You’ve heard it called “Temporary Retail”, “Flash Retailing”, “Pop-Up Store”, or “Pop-Up Shop”, it is all one and the same. Pop-Up Shops are becoming more popular and are a regular fixture in today’s retail world. These stores are enhancing the presence of traditional brick-and-mortar and big-box stores, as well as creating a physical local for on-line stores. But what exactly is a shop that pops up?
Pop-Up Shops began as early as the 1990s in large urban cities such as Tokyo, London, Los Angeles and New York City. They are temporary retail spaces that sell merchandise of any kind for a particular event or season. From art to fashion to tech gadgets and food, Pop-Up Shops are exciting because they create short-term stores that are just about as creative as they are engaging. And they come in all shapes and sizes.
- Time in operation: Typically 1 day to 3 months.
- Place: High foot traffic areas such as city centers, malls, and busy streets.
- Pricing: Much lower than a traditional store; typically paid upfront.
- Purpose: Sell products, presence during holidays or events, launch new products, generate awareness, move inventory, test idea or location, increase ‘cool’ factor.
The benefits of a Pop-Up Shop are range from tangible returns in sales to intangible ‘experience’ offerings for customers.
- Connect with customers: The Pop-Up Retail format allows you to personally get to know your customers and build stronger relationships.
- Sell more: About 95% of all purchases are still completed offline. This is your opportunity to take advantage of the retail channel.
- Build awareness: Consumers and the media love the excitement generated by Pop-Up Shops. Build brand awareness by going offline.
- It’s cheaper: Launching a pop-up shop is 80% cheaper than a traditional retail store.
- Test new markets: Easily enter a new market and launch new products.
Every retailer from big-box stores to single owner on-line stores benefit from Pop-Up Shops. Big-name brands, including eBay, Target, JCPenney, and Gap, have tested hosting pop-up products in their stores. At the same time, local artists, makers and fashion designers have also become increasingly popular in the Pop-Up scene. Even mobile trucks for food, designer fashion and vintage housewares have been successful in this type of retail store.
With the low tenancy rate in the retail environment, finding an available store front is simple. Market, mall, and store owners of all types are listing their spaces on www.thestorefront.com as well as www.cityfeet.com www.idealspot.com/retail and www.loopnet.com.
Finding the right fixtures and display is important to your Pop-Up Shop, not only to display the merchandise, but also to support the brand and marketing of the promotional store. Clothing racks, shelving, display tables and even store supplies such as bags and store signage are all considerations during the planning stages of the Pop-Up Shop. Build a layout after settling on a space to maximize the merchandising space available.
Find your supplies and fixtures at www.stampsstorefixtures.com.