NURSERYindustry News Toy Fair ‘breaks realms of reality’ NEWS IN BRIEF
• Disney is asking the British public to nominate a celebrity mum who is doing “a stellar job with her little ones” for its Celebrity Mum of the Year Award. Nominations can be made on the Disney For Mums UK Facebook page and a shortlist will soon be released for the public vote.
• The Little Green Sheep has recruited three new team members as it prepares to launch a number of new products and is facing a busy season of trade and consumer events. Alice Marlow joins as marketing executive while Emma Alexander and Helen Nicholls have been appointed customer service advisors.
• Beaba’s new digital waterproof Lotus Thermometer, which promises to read the temperature of a baby’s bath or bedroom within seconds, is now available in John Lewis. Beaba says the high precision electronic probe which is hidden within a pastel pink or blue flower, delivers accurate readings when baby needs it most.
• Bravado! Designs has added a new colour to its best-selling Body Silk Seamless Maternity and Nursing Bra range. The brand says Jungle Berry in Seamless Print is right on trend as Pantone has just named Radiant Orchid as the shade of 2014, which Bravado says is an exact match for its latest offering.
• Infasense has taken its marketing campaign directly into the digital arena with the release of a new promotional video for its Justafit onesie. The video, which aims to help consumers make an informed decision before making a purchase, will be available to view on the company website and the Infasense YouTube channel.
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www.nursery-industry.co.uk
Augmented reality stole the show at the 2014 Toy Fair, highlighting the level of innovation in the toy industry, organisers said. The annual fair - organised by the
British Toy and Hobby Association - is the UK’s largest dedicated toy, game and hobby trade exhibition. The Best New Toy Awards were announced on the first day with the aim of predicting the top new toys for the coming year.
There were 13 categories in all. In the Pre-School section, tipped for the top was the Nursery Trampoline by James Galt, the Learn to Pedal 3-in-1 Trike by Little Tikes and the Toot Toot Drivers Police Station by VTech. In the Pre-School Characters category was the Peppa
Pig Weebles Wind and Wobble Playhouse by Character Options, and Henry Hugglemonster Henry’s Roarsome Scooter and Summer’s Super Scooter by Golden Bear. Among those highlighted as Speciality Toy of The Year was the Teddy Train by Fiesta Crafts and the Baa-Baa-
Barn by John Crane. Simon Pilling, head of Toy Fair operations and sales, commented: “There were thousands of exciting and innovative products launched this year and it kickstarted what we all hope to be a successful year for the toy industry.” The Toy Industry Awards were moved this year to the London Science Museum. Bentalls was crowned Overall Toy Retailer of the
Year, while the Independent Toy Retailer of the Year award was given to Ramsdens Superstore. The Teksta Robotic Puppy by Character Options was
named Toy of the Year and wins of interest to the nursery industry included the Pre-School Toy of the Year Award which went to Vtech’s Toot-Toot Drivers Train Station and the Pre-School License Toy of the Year which was won by the Doc McStuffins Doctor's Bag Set by Flair. The Outdoor Toy of the Year Award was given to the Smart Trike by Mookie Toys.
www.btha.co.uk/toy-fair
Bubble hails ‘fresh industry optimism’
The latest edition of Bubble London revealed a renewed optimism in the childrenswear industry with buyers and brands showing signs of a growing confidence for the season ahead, organisers have reported.
The show attracted buyers from department stores such as Fenwick, Harrods, Liberty and Selfridges, plus independent retailers from across the UK and Ireland and a number of international businesses. British based brand Raspberry Plum was crowned winner of the show’s Rising Star competition. The brand’s collection of vintage-inspired silhouettes, colours and fabrics for girls won the judges over in a fiercely- contested competition, organisers said. Aleksandra Stasis, the brand’s designer and founder, said of the win: “This was the boost I needed to expand my collection.
Sales agency spots ‘star’ in Ickle Bubba brand
Sales Agency Nursery Stars is adding new British stroller company Ickle Bubba to its brand portfolio, it has announced.
The partnership will see Ickle Bubba’s Stomp Collection continue its growth with Nursery Stars’ representation.
Nursery Stars says the collection offers “a modern, fresh design and brand approach at unbelievable value for money... while offering one of the highest retailer profit margins in the wheeled goods business”. Nursery Stars Managing Director Justin Gould said of
the new signing: “The Stomp Collection offers a unique, high quality and long-lasting product, providing strong margins to our retail partners... whilst also creating a strong and loyal following from mums.” Fran Vaughan of Ickle Bubba added: “Our new partnership is an exciting milestone that will help us to accelerate growth and build on what has already been a fantastic first six months of trading.”
www.icklebubba.com
Bubble has been such a confidence-builder [and] has also given us a great platform to interact with the whole of the industry.” The best of the collections meanwhile were showcased during two fashion shows providing an overview of the key trends emerging, from pastel colour palettes to retro American styling.
Event Director Lindsay Hoyes said she was “delighted with the outcome of this season’s show. The mood... seemed buoyant and we are looking forward to building on this.”
The Spring/Summer Bubble London will take place on the 13 and 14 July 2014.
www.bubblelondon.com
Sling ‘expert’ praises Boba 4G carrier
The newly-launched Boba 4G baby carrier has been receiving excellent feedback, according to its distributor Slumber Roo. In an independent
review, it said Dr Rosie Knowles, a GP and sling consultant, said: “I was delighted with the quality... The carrier is immaculately put together, with perfect stitching, comfortable fabrics and well-finished ends. [Boba] has
recognised there is a gap in the market for safe, healthy and comfortable buckle carriers for smaller babies that can last well into toddlerhood and beyond
and have addressed that need.” Slumber- Roo will
showcase the Boba 4G at The Baby Show in London in February and The Baby and Toddler Show in Manchester in March. It will also be exhibiting the Moby wrap, recently voted a gold winner in the Pushchair Trader Awards, and the Beco range of carriers, including the Beco Soleil - double bronze winner in this year’s Mother and Baby Awards and Pushchair Trader Awards.
www.boba.com
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