A few major names were not exhibiting and these were only slightly missed as there were a lot of new names to investigate. As always there were a number of innovative new products on the smaller stands which made up a significant part of Hall Q. One of these was Modern Baby & Close Parent whose Managing Director Martine Carroll commented that "This year’s show was exceptionally good for both Modern Baby and Close Baby Carrier. Our new product launches attracted great interest, particularly our organic reusable nappy and our organic baby carrier which is being featured heavily on the Channel 4 documentary Bringing up Baby. It is a great show for meeting up with existing customers and making new contacts. It is also a good opportunity to showcase new products and get valuable feedback from retailers."

There were a number of really useful and innovative items on show. Things like the scoop for washing babies’ hair and protecting their eyes in one handy item and the gro group’s Botty Buddy. This is an accessory for the changing mat designed to look after all the necessary bits and keep baby in place! And there were many more any one of which could be that ‘killer’ product.

Pushchairs are an important part of a nursery retailer’s business and there was a huge choice – I don’t know how retailers can decide between all that was on offer. How could they resist the smell of real leather on the latest prams from BabyStyle?

The exhibition was also the launch pad for several new pushchair companies – X Adventure, Leebruss, Mia Moda and Sproggs. "We have been overwhelmed by the interest shown by retailers at Harrogate," said UK MD David Prosolek.

"We’ve spent 20 years in the nursery industry and have never experienced anything quite like this. It’s fantastic to know that retailers share our excitement about X-Adventure’s product range - not to mention that our order book has far exceeded even our wildest expectations!"

Paul Roberts of Sproggs has been working on his new range for many months. "I created a range of pushchairs for the UK market, believing I knew what retailers were looking for. The run up to the show was terrifying – had I got it right? The huge number of orders taken at the show and all the wonderful compliments I received made all the hard work worth while. Thank you all!"

Car seats also made the headlines with the new Axiss car seat from Bébé Confort generating a lot of interest. This seat is truly revolutionary – it turns so that the child faces the parent so putting the child in and taking him out is now so much easier. Graco’s new Logico M seat was another important launch. Graco Sales Manager, Ben Jones commented: "For us the highlight of the show was the response from retailers and the media to the new Logico M, the first in a line of Graco Group 1 car seats. Early indications at the show prove that this really will be a product to watch. But, even better was the response of our customers, competitors and even the sandwich man, who all agreed that our stand was the busiest and best at the show."

Retailers were also complimentary about the show in general. Comments like "stunning"; "lots to see"; "I’m so glad I planned the to stay the extra day" "wonderful new products" and not least, "Good food!" As I said in the beginning – the buzz is back.

I’m sure I speak for many when I say well done and thank you, Robert, for such a wonderful exhibition!