Best strollers sold direct-to-consumer (DTC)

Here are the best baby strollers that are sold directly to consumers. These stroller brands deliver better value by selling their products directly to consumer.

Stroller Shopping is Usually Complicated

Shopping for a stroller is not as easy as you would think. So if you’re thinking that you could just walk into a store and will be able to shortlist a stroller in under an hour, the reality could actually be quite different.

It can be overwhelming to see strollers, stretching as far as the eye could see, with indiscernible price tags that do not clearly reveal what is included with the purchase. And you won’t be able to find a giant comparison chart to see how all those strollers compare. So you will have to depend a lot on the expert advice of the store associate, who could be busy attending other parents.

Shopping for a stroller in a big-box baby chain store can feel really confusing, and finding the perfect stroller for your baby is far from child’s play.

The good thing is that a few direct-to-consumer (or DTC) stroller start-ups are simplifying the shopping experience, and also cutting out the retail middleman.

Here’s all you need to know about the DTC strollers on the market.

Why DTC?

When wholesale manufacturers sell through retail distributors, they have very little say on how the product is sold to the customer. They have to be dependent on the distributor to ensure that the customer leaves the store (or the website) happy and satisfied.

However, by selling directly to consumers, companies have a better say over how the customer experiences their brand/products. Parents also receive the rewards of buying a high-quality product without the markup that traditional retailers put on baby products.

With customers becoming more demanding and expecting a more seamless buying experience, more businesses are taking the direct-to-consumer route in order to attract and retain customers.

Here are the top brands of baby strollers that are sold directly to the consumer.

Pros & cons of Direct-to-Consumer

Pros:

• Most parents will love the fact that they don’t have to enter an overwhelming big-box baby store. You can also be rest assured that these pass all regulatory safety standards
• Because these strollers bypass traditional retail stores (like any other DTC product), the price tags can be less shocking.
• Some D2C brands may offer financing option, so you can pay in installments.

Cons:

• Its can be a challenge to test-drive DTC strollers in person, unless you live near a showroom of these new companies. However, they offer trial periods (ranging from 30 to 100 days) and have excellent customer support. If you’re not happy with the performance of the stroller, you can send them back.
• It can also be a challenge to send back your stroller for repair as you may not be able to drop it off to the nearest shop. However, Mockingbird, Colugo and Lalo all have big plans to expand.

Top Direct-to-Consumer Stroller Brands

Mockingbird

 

Mockingbird stroller is a single-seat, multi-function stroller, meets all safety standards, and features a sleek design. The Mockingbird stroller has a 30-day trial period, allowing you to test the various features and its suitability to your lifestyle. Read Full Review.

 

Colugo Strollers

Industry experts are calling Colugo strollers the Warby Parker of strollers. Its compact, lightweight, easy to fold and carry. The company also offers an impressive 100-day return policy.

The stroller comes with a rain cover, travel backpack, and a shoulder strap (for carrying on the go). Machine-washable liner for easy cleanup (comes in new shades and patterns). You can buy the stroller alone or opt for a bundle with accessories.

 

 

Colugo offers a lightweight, compact, fast Folding, and feature-rich stroller. Its one of the best city (urban) strollers available for parents.

• Weighs 16 pounds and yet supports a kid weighing as much as 55 pounds
• One hand fold, easily goes into a backpack for easy transport or storage.
• Colugo offers a 100-day, risk-free trial

More on Colugo stroller here.

Lalo Stroller

Lalo has a sleek looking stroller designed for children of all ages. Its durable and meets all safety standards.

The Lalo daily Stroller is the only stroller that you will need from infanthood through the preschool years. The stroller folds flat with the touch of a button with the seat still attached. The expandable storage cart is good enough to lug all the essentials. The front shock absorption and large wheels that never go flat ensures a smooth ride on most terrains. Three reclining positions make on-the-go naps a breeze, while the seat can easily face forward or backward in a snap.

24-pound Lalo Daily comes with the frame, tot seat, newborn bassinet, car seat adapters, an all-weather cover, two washable seat liners, and two stroller hooks. Parent organizer connects straight to the back of the seat for a super-sleek profile (you can also detach it and let it hang from the handlebar).

Lalo Stroller Review

 

Website: meetlalo.com

Closing Thoughts

To all those parents who are used to direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, a few stroller brands are now offering their strollers via streamlined checkout and a business built around community. The idea is to replace the experience of going to a big-box store where you find hundred of strollers. With that experience, consumers might spend too much time finding a stroller or even end up paying more for a product.