Cheeky Rascals

Managing Director, Simon Russell

Exchange rates have been against us this year, so our prices have had to go up in line with cost. Retailers ordered more sporadically in 2009 - the major retailers seemed to de-stock like crazy then order like mad, which affected our normal sales pattern and made forecasting very difficult.

Despite the wider economic crises, we have managed to maintain sales performance – even experiencing a slight growth in sales. This has allowed us to carry on re-investing in good products. Look at the Wean Machine – launched this year, it’s been at all the shows, on the radio and raved about by the Industry. A brilliant example of an idea that has come out of the UK, it’s now being distributed in over 30 countries with more to come. We also signed Merino Kids this year, a small Kiwi company with great products, innovation and energy. Playgro has proved the adage right product, right time – a great quality but affordable toy range in a recession.

The British Pavilion in Cologne was a real high point - the result of a few mates getting together at the show a couple of years ago and saying what a good idea it would be. Once we had got a few companies on board, we approached the BPA as our trade association and asked them to organise it. It acted as a greenhouse for smaller manufacturers who got to bring their product to an international market perhaps a year earlier than they would have done otherwise. It will be bigger and better in 2010.

STOP PRESS! Since talking to Simon, the Bushbaby Elite baby back carrier has won GOLD at the Mother & Baby Awards. Another high for Cheeky Rascals - Congratulations!

Mamas & Papas

“With the on going success of our Preferred Partners Scheme we have now refitted over 50% of our Independent Partners’ stores. Our partners have reported a growth in sales since the refits have been completed together with the benefits of both the latest catalogue and the especially created point of sale products which we supply, both of which are driving sales by raising customer awareness both in their homes and in store. Many of our partners are also now benefitting from our latest initiative, the new Web Affiliate Scheme, which is giving their customers access to over ten thousand Mamas & Papas products throughout the ranges. Over 90% of our retailers visited the Mamas & Papas Head Office for the Autumn Winter 2009 showcase.”

Joe Formisano, Associate Sales Director commented: “We have embarked on a three year strategy to design, develop and launch the most original products available in the market to date. We are investing heavily to ensure our partners have an exceptional product range to drive sales in their stores and maximise their long term profits.

This is an exciting time for Mamas & Papas and we look forward to sharing our successes with all our partners”.

Dorel (UK)

Managing Director, Andrew Ratcliffe

2009 saw Maxi-Cosi’s 25th birthday and a reflection on just what the brand has achieved in its first quarter century.

Pioneering the concept of a rearward-facing infant car seat in 1984, Maxi-Cosi has made sure its development and research in this field has pushed beyond the boundaries of the required safety standards and has developed new technologies to further improve on crash test performance and ease of use for parents. 

The newly launched Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix Collection (Pebble infant carrier, Pearl Group 1 and FamilyFix Base) has already won three trade awards and now represents the ultimate, no-hassle travel solution and the most advanced safety concept on the market today.

The 2010 portfolio of products also includes pushchairs; the new Maxi-Cosi Mila has a premium look and style which is suitable from birth. Dorel’s collection of pushchairs will all be compatible with the CabrioFix and Pebble car seats to form a travel system which has become a necessity as parents want as much practicality as possible out of their pushchair.

Petite star

The high point of Petite Star’s year has definitely been the success of the Kurvi3 and Kurvi4 pushchair and travel system and despite the recession this product has been very well received by the consumer. When planning the product launch, Petite Star’s team knew that a RRP of £299 for a reversible pushchair and cot on such a good looking contemporary lightweight frame would be a winner. The current deal of free footmuff, changing bag and comfy liner (worth £70.98) and a half price car seat really does make it the irresistible choice in its class.

It really has been a very good year for us but, inevitably you can’t help thinking how much better it would have been without the recession!

Britax

Matthew Turner, UK Marketing Manager

Even though Britax has been at the forefront of child car seat development for over 40 years, it is still a great honour to receive independent industry awards for the high quality performance of our product range. 2009 has been no exception to this, with no less than 18 of our 24 key products receiving award recognition.

Awards this year have included ‘Best Buys’ from independent testing bodies such as Which? consumer magazine recognition with Gold & Silver awards from Practical Parenting and ‘Best Buy & Best Value’ double winner from the Prima Baby Reader Awards, and acknowledgement from the nursery trade with BACRA awards at this year’s BPA Baby & Child Show. 

It is very exciting for us to receive this recognition not only for our child car seat range, but also for our pushchair / travel system range, with 3 out of 4 of our pushchairs receiving ‘Best Buy’ or ‘Gold’ awards. With our new wheeled goods range due to launch early next year, we are hopeful of similar success in 2010.

Hippychick

Kate Hutchings, Marketing Manager

Wow, what a year!

Some great new products and awards galore!!!

Dream Tubes has taken the nursery world by storm since its launch in March, already winning 5 high profile awards – the BACRA for Best Debut Product 2009 is the latest.

And ….. What about the Mattress Protectors – new products in the range launched this year and GOLD at the Practical Parenting Awards, what a coup!

The Baby Sense Book won top honours at the Practical Pre-school Awards, getting gold and a tester score of 99!

Not to be left out, the Hipseat also won Gold at Practical Pre-school – beating all other carriers in its category!

So what now …. 2009 is drawing to a close and surely after the mad Christmas rush it will be time to take a breath – WRONG!  Several new products are in the pipeline, and to help celebrate Hippychick’s 10th Birthday year a number of high profile campaigns are planned – so keep your eyes peeled!!! 

The Gro Company

Rob Holmes, founder

The Gro Company has well and truly exploded into 2009! It’s been a phenomenal year with so many exciting developments happening such as the redesign of a whole new gorgeous range of Grobag Baby Sleep Bags, with luxurious Gro branded lining, and fabulous new packaging.  Also launched in 2009 was the Gro-clock which quickly won a Practical Parenting award in their ‘New Product’ category. The Practical Parenting awards are tested by real mums which is a great endorsement for the Gro-clock which teaches toddlers when it’s time to get up and when to stay in bed by using fun images of the sun and star.  Last but not least, The Gro Company completely rebranded in 2009 including a name change from gro-group to The Gro Company and new packaging for every product.

So it’s been a busy, exciting and successful year with lots to look forward to in 2010. 

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