but without the hefty price tag to make its style
K+J increased by more than seven per cent this year. Around 18,000 trade
more accessible.
visitors from 95 countries came to gain an extensive overview of the market,
The NEO Carbon Mobility Set had also been given a new look and Sue said
creating a very positive atmosphere at the stands of the 781 exhibiting
that though it was not for every retailer, those with a certain customer base
companies.
would benefit well from the range.
With 78 per cent of the participants coming from abroad, the trade fair
Having moved from one busy area to another, I decided to take a quiet stroll
once again generated positive momentum for the sector. "International
around the Innovation Award area. There were definitely some well deserved
audience, participation of important decision-makers, good order-placing
nominations in there - the Concord Transformer (which later won); Jackson
activity" - these were the general impressions of many exhibitors, said
Beazely’s The Wean Machine; Dream Tubes, available from Hippychick, and The
organisers.
Gro Company’s Gro Clock.
Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice President of Koelnmesse GmbH, was very
There were other products that I had never seen before that I really liked
satisfied with the fair: "It was a great success - especially in the economically
too, including the Alma urban cot by Bloom Baby (which also went on to win)
difficult times that we are currently experiencing. With its outstanding
and the Babyschwinger by Mira Art – a beach inspired baby swinger with a
internationality and record number of visitors, Kind + Jugend is underlining its
wooden frame, in the style of a hammock.
position as the leading international trade fair for the sector.”
On my way back to main exhibition area I had a chance meeting with
Keen to make a few observations of my own, I paid a flying visit to the fair
Belinda Balscheit Managing Director of Bellefiore, a company specialising in the
on Friday 18th September. First stop was ERGObaby, where Sue Wight and I
distribution and sales of premium products throughout Switzerland and
met with Nicola Matthews to discuss the company’s range of baby carriers and
Europe and looking to expand. Showing me the Albetta and Mini Merino
its plans for expansion into the UK market. Designed by owner Karin Frost,
brands, Belinda explained why both are big in the gift market. UK buyers
carriers in both the standard and organic ranges have undergone extensive
looking for something different would do well to find out more about this
testing by tens of thousands of parents.
company.
6
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NURSERY INDUSTRY
•
OCTOBER 2009
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www.nursery-industry.co.uk
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