Shopping for a baby is easier when you know which kinds of shop exist and what each is good for. This category guide to Frankfurt covers the main types of store that international families used, based on the old directory. It lists no prices and recommends nobody; shops open and close, so check current details before heading out.
Maternity wear
Maternity clothing was available from dedicated boutiques, from department stores, from the maternity ranges of big fashion chains on the Zeil shopping street, and from online retailers in Germany and the United Kingdom. Expect a mix of everyday basics and special-occasion pieces.
Baby and children’s clothes and shoes
Besides high-street chains and speciality shops, parents mentioned online marketplaces for handmade goods and UK retailers that ship abroad. Sizing in Germany follows centimetres of height, which can confuse newcomers used to age-based labels.
Strollers, car seats and bikes
Larger baby chains and toy superstores stock buggies, carriers, car seats and children’s bikes. If you move with a seat from another country, check whether it meets European safety standards before using it. The same advice applies to child car seats rented while travelling.
Furniture and nursery items
Baby furniture is sold by baby specialists and by the large Swedish furniture store on the edge of Frankfurt, which also has changing facilities and a family-friendly cafe. Children’s furniture is a category of its own.
Toys and books
Toy shops range from big chains to small independents. For books, a large city-centre bookseller carries children’s titles and has baby-care facilities on site.
Food shopping
Supermarkets, speciality food shops and online stores cater to expatriates missing particular foods, including British and Korean groceries. Drugstores are the usual place to buy nappies and baby supplies.
Name labels
A niche category is labels for children’s belongings, which are useful for kindergartens and swimming bags. Several online firms offer iron-on or sticker labels.
Department stores and shopping centres
Central department stores and malls such as MyZeil, Main-Taunus-Zentrum and NordWestZentrum are practical for rainy days. Many have baby-changing rooms and nursing areas, which is why they feature in the changing-table guide.
Hardware, crafts and flea markets
DIY and garden stores, fabric and craft shops, and weekend flea markets (including one along the Museumsufer in Sachsenhausen) round out the list. Flea markets are a popular source of second-hand toys and clothes.
Online options
See the dedicated page on online shopping for delivery and returns advice. Browsing the directory overview shows other categories.