The TikTok Effect: How Viral Trends Are Changing Visual Merchandising

The Speed of Product Discovery Today

The evolution of social media has put retail cycles into overdrive. TikTok, in particular, has become a powerful launchpad for products, with over 1.04 billion active monthly users. Brands across industries are capitalizing on the platform’s ability to spark viral moments and, in turn, high demand.

Traditionally, it could take anywhere from 6 to 24 months for a product to go from concept to store shelf. But in the TikTok era, brands need to move much faster. The average viral trend lasts just 5–10 days before attention shifts. And with 42% of Gen Z consumers in the U.S. discovering new products on TikTok, the need for speed has never been more critical—especially in visual merchandising.

Below are a few real-world examples of brands that had to quickly respond to viral demand in physical stores:

• Popmart’s Labubu Dolls

The infamous “Labubu” dolls went viral on TikTok (1.4M+ posts), leading to chaotic scenes in UK stores. Popmart was forced to halt in-store sales to ensure shopper safety. A company spokesperson later confirmed they were “working on a new release mechanism that is better structured and more equitable for everyone involved.

Takeaway: Brands need agile store layouts and crowd-control strategies when demand spikes unexpectedly.

Halara’s Pop-Up Stores

Last year, TikTok-famous athleisure brand Halara opened a pop-up in NYC’s Soho neighborhood to connect with new and existing customers IRL. This move mirrors a broader trend among Gen Z–focused brands like Edikted and Cider, who are testing physical retail to create immersive brand experiences.

Takeaway: Temporary store formats offer a low-risk way to translate TikTok buzz into real-world engagement and can be optimized with flexible fixture setups and trend-responsive visuals.

Tini’s Mac & Cheese in Walmart

After chef influencer Tineke Younger shared her viral mac and cheese recipe on TikTok, one surprising ingredient stood out: Nestlé’s evaporated milk. That led to a collaboration between Younger and Nestlé’s Carnation brand, resulting in a limited-edition Kickin’ Jalapeño Flavored Evaporated Milk. While it’s currently available online, Walmart is planning to stock shelves by September 2025 to meet demand.

Takeaway: Even everyday grocery items can go viral. Endcaps, influencer-themed signage, and clear product placement help reinforce social media moments in store.

How Can Your Brand Stay Ready?

You never know which product might take off next! It’s smart to prepare ahead of time. Start by asking:

You can do all of the above with IWD!

IWD helps brands stay ready for these viral moments with intuitive 2D and 3D planogram tools. With IWD, you can quickly build, adjust, and deploy updated layouts across store networks, helping your team act fast and stay aligned.

Want to future-proof your merchandising strategy?
Discover how IWD helps brands keep pace with trends and stay visually relevant in real time.