The idea behind Igloo is simple: to make busy family life easier by providing the best of everything under one roof.  Founder Karen Bailey wrote:

"Our aim at Igloo is to offer an eclectic range of products and services that appeal to both children and parents alike - the type of goods that you can't buy in the Big Shops. As a child passes through each stage of development, they reach another milestone, whether it is being fitted for their first shoe or learning to swim, or going to school for the first time. Our goal is to be there for those special moments by providing a product or service that helps them on their way as they venture out into the world. You'll find something for the just-born to the all-grown-up 12-year-old at Igloo.

With three children born within a year of one another (twins and a lovely surprise!),  I opened Igloo's first shop in 2004 in an effort to make life easier for busy families like mine by providing products and services to meet all of children's needs under one roof.  We know that as busy parents, you have a HUGE amount to contend with (we truly sympathise!) and we hope that our one-stop stores can make life even that little bit easier.  

We look for innovative products that are both design-led and practical, and each and every one of our goods has been hand-picked for its quality, usefulness, uniqueness, or sometimes just because it looks so cool. As well as stocking our time-honoured favourites, we actively seek out interesting and different ranges of goods from around the world, and our product range is constantly evolving.  We figure that if we like it and our children like it, chances are you and your children will too."

When Karen passed away in 2013, we  - her husband Simon and "protegee" (Karen's phrase) Kate - picked up where she left off.  We are dedicated to keeping Karen's vision alive and maintaining the standard of excellence that has become Igloo's hallmark.

Ten years on, what began as a single boutique on Upper Street has evolved into the leading one-stop store for children, with three thriving stores in London and an online store, but we remain true to our original values.  Family owned and family run, we still aim to create a shopping experience that is both easy and enjoyable, with services like hair cutting and our renowned shoe fitting service alongside products tried and tested by my own children (now 11 and 12).  Our dedicated, experienced staff have been with us from the beginning, and we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled customer service and in-depth product knowledge.

At Igloo, we truly love what we do, and I hope you and your family enjoy your Igloo experience, too.