A few months ago, a group of retailers and buyers from across the preschool world came together to judge the product categories of the Progressive Preschool Awards 2019. PPS spoke to Jade Crow, nursery, toy and gift buyer for JoJo Maman Bébé to find out how business has been over the past year.
“The last year has been a bit of a mixed bag – business instore is a bit slower but online is doing really well and people are buying a bit of everything. We are continually acting to drive people instore with VIP events and experiences – the ultimate aim is to get people in at maternity stage so they can establish brand loyalty with us!
There are quite a few clothing and nursery suppliers who are really on board with the sustainability trend but it can still be quite hard to find eco toys and play products with less plastic packaging. We’re hoping that will have changed dramatically by this time next year. Although it’s all a Catch 22 situation of course; really people should be buying less but buying better!
We are always very careful to keep developing the fashion side of our business – we are seeing lots of recycled materials helping to reduce waste and that awareness is coming through in the look and style of the products as well.”
PICTURE: The JoJo Maman Bébé judges, (left to right) Sarah Liversidge, Anna Varsanyi and Jade Crow.
