At each edition of Playtime Paris, we team up with a buyer to be able to see the show through their eyes. For the Summer 2025 edition, we’re teaming up with Brigitte and Robin, an aunt and niece who each have their own kid’s store called Little Department Store.

These expert buyers have been visiting Playtime for years, and will be back again at the end of June. Before we follow their experience at the show, we wanted to learn more about each of their Little Department Stores, how they started, and how they curate their offer. Let’s meet Brigitte, Robin, and their Little Department Stores!

Robin (left) and Brigitte (right) in front of Little Department Store Rotterdam

Hi Brigitte and Robin! Can you please introduce yourselves?

Brigitte: In 2017, I was working an office job when I found myself ready for something new. Around this time, I visited my favorite shop, Little Department Store, to get a coat for my daughter, when the owner told me this would be her last season. I immediately thought to myself that I wanted to take over, so we started talking about it and a few months later, I took over the Little Department Store in Rotterdam.

Robin: As for my location, after the birth of my daughter in 2021, I started traveling a lot to the Netherlands. During these visits, I noticed that there were so many lovely children’s stores full of special clothing, toys, and accessories that were hard to find in Germany. Every visit was a little treasure hunt that inspired me, always bringing home a bit of the joy I’d find.

After two years of parental leave, it was time for me to go back to work. I came from a retail background,  so I thought to myself why not combine the two? With my love for beautiful children’s products and my experience in sales, the idea of starting my own shop was born.

Since my aunt had been running a children’s shop for years already, I was able to gain completely different, valuable insight into this special industry. Her experience, her sense for the trends, and her passion for good quality further encouraged me to pursue this path and open Little Department Store Munich.

What wonderful origin stories! Why did you decide to open your store under the same name, Robin?

Robin: Why the same name? It’s simple: if there are going to be two children’s shops in the family, why not have them under the same name! I loved the idea of continuing something that my aunt had already built with so much passion and love.

Brigitte: When Robin told me about her plans, the first question I asked was “What are you going to call it?” She said she’d like to call it Little Department Store as well, if that was okay with me. I immediately loved the idea! And why not? There’s so much to figure out already when starting a new business, so I was happy to help a little. And having the same name and style is so much fun! Being an entrepreneur can be lonely sometimes, and now it feels like I have a business partner.

We love it, why not indeed! How do you curate your selections? Do you work on them together?

Brigitte: The main focus for both of us is sustainability. The brands should have a good story to tell, and we like sustainable brands that are still affordable. We have a lot of the same brands, but not all of them. I like to stand out with our brands, so I don’t like to have the same ones that other shops in Rotterdam carry. We talk about everything!

Little Department Store Rotterdam

How fun to work together on it all! Can you tell us about the customer service in your stores? What are some of the most common questions you get asked?

Brigitte: We both like a personal approach, and we each have a lot of regular customers. There’s always time for a nice chat, and some customers have even become friends! That’s the advantage of being located outside the city center in a family-friendly neighborhood.

The most common questions we get are: “How are you?”, “What size should I choose?”, “What’s a good gift for a newborn or toddler?” and “Is this a sustainable product?”

That makes sense! What category is a bestseller?

Brigitte and Robin: The bestselling category is gifts for newborn babies!

Are there similarities and differences between your customers, even though they’re in different countries?

Robin: For me, I find that German customers are more focused on sustainability, while Brigitte finds the Dutch customers are more open to adopting new trends. Both our German and Dutch customers are always looking for quality and practicality.

When it’s time to do your buying trips, do you go together?

Robin: Since I opened my own shop, it’s become a little tradition for us. Twice a year, we meet in Paris and visit Playtime together. For us, it’s more than just a trade show visit — it’s a mix of family time, inspiration, a bit of shopping, and, of course, a bit of work.

We interact intensively there, discovering new brands together, discussing trends, and giving each other feedback. If one of us can’t make it, we naturally stay in touch and share our discoveries. It’s really nice to have this experience together, rather than alone. It’s nice to share with someone who has the same passion, and within the family too!

Brigitte: We’re always supporting each other. For example, if a Dutch brand that Robin is interested in isn’t at Playtime, I’ll FaceTime her from the showroom to help her make her selection that way.

We love the teamwork! Are there any brands you’re particularly excited to meet this summer?

Brigitte and Robin: All the brands! It’s so nice to meet up and chat with the designers. A lot of brands work with agents, but at the trade show the designers are present.

Robin: We absolutely recommend other buyers visit Playtime. It’s so nice to meet with the people behind the brands, and to see them all together. It really helps to get an overall perspective.

We’re so happy you feel that way! Is there any advice you’d give a buyer visiting the show for the first time?

Brigitte: Take your time! It can be quite overwhelming, so go for several days and let everything sink in calmly.

That’s great advice! What catches your attention when you’re walking the aisles?

Robin: What strikes us every time we walk through the aisles of Playtime is the incredible creativity. So many booths are designed with so much love, there’s passion in every detail. It’s almost like a little walk through another world: everything is so beautifully decorated, inspiring, and full of new ideas. Most trade shows are not like that!

Robin (left) and Brigitte (right) buying together

Thank you so much for your kind words!

One last question: What are your goals for your stores?

Robin: I just started two years ago, so there is still room for growth. I would also like to grow my online presence more.

Brigitte: I hope I will still be doing this with the same fun and passion I do now, because I find it the best job in the world!

Thank you so much to Brigitte and Robin for sharing the stories of how their Little Department Store started and where they’re headed! We can’t wait to meet up with them in Paris to see the show through their eyes. Stay tuned for sneak peeks of their visit during the show on the @iloveplaytime Instagram, and there will be another article coming soon to share their favorite discoveries of the season!

Fellow buyers can get their pass to join Brigitte, Robin, and thousands of other buyers from around the world at Playtime Paris June 28-30!

All images provided by the Little Department Store Rotterdam and Little Department Store Munich 

Header image of Little Department Store Rotterdam