👶 Baby Gear Goldmine

👋 Hey!

Ready for another week of Loop Commerce Edition?

This weekend, I spent time with friends, many of whom are expecting babies. (Yes, that's what happens when you're almost in your 30s – everyone starts having kids, haha!)

I asked them about their plans for purchasing baby items, and it inspired this week's newsletter. We'll be exploring the untapped potential of the Kids' and Baby market.

Get ready for this:

🚼️ The untapped potential of the Baby Gear Market: How launching a Baby Crib Rental Service can be profitable
🎙️ Interview with Mireia Calomarde from Nonotú
🌍 Exciting Upcoming Sustainability Events in the US and Europe
💼 Job Opportunities in the Sustainability Sector

Did you know that raising a child costs between $15,000 - $18,000 per year? Imagine if you could turn that annual cost of raising a child into a lucrative business opportunity. Sounds good, right? Well, the booming second-hand and rental market for kids' items offers a profitable and eco-friendly niche.

Billions wasted, billions to be made

It might shock you to learn that $4.5 BILLION worth of kids' and baby items were thrown away in 2021 alone. That's a mountain of perfectly good toys, clothes, and gear ending up in landfills. But here's the twist: In 2023, 62% of parents are already on board with buying pre-loved items for their little ones, and 1 out of 5 parents have considered renting baby gear instead of purchasing it outright.

This growing trend towards second-hand shopping isn't just about saving money – it's about sustainability, reducing waste, and giving new life to quality products.

The second-hand market for kids' gear is exploding, and savvy e-commerce brands are cashing in. By tapping into this trend, you can:

• 🤑 Profit from a massive, eco-conscious market: Millions of parents are actively seeking affordable, high-quality second-hand options.

• ♻️ Make a real difference: Help reduce waste and lessen the environmental impact of raising children.

• ❤️ Build a business with heart: Connect with other parents, foster community, and offer a valuable service.

Let's Turn Trash into Treasure!

The opportunity is BIG – don't miss your chance to join the re-commerce revolution. By tapping into the untapped potential of the kids' gear market, you can build a thriving business that's good for your wallet and the planet.

Nonotú, a Spanish brand based in Valencia, specializes in offering stylish and sustainable baby products such as cribs, bassinets, and accessories.

Recognizing a growing demand among parents, Nonotú launched a baby crib rental service last year. And you know what? It was a super success!!

Nonotú's rental service took off like wildfire, backed by big-name influencers who loved its fresh, new approach.

Parents have enthusiastically embraced this alternative, citing significant advantages like: cost savings, space efficiency, and the environmentally friendly aspect of reusing cribs, which can now serve multiple families over their lifecycle, thereby minimizing waste.

For Nonotú, this new venture represents a highly successful business model. By rotating cribs through rentals, they've tripled their revenue per item each year.

We talked with Mireia Calomarde, the founder of Nonotú, and she shares insights into their baby crib rental service.

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As we've seen, there's a growing trend in the second-hand market for kids' gear. We interviewed Mireia Calomarde, founder of Nonotú, to chat about their eco-friendly approach.

What inspired you to start Nonotú, and what goals do you have for the future of the company?

M: I was inspired to start Nonotú by the Mediterranean breeze and the Valencian expression "fer nono," which means when little ones are peacefully sleeping. We wanted to create a unique and personalized universe for each baby, capturing the magic and calm they naturally emit. Our workshop in Valencia is where we handcraft each bassinet and cot, using 100% organic cotton that’s good for both the baby's skin and the environment. For the future, we plan to expand while sticking to our handmade philosophy and local production.

In what ways do you believe Nonotú contributes to sustainability?

M: Sustainability is central to Nonotú. We use 100% organic cotton, which is better for both the baby and the environment. Our handmade production process reduces waste and energy consumption. By making high-quality products that last longer, we help reduce the need for frequent replacements. Our crib rental service also plays a big role in sustainability by allowing cribs to be reused by multiple families, which helps cut down on waste.

How has the response been from customers regarding the convenience and benefits of renting cribs rather than purchasing them?

M: The customer response has been fantastic. When we first introduced our rental service, the demand was so high that we quickly ran out of stock. We had to adjust our business model to keep up. Now, we offer over 20 different products for rent, and families love the convenience and cost savings. They also appreciate the sustainable aspect of renting and reusing high-quality cribs.

How do you see the future of the Circular Economy impacting the baby products industry, and what role does Nonotú play in this evolving landscape?

M: The sharing economy is set to transform the baby products industry. As more families realize the benefits of renting and sharing baby items, this trend will only grow. At Nonotú, we’re leading this movement.  We’re committed to sustainability and local craftsmanship, helping shape a future where shared resources and responsible consumption are the norm. We want every baby to sleep in a crib that’s beautiful, safe, and part of a sustainable cycle that benefits everyone.

Beyond 1%: this summit explores how digitalization and technology can accelerate sustainability, grow the economy and drive business success. July 3-4, 2024 - Sydney, Australia

Green Leadership Mindset: In this online leadership mindset seminar, Jadranka Darul, Sustainable Transformation Business Development Manager at HW Design, will lead participants in learning what they need to drive the sustainability journey in their company and not get lost in the process. July 11, 2024 - Online

Are you passionate about sustainability and looking for your dream job? Here are a couple of exciting options:

• Sustainability Manager, Product & Materials at Ralph Lauren

• Sustainability Consultant at Fujitsu

• Program Manager II, Net Zero Content, Global Sustainability at Google

• Sustainability Director at L’occitane

Feel free to reply to this email if you'd like to showcase your events or if you'd like to be featured in the Loop Commerce community!

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Until next Tuesday!! 🕺🏽💚

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