A post-Covid visit to Cologne’s Kind+Jugend this year (8-10^th September) was a different experience for many. Despite figures stating that 484 exhibitors from 38 countries attended, from top players to newcomers, it was smaller than usual, with fewer halls. While it felt different, the show, nevertheless, retained its unique sense of excitement and business.

Despite the smaller feel to the show, this year’s exhibitors came from all categories; strollers, car seats and carriers, children’s furniture and room furnishings, safety and monitoring, fashion for babies and pregnant mothers, toys, care and nutrition.

The majority of the exhibitors came from European countries and Turkey and, along with some leading manufacturers and brands, many small and medium-sized suppliers and start-ups were represented.

Missing were almost all of the biggest brands of strollers from Europe and around the globe. Also missing were the stands from further across the world – notably Asia. So too were the throngs of people and enormous, long lines of queues for the entrance, taxis and trams. However, when we spoke to some exhibitors, the response was the same – that the quality of visitors was fantastic:

Touker Suleyman, Director of Matchstick Monkey, Babocush and Little Hoppa, commented:

“Kind and Jugend 2022 was modest in size compared to previous years, however the quality of the buyers, partners and visitors from all around the world was of a high standard. People were there to do business!”

Kristina Williams, Director of eco rascals, said:

“We didn’t know what to expect from K&J this year but whilst it was half the size of 2019 it had quality over quantity when it came to buyers. It was a great show and being able to connect face to face with buyers and other brands since 2019 has been great. Can’t wait for next year!”

Around 10,000 trade visitors from 103 countries attended, 75 percent of whom came from abroad. Fewer Brits were present, possibly due to the recent death of Queen Elizabeth.

At The Innovation Awards, the additional theme “World of Sustainability” gave special visibility to sustainable products.

The jury, consisting of international trade journalists, safety and industry experts, selected 24 nominated products from 80 submitted proposals. Nine companies ultimately received an Innovation Award.  Winners included a potty with a lid that can be used as a stepping stool, a travel system with an integrated trolley, integrated board and integrated large storage space, and the first climate-control car seat from Britax.

The winners of the Innovation Awards are:

– World of Kids Care – Mininor Potty, Mininor Global ApS, Denmark
– World of Kids Furniture – Nino – modular furniture, Krespa Sp. z.o.o., Poland
– World of Kids Safety at Home – Motorola PIP1610 HD Connect, the Netherlands
– World of Kids Textiles – On the go, Delta Diffusion S.A., Belgium
– World of Kids Toys – BAVVIC – Creative Building Blocks, Bavviv Sp. z.o.o., Poland
– World of Moving Kids & Travelling Kids Accessories – Stroll & Connect Bladeless Stroller Fan, Skip Hop Inc. USA
– World of Moving Kids – The Jiffle wagon, The Jiffle bv, the Netherlands
– World of Travelling Kids – Turai360 SL Klimax, Osann GmbH, Germany
– World of Sustainability – KIDFIX i-SIZE, Britax Römer Kindersicherheit GmbH, Germany

So, whilst many of the notable big brands stayed away this year, K+J certainly remains the place to be for new innovations and quality buyers there to do business and we look forward to returning in 2023.

Dates of Kind + Jugend 2023 – 7th to 9th September 2023.