The Baby and Nursery Trade Awards (the BANTAs) are now officially open for entries.
The BANTAs are a particular highlight of Harrogate International Nursery Fair – which this year runs from 15-17 October – and retailers and buyers attending look out for the products which the judges (who are all industry experts) have deemed to be the best in the show.
Products are judged on several criteria which the judges believe make them attractive to consumers including safety, functionality, desirability and value for money.
“The BANTAs are very different from consumer awards, because they take into account specific elements of a product that the judges believe will make them retail effectively – as well as being safe and desirable to the consumer,” commented Julie Milne, membership and technical support manager at the BPA. “For example, a fabulous new pushchair with an RRP three times higher than similar products, might well win a consumer award for outstanding features, but the BANTA judges might consider it less marketable for retailers due to the prohibitive price point. It is because of this, that colleagues in the industry place the BANTAs in such high esteem.”
This year, there are nine categories to enter: Travel, Tech, Furniture, In the Nursery, Textiles & Soft Accessories, Baby Essentials, Safety, Toys & Educational and Best New Product.
Entries for the BANTAs (which are sponsored by Nursery Today) will only be accepted from companies exhibiting at Harrogate International Nursery Fair.
Entry forms can be downloaded by clicking here and the entry deadline is 12pm on Monday 25 September.
