The industry is gearing up for Kind +Jugend, taking place from 17th - 20th September in Cologne. We have prepared a handy show preview to take with you on your travels, boasting an exclusive interview with Markus Oster, Vice President of Business Unit Communications, Art and Fashion, Koelnmesse and packed with stand and product information.

BPA Baby & Child will be held from 11-13th October at ExCel London, providing an ideal platform to showcase baby products and toys. Last year, over 2000 visitors arrived from the UK, Europe and as far as China, with research showing that 73% of visitors placed an order with either an existing or new supplier.  This year buyers from retailers including Mothercare, Boots, John Lewis, Tesco, Asda, Kiddicare, Toys R Us and Asda have registered to attend, as well as nearly every independent nursery retailer in the UK.

Magmatic, makers of Trunki - the infamous wheeled case for kids - has become the latest company to affirm its status as a leading nursery supplier by becoming a full member of the Baby Products Association (BPA). 

Tomy Europe is delighted to announce that it has signed an agreement with Perry Innovation Limited to distribute the BabyDam Bathwater Barrier in Europe. BabyDam is the bathwater barrier that turns a normal sized bath into a smaller bathing space suitable for babies and toddlers.

Rusmail Conveyor Systems has supplied a powered belt conveyor to Avanta UK as part of a mezzanine floor installation for nursery retailer Mamas & Papas.

The Baby Show is pleased to announce that a number of key brands will be taking part this October, for the first time. New brands include Britax, Vital Baby, Samsonite, Microlite, Summer Infant, Cariboo, Leapfrog Toys, Palmers, Next, Nurofen For Children, Vicks and Tesco Baby & Toddler Club.

Totseat, the washable squashable highchair, has announced the appointment of David Lowe Distribution, the leading supplier of baby and nursery equipment, as its exclusive distributor in Ireland.

Bulldog Licensing has announced that three more licensees have been signed for innovative pre-school property Super WHY.

The NATLL Good Toy Awards has announced its winners and PlayMais is delighted to accept a Gold Award in the creative toys category.

Difrax, the Dutch market leading baby products company is pleased to announce a new partnership with NScessity, a manufacturer and distributor in the UK baby industry.

Alan McElligott, inventor of what is said to be the world's first electronic powdered baby formula dispenser, faced the ruthless Dragons in the latest series of BBC2's Dragons Den.

Performance Brands has announced that it is now working with top pre-school property Numberjacks to help develop the brand in the Middle East and the UK.

Mamas & Papas has been shortlisted for the prestigious Kind & Jugend Innovation Award 09 for infant entertainment system Magic Cards and its launch vehicle for the system, the Astro cradle.

Bulldog Licensing has announced that MV Sports and Leisure has launched its range of Goochicoo plush dolls to the trade with incredible take-up right across retail.

This autumn sees the launch of Naturalmat Story Time, with Random House Children's Books providing stories from their newest and loveliest collections.

Celebrity Mum and singer, Javine Hylton, and her 18 month old daughter, Angel Mai Hylton Harvey hosted a musical tea party in Battersea Park to launch a collection of badges for the children's charity Jeans for Genes. Special guest at the party was the popular pre-school favourite, Fifi and the Flowertots, who features on the glow-in-the-dark collection and local nursery children. 

On its preliminary consumer launch last autumn, Aspace Baby, which incorporates an exclusive range of cots, cot beds and coordinating furniture, received widespread acclaim from the consumer, parenting and lifestyle press.

The mOmma is a brand new contemporary range of innovative and stylish developmental feeding products from Tomy, designed to be as safe and friendly for babies as possible. The range is suitable from birth and grows with the baby from bottle-feeding to weaning, with a unique warm plate, spoon and fork with protective covers. The bottle has an attractive round ergonomic shape which is easier for tiny hands to grip and a rocker at the bottom which means the bottle remains upright so the silicon teat or straw never comes in contact with unhygienic surfaces. The bottles also have lids that seal thoroughly, preventing spills when travelling and are BPA free, anti colic and dishwasher safe.

My Carry Potty is perfect for potty training. It's lightweight, leak-proof and completely bag-free, making it easy to use wherever you go. It has been designed with a unique lid that provides a completely watertight seal. It's ideal for shopping trips or long car journeys, when there is nowhere suitable to dispose of the contents! It's also great for use at nursery, as many toddlers only feel comfortable using his or her own potty.

As the industry's trade association it is a key part of our brief to represent and promote the nursery products sector both within the UK, Europe and internationally and for the last few years we have actively encouraged new product development in the industry.

As a man working in a company almost exclusively with women, in an industry sector that by its nature exists solely to serve women, this often presents people with an easy question when they meet me for the first time:

What is a man doing being the managing director of a breast pump company?

How long have you been established and how has the industry changed in that time?

We have been established for four and a half years. I think the biggest change we have noticed in the industry even in this short time, is the decline of the small high street independant retailer and the increase of the online retailer; a bit of a worrying change but I guess times and shopping habits are changing, so we will have to adapt.

Designed and manufactured in the UK this innovative convertible baby sling delivers convenience, comfort and style to both Mother and Baby.

Parents and retailers are working hard to address concerns about ingredients in a whole host of nursery products, selecting products for their shops and homes more carefully than ever before. Talking exclusively with Nursery Industry, Toby Massey Creative Director of Becothings commented: "Today the public is far more aware of its effect on the environment. Government policy and increased media coverage has moved the Green issue into the mainstream. Eco-friendliness is no longer about being ‘hippy'. Whereas in the past the public saw a green lifestyle as a burden, they now see people who do not make an effort as lazy."

In the field of Employment Law, the stakes keep getting higher and the goalposts keep moving. Wise companies learn from the pain of others to avoid going through the pain themselves.  Can they learn anything from high profile cases?

Solicitor Michael Morse thinks they can (if they listen).

As retailers, you play a vital role in promoting the importance of reading and should do so with a well stocked, high quality book section. Nursery Industry caught up with Gillian Johnson author of the Monkey Lou children's books, a series of titles for 4-8 year olds designed to inspire and educate young children on environmental issues, to get some tips...

Since the advent of the first baby monitor in the 1930's, the market has grown and diversified to meet the changing needs of parents. Though the safest option is always to check on baby, understanding the layout of your customer's home and their daily routine is a vital part of the decision making process. Nursery Industry investigates...

Latest NPD data shows that the Angelcare Sound & Movement Monitor AC401 (RSP £79.99) is the no. 1 movement monitor in the UK and also one of the best-selling baby monitors in general. It also was awarded Best Buy by Practical Parenting and Junior Pregancy & Baby magazine.

NScessity is constantly developing new user friendly features in their Monitor range, NScessity monitors have always had the ability to grow with families, monitoring up to 4 rooms at once. Their Digital Wireless Camera Monitor is the only monitor available to offer users a colossal monitoring range of up to 300 metres whilst eliminating interference.

Launched at the beginning of 2009, the CLARITY Digital Video Monitor by Lindam has been exceptionally successful, moving quickly into the top 30 nursery items sold year to date [NPD market data based on value].

VTech Nursery, a new category dedicated to parents of newborns, includes three baby monitors using clear sound technology.  VTech is already a world-leading manufacturer in cordless telephones, producing millions of DECT phones every year.  DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) guarantees zero interference from any other devices, making it the clearest sound technology for baby monitors.  Unlike other monitors, VTech monitors also include sung-songs and melodies as an added point of difference.

Tomy, the leading manufacturer of baby monitors in the UK is delighted to announce it will be launching a new range of baby monitors. Tomy's new monitors are designed to be very stylish, easy to use and help give parents ultimate peace of mind while their baby is sleeping. The unique range is the result of Tomy's 21-year heritage in marketing award-winning monitors that parents love and trust. Developed by parents to meet parents' requirements, Tomy has conducted extensive consumer research to create the ultimate range of monitors that offers parents the features and specifications they really want.

We have talked at length about the baby products market being more recession resistant than most, and in the run up to Christmas, market analysts will no doubt be keen to put these claims under even closer scrutiny. Although purse strings have been tightened in the wake of the credit crunch and recession, the festive season is sure to see parents far and wide delving deep into their purses to put a smile on their little ones' faces at this magical time of year. Nursery Industry reports...

John Crane Ltd is pleased to announce the supply of The Toy Workshop collection of toys and furniture.  Their extensive catalogue fits splendidly with the growing John Crane Ltd portfolio, featuring everything from wooden nursery furniture to personalised items, pocket money priced toys and alphabet letters, plus their seasonal items will all be hot sellers as the weather turns chilly too. 

The Playgro range is packed with toys perfectly designed to maximise impulse toy sales in the run up to Christmas. From the perfect gift from mum and dad for their tiny new born, to stocking fillers and budget priced toys for older siblings to purchase, Playgro has it all.

The adorable Wheelybugs from Hippychick scream quality and in a room full of toys children always make a beeline for them.  Their ultra simple lines, cute looks and vibrant designs instantly stand out in a sea of plastic.  The sturdy wooden frame and padded layer of sponge covered with tough polyurethane mean that the ‘bugs' can withstand any amount of robust love and fun.

Children love soft and cuddly toys, so Chicco's new Teddy Count With Me (37cm high) is the perfect companion from 6 months plus. Not only is he a cuddly friend, he's also a fun interactive teddy bear that teaches first numbers and words in both English and French.

The arrival of baby's first tooth is a milestone in development, memories of which will be cherished forever. The teething process can, however, be a painful and frustrating experience for parent and baby alike. Helping your customers through each and every bout should form part of your core offering, as it is vital that there are products on the market that provide some degree of pain relief.

The Wash & Brush Timer is a safe and easy way for kids to learn to brush teeth and wash hands for the Dr recommended amount of time building hygiene skills for life.

Playgro's range of developmental toys are brightly coloured, fun and educational, with many toys across the range including teething tabs ideal for soothing baby's tender gums.

MAM designers have developed oral care products that not only lay the best foundation for a winning smile, but are also BPA-free! The MAM oral care range consists of both teethers - for relief and distraction - and toothbrushes - for a great start for new teeth.

The Clevamama^TM award winning Soother Tree^TM is compact, fast and a simple way to sterilise soothers. 

An award winning toothbrush holder and bristle guard, Flipper is the latest dental product designed to encourage good oral health in children.

Kind + Jugend, the world's leading trade fair for baby and toddlers' outfitting products, not only sets new trends every year; it also serves as the mood indicator for the entire sector. From 17th to 20th September 2009, approximately 800 companies from about 40 countries will come to the Cologne exhibition centre to present their latest products in the segments of children's furniture, safety seats, textiles, prams, hygiene articles, toys and fashion for babies and toddlers. The trade fair continues to show signs of growth, which has even resulted in an expansion of the total exhibition area.

When was Kind and Jugend established?

Koelnmesse conducted its first trade fair for the baby and toddler outfitting sector in 1960. The event was called, simply enough, "baby". At that first event, which took place from 7th to 10th January 1960, a total of 50 exhibitors presented prams, 27 showed buggies and 52 suppliers exhibited babies' and children's fashion at the event. The event's gross exhibition space was approximately 17,000 m². Since then, the trade fair has developed in a very positive fashion and has been complemented with further segments.

Bottle Buddy is a powdered formula dispensing product which accurately counts a predetermined amount of powdered infant formula into a bottle.

During the show we will be sharing our strategic developments and the work currently underway to support and strengthen our market position. It is an extremely exciting time at Lindam as we continue to grow and adapt to better meet the needs of retailers and the end consumer.

The Cuddledry brand is known worldwide for creating the original organic ‘hands-free' baby bathing apron - a bestseller in over 30 nations globally.  Cuddledry returns to Kind + Jugend with its ever-expanding range for babies and toddlers at bathtime, swimtime and on the beach.

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.

Britax, which has been at the heart of passenger safety for over forty years, will be showcasing a number of new and exciting developments at this year's Kind & Jugend Show in Cologne and the BPA Baby & Child show in London, which are set to add an extra dimension to the car seat and wheeled goods market in 2010.

Come and experience the latest addition to the Micralite range, the Superlite. The Micralite Superlite is the ultimate no-nonsense, 21st century stroller incorporating all the unique Micralite features in a refined, pared down, stylish package.

Skibz, makers of the stylish dribble bib that looks like a fashionable bandana, are launching a new range of designs for 2009-2010 collection at Kind und Jugend, stand no F-051, Hall 11.3.

Clippasafe, the leading child safety product manufacturer, will present two new product prototypes at this year's Kind + Jugend.

For years now child car seats in the CONCORD LIFT series have embodied the highest levels of safety. The new CONCORD LIFT CORE (Group II/III) takes the recipe for success a step further, setting an even higher benchmark in terms of side impact protection.

MAM exhibits at the Kind + Jugend fair in Cologne (Germany) from September 17th till 20th, please be sure to visit MAM's stand at hall 11.2, booth A010 to view our full brand re-launch.

NScessity the specialists in safety, health and monitoring are expecting a very busy show this year at Kind & Jugend in Cologne.  Showing their full range of electrical products for the nursery including Monitors, UV wear, Nursery Air Improvement and Feeding products.  Several new products will be on show for the first time prior to their UK launch and the NScessity team are looking forward to being rushed off their feet for the 4 days of the show.  Be sure to visit the NScessity stand whilst you are in Cologne.

OiOi is gearing up for the cooler months with some hot new bags showcasing the Autumn Winter 2009 collection.

Totseat, the washable squashable highchair, is delighted to announce the arrival of Bramble - a beautiful baby sister for Chocolate Chip.  Weighing in at 260g, Bramble is the latest stylish addition to the Totseat family.  Winner of Gift of the Year 2009, Totseat is perfect for every family on the go - securely and comfortably harnessing a baby (8-30 months) in an adult chair.

Did you know that the weight of your head compared to your body gets less as you get older? A baby's head weighs around one third of their total weight, which means the thin vertebrae of the neck are susceptible to serious damage if the head is thrown about.

Multi award winning baby wipe company, Clearly Herbal will be exhibiting at this year's Kind + Jugend show in Hall11.2 Stand G-049.

Close Parent's enhanced product range extension for 2010 will be unveiled at Kind und Jugend. The team has been working tirelessly over the last nine months on new product development to leverage on the success of the pop-in^TM nappy system. The introduction of the pop-in^TM accessories range, to include four new products - the free and dri changing mat, change and go mat, hooded towel and training pants - will provide retailers with an opportunity to increase sales across the range with innovative, stylish products.

Last year they brought us the award winning Sleep&Go multifunctional baby carrier, distributed exclusively in the UK by Gabe & Grace Ltd. Its uniqueness and versatility winning it Fianalist status at Kind und Jugend 2008. Now they have done it again this time with SleepinAmaka, an accessory which can add another dimension to the carrier and a finalist in this year's awards.

The Clevamama^TM award winning Soother Tree^TM is compact, fast and a simple way to sterilise soothers. 

If you're looking for new innovation, first class safety products and some welcoming friendly faces, make sure you stop at Dorel's stand at K&J.

At Kind und Jugend 2009, visitors will see how Tippitoes has continued to expand its choice of products and how the company has held its promise of exceptional quality at affordable prices. This year's show will see the exciting launch of the EZE Stroller, a robust stroller with a multitude of practical functions.

The Buggysnuggle Company will be launching their 2010 collection at Kind und Jugend this year. Included in the new collection are the Bobbles and Raindrops designs, all created in house and only available direct from Buggysnuggle.

Exhibiting for the first time at the show, Little Bird Told Me will be presenting a sumptuous range of traditional yet innovative Nursery Products and Infant Toys.

Naturalmat is the leading UK manufacturer of 100% natural fibre and organic mattresses. Each mattress is made by hand in Devon using the finest raw materials, all of which are from renewable sources. We use Soil Association certified organic wool and organic coir fibre to produce the most widely recognized mattress brand in the Nursery market. We stock all standard sizes as well as Stokke, Boori and Leander shapes and sizes. We also make to measure to any size required.