The July issue of Nursery Industry is bursting with news, views, products and advice to help you improve your business at every level. With this in mind, I have a fantastic feature for you in NI Voice, as Mediamann's enigmatic Managing Director Ian Mullard looks at what retailers can do to boost brand awareness and generate sales.

Nursery Industry is delighted to announce that it has once again been chosen as official publication partner for the Launchpad area of BPA Baby & Child.

Hippychick is pleased to announce that the Dusky Moon Dream Tubes has won the M&B Choice award in July's Mother & Baby magazine.  Four products that claim to ‘keep your toddler secure in her bed at night' were tested.  Dream Tubes was the only product in the test to score 5/5!

FunToSee has signed a licensing deal with Infant and Preschool brand Fisher-Price, to produce room sticker sets for its Precious Planets and Animals of the Rainforest range. These colourful and imaginative wall stickers complement other Fisher-Price baby and toddler nursery and home furnishing products. The room stickers will be hitting the shelves in June and September 2009 respectively.  

The Spanish Manufacturers Association of Children's Products (ASEPRI ) last month presented the ‘españa' trademark at FIMI, the most prestigious International Children's Fashion Fair in Spain. The initiative represents the value and essence of Spanish companies in the children's fashion and childcare product sector.

PJP has been appointed to launch the Aquasolari bed pad, said to be suitable for dealing with wet beds for toddlers and children, as well as mums-to-be.

German toy manufacturer HABA has launched a UK website allowing retailers to view its entire product range, including toys, games and children's furniture online.

In response to the British Medical Journal's (BMJ) study about the use of rear facing car seats until the age of four, the Baby Products Association (BPA) raises a number of issues relating to their use in the UK.

The British Standards Institute (BSI) has published a new standard specification BS 8510:2009 aimed specifically at the Child Care market.

Dear Becci

As a retailer with an internet site, I was interested in your feature focus on online retail, highlighting two sites. We have seen and enjoyed an increase in sales, due to the internet interest for nursery products, but have seen sites and companies disappear due to suicidal pricing/profits.

A new survey conducted by Maclaren Buggys and BackCare - ‘The Charity for Healthier Backs' - has revealed that 83% of Mums suffering from back pain believe it has been caused or exacerbated by their children. Mums cite pregnancy as well as the day-to-day lifting and carrying of their children as the main reasons, but the survey highlighted a significant proportion of these mums (73%) also link back pain to pushing, folding or lifting pushchairs.

Hippychick is delighted to have been chosen as one of 10 finalists for the Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award, in the National Business Awards South of England Regional Programme 2009.

Since its launch at BPA Baby & Child 2008, Janet Theodore is stepping up the PR and marketing activity for its innovative Breast Feeding Pouch, by teaming up with Bedfordshire-based Kaleidoscope Communications.

Newly appointed sales agent, Natasha Dudnik will take over the London, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex area for John Crane Ltd with immediate effect. 

Little Helper was reflecting on a great week as Nursery Industry went to press, after having a knock-out weekend exhibiting its Baby Boum sleepwear range at the recent Exeter Bump2Baby consumer show.

Mix ‘n' Fix Mike is the latest addition to the WOW line of construction toys. Mike's motor rotates his inner cement drum, tossing and turning all the mix of cement ingredients with real cement making sounds. He is operated by a friendly, removable construction driver figure who can either drive him to his next job or watch the mixing process from the top of his truck. A detachable bollard can be fixed to the back for easy storage.

Totseat, the washable, squashable highchair has won the prestigious Gift of the Year Award, scooping first prize in the Outdoor Living category at the annual Gift Association event.

Harley the red and black spotted Ladybug is the latest limited edition suitcase being launched this summer by Trunki.

"As a Mother of three with a background in design, my first daughter Lily developed a terrible heat rash and had problems sleeping. 

From research I carried out, I found that from newborn - 12 months babies have trouble regulating temperature whilst they sleep. Synthetic fibres only compound the problem as they do not breathe, but trap moisture. This causes either over heating or a "chill zone". Trapped moisture also irritates the child's skin and creates heat rashes or eczema.

This industry depends heavily on commercial agents. In good times, everyone benefits. When times are bad, is it a different story? Michael Morse looks at different models. If a rep and an agent can generate the same sales, which should you use?

My television and radio tell me that we live in "interesting" times and I wouldn't argue with them.  I am hugely entertained as I watch the spectacle of our political classes scrambling over one another in a bid to be the first to self destruct in High Definition.

Our BPA Baby & Child fair is now in its 26th year, and over the past few years has seen zonal areas add to the attraction of the show, by providing visitors and exhibitors with new opportunities. This year's show has been designed with the Launchpad and Eco zones in prominent locations towards the centre of the layout, to draw visitors through the show and provide advantageous positions for exhibitors.

How long have you been established?

We opened in May 2007.

Why did you set up Hastings Baby?

We used to run a second-hand children's clothes shop where parents brought in good quality clothes and toys and we paid cash for them and sold them on. It was a lovely little community shop, which was very well used by local families, but it made very little profit. Also we were frustrated by not being able to supply parents with the things that they needed and so we became more aware of the need for a good independent baby shop.

According to Displaysense, a manufacturer of bespoke point of sale displays, research shows that a staggering 60% of buying decisions are made in store: "While there are many aspects involved in marketing and gaining customer loyalty, an increasingly important decision to make is how you create a successful visual presentation on the display/point of sale stand."

Though they have gained in popularity in recent years - thanks to an increased understanding of child development together with changing views about parenting - carriers first appeared on the market back in 1973, when Swedish baby products company BabyBjörn introduced the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier. Over the years Björn Jakobson and his wife Lillemor have received numerous awards in several countries, for responding to an idea that came from pediatricians in the late 1960s with this pioneering product.

The M1 Carrier from Lascal represents the next generation of baby carriers, offering supreme comfort and a sporty, streamlined look.The carrier has a unique 3-way adjustable baby pouch, fully adaptable for growing occupants from 3.5 to 14kg in weight (8 to 30lb), and a built-in back support to keep baby's developing spine straight at all times. 

They say the best inventions are often the simplest and this could not be truer when it comes to the Hippychick Hipseat.  It allows parents to carry children naturally on their hips without the usual strains to the back and has the support and endorsement of scores of chiropractors and osteopaths.

With the weather hotting up, it makes sense for retailers to stock up on those must-have travel items for parents wanting to get out and about with their little one. It goes without saying the baby carrier is a travel essential and Tippitoes has plenty of options on offer - including red, black and grey colourways. Quality and affordability are two of the main components of a Tippitoes product and the Baby Carrier certainly lives up to these.

Hot on the heels of Infantino's best selling SlingRider, demand for Infantino's 3-position carriers - Front-2-BackRider & TripleComfortRider - is growing enormously as consumers look for products that offer genuine value for money through a combination of quality, functionality and ease-of-use at sensible prices. The Front-2-BackRider is already selling very well and at just £34.99 RRP offers superb value for money for such a high specification design.

The Carramio Baby Carrier from leading child safety manufacturer Clippasafe has become increasingly popular, with sales set to soar throughout summer.

Perfect for adventures and expeditions with little ones in tow, bushbaby® carriers give babies and children a better view of the world around them. Providing improved weight distribution for the adult their back friendly design, based on proven ergonomic techniques, makes carrying babies and young children a pleasure, not a chore.

Developed together with international ergonomic experts, the You & Me offers great comfort and safety for baby, and at the same time maximum comfort for the parent. The parent harness is designed to alleviate strain on the wearers back, especially for the lumbar region.

Mums can now feel close to baby without disturbing their sleep thanks to the new easy-to-use baby carrier Sleep & Go.

The BEST START to life any parent can give their baby is to carry them in a cotton sling from birth.

As the UK's best-selling baby carrier brand*, Tomy has a reputation for safe, trusted and quality products. Freestyle Carriers from Tomy are the result of extensive consumer research and is the only baby carrier range which has been developed with the back and posture experts at the leading Anglo European Chiropractic College.

With the media shining its often harsh spotlight on the female form, women are under enormous pressure to look good at any cost. Unrealistic images of women with super slim figures can make even the most self-assured feel inadequate, heading for the weighing scales with an unhealthy desire to compete.

Clippasafe's award-winning Bump Belt (RRP £19.99) has been helping protect unborn babies and mothers-to-be whilst travelling by car for over a decade, by enabling expectant mothers to safely and comfortably wear their seat belt on every journey they make.

Multi-award winning Carriwell offers a holistic range of high quality products such as nursing & maternity bras, maternity panties, support bands, breast pads/soothers, nursing tops and more.

While you should always remind customers that as a baby or toddler can drown in just two inches of water, children of this age should never be left unattended in the bath, there are plenty of products available nowadays that make bathing safer, easier and more fun. From bath centres to bathers and tubs that enable baby to remain in an upright fetal position reminiscent of the womb, all are designed to put baby at ease with water from the moment of birth.

We go to great lengths to balance top quality, value for money and great margins for our retailers. We offer everything your customers will need for Baby's first swim classes, sun and water safe holidays and fab days on the beach or just in the garden.

As the holiday season is fast approaching, the perils of swimming pools and seashore become ever more apparent. Splash About has incorporated design and innovation to bring a range of children's swimwear that offers comfort, safety and reassurance. Passion and experience make Splash About the leading choice of swim nappy by UK swim schools, making it possible to enjoy swimming with baby from an early age.

Chicco 2009 bath toy range features a variety of fun packed and colourful toys making bathtime even more fun. All created to stimulate the child's physical ability and imagination.

Strata is a family owned and run business with over fifteen years experience of manufacturing and producing quality baby bath time and toilet training products.

For the best bath-time essentials, look no further than Tigex from Cheeky Rascals. This award-winning range has everything you could need, from bath supports, baby baths and bath rings, to non-slip bath mats, step stools and natural sponges.

How can you resist? Try this best-selling mild and gentle natural babycare range - everything you need including our new degradable eco nappy sacks, bodywashes, bubblebaths, body lotions, creams and biodegradable wipes. The range has won several prestigious awards, has a loyal following amongst mums, looks so cute on your shelf and offers great value for money.

The only bathing apron to fasten at the back as well as the neck, the Coocoose® has been recognised by midwives as the safer and easier way to bath a baby. The unique design allows parents to keep  the extra large towel safely out of the way while they bath their slippery new babies - or toddlers and then the Coocoose® simply unpops with one hand allowing parents to snuggle their babies dry straight after their bath. The designers at Coochi have sourced the softest, 100% pure cotton to gently dry a babies skin whilst being extra absorbent to ensure mum or dad don't get wet too.

The bestselling Cuddledry apron towel and toddler towels have long been a favourite for keeping water babies at the pool cosy and snug.  But the Cuddledry range is not stopping there, but focussing more on swimtime with the introduction of specialist UV-protective poncho towels - to protect tiny people from the harmful sun's rays.

Women in the UK are having more babies than at any time since the 1970's. Last year, Office for National Statistics data revealed the number of children born in England and Wales to have hit its highest level since 1972. And while 2009 is said to have been one of the worst for retail since records began, the baby goods sector is meeting the demands of the changing economic landscape with skill and commitment in equal measure.

For the larger nursery setting John Crane Ltd has much to offer, with everything from robust ride-on toys to detailed role-play garages.

Leading cot mattress specialists Kit for Kids has launched the roll out of an in-store Point of Sale unit with audio and video to help retailers' growth in their cot mattress sales. Robert Harley, National Account Manager said "We understand that with every leap forward we make in cot mattress technology, both consumers and retailers alike need to fully understand the benefits of our developments. When coupled with an in-store training programme these units will not only enable the retailer to better advise consumers on choosing the right cot mattress but will also create more opportunities to up-sell and ultimately sell more."

Yondi - the latest must-have head hugger/travel chum from Trunki has received much credit from the British Association of Chiropractors, for the essential support it gives to children whilst travelling. Yondi is an ingenious neck and head rest that supports sleeping or tired children, perfect for the car, train or plane.

Highlighted by Practical Parenting as one of 10 Essential Travel Buys, the Cot Canopy is set to be the must-have travel companion for families with babies & young children this summer. 

Based in Lancashire, Ministeps UK is a family business focussing on the design, manufacture and distribution of an exclusive range of moses baskets, co-ordinating bedding and nursery accessories. With nearly two decades of experience, Ministeps UK has earned itself an unrivalled reputation in the wholesale market and as a result boasts many of the leading retailers in the UK and overseas as clients.

Introducing the new Taggies Babywear. Here's a sneaky view of new Taggies Babywear which made its first appearance at the Bubble Kids Trade Show in London's Business Design Centre, Islington. The new Babywear ranges created a real buzz on the stand with lots of orders placed by existing and new customers. First deliveries into stores will start in September.

Great Gizmos knows a thing or two about ride-on toys for the nursery sector as shown by their fabulous range of classic ride-ons and pedal cars that provide plenty of opportunities for young children to move around.