Balloons designer childrenswear was taken over early in 2007 by Albelle Ltd., a start up Nottingham based business. The business retails both in the high street and online selling children’s clothes from newborn to teenagers.
“We took over the Balloons Childrenswear brand at the start of 2007 and have seen strong growth in the shop and via our online sales, especially in the second half of the year versus 2006” said Georgina Collicutt, managing director of Albelle Ltd.. “It was a hard introductory year. Initially we saw some good growth from the US but the weakening of the dollar meant we had had to re-double our efforts on the UK market where we were rewarded via strong sales from core lines such as Catimini, Pampolina, Timberland and Chipie and saw very strong growth from higher potential brands such Kenzo and Miss Sixty. We are very excited about our new Spring & Summer 2008 collection.”
The Kenzo range saw sales almost doubling as the number of girls’ stories increased and boys’ clothes ranges were added in the second half of the year. Balloons see Kenzo increasingly becoming one of their staples with Miss Sixty and Ted Baker not far behind.
Not all brands sold strongly however, and there will probably be some departures, or reduction in the number of stories for some brands going forward. “It’s difficult to be too specific, as so much depends on the quality of design each season. We need to be flexible whilst ensuring the business has a good basis of sound and consistent performers” said Georgina.
Balloons see 2008 being another exciting year of growth. Whilst they anticipate some challenges from economic worries they believe strongly they have a high quality proposition, which is continually winning over new customers whilst exciting and retaining their current customers.
For all your Children’s clothes need go to www.balloonsweb.co.uk
