However it is fair to say that there was an underlying atmosphere of caution which I suppose is only to be expected in the current economic environment. But there is such a thing as being too cautious, being so catatonic with concern for the future that you may not only stand still but start to move backwards. Therefore I applaud the companies that pulled out all the stops to have a good show at Harrogate and I feel sure it will pay dividends. Yes, budgets have to be looked at in times like these - but to pull all marketing from your plans is surely not the best way to go. There will be further casualties before this recession is over but we are fortunate to some extent to be in a sector that still appears to be in growth.

I would argue that in times like these the last expense to cut is your marketing; retailers can only de-stock so far and new orders will follow to meet sales requirements over the ensuing months. So make sure if there's a choice, yours are the products that are chosen.

Stay positive and keep marketing, whether this is through advertising, PR or of course through exhibiting. After all, the last thing you want when orders are being placed is that they think you are not around anymore.

BPA Retail gathers momentum

We found there to be positive interest from visitors to our BPA Retail stand at the Harrogate show - this has so far resulted in an additional five retailers joining the Association, with further interest from passing retailers, whom we hope will realise the benefits of joining the Association and having a voice in the industry.

We expect by the time we have worked through the enquiries another 20 retailers will have joined.This will boost the Association and can only serve to benefit the members as BPA Retail grows in 2009. It goes without saying, that the more members we bring on board, the louder our voice becomes in the industry and the more likely we are to be successful in bringing about the right changes and results for our members and ultimately the nursery industry as a whole.

BPA Retail is dedicated to the support of the independent nursery retailer. We believe that a vibrant independent channel is vitally important to the health and future of the industry. Some of today's famous brands would not have made it to the market without the independents. They provide an alternative and choice for parents and an outlet for the smaller innovative suppliers who keep the industry fresh.

Fighting the industry's corner

Once again at Harrogate we received interest from suppliers and manufacturers about the Baby Products Association, with enquiries about the activities the Association does for members, and for the industry as a whole. Our recent lobbying in London and Brussels has certainly raised awareness of our issues.

   We have been campaigning now for some time to have the ludicrous decision of HMRC to treat car seat bases as an accessory and thus subject to full rate VAT.

   We have mailed all of the UK MP's twice and have met with many MP's, Her Majesty's Treasury and have had an Early Day Motion signed by 61 MP's, had two Parliamentary Questions laid down and have held an Adjournment Debate in Westminster Hall led by Bob Russell MP. We are waiting to hear what the Budget on 22nd April brings and remain confident that we will achieve our aim to have both ISOFIX and belted bases subject to the reduced rate of 5% VAT.

In our second communication to Westminster we have raised the issue of the barrier to trade that the now outdated UK FFR regulations present to the nursery industry with particular regard to infant carriers and pushchairs. We have also visited Brussels twice and met with the Commission on the subject; we will keep you posted.