JoJo Maman Bébé
JoJo Maman Bébé is a UK-based multi-channel maternity wear and baby clothing retailer, founded in 1993, with 90 stores in the UK.
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Clothing retailer |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Laura Tenison |
| Headquarters | Newport, Wales |
Number of locations | 90 stores |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products |
|
History
Following a serious car accident, Laura Tenison spent several weeks in hospital where she became acquainted with a young mother hospitalised at the same time. The mother of two expressed frustration at the lack of assortment in children's clothes available via mail order and thus the idea for the company was conceived.[1] JoJo Maman Bébé was launched in 1993 as a mail order catalogue specialising in maternity wear and children's clothes.[2] As founder and managing director, Tenison was awarded an MBE for services to business in 2004.
The initial JoJo Maman Bébé product range was heavily inspired by traditional French nautical clothing, a theme that would become a key part of the company's brand image. The Breton theme has recurred in baby wear and children's fashion collections throughout the seasons. The maternity range was designed to be fashionable yet wearable, deviating from the norm of baggy tent dresses and dungarees centric maternity wear market of the time.
Today
Today JoJo Maman Bébé has its headquarters in Newport, Wales and a Buying, Design and Marketing office based in Battersea, London. It has 90 stores nationally and 4 in the US, employing approximately 800 people in the UK and 2000 indirectly around the world.[3] The company is a multi-channel retailer with products available online, in stores and via a mail order catalogue. JoJo Maman Bébé offers products that include fashionable maternity wear, a Breton inspired children's collection and original nursery products, gifts and toys, designed for pregnancy through to pre-school.
Awards
JoJo Maman Bébé has won numerous awards over the years including the following:
- Nominated a Superbrand in 2005
- Member of Courvoisier Future 500 of Fashion & Retail 2007
- Pregnancy & Birth Best for Underwear Bloom Award 2007
- Prima Baby Pregnancy Reader Awards Best Buy, Mail Order 2007
- Fast Growth Business Awards, Retail/Leisure Female Entrepreneur and Retail Business of the Year, 2007
- Practical Parenting Baby & Toddler Fashion Award and Maternity Fashion Award, 2007
- Prima Baby Fashion Awards, Best Catalogue/Mail-order Service 2008
- Drapers Children's Wear Retailer of the Year 2009
- Leading Wales Awards, Best Company Award 2010
- Prima Baby Reader Awards, Best Children's Wear Website and Best Maternity Lingerie, 2010
- Little London Magazine, Best Online Retailer, 2015
- Circular Economy Champions Awards, 2015
- Zazu, Best Retailer Award, 2016
- Little London, Best Maternity Fashion, 2016
- Ecomd Direct Commerce Awards, Best Overall Business and Outstanding Customer Service, 2017
- NPPA Ireland, Best Health and Well Being Product for Mum (Breastfeeding Pillow), 2017
- Progressive Preschool, Best Preschool Retailer and Best Multiple Retailer Initiative, 2017
- Family Awards Gold Winner, Best Toddler Fashion Brand, 2018
Charity Work
JoJo Maman Bébé supports the Nema Foundation, an independent charity operating in Northern Mozambique to help relieve child poverty and protect the environment. Nema works in 16 communities with a combined population of 24,000.
References
- Jane Elliott (2003-05-10). "Health | Inspired by a cancer patient". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
- "Laura Tenison, JoJo Maman Bébé". smarta.com. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
- King, Mark (9 March 2012). "Store Wars: Mothercare and JoJo Maman Bébé". Guardian. Retrieved 2012-09-19.