The show marked its 10th anniversary with an event which attracted new exhibitors from independent start-ups to major brands.
Curated by Associated Independent Stores (AIS), INDX Kids featured an overhauled show offering, which was more inclusive of footwear and accessories, forming part of a wider restructure intended to better cater for the demands of buyers.
Almost 500 buyers attended the two-day event, with re-bookings for July already over 50%. 15 new brands also attended with a view to exhibiting in July.
Annmarie Collie-King, childrenswear buyer at AIS, commented: “Our February 2023 offering was possibly our most diverse selection of exhibitors to date, with a strong choice of products, styles and price points to suit every buyer.
“The show featured a major contingent of independent exhibitors and start-ups, with many making their first foray into wholesale. This has helped inject a new breath of life into the industry, with a tangible sense that the market has bounced back from the pandemic.”
Katie Heptonstall, founder of Eleanor Charles, said: “Given the low barrier to entry at INDX, I came in without any pressure to do business as a first time exhibitor. Despite this, I can easily say that the show far surpassed by expectations, generating many more transactions than anticipated. The friendly environment made it easy to strike up new opportunities, and I was thrilled to be awarded best-dressed stand.”
Sally Dear, founder of Ducky Zebra, added: “I had a brilliant time at INDX, it was great to be in a space with so many like-minded individuals, resulting in many positive conversations. As a first-time exhibitor I was there to make connections and get a feel for the market, so the orders I took were a real bonus.”
Craig Sidlow, sales representative at William Lamb, said: “Independents are an important revenue stream for us, so we’ve been coming to INDX for many years now. Given ongoing market challenges, we weren’t sure what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised as the overall feel surrounding the show was definitely positive. It’s definitely a more focused environment than other shows, with everyone being serious about doing business, which is always a plus.”
