Consumer group Which? has revealed the best and worst places to shop for baby items in a recent survey of over 3,000 people. The survey rated 25 online retailers based on customer score, product quality, value for money, and staff helpfulness and knowledge. Surprisingly, two lesser-known brands, Online4Baby.com and Silver Cross, came joint first with overall customer scores of 81%. Meanwhile, popular high street brands like John Lewis and Mamas and Papas also made the list, although they didn't take the top spots.
Online4Baby.com and Silver Cross Take the Lead
Online4Baby.com and Silver Cross have emerged as the top retailers for baby items, according to the Which? survey. Both brands received overall customer scores of 81%, beating out bigger high street names. Online4Baby.com not only performed well in the survey but also passed Which?'s behind-the-scenes checks on its terms and conditions and returns policies, earning them the Which? Recommended Provider (WRP) status. Customers praised the brand for its product quality, value for money, and staff knowledge, with eight in 10 saying they would recommend the retailer to a friend. Silver Cross also received four stars for product quality, although some respondents felt that it offered less value for money.
Maxi-Cosi Comes in Third
In third place, with an overall customer score of 80%, is Maxi-Cosi. The brand was praised for its high-quality products and value for money. However, its staff's helpfulness and knowledge were rated slightly lower compared to other retailers on the list.
John Lewis and Mamas and Papas Round Out the Top Five
High street brands John Lewis and Mamas and Papas made it to the top five of the survey. John Lewis received a customer score of 79%, earned a WRP status, and received four stars for product quality and staff knowledge. However, it only received three stars for value for money. Mamas and Papas achieved a customer score of 78%, scoring four stars for product quality and staff knowledge, and three stars for value for money.
The Range and Currys Rank Near the Bottom
On the other end of the spectrum, popular high street brand The Range ranked second to last with a customer score of 67%. It received two stars for product quality and staff helpfulness, and three stars for value for money. Currys also ranked near the bottom, sharing the fourth-to-last spot with Very.co.uk, with an overall customer score of 69%.
Online Shopping is Increasingly Popular for Baby Products
According to Which?'s research, 74% of shoppers made their most recent purchase of baby items online, indicating that consumers are increasingly turning to online retail for their baby needs. The survey highlights the importance of excellent customer service, as most parents still value it in addition to good-value and high-quality products.
Ele Clark, Which? retail editor, encourages parents to get their car seats professionally installed or checked by an expert if they purchase them online. If that's not possible, she recommends following the detailed installation guides provided by most brands on YouTube.
How to Save Money as a Parent
Besides choosing the right retailer, there are other ways parents can save money on baby items. One option is to opt for yellow-sticker products when grocery shopping, as these are items that have been reduced in price, sometimes by up to 75%. Additionally, comparing prices across retailers can help save money on baby items. Price comparison sites like Price Runner, Price Spy, and the Google Shopping tab can be useful tools. Finally, buying clothes second-hand can lead to significant savings.
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