The BPA is delighted to invite members to its Annual General Meeting on 26th June 2013 and has a great line up of speakers making this a truly not-to-be-missed event.

The team at TotsBots, the UK’s leading cloth nappy brand, are absolutely thrilled to announce that their nappies can now be found in 216 Boots stores across the country. To mark this truly remarkable achievement, TotsBots will be sending in their newly created team of Fluffragettes to the nation’s favourite pharmacy, where they will embark on their first mission!

BabyPing, the Wi-Fi baby monitor for iOS devices owners, has been presented with the Silver Award for Best Sound and Vision Baby Monitor in the 2012/2013 Bizziebaby Awards.

Max Publishing has announced that its inaugural Progressive Preschool Awards for 2013 are now officially open for entry.

During this year's Sun Awareness week, May 6th - May 12th, UK distributor Avant Baby teamed up with Cheeky Rascals, Naturally Cool Kids, KoolSun & Fiesta tots to help raise the importance of keeping babies safe from the sun.

With Harrogate Nursery Fair 2013 a sold out show, it’s hardly surprising that companies are eager to confirm their exhibition stands for next year to ensure they secure a prime position. However, as in the past, the organisers give priority to previous exhibitors and the deadline to confirm last year’s stand spaces, or to request an alternative position is 30th June 2013. After this date all stand space will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Diono, the car seat manufacturer and market leading brand for travel accessories is pleased to announce the arrival of Jo Ebdon-Muir as Marketing Manager, EMEA.

This month aden + anais – a market leader known for its iconic 100% cotton muslin products – will unveil an exclusive pop-up in Harrods, which will include a ‘meet and greet’ with the company’s co-founder and CEO Raegan Moya-Jones on Saturday 18th May.

Totsbots, one of the UK's leading cloth nappy brands is over the moon to have been shortlisted in The 2013 Observer Ethical Awards. This is without doubt one of the country’s most prestigious awards having been dubbed the ‘Green Oscars’ by many, therefore making it a outstanding achievement and a true honour for the brand.

After working with babies and their families for over twenty five years, Jo Tantum has earned her reputation as the UK”s leading Baby Sleep Expert.

The Baby & Toddler Show, supported by Emma’s Diary, in partnership with Nurofen For Children, continues to go from strength to strength following another hugely successful event at Glow, Bluewater on 19-21 April. Organiser Mercury Events has announced a 29% increase in visitors to 11,729 compared with just over nine thousand at the launch in October 2013.

The UK Pavilion at Kind und Jugend in Cologne this September is almost sold out with just a handful of space left from the 2,000 square metres booked by the BPA in Hall 11.1.

Tippitoes are delighted to announce that highly respected Melvyn Wolff has joined us in the role of Technical Manager; he brings with him a wealth of knowledge gathered over  many years working at the cutting edge of technological advance within the Nursery Industry. Most recently, of course, he was technical manager for nursery products at SGS United Kingdom one of the world’s largest testing organisations and this expertise will help us build on Tippitoes strong reputation for quality.

You’ve all heard about it but now the wait is over - the 2013 Slow Toy Awards are now open for entries! The Slow Toy team couldn’t be more excited that the awards are now officially open and welcome anyone who truly feels they have a Slow Toy to enter. Participants will have just less than six weeks to get their entries in before the closing date on Wednesday 12th June.

The Market Family is launching a new awards initiative to recognise and celebrate brands that are making a difference to family life.

BPA members have established a firm base in European markets thanks to their participation in the UK Pavilion at Europe’s largest nursery trade show, Kind und Jugend. However, many of these British companies are also looking to spread their wings further afield and ABC Kids Expo in the USA offers the perfect platform to reach retailers and buyers from around the world; North and South America and Canada in particular.

Nominations might not close until Monday 3rd June ... but DO NOT let the deadline pass you by!

It’s been a busy start to the year for multi-award-winning SnoozeShade, as it has started working with well-respected Asian distributor Bloom & Grow to establish markets including Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

A growing online baby retailer has received significant funding that will help facilitate ambitions to branch out into the retail industry.

From 22 April 2013 Boots UK Ltd. will stock the multi award winning HappyNappy from safety swimwear specialist Splash About. The HappyNappy will retail in 216 Boots stores nationwide and will be available online at www.boots.com

Babymule are springing into action this week with a fantastic promotion for retailers. The latest addition to their changing bag collection; Pegasus is flying into the UK and to celebrate its arrival the team have an exclusive discount available on all trade orders.

Popdance is delighted to announce that they are on the hunt for new teachers and venues for their latest venture; Popdance Tots! Following the international success of the original Popdance class for adults, and Popdance kids, the team decided it was high time little ones were able to join the Popdance phenomenon and are keen to speak to anyone keen on hosting a class of their own.

This is a great opportunity for any retailers who have a space in store where they host classes for children. Popdance Tots is a fun and relaxed class, so it’s really popular with parents and children alike. During a 30-40 minute class teachers will take children through an engaging warm up before moving onto other exciting activities. Whether they show them the moves to this week’s number one or act out lyrics in the ‘descriptive moves’ section they’ll have a class full of happy tots and some grinning parents watching from the side lines! Hosting a Popdance Tots class is a great way to encourage a whole new group of people to visit your store or venue.

SwimFin is delighted to announce that they have a mini-celebrity following! It comes as no surprise that the world’s first and only vertical buoyancy aid has found a place in the celebrity circle as it’s a truly innovative product.

The eagerly awaited launch of beautiful Bubbaroo, the eminently stylish and practical Australian born nursery brand has arrived. The luxury clothing line for babies is being officially unveiled in the UK this month and the complete collection of unique and classic designs is sure to be a big hit.

Diono, one of the world’s fastest growing private companies, has announced the opening of two new offices in China, one in Shanghai and a second in Hong-Kong. A leading maker of innovative child car seats and travel accessories, Diono continues to expand abroad, adding China to offices in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France and Germany.

Fusion Communications reports The Baby Show ExCeL 2013 was a real hit with expectant and new parents.

It has been announced by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce – organisers of the British Pavilion at Spielwarenmesse ( 29 January – 3 February 2014) - that grants of up to £1500 per company will be available to British exhibitors. This represents a 50% increase on the grants available at the 2013 show. The number of these grants is not yet confirmed, and it is unlikely that they will be offered to the total number of UK exhibitors – 163 in 2013. However, this reinforces the need for companies to apply early. It is not necessary to exhibit within the Pavilion to be eligible for the grant, but a first come, first served system is likely to operate. Exhibitors should ensure their presence is advised to Stuart Whitehill at the Birmingham Chamber. Stuart@overseasfairs.co.uk

After a phenomenal reception in 2012, the team behind the ground breaking Slow Toy Movement are thrilled to announce that the Slow Toy Awards will be returning this year and the promise to be bigger and better than ever!

The team behind the ingenious Snugglebundl, the world’s first baby lifting blanket, were left overwhelmed after being interviewed for the Innovation Slot on the Simon Mayo show on BBC Radio 2. Not only did this provide the brand with the perfect platform to tell the show’s millions of loyal listeners about the product, they seemed to like it too as sales went through the roof! Snugglebundl couldn’t have wished for a better response.

Artsana UK, the company behind the super brand Chicco is further gathering pace. To support recent sales growth of 24%, they have reinforced their Customer Development Team with the recruitment of Natalie Jackson. She recently took up the responsibility for independent nursery & toy retailers in the North of England.

The BPA is delighted to confirm that individual TAP funding grants of £2,000 are available for companies participating in the UK Pavilion at the ABC Show in Las Vegas this October. The UKTI has currently apportioned 20 grants which the BPA will allocate on a first-come-first served basis. However, we will strive to secure further grants should more companies decide to join us on our mission to assist our members to expand into US markets.

This week, leading child safety brand, BRITAX is proud to announce its dual headline sponsorship of the 2013 Bliss Buggy Push alongside sporty outdoor stroller brand, BOB. The initiative involves a series of family-friendly 5km buggy walks across the UK, designed to help raise money for Bliss, the special care baby charity.

The Fill n Squeeze team are over the moon this week thanks to some exciting international orders. 

We are delighted to announce that nominations for the Nursery Industry Awards 2013 are now OPEN!

European Award winning stroller and car seat manufacturer Casualplay have appointed parenting specialists Mediaman communications to handle their UK PR.

The UKTI has confirmed an increase in individual TAP funding grants for companies participating in the BPA’s UK Pavilion at Kind und Jugend, Cologne in September to £1,500 per exhibitor.

Which? who are well known for their independent, controlled testing have recently put the Mountain Buggy Duet through their lab and awarded it a Best Buy. Which? say, "The Duet is sturdy and well-constructed. The ride is smooth, and it's nimble and agile on pavements and off-road. The brakes are also reassuringly effective." The Duet was greatly favoured for being narrower than most side-by-side doubles and for a large double buggy it is fairly easy to tip up for kerbs.

My Wendy House is a family run business which has grown rapidly over the years to become one of the leading online providers for baby and child accessories. They are over the moon to have been approached by Babisil and are really excited about driving the brand forward.

Smart-Trike™ is delighted to announce the launch of their very first UK television advertising campaign. The adverts will celebrate their revolutionary trike technology Touch Steering™ and their patented Swivel Wheel and are due to air later this month.

Leading child safety brand, BRITAX, demonstrates its commitment to getting families outdoors and active by today announcing a partnership between its BOB sporty stroller range and the hugely popular parkrun.

The winners of the BPA Concept & Innovation Awards were announced at Harrogate Nursery Fair yesterday after a nail biting wait for the four finalists who were invited to present their product ideas at the show.

Many congratulations to the eight companies which joined in celebration having each won a prestigious Baby and Nursery Trade Award (BANTA) in recognition of outstanding products – and the great news is, you still have a day to come along and see them all first-hand!

Despite national weather warnings with snow forecast for many areas of the country, Harrogate has been fortunate to avoid the worst and the Nursery Fair team are confident that visitors should have no problems arriving safely at the show.

BabaSlings Ltd is delighted to announce the appointment of Hippychick Ltd as their new UK distributor.

Nominations for The Nursery Industry Awards will open in April and we are calling on all members of the trade to start thinking now about who deserves to win an award.

The Baby Show, the UK’s biggest pregnancy and parenting event and an essential part of the parenthood journey for over ten years returns to NEC Birmingham from 17-19 May 2013.

Baby change bag and accessories designer Momymoo has been shortlisted for a Junior Design Award for the second year running.

We are delighted that you will be joining us at Harrogate Nursery Fair and hope you will come along and meet the four finalists of the BPA’s Concept & Innovation Awards who all have some pretty amazing new product ideas. These are:

Charlotte & Rufus Pearl, the founders of Pink Lining are delighted to announce the launch of PL Child, their range of Children’s Accessories in Mamas & Papas

After much deliberation, the BPA’s Baby and Nursery Trade Awards (BANTA) judges have announced the shortlist of entries which will be invited to the final stage of the judging process at Harrogate Nursery Fair on Sunday.

Bibs and Stuff is pleased to announce the addition of another new international brand to its range. Together with its parent company, ISI.BV, Bibs and Stuff is now the sole European distributor for Unlimited Innovation, a top nursery brand from Hong Kong. Bibs and Stuff will be launching the brand’s Babyzoo and Jahgoo ranges at the Harrogate Nursery Fair, so if you’re visiting the show this year, do come along to stand H50 to see these cleverly designed and space efficient bedtime, bathroom and feeding items, which will be available from May.

Newly appointed Sharon Lau has joined the Out'n'About sales team as the Account manager for the North of England and Scotland. Sharon has over 4 years of experience in the industry including working for Graco and Chicco in account management roles.

Medela is delighted to announce that their rental division grew by 94% last year. In response to this incredible growth they are currently recruiting more agents to ensure mums across the UK have even better access to the hospital grade pump in 2013. If you want to set yourself apart from the competition and offer your customers something a little bit different, as well as position yourselves as specialists in breastfeeding this could be the ideal opportunity for you.

Mumba has appointed specialist distributors bébélephant as UK distributors of its revolutionary 3-in-1 nursing bra.

The highly respected award-winning Gro Company, the UK's number one safer sleep nursery brand, has been acquired by its management team under an MBO agreement for an undisclosed sum.

After 14 years as CEO of Kiddicare, transforming the business into a world-class multichannel retailer, Scott Weavers-Wright has accepted a new role as Chief Architect of Morrisons Online Food. He comments: “It has been my privilege to lead and build Kiddicare. Applying my .com expertise to help Morrisons become a leader in online food retailing is a challenge that I relish.”

BabyPing, the multi-award winning video baby monitor that lets parents have reassurance of their child’s safety from anywhere in the world, has recently been reviewed as one of the top baby monitors on the market today.

After much anticipation Combi is now only weeks away from its UK launch at the Harrogate Nursery Fair where the company will unveil its first ever UK collection. Having already experienced great success in America and Australia, it was high time the Japanese born nursery brand became available to parents based in the UK.

TotsBots, the UK’s leading cloth nappy brand, is absolutely thrilled to announce that they have been awarded the official Oeko-Tex certification. As a brand that is utterly passionate about providing eco friendly and chemical free products, TotsBots are over the moon with their latest accolade. It certainly provides the ultimate benchmark in excellence and demonstrates their unfaltering commitment to customers!

SnoozeShade has fought off stiff competition in the Toast of Surrey Business Awards 2013 to win the Companies with a Turnover up to £1m category, held at a glittering ceremony held in Guildford, Surrey last week.

The innovative Baby nose-clear Vapour-ring has been awarded the Bizziebaby Silver Award 2012/13.

Hardenberg&Co Ltd are delighted to have been awarded the Bizziebaby Gold and Silver certificate for two of their products! The Angelcare AC1120 Digital Video & Sound Baby Monitor was the first to be awarded the Gold Certificate by Bizziebaby users. The innovative digital 2-in-1 monitor delivered the highest adulation by parents due to its touch screen parent unit and extended zoom and talk back features.

On the 9th January 2013, Lovedbyparents.com will open their parenting awards for the third year. Following on from a very successful two years, Lovedbyparents have established themselves as a recognised brand within the parenting market. Attracting entries from all over the world and recognition from some of the industry leaders, the last two years have seen the brand grow from strength to strength.

Sue Dover, former MD of Green Baby, and Alice Berry, former Sales Manager at Green Baby, have both recently joined Sense Organics Baby to update their fairtrade and organic skincare and clothing range and launch it for the first time in the UK.

Julie Ebrey the Managing Director of Hardenberg&Co Ltd; UK distributors of Angelcare Ameda Onaroo and Apramo products will be running the 2013 London Marathon in April, to support Bliss the premature baby charity’s ‘Bliss Nurse Programme’.

There was great excitement at Asobi HQ this Sunday, as the company was given an amazing boost on twitter from none other than Theo Paphitis. The distributor of inspired toys was selected as one of the six lucky winners of his weekly Small Business Sunday’ event, known to twitter as the #sbs awards and could not be happier.

Sugarjack are delighted to announce that they are celebrating their second birthday! Over the past two years the team have made remarkable progress and are thrilled to now be regarded as one of the leading luxury changing bag brands on the market.

Retail success story Kiddicare continues its rapid multichannel acceleration with its first superstore launch of 2013, bringing its portfolio of world-class baby emporia to five. At 9am on 27th February the UK’s Best Nursery Retailer* opens the doors to its 44,000ft² store at Parkgate Shopping, Rotherham.

Following the recent appointment of distributors in the Asia-Pacific region, Bibetta is pleased to announce the appointment of a further five distributors that will see the brand grow into new markets in Canada, Australia, South Korea, Malta and Spain.

Wholesalers and Distributors Babyprice, will be exhibiting all their exclusive brands at Harrogate this year and have also teamed up with Diono to offer a fully stocked Diono Display Stand worth over £850rrp to one lucky shop! This is an amazing prize and to be in with a chance of winning it, make sure you bring a business card to the Babyprice Stand A4 and one shop will be selected at random at the end of the show to win the prize.

Datateam Business Media is delighted to welcome Jenny Burrows to the Nursery Industry Awards team. Jenny's previous experience makes her perfect for the role, having worked as Events Manager for the BPA for 11 years, before moving onto various consultancy projects and launching the hugely popular Rattles to Riches competition for The Baby Show.

The team behind the award winning organic nursery brand, The Little Green Sheep, are thrilled to unveil exciting developments for 2013. Following years of rapid growth, the brand is now in an enviable position to invest in further expansion and have launched a comprehensive strategy that aims to significantly support retailers and increase its trade offering, whilst also bolstering overall brand awareness.

The world of international children’s fashion will have its sights on Cologne from 11.07. to 13.07.2013, when the Koelnmesse and the fashion and lifestyle magazine, Luna, will be inviting the fashion trade to attend the premiere of the Children’s Fashion Cologne. Top international labels such as Roberto Cavalli Junior, Simonetta, Silvian Heach, I Pinco Pallino, U.S. Polo Assn. and Oilily have already confirmed their participation. The event will cover the entire baby, children’s and maternity fashion sectors as well as shoes, interior and accessories. The fair is positioning itself as the central business platform of the German and international specialised trade.

Whatever your market focus, there is little doubt that baby related gifts and products make perfect add on ranges and it won’t only be nursery retailers flocking to Harrogate Nursery Fair at the end of March, but buyers from diverse sectors such as garden centres and visitor attractions to toy shops and gift retailers.

Earlier this week Peaches tweeted an Instagram of baby Astala in his new Nipper buggy, saying, “We love this pram! The wheels are massive yet lightweight and perfect for going up and down pavements or potholes as you barely feel anything! Great for parks and around the city x”

Ardega Nursery Distribution have started the new year with a bang, introducing two new brands into their ever expanding portfolio. Mommy’s Helper and ThinkBaby are from the USA and with the brands come some stylish, innovative and exciting new products.

Smart-Trike is delighted to announce that their latest innovation, the new Swivel Wheel with Touch Steering, has been awarded a patent. Not only has this multi-award winning brand developed the most advanced trikes in the world, they can now officially say they are one of a kind! The new Dream and Safari designs are the first in the collection to make use of the pioneering trike technology and they are already proving very popular with parents across the UK.

Medela were delighted to hear that new mum Jenny Frost has chosen one of their breastpumps to support with her new twins. Breastfeeding one baby is a big job for any mum, but feeding twins can be a challenge, it is therefore no surprise to see that she has selected the multi-award winning brand that is first choice for health professionals worldwide!

Buying nothing but the best for their little one, the fashionable couple have splashed out on the CYBEX SIRONA – a revolutionary rear facing car seat.

It’s been non-stop excitement for award winning children’s brand Quack Quack Moo (QQM) as they have not only launched a new marketing campaign, thanks to significant investment, they are also in the midst of finalising their brand new clothing range that will be officially unveiled at Harrogate. Following the busy start to the year it is no surprise they forgot to mention the best news of all…that their incredibly cool Potty Pants scooped Silver in the Practical Parenting awards.

Cosatto are pleased to announce two new team members to their baby-stuff-with-personality posse in the form of Lottie Perry Social Media Manager and Lorna Duncanson PR Manager.

This month, child safety leader Britax, launches its brand new e-commerce website, giving customers the chance to click and buy its products directly from Britax.co.uk.

Blooming Baby Showers launched at the famous Bubble show in North London with great success! Following their first ever trade show, the unique brand received national interest and have already had their first few orders in.

Bubble London, the UK’s national children’s fashion trade show, closed the doors on a bustling autumn/winter 13 edition and announced a year‐on‐year visitor increase of 3% and a 20% increase of overseas visitors, when the show took place on 27‐28 January at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

East Coast Nursery Ltd has appointed Phil Bosher as Account Development Manager to focus on regenerating the Independent trade in the South, as well as taking over the Key Accounts within the territory.

Asobi, the brand behind the hugely successful Slow Toy Awards, is delighted to announce that they have just signed an agreement with Vilac. This is an incredibly significant deal for Asobi as they now have exclusive distribution rights, across the UK and Ireland, for the iconic French brand Vilac and its two sister companies Jeujura and Petitcollin.

BabyPing, the creators of the award-winning smart baby monitor that lets parents connect to their baby from anywhere in the world through their iPhone and iPad, are proud to announce that they have become the first baby monitor to be stocked by the quality baby goods retailer JoJo Maman Bébé.

Specialist distributors bébélephant have launched their revamped website making it easier for retailers to keep tabs on their latest products. For the first time, the site reveals another part of bébélephant's business - of helping inventors bring their products to market with either advice or funding. "We are delighted with our new look" said Managing Director, Chantal Gut. "It is a fresh and crisp site conveying our company ethos." The site was designed by in-house IT Director, Alexander Teji, and is launched as bébélephant confirm a significant upturn in trade in the final quarter of 2012.

Toy Fair 2013 finished on a high last week after three busy days at Olympia where innovation ruled supreme. Products such as John Adams’ Holografx, H Grossman’s Megasaurus, Character Options’ TESKSTA and VTech’s Innotab 2s were just some of the examples of how the toy industry is innovating.

Multi award winning British brand, Hamster Buggy Bags, has had a new lease of life since going stateside. Following its hugely successful launch across the pond, the much loved parenting product has become known as the ‘anti tipping bags’ providing a new approach for the innovative company and more excitingly the birth of a brand new stateside name!

Leading animal welfare charity the RSPCA has awarded a licence to toy design and production company WOW Toys to produce a range of toys for the pre-school market. Called My Pocket Pets, they are a set of cute collectable RSPCA animal figure packs suitable for children aged 18 months and upwards.

The Toy Retailers Association has kicked off the year by charting a new course for its prestigious Dream Toys media event, held every October, and designed to promote the industry at the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.