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Premier KIDS Autumn / Winter 2006 |
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Attendance up by 10% at Premier KIDS
Premier KIDS had a record attendance this January, with visitors
up by 10% year on year. Difficult trading conditions didn’t
dent the positive mood at the show, with all the major department
stores attending such as Harrods, House of Fraser, Fenwick and
John Lewis, the independent department stores, key independents
such as Peppermint, Trotters, Bratz, The Wendy House and Clafoutis,
plus many visitors looking to open a childrenswear store.
Peter Crosby from Replay & Sons who exhibited in the new KIDS
Street section at the show commented “Sunday at Premier KIDS
was exceptional. The market’s tough and we didn’t expect to
be so successful this season. The new KIDS Street section has
worked well for us, we are extremely pleased”. The KIDS Street
section was added to Premier KIDS this season with the aim of
responding to the growing demand for casual, urban-inspired
clothing, and was well received by visitors. Anne Wright from
Bananas enthused, “It’s fantastic. I love the KIDS Street area,
there’s too much choice!”
Other new elements to the show were more footwear collections
than ever before, from the likes of Levi’s Shoes, Hi-Tec and
Start-rite. Jeremy Hewitt from Merrell and Hush Puppies, also
new to the show, was impressed with their first experience at
Premier KIDS: “This is the first time we’ve done a childrenswear
show, and it’s been brilliant. I’ve been rushed off my feet
so I’ve been delighted. We’ll be back next year.”
Regular exhibitors were equally pleased with sales achieved
at the show, such as Kissy
Kissy whose babywear was a huge hit, with over 20 new accounts
opened, and British girls’ brand Infancy who launched at Premier
KIDS last July, who gained new orders from UK independent and
department store buyers as well as those from Belgium and Israel.
There was a strong international contingent of buyers at Premier
KIDS this season, with buyers from Europe and from further a
field such as Russia, placing large orders with several exhibitors.
Premier KIDS had also organized an Inward Mission in conjunction
with UK Trade & Investment and childrenswear retailer association
NCWA, bringing in buyers from Austria, Germany, Sweden, Norway
and Greece, all adding to the record attendance.
Retailers were busy buying at Premier KIDS, but also found
time to pack out the seminars, ‘How to Buy Childrenswear’ and
‘Top Ten Tips to Improve your Sales’, presented by ex-Selfridges
buyer and retail expert Jackie Cook, plus talks on the practical
interpretation of forthcoming trends predicted by trend agency
PromoStyl. The high-energy fashion shows further highlighted
the trends, and gave a real buzz to what was a successful event.
Next Show: Premier KIDS takes place 9-10-11 July 2006,NEC,
Birmingham
www.premierkids.co.uk
or call
+44 (0) 870 429 4514.
There was an influx of delectable Danish brands to the international
line up at Premier KIDS in January 29-31 January 2006, NEC,
Birmingham.
Contemporary designs from newcomers Kammakarlo, Krysta Lyngaard
and Okker Gokker Copenhagen complement collections from Claire
Kids who are returning to the show, along with other Scandinavian
brands showing like Noa
Noa, Molo Kids, Mini A Ture and Me
Too.The increasing popularity of Danish brands in the UK
market follows a similar trend in the womenswear sector, due
to the simplicity of design combining with fashion elements,
quality fabrics and unique Northern European flair that appeal
to UK buyers.
Premier KIDS is leading the market with its combination of
tots to teen clothing, accessories, lifestyle products and its
recent addition of maternitywear. Beautiful lingerie from Carriwell
and Australian label Bebeniq join the line up of desirable collections
for mums-to-be, while cool kids can get kitted out at the new
KIDS Street section of the show.
UK brands bring typically eclectic, eccentric British designs,
like Ben Sherman with union jack wellies and motifs of childhood
food spelling out the brand name; goth-meets rock n’ roll style
at Religion; Peski Kids offers fun Tees with prints of retro
icons, while No Added Sugar’s range boasts cheeky slogans.
International offerings in KIDS Street include Japanese Evisu
Kizzu famed for their funky jeans and Italian Replay & Sons
for casual cool. Style-concious kids will also love newcomers
Small Paul from the monkey motifed brand Paul’s Boutique, UGG
Australia Kids, charming US range Tea Collection and Joe
Bloggs for buyers looking to place short orders. Accessories
are becoming ever important for buyers to maximise sales at
point of purchase, and give an opportunity of increasing the
retail offer without the need to increase floor space in-store.
Footwear has really come to the forefront this season, with
over 30 footwear brands in with the accessory offer at Premier
KIDS. There are bright trainers from the likes of Levi Shoes,
Hi-Tech, Tsubo and Lamborghini, comfort and style from Hush
Puppies and pretty shoes from French designer brands Elle and
Babybotte and UK’s Chatterbox.
New additions to the KIDS Essentials accessory area include
Sweet Baby Beads with cute charm bracelets and Vanderly with
little ladybird-adorned jewellery, and essential winter socks
and tights from Country Kids, Tic Tac Toe and Star Socks.
The hottest picks from the 400 strong British, Danish and other
international collections at Premier KIDS will get showcased
in the vibrant catwalks, highlighting the trends and giving
styling inspiration.
Buyers can also get an insider’s guide to the trends from fashion
forecasting agency PromoStyl, and business know-how from buying
and retail guru Jackie Cook, with advice and support for successful
trading in 2006.
Next Show: Premier KIDS takes place 9-10-11 July 2006,NEC,
Birmingham
www.premierkids.co.uk
or call
+44 (0) 870 429 4514.
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