Consumers are eager to leave the confinement of their homes after being inside for over a year and get out in the world. We believe that pop-up shops will see significant growth in popularity in the months and even years ahead.
Pop-up shops offer unique advantages to ecommerce entrepreneurs. They are easy to set-up and tear down and don’t require long-term leases of expensive real estate.
This article will show you how to get started in the world of pop up shops in 2021. We’ll show you how to set one up and explain what they are.
Let’s go.
What is a pop up shop?
Pop up shops could be a great way to start a retail business.
Pop-up shops, also known as flash retail stores, give emerging online brands the chance to sell in a brick and mortar setting. It allows customers to touch, feel, and experience your products.
Although a pop-up shop may look similar to a regular storefront, many brands use them for unique and immersive shopping experiences. To add an “wow” element to your brand, you can open pop-up shops.
What is the cost of a pop-up shop?
Costs for opening a pop up shop vary depending on how big, long-term, and where it is located. Although there is no maximum amount of money you can spend on a pop-up shop, it is possible to open a temporary one for as low as $2,000.
You should note that the startup costs for a pop-up store, such as Boxpark Shoreditch, will be lower. The cost of commercial rent would rise in other locations. Inkbox, a tattoo parlor in Toronto, had to pay $8,000 to rent a space in the downtown Toronto area. Commercial spaces will become more expensive to rent as the world recovers after the pandemic.
How to choose the ideal space for a pop-up shop
It is crucial that you find the perfect space for your pop up. Start your search by identifying the space that best suits your brand and position you in front of your target audience. There are many options:
Vacant storefronts. You can personalize vacant storefronts to fit your brand. Contact a local agent if you are unsure of where to find available space.
Shopping malls. Many malls offer temporary rental of small shops, booth space, kiosks and kiosks. This space is not cheap, but it allows you to reach a pre-existing customer base of regular shoppers and foot traffic.
Gallery/event space. Gallery and event spaces allow you to display your brand in an attractive and creative way. If you want to make your pop-up shop memorable, these venues are the perfect venue for events.
Pop-ins. Pop-ins can be stalls or small spaces in an existing brick and mortar location. Pop-ins can be used to promote your brand. Look for companies that are a good fit for you. A headphone company might “pop into” a technology store.
You don’t have to limit yourself to one location. Renting a trailer or bus to operate a mobile shop is a great option. You can create a sales environment wherever you go and increase your reach.
How to pick the right location for your pop-up
Once you have decided what type of pop-up store to open, you can begin to choose a location. It is important to know your market and target audience. If you intend to sell skateboards, it is a good idea to locate your store near local skateparks and ramps. Look for locations that are known to be popular with foodies if you plan on selling snacks.
Once you have an idea of the general location, consider:
Nearby events and retailers. Do you know of any stores that sell complementary products in the areas you are interested? Are you willing to compete with other businesses? How about competing for attention with events in the area?
Foot traffic. How many people walk past the area you are going to choose? These people will make a difference in your sales potential. To see how many people will be there, you might consider visiting the area ahead of time.
Reputation. Reputation. Does the region you have chosen have a great reputation? Are there high-end and luxurious companies located in the area? Are people always talking about the incredible views and the high quality of service they receive when they visit the space.
Where to find pop-up shops
It’s easier to find venues if you know the details of your dream space. To find the right space for you, you might need to compromise on certain factors. To accurately assess each area’s potential, make a list of the things you must have and the things you want to avoid. Once you have your list, go to:
Pop-up shop databases. Pop Up Shops and Storefront provide local listings to help you find potential event space. You can filter your search by store size or other criteria in many databases, which allows you to quickly narrow down your options.
Contacting locals. Contacting locations. You should be prepared to negotiate with the owner of the space about things such as the size of your stall or the hours that you will work on the shop floor.
Talk to landlords and realtors. For pricing information and other details, contact the landlord or realtor if you see any retail space listings in your area.
Before you book a space, ask questions
It’s important to understand what you will get for your money once you have found the ideal pop-up space. Ask questions about:
Rent. The rent.
What is included in the rent. Take note of details such as occupancy dates, square footage, amenities.
The shop’s layout. Take a look at the current shop layout to get an idea of what your pop-up setup might look like.
Find out if the space is able to be modified. How much control do you have over branding the space and how it can be modified? Are you able to drill holes for banners and hang them? You might also consider printing signs or putting up LED displays.
Who is responsible for damages. To find out who is responsible for damages in the event that there is a fire, flood or theft, read the fine print of your lease.
What is the minimum rental deposit? In most cases, you will need to deposit a deposit equal to one month’s rent. You should find out how and when you will get your deposit back once you have left the space.
Closing the deal for your pop-up space
Are you ready to sign the dotted line Before you sign on the dotted line, familiarize yourself with these legal documents:
Lease. Lease is a legal document that gives you the right to sell your goods in a particular space for a specified term (length). The lease describes what you can do in the space and how long you have to rent it. It also outlines the fees that you will need to pay.
Licenses: A license may be required rather than a leasing agreement depending on the location and length of your pop up store. A license allows you to use an asset for a short time.
Permits: Each area has its own laws and permit requirements. Most cities require permits to sell alcohol or food. To ensure compliance with local laws, you should consult your agent or the city.
Insurance: Your business or commercial insurance protects you and your brand from any potential problems. Double-check to see if the location offers leaseholder insurance.
How to market your pop up shop
After all the legal hoopla and location scouting is done, you can now market your pop up shop. Proper promotion will ensure that you attract the best possible customers.
Before pop-up launch
Do your research before you open your pop-up shop. Find out who your target audience is and what the competition is doing to make your brand standout. Customers visit pop-up shops for memorable, unique experiences.
Consider how your products will be priced to attract customers, and what type of PR you can get locally for your event (such as radio and newspaper coverage). You can also promote yourself by:
Marketing with Influencers. To spread information about your store, connect with bloggers and local influencers. Engage a lot of micro-influencers to leverage their engaged local audience.
Create press kits. Local news agencies can receive press packages that include photos of your products and information about your brand. When advertising your products, keep it short and sweet and invite journalists with questions to contact you.
Social media buzz building Generate excitement among existing customers on social media. It’s a great way of building hype by hosting competitions in which customers can win discounts at your event, or a free product.
The pop-up was open to all.
Keep the momentum going while running your pop up store. Continue working with influencers by asking them to send photos and videos of their visits to your pop-up shop. There are other options:
Create user-generated content. Customers can share photos of themselves at your pop up store, or use your products with a hashtag. A selfie wall could be created where customers can pose with your logo and offer discounts to those who share their location within your store.
Participate in co-marketing. To help your store get noticed on social media, you can work with other local businesses. To get businesses on your side, you could send them freebies.
Get local celebrities to get involved. Invite celebrities and other social media icons to attend your event. This will create a sense of community and attract attention from local customers.
After the pop up
Your pop-up should not end the buzz surrounding your store. Here are some ways to keep the conversation going:
Email customers. You used point-of-sale for collecting emails. This is great! Now you can reintroduce your brand online to customers and give hints about when you might open a pop-up.
Ask for feedback. Use polls and surveys to ask your customers about their experience at the pop-up. You can keep the conversation going and get valuable feedback on how to improve future pop-up events.
Here are some examples of pop-up stores to inspire you
We have the perfect resource for you if you are unsure of how your pop-up shop should look or you want to learn from the experts. These are examples of smart entrepreneurs who have mastered the pop-up shop concept.
1. Pantone Cafe
Pantone, the global authority on color and colour systems, kept true to its name by opening a Monaco color cafe. Pantone’s color system allowed customers to order color-coded treats.
Pantone 16-1731, for example, is a pink shade. Customers ordered it and received a scoop of strawberry ice-cream. Customers who ordered the brown swatch Pantone19-1625 received an eclair coated with chocolate.
The pop-up was a creative and fun way to celebrate the company’s achievements and work.
2. TopShelf Boutique
TopShelf, a women’s clothing boutique, has perfected the art of the mobile pop-up shop. Christina Ruiz is the boutique’s founder and solely responsible for San Francisco’s first ever fashion truck.
This brilliant idea allows her to cruise through outdoor events, markets, and fairs. Her on-the-go style and trendy designs have helped her gain a loyal following in California’s Bay Area.
This pop-up shop concept will require some investment, such as a truck. If you don’t feel that this is an investment, you might consider a temporary arrangement to show your idea works.
3. Solve
This example shows that you don’t need to sell physical products in order to open a pop-up shop. Solve, a Minneapolis-based creative agency, used a new and innovative approach to finding summer interns.
The company created a “mini-office” for students and young professionals where they could get an interview on the spot. The participants completed a five minute challenge that was based on their interests. The winner received the interview.
- This is where service-based businesses can learn from ingenuity.
- In 2021, jump on the trend of pop-up shops
- Pop-up shops are a great way for businesses to connect with customers in 2021.
These shops allow you to create an engaging presence without spending thousands of dollars on rent or design.
Mobility gives you the opportunity to present your brand to diverse audiences and events. This will give you an unique and powerful way of exploring your options and finding the right selling environment for you business.