Bear & Moo has announced the opening of its first retail store in Frankton.
Founder, Hannah Porter, was excited to have a store where people could touch and feel products, bringing the website to life.
“We have the best team, and they're always happy to answer questions, educate you on cloth nappies, help find a gift, or recommend products. Plus, we have a wee play area with magnetic tiles and a train set to keep the kids occupied while you browse and try on clothes,” said Porter.
“We get regular messages from customers, they respond to polls on stories, we run surveys with our regulars, and people love to give an opinion. While we know our customers well and we know what works, we also reach out to get feedback in case there's something we haven't thought about.”
At the same time, Porter’s personal life has hugely impacted her thought and design process. As her children have grown, she saw the ways Bear & Moo products could be used by kids of all ages, particularly wet bags, day bags and nappy pods. This led to her wanting something the older kids would enjoy taking to school, such as sports and swimming lessons.
The functionality comes from the product, the fun comes from the print.
Although Porter agreed that it was essential to ensure the products meet the needs of customers, she wanted to have fun doing it. The one area Bear & Moo put extra effort into was the swimwear range, as bright colours were needed for swim safety, but they still had to be prints that kids would love and want to wear.
“We want prints to feel like they're 'Bear & Moo' when a family chooses them. We're vibrant, fun and not afraid to stand out.”
She added that since babies cannot tell what the prints are, it's more about what the parents liked.
“We want things that will last, things that both parents and the children will appreciate, and things that spark joy. Childhood should be fun, and we want our products to be reflective of that.”
In terms of trends, Porter mentioned there were classics which would always be popular with families, like florals, vehicles, etc, and she has incorporated them to ensure there's something for everyone every launch.
Gingham is another gender-neutral and classy option, which can play around with the colours each season. Being based in Waikato, farm prints have also been popular due to Bear & Moo’s large rural following and also provide a fun talking point for kids.
“Our mantra has always been that 'done is better than perfect.’ I own a cloth nappy brand, and we still use disposable nappies overnight or when travelling. We don't expect perfection, and we have always wanted to make changes easy and not overwhelming,” she added.
“We're here to help with questions, and I do my best to show up online in an authentic way, which helps me relate to my customers. We're so proud of anyone who makes a swap, not only because of the long-term environmental effects, but because it saves families money.”
Looking ahead, Porter was excited for more products, more prints and more fun. She aims to keep growing the Bear & Moo range, bringing customers everything they need in one place, including another retail store.
