The trend of retailers selling high-heels to young girls has parenting groups concerned that children are being sexualised prematurely.

The trend, which can be traced back to the three-year-old daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise – Suri – has seen high street shops target the new audience, after Suri has been photographed regularly sporting sparkled heels. Next, GapKids and Asda are all among the major retailers to offer heels for tots.

However, some parent’s groups have declared that some of the footwear on sale was more appropriate for a lap-dancing setting rather than the kindergarten, leading them to claim that such items prematurely sexualise young children. Retailers are being encouraged to take a closer look at what they are offering and ask themselves – is it really appropriate?

Tesco has also come under fire for selling a school shoe with a two-inch heel, which can be detrimental to the growth of a young child whose feet are still developing. While it is accepted than children mimic adults, the fear is that they may be growing up too fast too soon, according to the group mumsnet, which has launched a campaign – Let Girls Be Girls – to get retailers to sign a new code of practice agreeing not to prematurely sexualise young kids.

Fellow parenting group Netmums also suggested that putting a three-year-old into heels is a recipe for disaster, with young girls likely to topple over and cause themselves an injury. Podiatrists have roundly denounced the practice of children in heels, claiming that anything over 2cm may affect growth and development.

One of the world’s leading retailers is forecasting a run on products in its international stores should those countries make the World Cup play-offs.

Wal-Mart operates in eight of the 32 nations that have made it to the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, and is bracing itself for a boom if the national football team is successful.

Rick Bendel, the international chief marketing officer for Wal-Mart, said that revenue at outlets which had been in operation for a minimum of 12 months before the finals could anticipate a growth of between two and four per cent – with an additional one to two per cent expected if the national team makes the semi-finals.

Bendel said the tournament was a huge television event, and products associated with television such as TV sets, couches, food, drinks and memorabilia would all expect to sell heavily over the tournament. Bendel also suggested that in the UK Asda, which operates under the parentage of Wal-Mart, could benefit from extra revenue in the hundreds of millions of pounds.

FIFA have signed an exclusive agreement for World Cup merchandise with Wal-Mart through a subsidiary, leaving the retailer in the prime position of being able to capitalise on sales of items such as official footballs, beer mugs and plates.

Wal-Mart has stores in 14 countries outside of its US home, with Brazil, Argentina, Japan and Mexico all featuring at the World Cup, while the English team is sponsored by rival supermarket giant Tesco.