There are many figures bandied about regarding the amount of retail sales over the Internet but what is certain is that it is growing and growing fast... some say at between 5 to 8 times faster than high street sales. Right throughout the "food chain" we see a multi channel approach to retailing. Major multiples encourage traffic though their stores with the orders placed online and picked up from the store, using the Internet to recruit customers mixing this in seamlessly with their showrooms.

The aim of getting people out of their chairs and into the shops is still important and those that  have wholeheartedly embraced and integrated their online presence have found they can market to a much wider universe and bring in visitors to their showroom from further afield. The practice of using online presence to provide advice, forums and magazines is also on the up and increases the opportunity to develop a degree of customer loyalty. In short in addition to the exponential growth in online sales the Internet has become the primary customer recruitment and relationship development channel.

In this world of iPhones and Blackberry's, of wi-fi and in-car communications it is not surprising that we all now take the Internet for granted. It is so embedded in our life that we really would be lost without this most wonderful of tools. But we must remain circumspect and cautious in certain things. There still remains a lot of spam, Internet fraud and dross on the digital highways.

At this point you would be surprised if I didn't mention one of my well publicised pet hates. I refer of course to the darker side of Internet auction sites like eBay. Of course it's a valuable way of recycling unwanted goods and of course the vast majority of business transacted on such sites is honest and safe.  But there will always be unscrupulous traders lurking in the darker alcoves of society and eBay and its like have become a fertile ground for such people to do business.

You may have read the article in the Times recently entitled "Britons Buying Deadly Fake Goods Online" and unfortunately as the level of trading on the Internet increases so will the likelihood of death or disfigurement through the purchase of unsafe non conforming products. This of course also applies to second hand baby products which can be equally lethal.

A direct quote from  the Times article: "Although in theory online sellers on sites such as eBay have to satisfy trading standards regulations, there is no way of guaranteeing that products have been checked in advance."

So I must ask the question, why is it so hard for organisations like eBay to get tough with these traders? They may just be the facilitator but after all it's not only their reputations that are at stake - it's peoples' lives. Obviously a handful of bad apples doesn't make eBay an evil place to do business but it's their lack of action to eradicate them that does them no favours.

Standards Development

The following standards amendments were recently issued:

BS EN 71-1: 2005 + A4: 2007 - Part 1: Mechanical and Physical Properties

BS EN 71-2: 2005 + A1: 2007 - Part 2: Flammability

There are currently eight further child care products standards under revision; for further information contact the BPA.

End of Term Report

When you come to the end of a year it's often a time for reflection and in the BPA we have seen us move forward on a number of new initiatives.

BPA Retail now has 16 new members and we feel passionate about supporting the independent retail network through this vehicle. We have seen a consolidation in the marketplace and as predicted those smaller independents unwilling or unable to change are finding it difficult to survive. With the large multiples and out of town hypermarkets increasing their market share and the increase in online retailing it is vital that the smaller independent nursery retailer re-invents themselves so as to compete. Joining BPA Retail can help in a number of ways: call us for more information on 0845 456 9587.

We have seen a raft of new European legislation this year. The BPA continues to keep its members fully up to date in this regard and through its membership of a number of key UK, European and International committees continues to help shape the future of our industry's product safety standards.

We continue to engage the authorities to influence and amend legislation and/or to change the implementation of regulations in practice. I refer to such issues as VAT on Isofix bases, on travel systems and on childcare products in general, to the UK FR regulations on certain childcare items and of course the way in which such systems as RAPEX are operated.

Clearly our members appreciate the support and services we provide because membership of the BPA is at an all time high.

As we enter another new year let's hope it will bring unprecedented prosperity to all. I wish you season's greetings from myself and the team at BPA and BPA Retail.

Tel: 0845 456 9570
Email: info@b-p-a.org
Web: www.b-p-a.org

Peter White 

Chief Executive BPA

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend