To help the process at the grass roots – especially those for whom the creation of a new nursery product is a new and daunting prospect, we have the BPA’s Concept Award. Concept 2007 culminated in four products being shown at BPA Baby & Child. Four products which, although perhaps some distance from being ready for market and with some hurdles still to be overcome, still are evidence of some creative thinking. And the Concept Awards are designed to bring this creative thinking into the nursery trade. Concept 2008 has just been launched – yes it takes a year to help these designers produce products from their innovative ideas. During the year, they are helped in numerous ways – so if any of you know of someone who has a bright idea then now’s the time to suggest they think about entering Concept 2008.

For those whose products are ready for market, Nursery Industry and RFIB Group sponsored the Launchpad at this year’s BPA Baby & Child. Many exhibitors demonstrated some interesting innovations; all were showing something new and different – key elements in any retailer’s shopping list. So Launchpad was the place for retailers to find those special products that they need to make a difference. Many of the Launchpad exhibitors from previous years have gone on to taking space in the main exhibition area and several are proving to be very successful – and profitable – businesses.

But there are also many products – from bedding to slings to toys – which have been launched by established companies. There are many products out there who deserve recognition for their innovation and this is what we are hoping to achieve with our Review of 2007. Over the next few pages we are highlighting a number of this year’s best products. From these we will choose a winner which we will announce in the next issue.