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
AR Retail Kiosks
BIG Digital and DeepAR Bring Mobile & Desktop Try-Ons to Store Settings
Handheld K-Beauty Devices
APR Corp. is Bringing Advanced K-Beauty Tech to CES 2024
Doll-Themed Fashion Collections
Bloomingdale’s Celebrates the Barbie Movie with New Capsule
Hands-Free Footwear Stores
Kizik Announced the Debut of a First-of-Its-Kind Store at CES 2023
Teddy Bear Outerwear
Build-A-Bear Cuddly Couture Shares Cozy, Warm Styles
AI-Generated Fashion Campaigns
Casablanca Spring/Summer 2023 Conveys a Hopeful Future
Grocery Store Runway Shows
Lidl Created a Runway Show Inspired by London Fashion Week
Interactive Arcade Storefronts
JD & Snap London Created an AR Storefront for Christmas
Next-Gen Sneaker Stores
Foot Locker's Store of the Future Concept is Bolder and Easier to Shop
Bag-Modeling AR Mirrors
Coach's Digital Experience Lets Shoppers Digitally Try Its Tabby Bag
Kid-Powered Imagination Campaigns
Lunchables' A.I. vs K.I. Proves Kids' Limitless Creativity
90s-Inspired Plush Toys
Rubies Launches the 'Kidrobot' Plush Toy Collection for Kids and Kidults
All-Pink Corner Shops
The Proper x Barbie Shop Shares Co-Branded Popcorn Packs
Retro Sci-Fi Clothing Collections
These UNIQLO x Star Wars Styles Celebrate May the Fourth
Pop-Up Luggage Retail Activations
This Antler Retail Pop-Up is at Selfridges London
Contemporary Engaging Stores
New Balance Opens Unique Retail Concept Store on in Boston
Playful Entrepreneurial Metaverses
e.l.f. UP! on Roblox Helps Gen Z & Gen Alpha Build Skills
AI-Powered Shopping Apps
Shoptrue Curates Personalized Fashion Picks with Artificial Intelligence
In-Store Beauty Sampling Kiosks
Ulta Beauty and SOS are Partnering to Promote Product Discovery
AI-Powered Shopping Tools
Google AI Now Allows Shoppers to Browse AI Product Recommendations
Creative Play Pop-Ups
The Sharpie Studio Offered Opportunities for Creativity at SXSW
Interactive In-Store Ads
Visibubble Brings Mobile Messaging Capabilities to Store Shelves
Consumption-Inspired Fashion Capsules
LOUTRE snd Dover Street Market Work on a New Capsule
Multi-Brand Virtual Malls
Bloomingdale’s Virtual Experience Spotlights Beloved Brands
AI-Powered Virtual Closets
Stylitics' Products Support Next-Gen Personalized Shopping
Digital Celeb Shopping Experiences
This Walmart Digital Shopping Experience Has Customized Carts
Nostalgic Toy-Inspired Fashion Collections
rue21 is Collaborating with Barbie® and Hot Wheels®
In-Airport Toy Retailers
Toys R Us is Expanding its Retail Presence with Up to 24 Airport Stores
Gen Alpha Marketing Campaigns
Claire's is Targeting TikTok Growth for its Latest Ads Spending
Experiential Mental Well-Being Events
Batiste's Refresh & Reflect Events Connect & Uplift Students
Shoe Retailer AI Apps
SuperStep Partnered with 'IMSHOP' to Create a Convenient Mobile App
AR Retailer Haircare Experiences
Walmart Beauty Virtual Try-On Now Includes Hair Color Products
GenAI Virtual Shoppers
Cindy by Imaginuity Boots Online and In-Store Foot Traffic
Content-Inspired Physical Retail Experience
Netflix House Creates a Space for Fans to Buy Merch
Playful Restaurant Pop-Ups
The Play-Doh Restaurant of Imagination Turns Kids' Creations Edible
AR Shopping Malls
American Express' Door to Shop Small Highlights 10 Small Businesses
Rejuvenating Springtime Cosmetics
The Tree Hut In Bloom Collection Has New and Returning Favorites
Conscious Shopping Promotions
Hey Harper is Holding 40% Sales Throughout November
Seasonal Autumn Treats
Target Launches a Fall-Themed Private Label Sweets Collection
Playful Retail Pop-Up Installations
Selfridges Unveils the Joke Shop with a Slapstick Generator
Runway-Inspired Fashion Dolls
New York Fashion Week Designs Inspire the L.U.V. Fashion Doll Styles
Augmented Reality Stores
Zero10 is Debuting Its AR Store Prototype at Viva Technology in Paris
Magazine-Integrated QR Features
ARCADE Launches the ELLE x Clarks Shoe Visualiser and Experience
Luxury Department Store Takeovers
Burberry and Harrods Offer an Immersive Shopping Experience
AI-Powered Snack Shops
The Aramark Quick Eats Store Has a Checkout-Free Layout
Inspiring Multi-Shop Pop-Ups
Pinterest's Possibility Place Immerses Guests in Inspiration
Gen Alpha Fitness Influencers
ASICS' Little Reminders Inspires Adults to Make Movement Joyful
Historic Fashion Try-Ons
The Design Museum's London Fashion Exhibition Integrates AR Mirrors
Heiress-Created Homeware Collections
Walmart is Launching Paris Hilton's Be An Icon Collection
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Smart Shopping Cart Ads
Instacart Unveiled Ads for Its AI-Powered Caper Carts
AI Mother's Day Campaigns
Showcase is Simplifying Mother's Day Shopping with ChatGPT
Iconic Toy Retailer Expansions
Toys"R"Us Canada Amplifies Retail Presence Ahead of Holiday Season
Interactive Play Experiences
LEGO's Superpower Academy Connects Families with the Power of Play
Plush Footwear Pop-Ups
The Monster Den by On Shares the Joy of Running
AI-Powered Retail Tools
Walmart is Introducing a New Series of AI Tools for Customer Experience
Sci-Fi Series Metaverse Activations
H&M is Launching an Experience Within H&M Loooptopia on Roblox
E-retailer Fashion Pop-ups
The SHEIN Pop-up Shop Experience Opens March 23 at the Eaton Centre
Y2K Shopping Pop-Ups
Klarna's House of Y2K Explores the Evolution of Shopping Since the 2000s
Celebratory Disney-Inspired Collections
Forever 21 Celebrates Disney's 100th Anniversary
Renovated Accessories Flagship Stores
The Boyy Flagship Store Gets Another Refurbishment
Expansive Easter Product Ranges
The Mars Wrigley Easter 2024 Range Has Eight New Products
Virtual Body Care Stores
Tatcha Debuted a Virtual Store Powered by Emperia
Low-Cost Private Brand Treats
These Favorite Day Easter Products are Exclusively at Target
Educational Plush Toys
Slumberkins' 'Dragon Egg Hatchlings' Toys Inspire Emotional Development
Mixed-Reality Shopping Apps
StockX Launched an Immersive Way to Shop with the Apple Vision Pro
AI-Powered Marketing Tools
This E-Commerce Tool Uses Customer Data to Project Reward Impacts
Tech-Driven In-Store Events
Dyson Launches an Interactive Event at Harrods Department Store
Beauty Brand Accelerator Programs
Walmart Start™ Returns to Discover Next Gen Beauty Brands
Play-Based Learning Collections
Staples Launches the Curated Kids Learn + Play Collection
Community Commerce Pop-Ups
TikTok Shop UK Opened a Pop-Up on London's Oxford Street
Curated Online Shopping Events
Walmart+ is Offering an Online-Only Shopping Event for Members
Exclusive Women-Celebrating Apparel Collections
Foot Locker Launches Women’s History Month Apparel
Gen Alpha-Targeted Ice Cream Trucks
Unilever Taps Robomart to Launch 'The Ice Cream Shop'
Phygital Fashion Retail Experiences
Macy's mstylelab Digital Shopping Platform is Immersive
Brand-Led Global Studies
The LEGO Group Conducted a Study That May Inform Market Decisions
AR Fragrance Campaigns
Lacoste's Two-Day Experiential Pop-Up Targets Gen Z Shoppers
Live Commerce Holiday Windows
TalkShopLive's WindowShopping Merges Physical & Digital Experiences
Historical Doll-Themed Wardrobes
Consumers Can Rent Barbie's Dream Wardrobe Through Selfridges
Forward-Thinking Wedding Pop-Ups
Anthropologie Weddings x Pinterest Shares Emerging Styles
Eco Tech Accessory Pop-Ups
The CASETiFY Style Lab Highlights the Work of Gen Z Fashion Students
Fan-Made Merch Stores
The Wonder Shop Shares a Mix of Creator-Made Goods and Recipes
Retro Family Photoshoots
Blue Bunny is Inviting Families to Pop-Up 90s-Themed Photoshoots
Easter-Inspired Baby Collections
Magnetic Me's Easter Shop is Filled with Playful Spring Styles
Product Exploration Retailer Tools
These New Instacart Discovery Tools Connect Brands to Retailers
Wellness-Focused Retailer Ranges
Target is Welcoming More Than 1,000 Wellness Products
Prom Fashion Pop-Ups
House of Prom is a Limited-Time Pop-Up for Prom Goers
Shoppable Luxury Fashion Films
Tom Ford Allows Consumers to Seamlessly Shop Its Spring 2024 RTW
90s Toy Holiday Trees
Furbtrees are Introducing the Next Generation of Furby Across the UK
Adventure Travel Pop-Up Stores
Craghoppers Has Unveiled a Boutique Store in Kildare Village
Revamped Private Label Ranges
The Target up&up Collection Has Been Expanded and Updated
Omnichannel Grocery Technologies
Instacart Launches the New Omnichannel Solutions for Grocers
Film-Themed Retailer Collections
Target x Disney The Little Mermaid Collection Arrives This Month
Digital Delivery Service Storefronts
Instacart Storefront Lets Retailers Customize the Interface
AI-Generated Shopping Campaigns
Sandton City's Latest Campaign Integrates Smart Technology
AR Secondhand Shops
American Eagle Outfitters' RE/AE Shop Spotlights Sustainable Goods
AI-Generated Model Tests
Levi's is Experimenting with AI-Generated Models for E-Commerce Channels
Life-Size In-Store Countdowns
Toys R Us Asia and Craig & Karl Created an Advent Calendar for All
Beauty-Focused Shopping Apps
The 'Trendio' Live Shopping App Offers Access to Beauty Content
Elevated Contemporary Sportswear Lines
Admiral Sporting Goods Co. Re-Interprets Classic Designs
Purposeful Gifting Pop-Ups
The Body Shop's Advent of Change Pop-Up Shares Gifts That Give Back
Spring-Ready Fashion Editorials
The Garbstore Presents its New Campaign for the SS23 Season
90s-Inspired Tween Fashion
John Lewis' New Collection Will Outfit Gen Alpha
DIY Kid-Focused Metaverses
Home Depot Launches its Kids Workshops Metaverse on Roblox
Miniature Collectible Campaigns
The World’s Smallest Lines are the Focus of Influencer Marketing
Anti-Bullying Toy Store Campaigns
Toys “R” Us Joins WITS Programs Foundation for Pink Shirt Day
Exclusive Hat Stores
Lids Hat Drop Offers First Access to Limited-Edition Drops
Doll-Inspired Kids Collections
The PatPat x Barbie Collection Features About 60 Unique Styles
Preppy Collaborative Retail Capsules
JW Anderson and Uniqlo Continue Their Ongoing Collaboration
Innovative SCO Kiosks
Austrian Brand Shopreme Debuts a New Self-Checkout Kiosk for Retailers
Sleek Kid-Oriented Apparel
Authentic Brands Group Partners with Kidz Concepts for Aéropostale Kids
Active Lifestyle Retailer Ranges
The Sports Edit on M&S Now Features Reebok and Puma
Newly Renovated Fashion Stores
NEIGHBORHOOD Recently Re-Opened Its Shibuya Flagship Store
Conversation-Encouraging Retail Spaces
PlayLab Inc Creates a Flagship Store for MadHappy
Digital Retailer Strategy Updates
This Walmart eCommerce Update Refreshes the Website and App
Efficiency-Driven Digital Ad Solutions
ShopLiftr is Revolutionizing Digital Advertising
Personalized Grocery Billboard Campaigns
Tesco Ireland Gets a New Live-Prompt Campaign
Exclusive Subscription-Based Merchandise
Disney+ Expands Into E-Commerce with a Merch Shop
Mother Daughter Sun Apparel
WATSKIN's Spring 2024 Collection - Drop 4 Launches May 3rd
Offline Shopping Campaigns
'Shop Offline' Helps People Rediscover the Joy of Real-World Shopping
Unpredictable Fashion Collections
Our Legacy Debuts Its Spring 2024 Line, Titled 'Snow in April'
Tween-Friendly Apparel Capsules
John Lewis Debuts its First Tween Fashion Collection for Ages 7-12
AI-Powered Search Features
Shop Premium Outlets Enhances its Online Shopping with AI-Powered Tools
Pastel Palette Retail Stores
Aro Archive Opens Up a New Store Location in Shoreditch
AR-Enabled Google Tools
Google Launches a Slew of New Features for Search, Shopping, and Maps
AR-Powered Shopping Apps
Walmart Releases a New Augmented Reality Feature for its iOS Application
Seasonally Shaped Springtime Treats
The Mars Wrigley 2023 Easter Range is Expansive
Home Decor Apps
Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen Launch Mobile Apps for E-Commerce Sales
Halloween-Inspired Retail Capsules
Target Debuts a New Private-Label Halloween Capsule for October
Offline Community Marketplaces
Aerie’s Hidden Gem Marketplace Created a Shared Space for Brands
Immersive Spring-Themed Exhibits
Colors in Bloom Features 12 Immersive Rooms
Retailer-Backed Holiday Experiences
J. Crew Launches a New AI-Powered Holiday Experience
Adventure-Inspired Editorials
HBX Has Debuted a New Lookbook with Items from Well-Known Brands
Minimally Designed Store Openings
London Opens its Door at the New Self-Portrait Store in Chelsea
Confectionary Candy Debuts
Hancocks Debuts a Series of Candies for the Autumn Season
Growth-Inspired Spring-Ready Fashion
FACETASM's Coming of Age Capsule Readies for SS24
Summer-Ready Boutique Shops
Urban Outfitters Unveils a New Dress Boutique Pop Up Opening in April
Inclusive Try-On Programs
Perfect Corp. Connects Beauty Brands with Digital Beauty Innovation
Festive Value-Minded Retail Campaigns
The Spar BIG Deal of Christmas Campaign Launches This Month
Locally Focused Footwear Stores
The Athlete's Foot Opened a Neighborhood Concept Store in Atlanta