Capturing the joy of childhood, CAMP launches children's e-commerce platform

As shopping moves online and cash becomes less available, children’s retailer CAMP has launched an e-commerce platform to capture the joy of a childhood perk digitally.

Launched in December 2018, CAMP is a RIS Hot Retail Startup of 2020, operating five retail locations in New York, Texas, and Connecticut, and serving families through its digital platform. Now CAMP has launched Present Shop, which it claims is the “first” e-commerce platform where kids can shop safely online.

"Adults used to give kids some 'go-around' money to treat themselves, but now, kids can't use cash online and there are few real-world stores that can safely offer toys, gifts and snacks to kids," said Ben Kaufman, CEO of CAMP. CAMP's gift shop rekindles the magic that kids feel when they walk through a mall with a $10 bill.

Present Shop is primarily targeted at kids ages 3-12 who are looking to buy gifts for themselves or for others, such as parents, teachers or friends. Present Shop complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), allowing kids to understand the value of their choices.

Here's how it works: A parent or guardian visits camp.com/present to select an activity, budget, shipping and payment information. Kids are given a unique, one-time code to enter the gift shop and start shopping.

Rather than working like a gift card, where parents may still have to explain to young children how much they have left, or how much two or more items add up, the parent's budget is converted into digital "coins." Children enter a game-like interface that allows them to pick gifts until they run out of coins.

CAMP’s animated mascot, Scout, guides kids through the shopping experience with a series of visual and audio cues. For gift purchases, kids can also design a greeting card, which is printed and packaged in a custom gift box and shipped directly to the recipient.

New e-commerce platforms offer a modern shopping experience for kids while also allowing parents to save time and money.

CAMP

child

E-commerce