The Baby Bunting Group Ltd (ASX: BBN) share price is on the rise today as the company announced a partnership with fellow ASX share Forbidden Foods Ltd (ASX: FFF). At the time of writing, the Baby Bunting share price has edged 0.69% higher on the news. As a result, shares in the baby goods provider are currently trading at $4.37.
It has been a strong year for the Baby Bunting share price which has risen by 34% in 2020. This is despite the global pandemic, which saw multiple Baby Bunting stores close earlier in the year. For comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) has increased by 8.18% over the same period.
What's driving the Baby Bunting share price?
The Baby Bunting share price is inching higher following the news the company's stores will begin stocking Forbidden Foods 'Funch' baby foods. The agreement will see the baby retailer ranging seven Funch products nationally from January 2021. Moreover, the release noted that there may be scope to grow the partnership moving forwards.
COO and co-founder of Forbidden Foods, Jarrod Milani, commented on the agreement, noting:
Baby Bunting is at the forefront of baby products and has unprecedented access to new parents, we couldn't be more pleased to have such a strong retail partner like Baby Bunting supporting the FUNCH Australian plant-based baby foods range.
Our arrangement with Baby Bunting shows there is strong demand for innovative and also 100% Australian sourced baby foods catering to the growing next generation of millennial parents.
What is Forbidden Foods?
Forbidden Foods is a multi-brand food, beverage and ingredients company focusing on baby food and wellness and organic markets. The company made its debut on the ASX in August this year, with its shares rocketing 55% since then.
On the Forbidden Foods website, it states:
The Company was established in 2010 with a vision to provide Australia with the very best health foods and to meet growing consumer demand for differentiated, plant-based and health-oriented products.
More about Baby Bunting
Baby Bunting is Australia's largest specialty baby goods retailer with 58 stores nationally and a strong online presence.
It is Baby Bunting's online business that has been critical to its ongoing success throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with click and collect sales growing by over 200% in the first quarter of FY21. Online sales growth was also up an impressive 126%.
Editor's note: This article originally listed Jarrod Milani as CEO of Forbidden Foods, however, has been updated to reflect that Mr Milani is COO and a co-founder of the company.
