Spring and summer bring a shift in shopping habits, as consumers look for fresh, trend-driven products that fit the season. For retailers, effective seasonal merchandise planning is crucial to maximising sales during these high-traffic months. From the resurgence of Britpop fashion to the rise of festival and outdoor-ready merchandise, aligning licensed products with consumer demand can set retailers apart.

Here’s how to plan ahead, tap into seasonal trends, and make the most of Spring/Summer 2025.

Why Seasonal Merchandise Planning Matters

Consumer behaviour shifts with the seasons, influencing everything from fashion trends to demand for licensed accessories. According to Statista, apparel sales consistently spike in spring and summer, driven by lightweight fabrics, festival fashion, and nostalgic styles.

Beyond fashion, lifestyle trends also play a role—festival-goers, holidaymakers, and sports fans all look for licensed products that complement their activities. By planning ahead, retailers can capitalise on these shopping habits and maximise revenue.

5 Steps to Effective Seasonal Merchandise Planning

1. Identify Key Spring/Summer 2025 Trends

Understanding what consumers are looking for is step one. Here are the standout trends for 2025:

• The Britpop Revival – With Oasis reuniting, 90s-inspired bucket hats, parkas, and bold logo tees are making a comeback. According to Vogue Business, nostalgia-driven fashion is set to dominate UK retail.

• Festival & Outdoor-Ready Merchandise – With summer festivals growing in popularity, demand for licensed crossbody bags, sunglasses, and breathable clothing is rising. Retailers can prepare by curating collections that fit this lifestyle, as highlighted by The Holborn.

• Coastal & Utility Aesthetics – The fisherman aesthetic is gaining traction, merging nautical themes with practical fashion. Expect interest in maritime-inspired pieces like striped tees and cargo-style accessories, as noted in InStyle’s trend forecast.

Retailers should align their licensed merchandise with these trends to meet evolving consumer preferences.

2. Review Past Seasonal Performance

Looking at previous sales data helps retailers understand which products and categories performed well in past spring/summer seasons. Consider:

• Best-selling licensed items in previous warm-weather months

• Consumer engagement data from seasonal campaigns and promotions

• Slow-moving stock that may indicate a need for adjustments

Retailers who leverage past data can refine their 2025 strategy, ensuring they stock products that align with demand.

3. Balance Core & Trend-Driven Products

A strong seasonal merchandise plan includes both:

✅ Core licensed products that perform well year-round (e.g. staple character T-shirts, water bottles, tote bags)
✅ Limited-time, trend-driven collections that create urgency and exclusivity (special-edition festival merch, Britpop-inspired apparel, nautical accessories)

Balancing staple products with seasonal exclusives ensures a strong, adaptable product range.

4. Optimise Your Retail Displays

Spring and summer are the perfect time to refresh visual merchandising strategies. Retailers can:

• Highlight trend-led collections with seasonal displays

• Create dedicated festival & holiday-themed sections to capture impulse buyers

• Incorporate sustainable display solutions, which are increasingly popular among eco-conscious shoppers, as reported by Made in Britain.

A well-optimised store layout encourages customers to explore and engage with the latest collections.

5. Plan Promotions & Marketing Around Seasonal Events

Timing is everything. Aligning merchandise with key cultural moments and seasonal events boosts visibility and sales. Retailers should plan marketing campaigns around:

📌 Festival Season (May–August) – Promote music-inspired licensed apparel & accessories for major UK festivals like Glastonbury & Reading
📌 Sports Events (Wimbledon, FIFA Club World Cup amongst others) – Feature licensed sports merchandise & apparel
📌 Summer Holiday Shopping – Push travel-friendly licensed merch like backpacks & drinkware

A seasonal promotional calendar ensures retailers are ready to capitalise on peak shopping moments.

How Pyramid International Can Help

At Pyramid International, we make seasonal licensing strategies simple, offering:

• UK-Based Manufacturing for quick restocks and sustainable production

• Print-on-Demand Services to adapt to fast-moving trends without overstocking

• Retail Displays that enhance in-store merchandising.

Want to optimise your seasonal licensed merchandise for Spring/Summer 2025? Get in touch.