Accessories take stronghold

When it comes to gear, accessories seem to be getting a lot of talk time.

1 Graco’s Suite Solutions Pack 'n Play Playard has a detachable cover for the bassinet, shelves underneath, and a changing table with a wipes case and diaper organizer. Colors are black, green and white, $249.99.

“We believe that customization is the next evolution, and this is a way to do it without a six-month wait,” said Christine Poppy, Maclaren USA marketing manager.

The company is also looking at eco-fabrics such as bamboo, for liners.

“Consumers are leading us in that direction,” said Poppy, adding that MacLaren is researching extra accessories such as foot muffs, rain covers and mosquito nets.

And that is music to the ears of retailers, where gear accessories are taking a stronghold.

“If a stroller doesn’t have cup holders, that’s an easy add-on, and so are click-and-go accessories,” said Jonathan Richardson, of Gainesville, Fla.-based retailer, The Babies’ Room.

2 Chicco’s KeyFit 30 infant car seat accommodates children from 4 to 30 pounds. The base has a single-pull latch adjustment, two levels, a spring-assist leveling foot and a smooth underside. The seat is lined with “EPS” energy absorbing foam, thick pad made of fine Italian woven fabrics, a five-point harness, an adjustable canopy and an ergonomic handle, $169.99.

And sales of those types of items are what has lead manufacturer J.L. Childress to have a “phenomenal year, significantly better than last year,” according to Jan Childress, president.

She attributes the company’s good fortune to increased distribution, and especially to successful accessories for car seats, strollers and feeding.

“We fill a niche with accessories that enhances travel in car seats and strollers,” said Childress.

“What we provide is great add-on sales, and retailers can take the margin they want,” said Childress. “Accessories can be great little money makers.”

J.L. Childress products are available through brick-and-mortar retailers as well as e-tailers.

“Most of (the retailers) have online stores also,” she said.

3 The K1 folding high chair from Kuster grows with a child until the age of six. The curved wood seat and high back encourage correct posture. The chair features an adjustable foot rest, a storage basket and rubber stoppers on the tray to keep dishes put. Available in white or beech, $250 (cushion, $49.99).

4 Mutsy’s Spider stroller, suitable from six months, is lightweight, has three wheels and a reclining seat. It folds, has swivel front wheels, a height-adjustable handle, matching shoulder pads and a five-point harness. A fully-protective hood and basket are included. Available in black, bright blue, red, green and raspberry, $199.

“It’s important to close the sale in the store,” he said, rather than letting the customer leave and buy the product online.

Richardson said baby carriers are one major item that causes problems when purchased online, as a customer hasn’t tried it out to see how it fits on their body and with their baby in it.

“They’ll come in and feel like the e-tailer abandoned them because they couldn’t try it out,” said Richardson. “But we have the luxury that when we started off our business, it was a consignment shop that has grown into a new baby products store… but we still have the consignment shop.”

One other aspect of e-tailing that The Babies’ Room deals with is customers who purchase an item, do price comparisons afterward, and then call the store to report a lower price they found. But Richardson combats the problem by setting prices at the MSRP.

“A lot of people test the water that way,” he said.

	2 The Zen Collection brings a new look for Fisher Price’s cradle swing, with a seat that rotates 90 degrees to provide side-to-side cradle motion or front-to-back swing motion in a range of speeds; deep seat with recline and three-point restraint; a mobile; two sound effects and 14 songs in a zen-like orchestration; volume control. The seat is removable and has wooden handles, $210.	3 The Gate Check Travel Bag for Strollers by J.L. Childress Co. is a compact, highly visible travel bag for checking strollers at the airport. Easily folds into its own travel pouch and made of red nylon.

While MacLaren’s Poppy agreed with Childress’ point that her brick-and-mortar customers also have Web presences, she did see problems.

4 Bumbleride debuts its first side-by-side stroller this year, the Indie Twin, based on the Indie. Each side is fully customizable with independently operating mechanical backrests, full-sized canopies and adjustable footrests. At 29 inches wide, it has dual front swiveling wheels and comes in five colors, $589.	5 The Maclaren XLR Travel System, with the Maclaren Sovereign Lifetime Warranty, includes a car seat adaptor, five-point harness, compact umbrella fold, lockable, front swivel wheels and foot-operated linked parking brakes, $350.

“For the most part, a lot of customers get information online and then go to a store to see it,” she said. “But it also depends on if it’s a first or third purchase, if they know our product and what they need.”

Poppy sees it as an issue in all of retail in general.

1 The Jeep Overland Limited Jogging Stroller by Kolcraft is built on a lightweight aluminum frame with 16” inflatable tires, a safety tether and hand brake. It has a free-standing fold feature, adjustable handles, an adjustable canopy, reclining seat back, snack tray, dual cup holder, cell phone storage, height-adjustable five-point harness, air pump, odometer and removable weather shield. Available colors are alpine and swift, $189.99.

2 Baby BellaMaya’s designer toddler car seat cover comes in Lollipop Leopard with Pink Ruffle, and is made of plush polyester, $70.

1 G.L. Bowron & Co.’s Baby Cocoon is part of its Bowron Babycare line, and is available in various colors, $200.	2 The Atmosferra stoller by Mia Moda features a three-position seat recline, adjustable calf support and removable tray. Can be used with seat facing forward or backward, it has a height-adjustable handle, easy fold system and lockable, front-swivel wheels. Available in mint, java and flame, $299.	3 CARES (child aviation restraint system), by Kids Fly Safe, is an FAA-approved harness type child safety device, for children from 22-44 pounds. Manufactured by AmSafe, it attaches to the back of an airplane seat and augments the regular seat belt. The 1-pound device fits in a 6” sack and is FAA certified for all phases of flight — taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing, $74.95.

1 Scootababy is offering its baby carrier in five new colors this year. It evenly distributes weight with a lightly padded, shaped seat. The supportive fleece shoulder is stretchy and does not impede arm movement. Fits babies up to 40 pounds, made of 100% ringspun cotton, EVA foam and Polartec fleece, $107.	2 Protect-A-Bub’s Car Seat Sunshade has adjustable side sun flaps that provide UPF50+ protection. It easily attaches to all infant and toddler car seats, and is self-supporting, $28.95.	3 The Monterey Booster Seat from Sunshine Kids Juvenile Products adjusts in height and width to fit a child up to 63” and 120 pounds. It has deep sidewalls lined with EPS foam for side-impact protection and a reinforced seat bottom to maintain safe and proper lap belt positioning. Monterey also includes integrated LATCH connectors for the option of a secure installation, $139.99

MacLaren monitors its customer base.

She said that if MacLaren’s products are sold below MSRP, or with their tags removed, it degrades the brand.

“I don’t know if we’ll ever get it under control,” said Poppy. “We have closed people down who don’t comply, to be a fair market.”

1 The Bugaboo Bee is a compact yet complete stroller, $529.