From in-store activations to boutiques designed entirely for kids, the April 2019 retail trends demonstrate a new focus on the shoppers of the future.
With the next generation of consumers growing up in the age of online shopping, retailers are forced to think about new ways to market the in-store experience. In some cases, this means creating stores specifically for kids, like the Camp store in New York City, which is designed to be "fun and Instagrammable."
In other cases, brands are attempting to draw kids into more traditional stores with pop-up activations and special events. As the April 2019 retail trends demonstrate, these activations can be as simple as brands like Footlocker displaying more kid-friendly apparel brands in stores. On the other hand, retailers like Hemleys have launched Harry Potter activations that included theatrical in-store experiences like wands, broomsticks, and sorting hat demonstrations.
Top 45 Retail Ideas in April
From Wizardly Toy Store Activations to AI-Powered Skincare Boutiques:
Katherine Pendrill — Apr 28, 2019 — Business
44
Denim Customization Pop-Ups
'Zara Edited' Lets Customers Embroider Their Name on Denim Clothing
43
Kid-Focused Experiential Retail
Camp is a Highly Active and Immersive Retail Experience for Kids
42
Artistically Stylish Fashion Boutiques
Forty Five Ten Commissions Snarkitecture for Its NY Store
41
DIY-Style Holiday Workshops
Build-A-Bear's Toy Workshop Strategy is Rolled Out in Multiple Cities
40
Immersive LEGO Retail Experiences
The New LEGO Store in Sydney Boasts Inspiration & Immersion
39
Psychedelia-Inspired Clothing Pop-Ups
Dries Van Noten Celebrates Its SS19 with Verner Panton's Art
38
Health-Focused Kid Programs
SpartanNash's Initiative Encourages Children's Healthy Eating Choices
37
Convenience Store Cafe Concepts
7-Eleven Launched a Sit-Down Cafe with Wine and Beer on Tap
36
Supermarket Visual Search Tools
Slyce Launched a Mobile List-Building Solution for Shoppers
35
Cannabis Store Pizza Shops
Planet 13 is Adding a Pizzeria and Coffee Shop to Its Giant Dispensary
34
AI Beauty Retail Mirrors
Sephora's Digital Mirror Gives Personalized Recommendations to Shoppers
33
Art-Infused Department Store Campaigns
Selfridges Boasts Visual & Performance Art Through Display
32
Striking Iridescent Glass Escalators
OMA Adds an Attention-Captivating Detail to Saks Fifth Avenue
31
Playful Parental Pop-Ups
The Playroom by Fatherly is an Interactive Holiday Activation
30
Semi-Autonomous Eateries
Singapore's Deliveroo Food Market Only Has Staff in the Back Kitchen
29
City-Friendly Grocery Concepts
'Aldi Local' Sells Items That Are Easily Transported Without a Car
28
In-Store Smart Home Displays
P.C. Richard & Son Enhances the Customer Experience with Interaction
27
Influencer Marketplace Apps
'Basic Space' Connects Consumers to Influencer-Curated Goods
26
AI-Powered Skincare Boutiques
SK-II's Connected Store Revolutionizes the Process of Choosing
25
Luxuriously Marbled Retail Interiors
Celine Stores are Getting an Overall Makeover by Hedi Slimane
24
Rotating In-Store Pop-Up Displays
Bloomingdale's Thematic Carousel Will Change Every Two Months
23
Review-Based Store Selections
Amazon's 'Four Star Store' Brings High-Rated Products to Consumers
22
Tech-Driven Kids Retail Experiences
A Footlocker and Rockets of Awesome Partnership Brings Change
21
Whimsical Gen-Z Retailers
This Terez NYC Pop-Up Resembles a Fashionable Tween Clubhouse
20
Phone-Shaped Product Displays
Salesforce's Display Helps Consumers Try on AR Sunglasses
19
Exclusive Virtual Pop-Ups
Nike's Store Only Takes Air Max Credits Earned from Previous Purchases
18
Subway-Inspired High Fashion Installations
Valentino Promotes Its Products Via SSENSE MONTRÉAL
17
Family-Friendly Tech Shops
Galaxy's Harajuku Store Appeals to Millennials with a Lounge and a Cafe
16
Mango Shop Pop-Ups
For One Day, the National Mango Board Set Up 'The Mango Store'
15
Attention-Catching Centre-Store Displays
Kroger's 'Treasure EmporiYum' Spotlights Select Products
14
On-the-Road Doll Pop-Ups
This Barbie Pop-Up is Held in Walmart Parking Lots Across the Country
13
Convenient Festival Deliveries
At Coachella, Festival Essentials Can Be Sent to Amazon Lockers
12
Gen Z Sneaker Pop-Ups
American Eagle's Urban Necessities Resells Name-Brand Sneakers
11
Sprawling Japanese Roasteries
Starbucks is Set to Open Its Fifth Reserve Roastery in Tokyo, Japan
10
Talk Show-Inspired Cafes
A TODAY Show-Inspired Cafe Called 'TODAY Cafe' is Opening at Universal
9
March Madness QSR Promotions
The Wendy’s Take You Shot Promotion Offers a Number of Prizes
8
Rewarding Cashless Payment Services
GoDigital's OKTO App Allows for Loyalty System Integration
7
Heated Pick-Up Stations
The AXCESS 2000.H Pick-Up Station Supports Self-Serve In-Store Pick-Ups
6
Shoplifter-Identifying AI Tech
Vaak Eye Enforces Retail Security Technology in Japan
5
Summery Seaside Sandwich Packaging
The Urban Eat Summer Sandwich Lineup Calls Warm Weather to Mind
4
Inclusive Bridal Store Displays
The White Collection Bridal Boutique Honors the Differently Abled
3
Wizardly Toy Store Activations
The Harry Potter at Hemleys Experience Celebrates Famous Characters
2
On-Shelf Feedback Systems
PowerShelf Lets Consumers Share the Performance of Packaging on a Shelf
1
Kid-Friendly Free Clothing Shops
The Twig Offers Children in Foster Care Clothes at No Cost
Related Ideas
Playful Toy-Inspired Pop-Ups
The Jellycat Café Pops Up at Shanghai’s Plaza 66 to Revive Traffic
Culturally Specific Retail Expansions
ICONSIAM and POP MART Establish a Global Landmark Location
Gamified AR Footwear Fittings
Tootsie Augmented Reality Makes Shoe Shopping More Fun for Kids
AI-Managed Retail Stores
Andon Labs Deploys an AI Named Luna That Controls Store Operations
Gen-Z-Focused AR Campaigns
American Eagle Launched an AE Jeans Try-on Haul Lens
Automated Retail Concepts
VenHub Smart Stores Use Ai & Robotics to Redefine a Shopping Experience
Experiential Multisensory Pop-Ups
Pleasing's Immersive PleasingLand Includes a “Scent Arcade”
Grocery-Inspired Beauty Pop-Ups
The Markup Marché by The Ordinary Challenges Industry Buzzwords
Tennis-Forward Pop-Ups
Lacoste’s Activations Serve Up Style Across NYC Ahead of U.S. Open
Experiential Convenience Stores
FamilyMart Announced IP-Centered Store Experiences in Japan
Nutrition-Forward Treat Shop Pop-Ups
Bloom Nutrition Hosted the Very Successful Treat Shoppe
Curated Store Concepts
A New Target Soho Store Opens in New York with Design-First Looks
AI-Driven Shoppable Catwalks
Topshop and THG Studios are Hosting a Next-Gen Fashion Experience
Luxury Eyewear Pop-Ups
Prada Opens an Immersive Eyewear Boutique at The Grove
Dynamic Running-Focused Retail Concepts
Nordstrom Debuts Nike Running @ the Corner
Creative Retail Competitions
Bricks & Minifigs Launches LEGO Clock Design Contest
Community-Driven Shopping Experiences
A TikTok Shop Pop-Up is Coming to Westfield Stratford
Design-Forward Concept Stores
Target SoHo is Immersive, Experiential and Shoppable
K-POP Group Retail Pop-Ups
The BLACKPINK Pop-Up Store Features Limited Edition Merchandise
AI Chat Shopping Systems
Shopify Brings Retail to ChatGPT
Mobile Cafe Pop-Ups
Coach Introduced a Vibrant Coffee Truck in Gotemba, Japan
Themed Snack Collectibles
Kinder Joy Evolves its Treat-And-Toy Format with Themed Collections
Multi-Sensory Nail Polish Activations
Beetles Gel Polish Runs the Taste of Spring Event
Immersive K-Beauty Pop-Ups
TIRTIR Brings Jeju Matcha Skincare to NYC with a Sensory Experience
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Wintry Retail Activations
ASOS will Host a Winter Wonderland Pop-Up in SoHo
Prestige Beauty Storefronts
Ulta Unveiled Its Times Square Experiential Store
Interactive Toy Experiences
Spin Master Highlights Opportunities in the Toy Sector in 2026
Fandom Culture Retail Experiences
EB Games x Vibrant Marketing Launch an 'EB Trends' Store Concept
70s-Style Concept Stores
Anya Hindmarch x Boots Looks Like an Apothecary with a Playful Twist
Whimsical Co-Branded Fashion Collaborations
Target and Roller Rabbit Debut an Eye-Catching
Flagship Value Fashion
Primark expands affordable fashion with a major Manhattan flagship store
Gen Z Concept Stores
UO Insiders Insights Informed the UO x Glendale Store Experience
Generative AI Retail Strategies
Kroger & Google Cloud Enhance Growth and Personalization
Annual Summer Pop-Ups
Dior’s Lucky Collection Enters Harrods with Starry Retail Experience
AI-First Shopping Experiences
Walmart and OpenAI are Partnering to Simplify Purchases
Pop Culture Chocolate Products
These New Kinder Products Embrace Collaborations
Immersive Video Shopping Experiences
ASOS Live Blends Creator-Led Content with Real-Time Shopping
Sensory Retail Experiences
Claire’s Launches ASMR-Inspired Stores for Gen Alpha Shoppers
Clinical K-Beauty Pop-Ups
Rejuran Debuts Science-Led Skincare Through a Sephora LA Activation
Comprehensive Easter-Inspired Collaborations
Peeps' 2026 Spring Collaboration Lineup is Impressive
AI-Driven Fragrance Concept Stores
My Scent Edit Offers Digital Consultations & an AI Photo Booth
Luxury Festive Campaigns
Bloomingdale’s Unveils Its 2025 Holiday Campaign
Grocery-Inspired SPF Pop-Ups
Beauty of Joseon's Morning Moisturizer SPF Grocery is Experiential
Festival Beauty Activations
Medicube Brings Skincare Tech and Experiences to Coachella
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
Sci-Fi Series Shopping Experiences
Stranger Things 5 at Target Invites Fans into Hawkins
AI Retail Forecasts
Experts Outline how AI will Reshape Commerce By 2026
Retrospective Halloween-Inspired Home Capsules
Michaels Unveils a Diverse Halloween Assortment
AI Shopping Integrations
Sephora’s ChatGPT App Enables AI-Powered Product Discovery
Shoppable AR Villages
The Snapchat Winter Village Has Three Immersive Luxury Brand Boutiques
AI-Powered Product Discovery Tools
The Vitamin Shoppe's Shoppe Advisor Supports In-Store Education
Playable Brand Universes
adidas and Brawl Stars Connect Gaming, Apparel and Live Fan Experiences
shop-in-shop streetwear installations
U Urban Outfitters debuts the Vans 'On Rotation' experience
Experiential K-Beauty Retail
Yepoda Opens an Immersive Flagship Store in Seoul
AI-Powered Shopping Features
John Lewis Launches a TikTok Shop Trial
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
DTC Physical Retail Expansions
Povison Opens Its First Permanent Store in Los Angeles
Mobile Beauty Retail Activations
Cardi B Debuts Beauty Truck for Her Haircare Brand
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
AI-Powered Closet Experiences
Google Shopping Aligned Try On in Search with an Anticipated Sequel
Accessible Beauty Consultations
Walmart’s Beauty Experts Offer Personalized In-Store Guidance
Beauty Store Birthday Parties
Birthdays at Ulta Come with a Gift Bag Curated for Tweens and Teens
AI-Powered Shoppable Runways
Topshop and THG Studios Hosted a Front Row AI Experience
AI Retail Experiences
RELEX Solutions Uses AI to Elevate In-Store Customer Journeys
Compact IKEA Retail Spaces
IKEA Launches Smaller Stores Focused on Quick Visits and Essentials
Sensory Summer Shop Activations
Claire’s Launches Its A Girl SMR at Claire’s Campaign
AI-Powered Shopping Features
Target is Making Seasonal Gifting Easier, Personalized and More Fun
AI-Driven Wholesale Platforms
Hypedrop Validates, Designs and Develops Products in Six Weeks
AI-Assisted Retailer Websites
Lightspeed Showroom Gives Brick-and-Mortar Stores an Online Presence
Content-Driven Flagship Retail
GARAGE Builds an Immersive Flagship in New York's Flatiron District
Smart Retail Technology Expansions
A2Z Cust2Mate Secures Advertising Agreements with Major Brands
Throwback Grocery Campaigns
Economic Nostalgia Inspired Instacart's Summer Like It’s ‘99
AI-Powered Shopping Tools
Target Partners with ChatGPT to Highlight New AI Shopping Capabilities
AI-Enabled Personalized Retail Experiences
Honeywell Implements an AI-Driven Retail System
Holiday Retail Campaigns
Walmart's WhoKnewVille is a Seuss-Inspired World of Festive Cheer
Emotionally Intelligent Retailer Platforms
JK Tech Spotlights Its Artificial Intelligence Platform
Curated Discovery Stores
The Shelf Spotlights Emerging Food, Drink and Wellness Brands
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Social-First Retail Commerce
Shoezone expands TikTok Shop through creator-led shopping
Experiential Running Shoe Shops
House of SportsShoes Merges Digital Presence & Physical Experience
AI-Powered Retail Platforms
Target Introduced a Mobile App Rebuild with AI Coding Companions
Autonomous Retail Merchandising Platforms
Retail Express Uses AI to Automate Pricing and Discounts
Subway Station Fashion Takeovers
Reitmans Hosts its Spring 2026 Lower Bay Station Preview
Creator-Led DIY Experiences
Lowe's Turns MrBeast Fandom Into Kids Workshops
Movie-Themed Grocery Store Experiences
Asda and Wicked Partnered for Immersive Store Experiences
Retailer-Branded Holiday Apparel
7-Eleven's New Seasonal Merchandise is Themed Around Christmas
back-to-school retail campaigns
Target rolls out its back-to-school & back-to-college campaigns
Heritage-Inspired Home Retail Stores
The Laura Ashley Brand Opens a Flagship Outlet in the UK
Elemental Retail Spaces
Goldwin Creates a Multi-Sensory Retail Environment in New York City
Supermarket Temporary Tattoos
Aldi's Specialbuy Temporary Tattoos Take After Favorite Items
Wellness Shop-in-Shops
Wellness by Ulta Beauty Shares Immersive, Informative Experiences
Tasty Easter Activation Campaigns
The Mars Wrigley The Big Easter Bunny Off is Ready for Spring
Summerween-Themed Retail Ranges
These ALDI Summerween Products Embrace Warm Weather Autumn Vibes
Curated Resale Storefronts
eBay's The NYC Edit Storefront Shares Tastemaker Selections
Running Footwear Showrooms
The Brooks Spring/Summer 2027 showroom previews upcoming footwear
Awareness-Raising Shoe Store Concepts
Soles4Souls Canada Highlights What's Important This Season
AI-Powered Search Features
Adobe Introduced Adobe Search and Discovery
Immersive Tech Retail Experiences
The Latest Xiaomi Store in London Showcases Tech and Lifestyle
Experiential Clog Stores
The New York City Crocs Icon Concept Centers on Personalization
Low-Cost Back-to-School Campaigns
Target Back-to-School-idays Offers Discounts Up to 30%
Experiential Baby Gear Showrooms
Babylist is Opening Another Experiential Showroom in NYC
AI-Powered Discovery Commerce
Shopen AI Personalizes Product Discovery and Deal Finding
Expanded Wellness Retail Assortments
Target Added 30% More Wellness Products to Its Shelves
Franchise Commerce Marketing
poppi Connects Retail Products with Love Island Experiences
Festive Fairytale Campaigns
Boots' Gift Happily Ever After Celebrates Meaningful Gifting
Gamified Discount Events
Build-A-Bear Uses Mystery Offers to Drive Engagement
In-Store Creator Commerce
Mac Cosmetics Turns Retail Employees into Live-Streaming Creators
Hybrid Beauty Discovery
Ulta Beauty Finds Gen Alpha Blends AI Tools with In-Store Shopping
Anniversary Retail Collection
Pokémon x Target Collection Spans Apparel, Home Goods, & Accessories
Women-Focused Sports Stores
The Women’s Sports Store Can Be Accessed Digitally in the UK
AI Store Assistants
xPilot Helps Retailers Make Proactive Moves with Digital Twin Technology
Urban Activewear Activations
The Merrell Get Outside Activation Took Over Union Square
Simplified AI Shopping Tools
Target Focuses on Holiday Shoppers with its New AI-Powered Tools
Christmasy Customer-Rewarding Retailer Campaigns
The One Stop 2025 Christmas Campaign Gives Back
Kid-Designed Retail Bags
East of England Co-op sells bags supporting local communities
IP-Based Kids Games
Netflix Turns Shows into Play Experiences
Cost-Effective Confectionery Items
World of Sweets Highlights Key Easter Trends Amid Rising Costs
Conversational Visual Shopping
Amazon Lens Live Matches Products Through Real-Time Scanning
Retail Beverage Experiences
The Paper Store Uses Custom Drink Stations to Boost Engagement
Collaborative Beauty Events
Stoney Clover Lane X Hello Kitty and Friends Host a Pop-Up Event
Omnichannel Seasonal Support Campaigns
Bestway Wholesale Launches 'Buzz About the Sweetest Deals'
Cherry-Themed Bar Pop-Ups
Phlur and Space NK are Treating London to an Experiential Activation
AI-Native Store Research
Vusion and Qualcomm Released the AI-Native Store™ White Paper
Nostalgia-Powered Retail
Zellers Revives a Canadian Favorite With New Ontario Stores
Future-Facing Food Retailer Ranges
The Ocado Future of Food Edit Aisle Spotlights Modern Varieties
Local Restaurant Activations
Pepsi Hosts Community Events to Drive Restaurant Discovery
Elevated Casual Fashion
RetailMeNot Spotlights Capri Pants as a Versatile Summer Staple
Experience-Focused Retail Carts
Target Redesigned Shopping Carts for Comfort and Convenience
Dedicated Outlet Shopping Initiatives
Simon Premium Outlets is Hosting a Four-Day Shopping Event
Strategic Reward-Focused Retail Campaigns
WeShop Launches 'Shopping Starts Here' Campaign
Australian Designer Pop-Ups
WeWearAustralian Opens its WeWearAustralian Soho Store
Educational Running-Focused Activations
The Running Event Opens a Call for Education Sessions
Data-Led Brand Creation
AS Watson Builds Brands Using Shopper Insights and Loyalty Data
Retail Marketing Advancements
Westfield Rise Debuts a Programmatic Targeting Solution For Malls
Marketplace Showrooms
StockX Combines Shopping, Seller Services and Community Events in New York
Global Sourcing-Focused Innovation Events
Made-In-China.com Hosted the Amazing April 2026 Event
Store-In-Store Fandom Retail
DICK'S and Lids Create Dedicated Fan Destinations Across U.S. Stores
Retail Conversation Marketing Campaigns
Tesco Launches 'Need Anything From Tesco' Platform
Discovery-Led Beauty Zones
Watsons Launches BeautyVerse And Jubilee Wellness Corners