8 Visual Merchandising Tips for Children’s Retailers This Summer

Summer stock is arriving in stores, the school holidays are approaching and Christmas shopping is just around the corner. For children’s fashion, toy and gifting retailers, this is one of the most important times of the year to review how products are presented in-store.

Effective visual merchandising does not always require a complete store makeover. A few thoughtful changes can help customers notice new arrivals, discover complementary products and choose gifts more easily.

Here are eight practical merchandising ideas to help your summer collections, toys and gifts stand out during the busy school-holiday and Christmas shopping period.

1. Create a strong summer feature

Give your summer essentials a prominent position near the front of your store or in another high-traffic area.

For children’s boutiques, this could include swimwear, sun hats, towels, sandals and lightweight clothing. Bringing these products together creates a clear seasonal story and immediately shows customers that your store is ready for summer.

Use a feature table, clothing rack or wall display to highlight your newest arrivals and bestselling summer products. Keep the area simple enough that customers can easily see what is available.

2. Merchandise products by how they are used

Instead of displaying every product strictly by brand or category, consider how families will use the products in real life.

Display children’s swimwear with coordinating sun hats, towels, sandals and beach accessories. Pair a baby outfit with a comforter, soft toy or practical feeding product to create a ready-made gift idea.

This approach helps customers imagine the products together and can naturally encourage additional purchases.

3. Style complete outfits and gift combinations

Customers are often more likely to purchase when they can see a complete idea rather than individual products.

For fashion retailers, style coordinated outfits that include clothing, footwear and accessories. If you sell toys and gifts, create small bundles around a theme, age group or occasion.

Some examples could include:

• A baby shower gift featuring a bodysuit, blanket and soft toy

• A beach-ready outfit with swimwear, a sun hat and towel

• A toddler gift combining a backpack, drink bottle and activity toy

• A Christmas gift idea featuring a doll, accessory and matching clothing

These displays make shopping easier and can increase the value of each purchase.

4. Make Christmas gift shopping simple

Christmas customers are often busy, short on time and looking for guidance. Make their shopping experience easier by creating clearly defined gift areas.

Group suitable products by age, interest or price point, such as:

• Gifts under $30

• Baby’s first Christmas

• Gifts for toddlers

• Stocking fillers

• Gifts for older children

• Summer holiday essentials

Clear signage can help customers quickly find an appropriate gift without needing to search through the entire store.

Consider placing smaller, affordable products near your counter. Hair accessories, small toys, comforters, socks and other add-on items can work well as stocking fillers and last-minute purchases.

5. Give your strongest products the best position

Place bestselling products, new arrivals and important seasonal items where adult shoppers can easily see them.

Adult eye level is valuable space for products you particularly want customers to notice. Touch-friendly toys and children’s products can be displayed slightly lower so younger shoppers can see and engage with them.

Avoid placing your most important products too high, too low or in areas where they could be hidden behind other stock.

6. Use height to create visual interest

Flat displays can quickly become difficult to notice, particularly when products are similar in size.

Use shelves, risers, hooks, display boxes and different fixture heights to create layers. This allows more products to be seen without making the display feel overcrowded.

For toys and gifts, vary the height of boxes and products. For fashion, use hanging rails, shelves and mannequins together to show the complete collection.

Good lighting is also important. Make sure your featured products are well-lit and not hidden in dark corners or shadows.

7. Keep displays full, tidy and fresh

Empty gaps can make even a popular collection appear overlooked. Regularly refill sold products, straighten clothing and tidy shelves throughout the day.

If a style is selling quickly, move the remaining stock together so the display continues to look intentional. Replenish popular sizes and colours early where possible, rather than waiting until the range is almost sold out.

Move slower-selling products into new outfit combinations or themed displays. Sometimes a product simply needs to be presented in a different way for customers to notice it.

Refreshing your front table, window or feature area regularly also gives repeat customers something new to discover.

8. Use lifestyle imagery to tell the story

Lifestyle images help customers picture children wearing or using the products.

Use campaign imagery near swimwear, fashion collections, toys and gifting displays. A photograph showing several coordinated products together can also help customers understand the wider collection and inspire add-on purchases.

Lifestyle images are particularly useful when the product’s benefits are not immediately obvious on the shelf. They can show the fit of a garment, the size of a toy or how different pieces work together.

Prepare now for the busy selling period

The lead-up to the school holidays and Christmas is the ideal time to review your store layout, refresh seasonal displays and identify any gaps in bestselling products.

Start with one high-impact area, such as your front table, summer wall or Christmas gifting display. Keep it clear, well-stocked and easy to shop.

Small merchandising changes can make a meaningful difference by helping customers discover more of your range and making their shopping experience feel simpler and more enjoyable.

Knee High Agencies represents a carefully selected collection of baby and children’s fashion, footwear, toys, accessories and gifting brands across Western Australia. WA retailers are welcome to contact Renae for product information, in-season availability, reorder assistance or an appointment at the Osborne Park showroom.