Who’s got a Spring in their step?
In spite of the snow and freezing weather we’ve had lately, Bumpstart has definitely got a Spring in its step this month.
Last month, our 25th birthday celebrations saw a bumper crop of customers, both new and old, come to visit us, particularly over our birthday weekend, when we dished up 50 gorgeous cupcakes and 100 goody-bags to our visitors. Thank you so much to everyone who dropped by; you made us feel valued and appreciated. Our suppliers were incredibly generous, donating some amazing prizes for our competition. The draw took place on 1 March, and I’m delighted to announce that our winners are Melanie, who wins an Uppababy Vista pram, Emma, who wins a Joie car seat and Daisy, who wins a Maxi Cosi Zelia pram. Enjoy your wonderful prizes, ladies!
I’ve been genuinely sad at the news this week of the demise of Toys R Us. At Bumpstart, we’ve never tried to compete with the toy store giant, since we simply wouldn’t be able to price-match. But it’s always a shame to hear that another retailer is no more, particularly one in a similar category. And my heart goes out to those who will lose their jobs as a result.
As a small, independent retailer, we’re in the fortunate position of being able to respond far faster than the “big boys” to market changes and shifts in buying habits. I’ll be visiting Harrogate at the end of March for the International Nursery Fair, where I’ll be sourcing the latest equipment and accessories, ready to stock in a matter of weeks, if not days after my visit. Harrogate is a particular favourite of mine, because it’s the only UK trade show where many of our distributors and suppliers (including some smaller British brands) showcase their new products. I love to stock British wherever I can, of course and in Harrogate, I get to see the very best in current design and ideas. And because it’s just me, making the purchasing decisions, I can do so quickly, and with my customers in mind, so our stock will always be bang up-to-date and on trend.
Of course, folk can always buy online instead, as many do, but again, small trumps big, time and again in terms of knowledge and customer service. No use asking an online box-shifter for precise advice on how to fit a car seat safely, assemble or fold down a pushchair, or have a qualified member of staff show you to do both of these before you part with your hard-earned cash. That kind of help is only available from a specialist. You deal with medical specialists all the time before you have your baby, so why stop there?
And whilst we’re on the subject of babies, down on the farm Farmer Bumpstart is currently preparing his own maternity ward, for the imminent arrival of approximately 800 lambs to 510 expectant ewes. Two veterinary students are about to arrive to help out, and will be lodging with us, and the local primary school will be paying us a visit to see the newborns too. Life is about to become extremely busy!
Lambswool is wonderful for keeping babies warm, as every Mummy ewe will tell you. One of my favourite cot mattresses we have in stock is made by Harrison Spinks, who farm in Yorkshire. We also have some beautiful lambswool fleeces to keep your little ones cosy in their pushchairs, while Winter is still doing its best to keep Spring at bay.
So whether you’re cuddling a human baby, or a lamb, I wish you comfort and warmth and hope that Spring will bring some of that to all of us very soon.