Introducing BabyBjörn’s brand new website which includes an e-zine
for parents, with contributions from bloggers and experts around the world.
Swedish,
family-owned company, BabyBjörn has launched a new website exclusively to
the UK, with a unique design and many new functions.It contains a brand new editorial
section called “This is LIFE” – a magazine for parents who
have babies or toddlers, or are expecting a baby containing useful,
inspirational and informative content..
There is a mix of in-house produced
features and articles by specifically invited guest writers,
including bloggers and parents.
The UK lingerie market is up for grabs. During the
1980s the market was dominated by Marks & Spencer, which held approximately
50% market share. However, this share has fallen to just 26% as the market
place has become more fragmented and consumers’ preferences have changed.
Avril Breen, Pragma Consulting writes ...
Recently, we had the privilege of speaking to Janie Schaffer,
former Chief Creative Officer at Victoria’s Secret, founder of Knickerbox and
renowned 'Knicker Queen' about how she thinks the market has changed and what
retailers could do to gain share in this increasingly saturated space.
Janie commented on the influx of fast fashion players into
this category. Topshop, H&M and others have flooded the market in recent
years by launching their own intimates ranges in a bid to tempt consumers to
switch from necessity-driven lingerie purchases to building outfits with a
lingerie base in mind. Janie outlined how there appears to be a
significant lack of conviction and dedication on behalf of fast fashion
retailers to add an extra layer of expertise in this area, noting that, “no one
retailer is giving a clear defined product offering.” Indeed, without a
clear focus or specialism, the full potential of this category has not yet been
fully realised.
Since the 80s and 90s, average bra size has increased from a 34B to a bustier
36D. A changing shape brings about modified preferences. Women want to maximise
their assets and as Janie highlighted, women “are becoming more sophisticated
in the understanding of what technology can bring to the fitting of garments”.
But sometimes the technology is lost and wasted in a sea of mass market cheap
multi packs that are no strangers to small top drawers across the country. Such
treatment can be contrasted sharply with the role it plays for the consumer: a
bra is of course the one thing you wear every day and how it makes you feel
absolutely matters.
However, despite a clear need in the market, Janie told us
that no retailer has been able to “match the communication of technology with
the emotional purchase of a lingerie garment”. This has resulted in retailers
losing out on upselling their quality products to lower-end providers like
Primark.
Retailers could instead learn from specialist lingerie
brands, like Ultimo and Wonderbra, who made their name through specific hero
products that effectively communicated the benefits of the technology. Tapping
into this emotional intimate form of self-expression is a tricky space,
particularly for apparel brands. They lack credibility as specialists and
are essentially apparel-first retailers with lingerie as an afterthought.
The retailer which adopts a focused, no frills, specialist approach and focuses
on expertly curating the right product will have a significant opportunity to
gain share in this £2.5 billion market - and really get into the pants and
drawers of consumers.
Bar Refaeli—the beautiful Israeli supermodel, ex-Leo DiCaprio squeeze and former Maxim covergirl— is causing a furor in her native Israel after her eye-popping bikini ad for Hoodies was deemed too hot for TV.
It features the gorgeous model soaking up some rays and cruising in a speedboat, all while looking absolutely amazing in a tiny two-piece. What's even more incredible is that Refaeli was reportedly 3 months pregnant when she shot the bikini commercial. You never cease to amaze us, Bar.
Top Gear's Evans says he's sucking diesel with LeBlanc
Wednesday 25 May 2016
LeBlanc and Evans on location in Killarney last month
New Top Gear host Chris Evans has joined co-presenter Matt LeBlanc in dismissing reports of a rift between the duo, saying that he has learnt a lot from working with the former Friends star.
The show returns to screens this Sunday and speaking at the launch event at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, Evans described LeBlanc as his "wing man". He said he found the American actor's dedication to making the show work remarkable.
The new line-up, minus Matt LeBlanc, who is currently filming his comedy series Episodes
"He's worked on one of the biggest shows of all time and to make a show like Friendsyour work ethic has to be supreme," said the broadcast veteran.
"The overriding thing that hit me first was how much he's prepared to work to make the job a good job. He never looks at his watch or says 'Can we go?'."
Chris Evans - Relieved show is about to air
Earlier this week, LeBlanc described rumours of a personality clash between himself and Evans as "a big load of bulls***".
LeBlanc was unable to attend the press launch due to filming commitments on his BBC comedy series Episodes, but he sent a video message, in which he expressed his pride about what he, Evans and the rest of the team had achieved.
Matt LeBlanc filming in Kerry last month
"It's great that the show continues to prompt so much global interest, even before we have shown the first episode," said LeBlanc. "I've had an amazing and crazy few months since joining Top Gear. We've accomplished a lot and I'm extremely proud of it."
With the new series premiering on BBC Two on Sunday at 8pm and RTÉ2 half an hour later, Evans said he is relieved that the wait is almost over.
"It's the cork off the bottle, because all the pressure has been building up," he said. "So I just want the first show to get out there, get it on the air and then get on to show number two. We are already making it and we finish it tomorrow."
Dubliner Eddie Jordan, who is a former motorsport team boss, motor racing driver Sabine Schmitz and YouTube car reviewer Rory Reid are also set to star alongside Evans and LeBlanc as part of the new Top Gear line-up. The new series will air in 83 countries over six continents in a 72-hour period.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were at the Olympic Park on Monday (16 May) for the official launch of their new mental health initiative, the Heads Together campaign. The royal trio are hoping to break down the stigma surrounding mental health with their new campaign, and help people feel more comfortable discussing mental wellbeing, as well as providing the tools they need to support friends and family.
Giant iTab are proud to support the 'Heads Together' campaign. We were delighted to be invited by the charity Best Beginnings to provide one of our Giant Smartphones to showcase their multi award-winning Baby Buddy app that supports families on their emotional and physical transition to parenthood. Best Beginnings has already supported more than 2 million families across the UK and with more funds they can enable more families to give their children the best start.
"A huge thank you to the whole team at Giant iTab for their pro-bono support at the Heads Together launch event on Monday. Their awesome Giant Smartphone brought Best Beginnings' stand and our award-winning Baby Buddy app to life. The giant phone is absolutely brilliant - it's just so inviting. As I had hoped, their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent time exploring our Baby Buddy app on their Giant Smartphone and its many interactive features. It was really visual and so much fun that we aquired great news coverage too!"
Alison Baum, CEO Best Beginnings
Giant iTab, Chester House, 81 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JA.
