2010 promises to be an exciting year for Chicco too if the high footfall on the stand was anything to go by. With the launch of several new products, including the Trio Living travel system, the Lite Way Stroller in Special Edition colours, a playpen and baby walker there was lots there to attract buyers like you the range. Chicco is also launching its new international website, as well as one specifically for the UK - so keep your eyes peeled for that too.

On a tour of the Chicco stand we were introduced to the Boppy, an award winning feeding and support pillow to be launched into the nursery market this Spring, following huge success Stateside. We also got a glimpse of the fabulous Special Edition Lite Way Strollers which Chicco has created - for a limited time only - the Boyish and Girly. Boasting added features that include fabric printed with trendy white circles, embroidered belts, a bumber bar and new handles with coloured foam, they were a hit with visitors to the show and look set to be a firm favourite with modern mums. Suitable from birth, these colourful pushchairs are available in bright blue and classy pink.

 Chicco was also delighted to show its new farmyard-themed playpen, the Open Country Playpen, full of bright colours and engaging sounds that have been specifically developed to stimulate baby's senses.

Chicco demonstated the new D@nce baby walker to buyers for the first time. Using the latest technology, it comes with an electronic lap-top style toy featuring an MP3 drawer in the front panel that lets baby play songs at the touch of a button!

Footsie 100 ltd is the sole UK and Ireland importer, distributor and wholesaler of Babyshocks a stylish baby footwear range that sells enormously well in a range of shops. Managing Director Johnny Hindle told NI: "I had a good show, we sold 600 pairs, all but 48 of them to new customers.  We introduced a whole load of people to our product who had not seen it before, so I am pleased indeed."

Superstylish brand Micralite used the show as a platform for its latest creation, the Fastfold Super-lite which, following a full product demonstration on the stand, proved it does exactly what it says on the tin! This ultra lightweight yet sturdy stroller is the perfect balance of ease and convenience for the parent, with total child comfort in mind.

Other recent additions to range include the Micralite Rider, a stroller board which attaches simply to all Micralite Stroller models and folds conveniently away when not in use. The Multi Position Handles can be fitted to any Micralite stroller transforming the handlebar to one of the most ergonomic and adjustable on the market. A fantastic brand, Micralite products are the perfect solution for those demanding style and functionality in equal measure.

Generating a lot of interest from buyers were Wallables, three dimensional sculpted wall decor products made with Reniva, a Natural Oil Polyol made from soy beans. They attach to the wall with an easy on, easy off Velcro patch. Fully interactive, they teach the alphabet and glow in the dark while being an important educational tool which makes them very inviting for small hands to to touch, feel and experience. From Aero the Airplane to Bella the Butterfly and many more besides, they allow for innovative placement and creativity - on bathroom walls, mirrors, refrigerators and ceilings.

Over at Dorel we took a look at the newly launched Maxi Cosi car seat, the Rodi AirProtect, which has all the features of the Rodi XR but with the addition of a new side impact protection system. The system includes special air cushions in the headrest of the car seat, which act like an airbag protecting the child by absorbing and reducing the amount of impact force being transferred to the child's head during a collision. Suitable from from the age of three and a half to twelve years old, it has a unique relaxed reclining position for both small and larger children.

We loved the new Quinny Senzz, a stroller that brings parents the best of both worlds - combining all the advantages of a fully-featured stroller with all the compact flexibility of a buggy. Importantly, the Senzz can be used from birth until approximately four years old so it offers parents great value for money too. The seat has three recline positions for added comfort for the baby. It's also compatible with with the Maxi-Cosi CabroFix and Maxi-Cosi Pebble infant carriers to form a travel system. Parents can transfer their baby from the car to the stroller with just a few simple clicks. This new pushchair is striking and will stand out on display - we saw buyers keen to snap it up for their stores when we visited the stand.

Monochrome never looked so good as Quinny also launched a special edition of the popular Buzz and Zapp pushchairs. Contemporary and sleek, the pushchairs have a black frame with either a black or white seat and are sure to catch the attention of the style conscious mum you know so well!

Hauck was another 'must visit' brand, with three new exciting designs from Disney Baby adding to an already very successful licensed range. These stylish bags contain everything that mums could need for a day out, including changing bag, bottle warmer and other handy wallets. We were particularly impressed by the Shopper 6 Shop N Drive - through a simple click-on mechanism your customer can instantly fix a car seat onto a buggy or shopper - without having to wake baby. Easy to manouvre with plenty of room for shopping bags, it comes at an excellent price for families on a budget that don't want to compromise on style.

Stylish as ever, Silvercross meanwhile, unveiled the Surf - designed to suit the modern lifestyle, whatever that might be. Inspired by mountain bike technology, not only does it look good but it's practical too. The lightweight magnesium alloy chassis is air sprung, giving maximum strength and minimum weight at only 7.5kg. If your customer chooses the sleek and fun silver and black option, there are five stylish essentials packs to choose from which will transform it. The essentials pack consists of a hood, padded apron, reversible seat liner and coordinating parasol. The linen and slate options are more understated and also come with matching essentials packs. Your customer can then decide how and where they add a splash of colour with a wide choice of snugs to choose from.

Content&Calm has had an amazing year since the launch of The Cot Canopy at Harrogate in 2009. A year later and this fantastic company has enjoyed such success that it's hard to believe it's only a year old. New for 2010 are the ProtectiShade, the first true in-car sun shade and the TrayKit, an all-in-one kid's carry on backpack and play-tray solution. Rumour has it there is a fourth product patent pending, so watch this space!

A firm favourite with buyers, Tippitoes showed us the Nikki Bug Activity Mat, the Amigo Baby Walker and the Soft Seat Trainer, Potty and Step Stool which combines three functions in an elegant design. The potty unit comes with a hygeinic handle for ease of emptying, whilst the trainer has a soft padded seat and is suitable for use by both boys and girls. Tippitoes continues to offer great value in the stroller market with the launch of the Spark Stroller in a stunning new design - sure to look great with its stylish range of City Bags.

With many more exhibitors keen to talk to NI, don't miss the May issue offering you an exclusive insight into the thoughts and opinions of the faces behind the brands direct from the show floor! All this in addition to show news from Britax, Petite Star, Kiddy, Concord, Tidy Books, Stokke and many more besides, miss it and miss out!

Becci Knowles

Editor

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