Baby Durables - A US Market Review

Published by	BizAcumen, Inc.
Published	November, 2009	Product code	104517
Content info	Pages: 264
Price	US $ 2995 PDF by E-mail (Single user license) US $ 8985 PDF By E-mail (Global License to Company and its Fully-owned Subsidiaries)

Introduction
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Baby Durables - A US Market Review published by BizAcumen, Inc. in November, 2009. This report consists of Pages: 264 and the price starts from US $ 2995.

Introduction

Abstract

The market for baby durables is chiefly fostered by affluent parents keen on providing their babies with the very best of products and services available in the marketplace. The market stands to gain from conducive demographics, such as, older parents with higher discretionary spends, dual income households, and increasing number of women in the workforce, and rising and uncompromising emphasis on child safety, health and wellness, as well as growing awareness of the right ways of parenting.

Interestingly, although sluggish birth rates mean lesser number of children to bring up, the phenomenon is expected to perk up value sales, since it translates into greater willingness among parents to buy expensive, eco-friendly, high-end products for their infants, and toddlers. The trend among couples to postpone marriage and parenting until later in life when financially secure and stable, will additionally help fortify demand for high-end products.

These and other market data and trends are presented in "Baby Durables: US Market Review" by BizAcumen, Inc. Our reports are designed to be most comprehensive in geographic coverage and vertical market analyses.

1. METHODOLOGY 1

Study Reliability and Reporting Limitations 1
Disclaimers 2
Quantitative Techniques & Reporting Level 3

2. US MARKET OVERVIEW AND OUTLOOK 3

Market Fundamentals: A Review 4
- Child Population & Birth Rates 4
  - Fertility Rate 5
- Child Care Expenditure: A Taste of What Lies in Store! 5
  - Expenditure in Two-Parent Households 5
  - Expenditure in Single-Parent Households 6
Market Trends & Issues: A Review 6
- The Market Welcomes the Prosumer 6
- Child-Rearing Offers Exciting Market Opportunities 6
- Evolution of Childcare Centers as Early Learning Centers 6
- Recession Takes a Bite Out of the Market' s Growth 7
- Working Mothers Drive Sales 7
- Aging Baby Boomers: Affluent, Indulgent Grandparents 8
- Safety: A Crucible of Success 8
- Quality & Convenience Take Stronger Hold 8
- Consumer Purchases Driven by Gift Giving 9
- Innovation is the Name of the Game 9
- Mitigating the Threat of Second Hand Products 9
- Infant Furniture & Mobility Products: A Necessity 10
- What Abuzz in the Infant Furniture Market? 10
  - Infant Furniture: The First Market Expected to Recover Post Slowdown 10
  - Competition Intensifies 12
  - Urban Parents: A Primer Driver 12
  - Product Features: A Bait to Catch Young Mothers 13
  - Cheaper Products On the Roll 13
  - Design Craze Gets Underway 14
- Negative Publicity Over Formaldehyde Emissions Puts the Market into a Tizzy 15
  - Need of the Hour... 15
- Product Recalls Erode Consumer Confidence 16
  - An Overview of Recent Product Recalls 16
Key Growth Drivers: A Recapitulation 17
The Retail Arena: A Structural Review 17
- An Overview 17
- Winning Attributes 18
- Baby Registries & Online Promotions 18
- Specialty Stores: A Growing Sect 18
- Online Retailing: Welcoming Consumers into the Virtual Shopping World 18
- Key Distribution Channels 19
  - Furniture Stores 19
  - Lifestyle Furniture Outlets 19
  - Discount Department Stores 19
  - Kids Specialists 19
  - Other Channels 19
- Brand Talk 20
Export & Import Statistics 21

3. REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT 22

The Consumer Product Safety Commission 22
The Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, 2008 (H.R. 4040) 22
New Regulations for Crib Durability Standards 23
Regulations on Child Seat and Seat Belts 24

4. PRODUCT FACTS 25

Furniture 25
Mobility Aids 25
Day Care Products 26
Hygiene, Well-Being & Safety Products 26

5. CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS 26

Toys"R"Us Acquires e-Commerce Sites from The Parent Company 26
The Parent Company Files for Bankruptcy Protection 26
Summer Infant Announces Acquisition of Kiddopotamus 26
SFCA Completes Acquisition of Simplicity, Inc 27
Russ Berrie Takes Over Cocalo and Lajobi 27
Newell Rubbermaid Takes Over Aprica 28
Summer Infant Completes Acquisition of Basic Comfort 28
Step2 Takes Over Thinkativity 28
Crown Crafts Takes Over Springs Global' s Infant and Toddler Product Line 29
Right Start Acquires Blue Lava Group and babystyle 29
JAKKS Pacific Acquires Kids Only and Tollytots 30
Stork Craft Acquires Canwood Furniture' s Trademarks and Brand 30
Hamco Signs License Deal with Crayola 31
Babies "R" Us Enters into Partnership with Amy Coe 31
Fischer-Price Collaborates with ToyQuest for Backyard Play Program 31
Evenflo Unveils a New Website, Safety Made Easier 32
Orbit Baby to Introduce New Toddler Car Seat 32
Carter' s Launches Two Ranges of Infant Furniture Collection 33
Orbit Baby Introduces Green Edition Bassinet Cradle 33
Summer Infant Launches Natures Purest Hug Me Gear Collection 34
Summer Infant Rolls Out Safe and Sound Sleeping Products' Assortment 34
Evenflo Unveils Symphony Car Seat 35
Fisher-Price Unveils Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony 36
Today Wee Generation Co-Develops New Eco-Diaper Bag 36
Summer Infant Launches 3-Stage Super Seat 37
Britax Releases Boulevard CS to Enhance Child Safety 37
Britax Introduces Car Seats with True Side Impact Protection 38
Babybox.com Launches Crib Bedding and Baby Furniture 39
Inspired Crib Bedding Unveils a Latest Line of Baby Bedding 39
Orbit Baby Unveils Three New Infant Products 40
KBL Healthcare Acquires Summer Infant 40
eToys Direct Merges with BabyUniverse 41
BabyUniverse and Buy.com Unveil Baby Store at Buy.com 41
Dorel Juvenile Group Introduces Cosco Pronto! Booster Seat for Travel 41
Springs to Unveil Fisher-Price Series 42
Dorel Juvenile Introduces Cosco Scenera Convertible Car Seat 42
Playskool Unveils Made For Me Baby Product Series 42

6. MAJOR PLAYERS 43

Manufacturers 43
- Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (USA) 43
- Baby Trend, Inc (USA) 44
- Baby' s Dream Furniture, Inc. (USA) 44
- Bugaboo International BV (The Netherlands) 44
- Crown Crafts, Inc. (USA) 44
- Child Craft LLC (USA) 44
- Dorel Industries, Inc. (Canada) 44
  - Dorel Juvenile Group (USA) 45
  - Cosco Juvenile (USA) 45
- Dutailier (Canada) 45
- Evenflo Company, Inc. (USA) 45
- Fisher-Price, Inc. (USA) 45
- Graco Children' s Products, Inc. (USA) 45
- Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc. (USA) 46
- L' Inglesina Baby S.p.A (Italy) 46
- Orbit Baby, Inc. (USA) 46
- Summer Infant, Inc. (USA) 46
- The Boppy Company (USA) 46
Retailers 46
- Buybuy Baby, Inc. (USA) 46
- Berkshire Hathway, Inc. (USA) 47
- Big Lots, Inc. (USA) 47
- Costco Wholesale Corporation (USA) 47
- IKEA USA (USA) 47
- J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (USA) 47
- Kmart Corporation (USA) 47
- Meijer, Inc. (USA) 48
- Pottery Barn Kids (USA) 48
- Rooms To Go, Inc. (USA) 48
- Target Corporation (USA) 48
- Toys "R" Us, Inc. (USA) 48
  - Babies ' R' Us (USA) 48
- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (USA) 49