We’ll be back on Thursday 2 January 2025… until then, we round up some of the top stories from PreschoolNews.net over the past 12 months.
PreschoolNews.net would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a wonderful festive break.
We will be taking some time out over the Christmas and New Year period too, returning on Thursday 2 January 2025 to bring you all the latest news.
Here’s a round up of some of the most read stories on PreschoolNews.net over the past 12 months.
January
UK toy market demonstrates resilience in 2023, with a total value of £3.5bn sales – Plush Toys, Games & Puzzles, as well as Building Sets experienced notable growth within the UK toy market.
Mamas & Papas plans UK growth – as profits for the brand increase following a strong Christmas trading period, Mamas & Papas announces plans to open up to ten more concessions this year.
Cosatto joins forces with Axkid – thanks to an innovative collaboration, both Axkid and Cosatto can now offer more choice for parents with the release of two new car seats. The partnership ensures that children can be five times safer travelling rearward up to seven years of age.
Ravensburger launches new Play+ infant and toddler range – the company was joined by Dr Zoe Williams at London Toy Fair to give visitors a first look at Play+, a new infant & toddler toy and book collection set to launch in the UK and Republic of Ireland in September.
February
The Baby Show highlights top new products – The Baby Show with Lidl GB heads back to ExCeL London from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 March, 2024. The show will have a wide range of the latest pregnancy and parenting products on sale – ensuring visitors get the first look at the latest must-have gadgets on the market.
Poundland rebrands Motherland following cease and desist – Poundland is made to remove the ‘Motherland’ signs from its new store after Mothercare served a ‘cease and desist’ notice. Mothercare claimed the branding on the hoarding on the flagship Poundland store in Biggleswade showed a closeness to its own branding.
Spring Fair provides launchpad for new preschool products – buyers from a huge range of retailers head to Birmingham’s NEC to find new ranges.
March
BPA announces restructure, Robert Anslow resigns – the UK’s trade association for the baby products industry announces the resignation of its managing director, Robert Anslow, and a complete management restructure.
PO.P partners with Marks & Spencer – PO.P kidswear (formally known as Polarn O. Pyret) announces a new partnership with Marks & Spencer. A number of key PO.P items will be launching on the retailers ‘Brands at M&S’ platform.
BRIO and Transport for London reveal new collaboration – Transport for London partners with toy brand BRIO to launch a London Underground-inspired toy train. The deal was facilitated by TfL’s global licensing agency, IMG.
April
RKW secures distribution deal with Artsana – Artsana and RKW, a leading European distributor and manufacturer of domestic appliances, housewares and nursery products, announce an exclusive distribution agreement for the UK and ROI.
Trunki founder Rob Law unveils Zeepy – founder of Trunki, Rob Law, launches a new product into the children’s sleep category. Zeepy is a new sleep clock, which was created by Rob and his younger brother, Dave, following their own journey with sleepless nights and bedtime challenges with their five children.
Hippychick takes on distribution for BS Toys – Hippychick welcomes the educational and sustainable brand from the Netherlands to its portfolio.
May
WHSmith confirms 17 new Toys R Us shop-in-shops across the UK – WHSmith reveals the locations of a further 17 Toys R Us shop-in-shops across the UK. The news follows WHP Global – the parent company of Toys R Us – securing a long-term deal with WHSmith as the exclusive shop-in-shop partner for TRU in the UK.
Good Housekeeping UK expands product testing into the world of parenting – the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) Parenting Awards will aim to champion the best products available to parents, spanning everything from nappies and wipes to cots and prams.
Ickle Bubba reports second most profitable year – nursery retailer and wholesaler, Ickle Bubba, has seen significant growth year-on-year, with factors such as a bumper Black Friday trade and a solid growth in direct to consumer and wholesale channels aiding the overall performance.
The Toy Association welcomes Greg Ahearn as new president and ceo – Greg will be responsible for leading the next chapter of the association as it continues to evolve and best serve its close to 900 members, as well as the needs of the entire US toy industry.
June
Silver Cross launches new clothing range in Tesco – Silver Cross secures an exclusive partnership for its new licensed range of baby clothing with UK supermarket, Tesco. The range launches in 129 stores in the F&F section, with the nature+nurture 0-24 month range.
Martin Boyle leaves iCandy – after almost 20 years working at iCandy, managing director, Martin Boyle departs the business.
Casdon joins forces with Ooni in latest collaboration – the preschool role-play specialist, teams up with Ooni, a leader in the at-home pizza oven market, to launch a range of toy replicas.
July
New name and rebrand for baby products trade body – the UK’s trade association representing the baby products industry reveals a new name and complete rebranding, with the former Baby Products Association now being known as the Baby Products Industry Association (BPIA).
Hippychick marking 25 year milestone – nursery specialist, Hippychick marks its 25-year milestone this year, with part of the celebrations including a charity 25km trek across the Quantock Hills.
RHS and Roma bring natural design flair to new nursery products collection – the Royal Horticultural Society reveals a new partnership with nursery product specialist Roma, which will see the launch of a wide range of products from strollers and travel systems to children’s toys and ride on boards.
Future of Amscan International secured following sale to Baaj Capital – the future of Amscan International and associated companies including Ginger Ray and Christy’s by Design have been secured following a sale of the business and assets to Baaj Capital.
Bigjigs Toys pieces together new House of Puzzles acquisition – Bigjigs Toys acquires popular jigsaw brand, the House of Puzzles, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the company as it moves into the cardboard jigsaw category.
August
Boots reveals new clothing range for babies – high street retailer Boots launches a new clothing range for babies, Maybe Baby, with broadcaster and new mum, Mollie King, coming on board as ambassador. The range – which offers babywear from £6 – has been designed to be accessible for all and is unisex to offer longevity by swapping and sharing with siblings.
Natural Baby Shower celebrates 17 years – Bracknell based nursery retailer, Natural Baby Shower, celebrates its 17th birthday and reflecting on its years of successes and challenges in the industry.
Mamas & Papas secures funding deal – Mamas & Papas, which was acquired by private equity firm Bluegem Capital Partners ten years ago, secures funding from OakNorth to aid ongoing growth.
John Lewis to reshape its buying and merchandising teams – the John Lewis department store group is to restructure its buying and merchandising teams, as part of a transformation programme. The changes follow the return of Peter Ruis as ceo and are designed to help ‘turbocharge’ the business.
September
Juratoys secures Mamas & Papas partnership – Juratoys secures a new retail agreement for its wooden toy brand, Janod, with key nursery retailer, Mamas and Papas. The new partnership will see a collection of 11 of Janod’s products available online and in 20 Mamas and Papas stores, as well as within the brands concessions in two flagship M&S stores and Next outlets across the UK.
Online4Baby rebrands as The Nursery Store – family-owned Online4Baby nursery e-commerce business, Online4Baby rebrands to The Nursery Store.
Kind + Jugend reports strong 2024 show – around 15,000 trade visitors from 115 countries headed to Cologne for the annual Kind + Jugend show.
October
Exhibitors deliver verdict on Harrogate show – with the organiser hailing the event another big success, PreschoolNews.net catches up with a number of exhibitors to find out how Harrogate International Nursery Fair was ‘a real celebration of innovation’, ‘overwhelmingly positive’ and ‘a great experience’.
Inglesina acquires English stroller brand, Maclaren – Inglesina acquires the English stroller brand, Maclaren, a deal which marks a new chapter in the global childcare landscape and brings together two well known parenting brands.
HTI Group’s acquisition of Sambro creates UK’s largest independent toy company – HTI Group acquires Sambro International, a deal which establishes HTI as the largest privately-owned toy company in the UK, with combined annual sales exceeding £120 million and a presence in over 70 international markets.
November
Progressive Preschool Awards 2024: The Winners – the winners of the Progressive Preschool Awards 2024 are announced at a glittering ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
BPIA confirms UK Pavilion at Kind + Jugend 2025 – the Baby Products Industry Association is to reintroduce its UK Pavilion for the first time since 2019 at next year’s Kind + Jugend. Having secured space at the show’s early bird rate, members participating in the UK Pavilion will benefit from an attractive all-inclusive package including early bird conditions and booth construction.
Trends UK and Pat Avenue confirm strategic merger – Trends UK and Pat Avenue confirm a strategic merger which will enhance their competitive position in the toy industry. The collaboration combines their strengths and expertise to create a significant presence in the UK market.
December
Toymaster May Show 2025 is sold out – the Toymaster May Show 2025 has officially sold out, with all of the stand space filled.
Graco celebrates quadruple victory at Mother & Baby Awards – Graco secures a full suite of honours at the Mother & Baby Awards 2025, where it was recognised in each category it participated in. The awards ceremony was held at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, London on Tuesday 26 November, and was hosted by Giovanna Fletcher.
BTHA’s Make Time 2 Play campaign gets a new look – Make Time 2 Play, the not-for-profit consumer campaign by the British Toy and Hobby Association, launches a newly designed website and app. MT2P helps to make play resources more readily available for parents, teachers and carers, while highlighting how play and toys are more than just fun – they play an important role in aiding children’s development.
My Carry Potty launches in the US – My Carry Potty is heading Stateside, with the UK brand making its US debut in Target stores this month.
