INDX Kids, part of Associated Independent Stores (AIS), is a trade show curated by buyers for buyers, and 2023 marks its 10th anniversary as the leading order writing show. Annmarie Collie-King, Childrenswear Buyer at AIS, discusses some of the challenges independent retailers may face this year and how trade shows can help during turbulent times.

 

“Retail is currently experiencing unforeseen challenges, with rising costs creating an array of difficulties for both retailers and consumers. As a result, we are seeing more independent retailers seek support and advice than ever before, in order to overcome the uncertainty heading into 2023.

While the detrimental impact of the cost-of-living crisis upon consumer spending power must not be understated, retail sales volumes rose by 0.6% in October 2022 following a 1.5% decrease in the previous month, according to the Office for National Statistics’ latest retail sales data.

At AIS, we work alongside trendspotting agencies to track consumer spending and highlight themes as they arise as part of our ongoing commitment to assist retailers during such turbulent times.

The seasonality of childrenswear has always provided retailers with a strong idea of specific areas to focus on in the coming months. While this generally remains to be the case, the cost-of-living crisis has undoubtedly restricted parents’ expenditure, according to a September 2022 report from the Office for National Statistics.

Consequently, this increases the necessity of purchasing durable clothing of a high quality with a lower price point in mind. This is one of several hurdles that independent retailers in particular must overcome. The question of how to navigate the recession is one that we often face in conversation with many of our members.

 

 

Furthermore, it must be noted that children seem to have a growing influence upon their parents’ purchasing decisions.

Sustainability is a prime example in this area. A report from Growth from Knowledge stated that in Europe, children are the most persuasive in influencing household shopping behaviour and shoppers are increasingly changing their behaviour as a result of their concerns about the environment.

This stands to reason that childrenswear brands were early adopters of organic fabrics and sustainability. Many exhibitors at our INDX shows reflect these attributes, knowing they are a key driver in decision making process.

We attribute this growing level of influence to the rise of social media and ecommerce in retail, alongside our upcoming generation of future spenders. The potential for children to develop an affinity with a brand from a young age heightens the importance of retailers understanding and responding to the demands of children just as much as their parents.

That being said, it would be easy to conclude that independent retailers must simply raise their digital brand presence in order to get ahead in 2023.

However, considering the existing saturation of marketing on social media by leading retailers, this isn’t always the case. The aspect of in-person engagement, whereby a consumer is guaranteed to experience a genuine and first-rate connection with an independent retailer, remains as important as ever.

Moreover, this is a trend we have witnessed after seeing significantly more members utilise our INDX trade shows as an opportunity for both networking and business support. Celebrating 10 years as the leading order writing show in 2023, INDX shows are curated by buyers for buyers, showcasing seasonal trends and a range of leading brands as well as new labels.

 

 

For instance, suppliers such as Clarks are set to attend INDX Kids 2023 on 29-30 January to assist independent retailers in overcoming the aforementioned challenges set to emerge in the coming year.

Similarly, a team of expert AIS buyers will be in attendance to ensure that independent retailers keep up to date with upcoming trends, further presenting a great opportunity for face-to-face networking.

All attendees are strictly vetted, ensuring that any business relationships fostered are with a legitimate potential buyer. Previous INDX shows have played host to dozens of orders established at every event – a trend we expect to continue into the future to further assist businesses during these challenging times.

This unique approach will hopefully continue to help many independent retailers in 2023, ensuring long-term financial prosperity while establishing a reputation in the childrenswear retail industry.”

For further information on INDX Kids and to register for the show, please click here.