The global baby car seat market is expected to grow over the forecast period buoyed by growing demand in developing countries and sustained demand in western countries, which also have regulations mandating car seats. In addition, availability of a wide portfolio of products to suit specific requirements related to age and weight of babies, and the increasing prevalence of online channel have added to the well- being of the market. While traditional brick-and-mortar store continue to dominate the distribution aspect of the market, online retailing has provided vendors with an effective alternate. Vendors of baby car seats offer a wide variety of products and specifications with focus on safety, comfort, and functionality.
Shift from traditional to modern retail formats have altered customer mindsets and loyalties triggering growth in baby car seats market. Among the various retail formats, online is expected to grow at a fast pace over the forecast period. Detailed product overview, product comparison features, and the facility to shop on-the-go are expected to be among the key enablers for the growth of the market.
Over the coming years, a relative high traction is expected from developing countries in the Asia Pacific regions, specially from countries such as India and China. The two countries recorded a birth rate of 2.40 births and 1.57 births per woman in 2015, as per the World Bank. While there is no regulatory framework mandating the use of baby car seat in India, there has been a rise in demand over the years with consumers enquiring about the various types and sizes. Consumers in India and China focus on comfort and safety of baby car seats and give more emphasis on harness, padding, and soft braces.
In line with the development in Asia Pacific countries, the market is witnessing upward movement in Middle East as well. To that end, UAE mandated age-appropriate child safety car seat for children below four years of age in 2017. The regulation triggered a sudden uptake in baby car seat market and is expected to have a positive impact on the demand in the coming years. Baby car seat market is relatively penetrated in the North America and European market, where manufacturers are expected to focus on differentiating their product offering over the forecast period.
In emerging markets for baby car seats, lifestyle changes, uptake in passenger car segment, and increasing emphasis on safety products for babies is expected to pave the growth trajectory for the market at large. On the other hand, baby car seats are presumed auxiliary spending in potential growth countries such as India, more so in the absence of mandatory regulations. In North America, prevailing market for pre-owned and the availability of baby car seats on-rent tends to affect new sales.
Baby car seat market is marked by the presence of well-established vendors offering multiple products to address the varying needs of consumers. Over the coming years, companies are expected to focus on potential growth markets for baby car seats. To that end, besides expanding their presence, companies are expected to formulate effective distribution strategies to make their presence felt in the upcoming markets for baby car seat. Some of the vendors in the baby car seat market include Artsana S.p.a, Britax Child Safety, Inc, DIONO, LLC., Graco Children's Products Inc., Safety 1st, and Nuna Intl BV.
