Why do department stores label their infants’ section “Baby” instead of “Babies’” à la “Men’s” or “Women’s”? For one, the Baby department includes more than just clothes; they’ve got strollers and cribs and pacifiers. Also, the baby of the family has a unique singular identity, unlike the rest of the kids. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Baby Department”
Grant, a lot of people have weighed in on our discussion about why department stores use the word baby on the wall as opposed to men’s, women’s, boys, girls, teens.
Katie wrote us from Menominee, Wisconsin to say men’s, women’s, juniors, etc. usually all refer to clothing only, whereas baby will usually include clothing, diapers, car seats, cribs and other baby accessories. It’s more inclusive.
And then Julie in Indiana had a more philosophical take. She wrote, people mostly have one baby at a time. Baby is a special position in the family to the extent that baby is used even as a name, like in the song Just Molly and Me and Baby Makes Three. So people want to buy things for that special person. Using baby increases the special allure and increases the desire to buy for this special and unique person.
She adds, I’m not in retail. I’m just a wordy.
Yeah, they don’t call the department infantile offspring, do they? Baby. The essence of baby.
877-929-9673 or email us. That address is words@waywordradio.org.
