INDX Kids marked its 10th-anniversary edition with a resurgent show that welcomed a number of new exhibitors spanning both independent start-ups and major brands. Nearly 500 buyers attended the two-day event – including buyers from Turkey, Guatemala and Japan – and re-bookings for July are already above 80%.

Curated by Associated Independent Stores (AIS), INDX Kids featured an overhauled show offering that was more inclusive of children’s footwear and accessories, forming part of a wider business restructure intended to better cater for the demands of buyers.

Among the major names onsite were William Lamb, suppliers of licensed clothing, footwear and accessories, shoe manufacturer and retailer Clarks, and Frugi. Show debutants included Eleanor Charles, Ducky Zebra, and a cohort of Peruvian brands specialising in ultra-soft Pima cotton.

 

 

Commenting is Annmarie Collie-King, Childrenswear Buyer at AIS.

“Our January 2023 offering was possibly our most diverse selection of exhibitors to date, with a strong choice of products, styles and price points to suit every buyer. The show featured a major contingent of independent exhibitors and start-ups, with many making their first foray into wholesale. This has helped inject a new breath of life into the industry, with a tangible sense that the market has bounced back from the pandemic.”

Major trends at the show included the growing presence of children’s footwear, with Fairground Shoes among those branching into childrenswear. Muted, earthy colour palettes also featured heavily, though traditional pink and blue still remain popular.

Gender-neutral clothing continues to gain traction, with Frugi, Kite, Mai and Ducky Zebra among those championing this development. As ever, sustainability remains at the fore, with a significant number of brands now extending their efforts beyond manufacturing into offsetting shipping and end-of-life recovery and recycling programmes for products.

 

 

Commenting is Katie Heptonstall, founder of Eleanor Charles.

“Given the low barrier to entry at INDX, I came in without any pressure to do business as a first-time exhibitor. Despite this, I can easily say that the show far surpassed my expectations, generating many more transactions than anticipated. The friendly environment made it easy to strike up new opportunities, and I was thrilled to be awarded best-dressed stand.”

“I had a brilliant time at INDX,” adds Sally Dear, founder of Ducky Zebra. “It was great to be in a space with so many like-minded individuals, resulting in many positive conversations. As a first-time exhibitor, I was there to make connections and get a feel for the market, so the orders I took were a real bonus.”

“Independents are an important revenue stream for us, so we’ve been coming to INDX for many years now,” confirms Craig Sidlow, sales representative at William Lamb. “Given ongoing market challenges, we weren’t sure what to expect but were pleasantly surprised as the overall feel surrounding the show was definitely positive. It’s a more focused environment than other shows, with everyone being serious about doing business, which is always a plus.”

For further information and to register for the next edition of INDX Kids on 2-3 July 2023, please click here.