Premier KIDS

Premier KIDS: sees 12% increase in visitors!

Premier KIDS continues to grow from strength to strength each season showing a 12% increase in visitor numbers from last July’s event and over the last 3 years there has been an astounding growth in overseas attendance including retailers from countries such as Italy, Republic of Ireland, Australia, Sweden, Belgium and even Takashimaya department store in Japan.

Amongst regular retailers such as Harrods, Bentalls, Daisy & Tom, Debenhams, James Beattie, Fenwicks and John Lewis, 45% of the overall audience were first time visitors, of which 170 were new retailers. Newcomers were delighted with the quality of the show with Christina Curtis from Cool Cuties in Middlesex commenting “As a new person to this industry I took away some excellent tips from the business seminars. I was really impressed with the whole show and I placed my first orders there and then as it was easy and convenient. The fashion show was both useful and entertaining to watch as it definitely made me wander onto the Ollie stand after. Premier KIDS offered exciting collections at different price ranges, it’s good to be able to see them all in one place”.

Premier KIDS provided buyers with over 300 innovative and inspirational children’s brands, offering the biggest show ever. New fun quirky designs like Chupa Chups, 2 Cute and Temper Temper where amongst the regular faces of Ben Sherman, Pampolina and Balu.

Exhibitors were also excited over the success of the show, Karen Paisley of Blue Bear Design said: “Choosing Premier KIDS as our first ever trade show was the right decision. We came hoping to generate interest in our designs, not expecting to write orders from day one. Our expectations were far exceeded! We have written orders, made contacts to follow up post event and made goods contacts with other exhibitors at the show”.

The new programme of free seminars, workshops plus the new ‘Retailers Forum’ proved highly popular amongst retailers, giving them the latest must-have styles for s/s 05 and the chance to share their industry knowledge. Jackie Cook who hosted the seminars and forums, commented “The Retailers' Forum is a unique opportunity for retailers to exchange ideas and information. I hope that this will grow as more people plan the opportunity to share experiences into their show visit. It is tough enough as an independent after the last season and it is very important to have some allies and share mutual experiences. For example a number of retailers had experienced fraudulent advertising scams, by spreading that awareness others will hopefully benefit.”

Next season’s Premier KIDS takes place 30/31 January and 1 February 2005 at the NEC, Hall 16, Birmingham – for free buyer tickets or for further information go to www.premierkids.co.uk or call
+44 (0) 870 429 4514.