Best Baby Registry: How Do Target and Walmart Stack Up?
Best Baby Registry: How Do Target and Walmart Stack Up?
By Kris Louis
As parents get ready for a new baby, one big question is where to start a baby registry. You know you'll need a fair amount of clothing, baby gear, diapers, and other essentials when your little one arrives. A registry is an easy way to let family and friends know what you need, but there are so many places to register that it can seem overwhelming.
Two of the biggest retailers that offer baby registries are Target and Walmart. But which one is best? Parents need a registry that's easy to use, helps them organize the seemingly endless list of supplies they need and helps them get the baby gear they need at the best price. Let's compare these two popular options.
Check Off Your List at Target
As What to Expect notes, Target's baby registry is fairly easy to use, with a registry app, a Universal Registry feature that allows you to add items from other sites, and a handy checklist to make sure you're not forgetting any important baby items. Your loved ones can even go in together on group gifts to get big-ticket items.
Tailored to You Via Walmart
Walmart gives Target a run for its money in functionality, with a special feature on its app that asks questions and automatically suggests items you might like. The retail giant recently revamped its registry experience to make things easier for expecting parents. Once you've started your registry, you can easily add more items using the app. Any item on Walmart's website is eligible to be added to your registry.
Making Returns Sooner or Later
For returns, both Target and Walmart require you to return items at their physical locations, which can be a hassle for a new parent. Target gives you up to a year to return registry items, while Walmart only accepts returns for 90 days.
Mixed Savings Opportunities
With both sites offering frequent deals and specials, it's hard to judge which will have the lowest price for any given registry item. Target's registry offers free shipping on orders over $35, which can help gift-givers save money. Target also offers a completion discount of 15 percent off as you approach your due date, while Walmart doesn't. Walmart does offer price matching, however, meaning they'll match a competitor's item listed online at a lower price (with a limit of one item per day).
Deals, Coupons, and Target Promo Codes
When your baby shower is over, there will probably be some items on your registry that you still need to purchase for yourself. In addition to the completion discount or price matching, it's worth looking for deals, coupons, and online offers on your remaining baby needs like diapers, clothing, and other gear. If you have a Target REDcard, you might be able to find even more discounts on baby items.
Extras from Both
The Penny Hoarder points out both Target and Walmart offer a free "welcome box" containing sample items that will be useful to new parents, like lotion and wipes, as well as coupons. As we mentioned above, Target also offers a completion discount which allows you to take 15 percent off of a one-time purchase. If you have some big-ticket items on your registry, that discount can be significant.
Ultimately, you'll probably be able to find everything you need at a reasonable price from either Target or Walmart's baby registry services. Both retailers offer house brands featuring cute baby items. If you're already a fan of Target, have a REDcard, or love the thought of a completion discount for your big-ticket items, Target might be the right choice. If you feel overwhelmed by all of the choices you need to make and would appreciate the help of a digital assistant to help build your registry, you may want to give the Walmart app a try.