Special Need Strollers Market

Special need strollers is useful for people who cannot walk. Special need strollers provide opportunity to maximize cognitive and social development of people who suffering from physical conditions or onset of old age that is debilitating and thus, hamper mobility. The product is a boon for children with mobility issues, as at this stage of development, they are more curious and aspire to explore their environment. Special need strollers allow children to participate with their peers in community and thereby, promote proper functioning and independence. Currently, the special need strollers market is highly attractive due to rapidly aging population, increasing amputation cases, and paralysis. Moreover, supportive programs initiated by various governments across the globe further creates a favorable environment for market growth.

Global Special Need Strollers Market Taxonomy

The global special need strollers market is classified on the basis of following segments:

Product Type:

Upright strollers



Fixed-tilt strollers



Tilt-in-space strollers



Restraint systems



Seating and positioning strollers

Technology Type:

Manual Strollers



Power strollers

Distribution Channels:

Hospitals



Ecommerce



Direct Purchase

Major special need strollers in the market: Carrot 3 Special Needs Car Seat (Convaid Inc.), Safari Tilt Wheelchair (Convaid Inc.), Trekker (Convaid Inc.), Rodeo Wheelchair (Convaid Inc.), kimba neo (Ottobock), Ottobock Nurmi Neo (Ottobock), Ottobock Kimba Kruze (Ottobock) etc.

Developed economies highly lucrative markets due to various conducive macro factors

Developed economies such as the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany and Japan experience high adoption rate of special need stroller due to highly favorable economic conditions prevalent in these regions. According to a research published in Acta Ortopédica Brasileira in 10 years, out of 26 amputation cases 21 were performed due to congenital malformation, infection, and other related causes. In 2002, as per the survey conducted by orthotics and prosthetics community in amputee clinics in the U.S., approximately 60% of childhood amputation is congenital origin and 40% are acquired. This inadvertently creates a conducive environment for growth of the special need strollers market. Rapid adoption of such strollers and increasing competition is influencing companies to integrate more features and functionality in special need strollers in order to provide better comfort and significantly enhance user experience. North America is expected to contribute major share to the global special need strollers market, due to high rate of adoption towards latest technologies and supportive government regulations such as Americans with Disabilities Act that provide patients with various facilities including transportation and mental illness care. Also, government funding and support programs for children with mental or physical impairment further supports market growth. For instance, Australian Mental Health Services was estimated to spend around US$ 8 billion during 2014–2015. Europe is expected to be the second-most lucrative market mainly attributed to high levels of adoption of technologically advanced products, robust healthcare infrastructure, and high discretionary income in the region.

Power stroller gaining popularity among upper middle class in developed regions

Companies are focusing on launching new devices to the market with advanced features to distinguish their products with others. In 2010, Convaid launched its new wider wheels more improved, lightweight and compact folding metro transport chair. Product had stylish new upholstery for center for increased ventilation to keep the user cooler in warm climate. Such new advanced strollers are a major threat for the manual strollers. The only advantage of power strollers is that it does not require assistance to moves. Upright strollers are lightweight chairs that are foldable in seconds. Fixed tilt strollers ensures proper positioning and support of patients with limited upper body movement tilt-in-space type of strollers for people who require tilt adjustment for pressure relief, respiratory and digestion assistance. Restrain systems include strollers that are used for optimal positioning of safety of people with insufficient head, trunk and pelvic stability.

According to the National Health Service of the U.K., number of diabetic patients increased from 1.4 million in 1996 to 2.9 million in 2012 with almost 50% growth in less than a decade. Furthermore in 2014, the average rate of amputation in diabetic complication was around 2.6 per 1,000 cases. The rise in number of amputation cases is projected to support the special need strollers market. Furthermore, the product availability and pricing, along with initiation of awareness campaigns, especially in emerging economies would play a decisive role in shaping the future growth prospects of this high potential market.

Highly Fragmented Market

The global special need strollers market is highly fragmented, owing to the participation of many established and emerging players in the special need strollers market. Integration between active players is an emerging trend in the market. In 2014, DUPONT MEDICAL has integrated its functional qualifications and technologies with U.S.-based Drive Medical. This includes various products in its portfolio such as medical devices and technical aids for home care including wheel chairs and strollers. This integration is expected to favor expansion of both the companies in terms of geographic approach. Major players involved in the special need strollers market include Quantum Rehab., AKCES-MED Sp zoo, Ottobock, Convaid Inc., Dupont-medical, and Delichon Ltd.

Key Development