Retail Merchandising and Buying Intern

AMPed Discovery Play Space – Troy, MI
Inclusive, sensory-friendly play space for children ages 0–6

AMPed Discovery Play Space is looking for a Retail Merchandising & Buying Intern to help build and develop our small boutique retail area. This is an ideal opportunity for students interested in merchandising, retail buying, early childhood products, entrepreneurship, or design who want hands-on experience in a real retail environment with meaningful creative input.

This is a small, growing retail operation — which means your work will truly matter.

What You’ll Do

Product Research & Curation

• Research children’s products that align with our calming, Montessori-inspired, sensory-friendly aesthetic.
• Identify wholesale vendors, local makers, and potential consignment partners.
• Present weekly curated product suggestions (pricing, photos, vendor notes).

Visual Merchandising

• Assist with designing and refreshing displays in two small retail areas.
• Learn how to make small spaces visually appealing and shopper-friendly.
• Support seasonal and thematic merchandising concepts.

Online Retail Support

• Help upload and organize products on our website.
• Suggest improvements to product descriptions, categories, and presentation.
• Learn how e-commerce supports in-store retail success.

What You’ll Learn (Resume-Ready Skills)

• Boutique merchandising and display styling
• Retail sourcing and vendor relations
• Product selection strategy for early childhood retail
• Small-business retail operations
• E-commerce basics
• Portfolio-building merchandising examples

Who Should Apply

This internship is great for students studying:

• Fashion Merchandising
• Retail Management
• Marketing
• Design
• Early Childhood Education
• Business / Entrepreneurship

No prior experience is required. Curiosity, creativity, and initiative are what matter most.

Ideal Candidate Traits

• Strong visual sense and interest in Montessori/sensory-friendly design
• Organized and comfortable researching products/vendors
• Self-directed and creative
• Interested in boutique retail environments
• Enjoys brainstorming ideas for small retail spaces

Success in This Role Looks Like:

• Well-curated product recommendations
• Attractive, cohesive retail displays
• Increased parent interest in our retail area
• More products added to the website
• Improved sales through better product selection and presentation