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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.
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