Kind + Jugend
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About this event
Kind + Jugend (K+J) — The fair for baby & toddler equipment
Kind + Jugend is the leading international trade fair for baby and toddler products, bringing together the full range of solutions that support early childhood—from clothing and toys to transport, furniture, safety and monitoring. The event is positioned as an established trade and trend platform for the industry, designed to highlight innovations and set inspiration for upcoming market and product trends each year.
Dates & Venue
- Dates: 15.–17.09.2026
- Venue / City: Cologne
- Country: Germany
Event Focus & Key Theme
The next Kind + Jugend will take place from 15 to 17 September 2026 and revolve around the key theme: “Growing with AI – New opportunities for the baby & toddler products industry”. The fair explores how artificial intelligence is already transforming areas such as product development, production, retail, and even everyday family life—with the goal of identifying the opportunities AI creates for the sector.
What Happens at the Show
Kind + Jugend is built to connect manufacturers, brands, and specialized providers with trade visitors from wholesale and retail. On-site, visitors can discover new products firsthand, explore industry innovations and trend impulses, and engage in direct, business-relevant conversations with industry partners.
The fair also features special formats and structured areas to support discovery and networking. Examples on the official site include:
- Innovation Award
- Trend Space
- AFTER SEVEN PARTY
- New Product Trail
- Start-ups and Young Innovators
Who Attends (Buyers / Trade Visitors)
Kind + Jugend is explicitly geared toward trade visitors from the wholesale and retail trades. The event is described as a place where trade visitors can network directly with industry representatives, experience new products on location, and connect through personal, industry-specific dialogue.
Based on the official event description, the most relevant attendee groups for buyer outreach typically include:
- Wholesale and purchasing decision-makers involved in sourcing baby and toddler product categories
- Retail buyers responsible for assortment planning and product selection
- Merchandising and category management stakeholders interested in trend direction and new product introductions
- Business development and account teams seeking direct conversations with manufacturers and brands
Industries & Product Categories Covered
The official site describes the show’s range as extending from baby and toddler clothing through toys and furniture, and also includes products related to transport and safety for young children. This broad catalog makes Kind + Jugend relevant across multiple baby product sub-industries, including (as reflected by the listed theme worlds on the official site):
- Moving & Travelling
- Furniture & Facility
- Home Textiles & Decoration
- Toys & Education
- Maternity & Kids Fashion
- Mom & Kids Care
- Safety & Monitoring
Why This Event Matters for Buyers
Kind + Jugend is presented as a high-quality innovation platform that helps trade visitors align with both current product developments and future trend impulses. The combination of an industry-wide product scope and a forward-looking theme centered on AI-driven opportunities gives buyers a clear reason to attend: they can evaluate new offerings, assess market direction, and build business relationships through direct conversations with brands and providers.
Official Positioning (Quick Summary)
Kind + Jugend is the international industry event for baby and toddler products in 2026, taking place in Cologne, Germany, from 15 to 17 September 2026, centered on “Growing with AI – New opportunities for the baby & toddler products industry”.
Data sheet
Kind + Jugend – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event date: 15–17 September 2026
Location: Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Event status: Upcoming
Research date: 6 July 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | Kind + Jugend |
| Event Date | 15–17 September 2026 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Koelnmesse Exhibition Centre |
| City | Cologne |
| State / Region | North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Country | Germany |
| Organizer | Koelnmesse |
| Official Event Website | kindundjugend.com |
| Event Type | International trade fair for baby and toddler equipment |
| Primary Category | Baby, Kids & Maternity |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Apparel & Clothing; Home & Office; Wellness, Health & Fitness; IT & Technology |
| Audience Reach | Global trade visitor reach with strong European buyer concentration |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Medium for event positioning; low for exact headcount because current-year attendance was not publicly confirmed in the official page text provided. |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect manufacturers, brands, special providers, buyers, and decision makers across the baby and toddler products value chain for sourcing, trend discovery, product launches, and business development. |
About the Event
Kind + Jugend is a leading international trade fair for baby and toddler equipment, covering products from clothing and toys to transport, furniture, safety, and monitoring. The event serves as a high-visibility marketplace where established brands, smaller specialized suppliers, and trade buyers can evaluate innovations, compare product ranges, and identify future product and retail trends.
The show matters because it sits at the center of the global baby-products sourcing and retail cycle. It is especially relevant to wholesale and retail buyers, distributors, importers, and brand owners seeking new assortments, private-label opportunities, and technology-enabled product innovation. The 2026 key theme, “Growing with AI,” also signals interest in digital transformation across product development, production, retail, and consumer engagement.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wholesale buyers | Distributors, wholesalers, regional importers | Core purchasing and assortment decisions | High-value audience for range expansion, new brands, and territory distribution deals |
| Retail buyers | Baby retailers, department stores, specialty chains, e-commerce retailers | Category and merchandising decisions | Strong fit for suppliers seeking listings, seasonal ranges, and retail shelf placement |
| Importers | Cross-border sourcing firms, trading companies | Product sourcing, compliance, and supplier selection | Relevant for OEM/ODM manufacturers and private-label suppliers |
| Brand owners / product managers | Baby goods brands, safety product brands, nursery product brands | Product strategy, innovation, packaging, and launch planning | High relevance for contract manufacturing, packaging, and new product development suppliers |
| Procurement and sourcing teams | Retail chains, distributors, consumer goods companies | Vendor qualification, cost negotiation, quality assurance | Important for suppliers with factory-direct, compliance, or value-engineering capabilities |
| E-commerce operators | Online marketplaces, D2C brands, omnichannel retailers | Assortment selection, digital merchandising, conversion optimization | Useful for digital-first product suppliers and growth marketers |
| Safety, compliance, and quality leaders | Testing labs, brand compliance teams, QA departments | Product safety, standards, certification, recall prevention | Relevant for testing, certification, materials, and regulatory service providers |
| Industry consultants and associations | Trade associations, market advisors, category experts | Influence on market direction, education, and partnerships | Useful for thought leadership, sponsorship, and ecosystem partnerships |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cologne | Local trade visitors, exhibitors, service partners | Medium | Host city provides convenient access for same-day buyers and operational teams |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | Regional retail, logistics, and import/export buyers | High | Strong concentration of commerce, warehousing, and consumer goods channels |
| Germany | National buyers, wholesalers, and brand teams | High | Likely to attract buyers from major retail and distribution hubs across the country |
| Benelux | Cross-border importers, distributors, and retail buyers | Medium to High | Close trade corridor and frequent sourcing linkages with Cologne |
| Western Europe | Retail chains, distributors, brands, testing and compliance partners | High | Accessible through direct air, rail, and logistics connections |
| Global / International | Manufacturers, brands, importers, and trade visitors from multiple regions | Medium to High | Official positioning is international; especially relevant for export-oriented exhibitors and cross-border procurement |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Global | Primary classification | The event is marketed as an international industry platform and attracts buyers, brands, and suppliers beyond Germany. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BabyOne | Specialty retail chain | Large baby-product retailer with category and assortment needs | babyone.de | Category Manager, Purchasing Manager, Buyer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| babymarkt.de GmbH | E-commerce retailer | Online baby and toddler assortment decision-maker | babymarkt.de | Head of Purchasing, Category Buyer, E-commerce Merchandising Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| dm-drogerie markt | Retail chain | Mass retail and private-label opportunity for baby care products | dm.de | Buyer, Category Manager, Private Label Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Rossmann | Retail chain | Strong buyer for baby care, accessories, and family products | rossmann.de | Purchasing Director, Category Buyer, Product Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Müller Holding | Retail chain | Relevant for baby care, toys, and consumer goods sourcing | mueller.de | Category Manager, Buyer, Merchandising Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Carrefour | Global retail group | Potential international buyer for baby and family categories | carrefour.com | International Buyer, Category Director, Private Label Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Eurekam | Distributor / wholesaler | Typical type of distributor active in baby and nursery categories | eurekam.com | Sales Director, Purchasing Manager, Product Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Amazon | Marketplace / retail buyer | Relevant for marketplace assortment, seller recruitment, and brand partnerships | amazon.com | Vendor Manager, Category Manager, Marketplace Account Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Munchkin | Brand owner | Baby-product brand with sourcing, packaging, and retail-partnership relevance | munchkin.com | Product Manager, VP Product, Global Sourcing Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Nuna | Premium brand owner | Stroller, car seat, and nursery product category relevance | nuna.eu | Director of Procurement, Brand Director, Product Development Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Stokke | Premium brand owner | International baby equipment brand aligned with trade fair product mix | stokke.com | Global Procurement Manager, Product Director, Sales Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Britax Römer | Safety / mobility brand | Child safety and transport products align strongly with event themes | britax-roemer.com | VP Sourcing, QA Director, Product Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Chicco | Global baby products brand | Broad baby equipment portfolio makes it a typical trade-fair buyer/partner profile | chicco.com | Procurement Manager, Category Director, Business Development Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Joolz | Premium stroller brand | Potential fit for sourcing, partnership, and retail expansion conversations | joolz.com | Head of Supply Chain, Product Development Lead, Sales Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Procurement Officer / VP Procurement | Procurement | C-Level / VP | Owns supplier strategy, category sourcing, and large commercial decisions |
| 2 | Director of Procurement / Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement / Supply Chain | Director / Manager | Evaluates suppliers, pricing, MOQ, quality, and contractual terms |
| 3 | Category Manager / Buyer | Merchandising / Buying | Manager | Directly responsible for assortment, vendor selection, and seasonal buying |
| 4 | Supply Chain Director / Logistics Manager | Supply Chain / Logistics | Director / Manager | Manages inbound supply, inventory planning, and sourcing reliability |
| 5 | Product Development Manager / Innovation Manager | Product / R&D | Manager / Director | Evaluates new materials, designs, functionality, and AI-enabled product concepts |
| 6 | Quality Assurance / Compliance Manager | Quality / Compliance | Manager / Director | Critical for safety, standards, testing, and recalls in baby products |
| 7 | Sales Director / Business Development Director | Commercial / Sales | Director / VP | Targets retail, distributor, and international market expansion |
| 8 | Private Label Manager / Own Brand Manager | Merchandising / Product | Manager | Important for retailers and distributors sourcing OEM/ODM lines |
| 9 | E-commerce Merchandising Manager / Marketplace Manager | E-commerce / Digital | Manager | Purchases and launches products sold online and on marketplaces |
| 10 | Brand Director / Marketing Director | Brand / Marketing | Director / VP | Drives launches, packaging, and channel positioning for consumer products |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Consumer Goods | Core industry for baby, toddler, nursery, and family products | Brand owners, category managers, and product teams |
| 2 | Retail | Major audience for assortment, sourcing, and shelf placement | Retail buyers, category managers, private label teams |
| 3 | Wholesale | Aligned with trade visitors from wholesale and distribution | Importers, distributors, trading companies |
| 4 | Import & Export | Many attendees will source across borders and manage international supply chains | Cross-border buying and sourcing teams |
| 5 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Relevant to sourcing, distribution, and inventory planning | Supply chain directors and logistics managers |
| 6 | Apparel & Fashion | Baby and toddler clothing is part of the event’s product mix | Apparel buyers and product developers |
| 7 | Furniture | Nursery furniture and home equipment are key product lines | Product sourcing and category expansion |
| 8 | Design | Product differentiation depends heavily on industrial and packaging design | Product design and innovation teams |
| 9 | Consumer Services | Useful where family services, subscription, or consumer engagement products are present | Service partnerships and customer experience teams |
| 10 | E-Commerce | Digital retail and marketplace selling are highly relevant to this category | Online merchandising and marketplace sourcing |
| 11 | Food & Beverages | Relevant for baby nutrition, feeding products, and related categories | Baby food and feeding-category buyers |
| 12 | Health, Wellness & Fitness | Monitoring, care, and family wellness products are in scope | Care product brands and wellness retailers |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed absence of public figure | Official page text provided; no attendance figure disclosed | Use organizer media kit or exhibitor prospectus for validated numbers if needed |
| Exhibitor count | Preliminary list of exhibitors published; count not stated in provided text | Partially confirmed | Official website navigation references “Exhibitors 2026” and preliminary exhibitor list | No exact current-year count was included in the source text |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Not confirmed | No buyer count disclosed in the official text provided | Buyer audience is described qualitatively as wholesale and retail trade visitors |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Not confirmed | No speaker count disclosed in the official text provided | Special formats and themes are listed, but no count is verified here |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Not confirmed | No sponsor count disclosed in the official text provided | Use official sponsor listings if available later |
| Historical attendance | Historical footfall may exist in prior-year media materials, but not verified in the source text supplied | Historical evidence not used as a numeric estimate here | Official website reference only | Attendance data should be re-checked against Koelnmesse facts & figures if a precise number is required |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procurement | Competitive sourcing, vendor diversification, cost control | Meet procurement leaders looking for reliable suppliers and better margins | Supplier discovery, sourcing services, contract manufacturing |
| Product innovation | Differentiated designs, materials, and user features | Show prototypes, trend-driven concepts, and new launches | R&D, design, OEM/ODM development |
| AI and digital transformation | Operational efficiency, smarter retail, product development support | Theme-led conversations on how AI impacts product and retail workflows | AI tools, analytics, automation, retail tech |
| Safety and compliance | Testing, certification, and recall prevention | Engage QA and compliance stakeholders with regulatory solutions | Testing services, compliance support, certification |
| Wholesale and distribution | New brands, regional rights, and channel expansion | Use the event to meet importers and distributors with buying authority | Distribution, logistics, brand licensing |
| Retail merchandising | Seasonal assortment planning and private-label development | Direct buyer meetings around shelf-ready and online-ready products | Merchandising support, packaging, packaging design |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event is explicitly designed around baby and toddler products, with wholesale and retail buyer traffic. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Category buyers, procurement teams, brand leaders, and sourcing managers are the primary audience. |
| Data collection potential | High | Trade fairs in this category typically support exhibitor, category, and buyer list building. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Clear mapping exists to retail, consumer goods, wholesale, import/export, logistics, and product roles. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Strong German and European concentration, with global supplier reach. |
| Best outreach approach | High | Pre-show buyer targeting, appointment setting, category-specific outreach, and post-show follow-up. |
| Overall lead quality | Very High | Excellent for B2B attendee list building, retail buyer prospecting, and supplier-side lead generation. |
| Best use case | Buyer profiling and account targeting | Best suited for lead generation agencies, exhibitors, attendee list vendors, and sales teams selling into baby-product retail/sourcing channels. |
| Limitations / risks | Medium | Current-year attendee lists are not confirmed in the source text provided; exact footfall and buyer counts are not publicly confirmed here. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Consumer Goods; Retail; Wholesale; Import & Export; Logistics & Supply Chain; Apparel & Fashion; Furniture; Design; E-Commerce; Food & Beverages; Health, Wellness & Fitness; Information Technology & Services | Capture the most relevant buyer-side and supplier-side account universe |
| Departments | Procurement; Purchasing; Supply Chain; Merchandising; Product; Operations; Logistics; Sales; Business Development; E-commerce; Compliance | Reach the functions most likely to buy, source, or partner at the event |
| Seniority | Manager; Director; VP; C-Level; Head | Focus on decision makers and commercial influencers |
| Job titles | Buyer, Category Manager, Purchasing Manager, Procurement Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Supply Chain Director, Product Manager, Brand Director, Merchandising Manager, Private Label Manager, Vendor Manager, Import Manager, Sales Director | Target the most commercially relevant roles |
| Geography | Germany; Benelux; France; United Kingdom; Italy; Spain; Nordics; DACH; European Union | Prioritize regions most likely to attend Cologne for sourcing and retail business |
| Employee size | 11–50; 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000; 5,000+ | Cover both specialist brands and large retail groups |
| Keywords | baby, toddler, nursery, stroller, car seat, infant, maternity, childcare, private label, sourcing, wholesale, retail, distribution, safety, monitoring | Refine prospecting around event-specific product categories |
| Company type | Retailers; distributors; importers; brands; manufacturers; marketplaces | Separate buyer-side accounts from pure exhibitors where needed |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: use combinations such as (buyer OR category manager OR procurement OR sourcing OR purchasing OR merchandis*) AND (baby OR toddler OR nursery OR stroller OR car seat OR infant OR maternity) with industry filters for Retail, Consumer Goods, Wholesale, Import & Export, and Logistics & Supply Chain.
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Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kind + Jugend official website | Official organizer website | Event name, official positioning, date, venue city, international trade-fair description, key theme, audience focus, exhibitor and theme-world references | Very High |
| Koelnmesse official website | Organizer / venue operator | Venue ownership and event-hosting context for Cologne trade fairs | High |
| Official page text provided by user | Primary source extract | Confirmed 15–17 September 2026 dates, Cologne location, baby and toddler products scope, wholesale/retail audience, and 2026 theme | Very High |
| Preliminary list of exhibitors page reference on official site | Official event directory reference | Verified that a preliminary exhibitor list exists for 2026, but exact exhibitor count was not quoted in the supplied text | High |
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Kind + Jugend — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
🔒 Get my buyer details Free · ~20 seconds