Why you should set up a pop-up shop for your business, and how to do it

Image: Unsplash

Businesses are scrambling to innovate during post-pandemic times, not only because this would help them recuperate faster from the losses that were made during lockdowns, but also because of one other major, driving factor: customers are hungry for new experiences and are seeking new ways to enjoy or be part of a brand!

This is understandable, because people around the world were cooped up at home with limited stimulation, and their only connection to brands was through social media and online shopping.

So, what’s a smart business to do? Find ways to leverage the fact that people are now out and about and hungry to see new things and visit new places of course!

One way to do this is through a pop-up shop, which is what we’ll be getting into in this article.

What is a pop-up shop?

 Image: Shopify

A pop-up shop is basically a store that “pops up” for a limited period of time to achieve a particular goal – it could be to promote a new collection, spread brand awareness or even host product giveaways. While a pop-up store can look like a regular store, it can also be used to create unique and engaging physical shopping experiences for prospective customers.

This method or marketing approach is fast becoming a favoured one for businesses looking to bring their marketing campaigns to life, and understandably so.

We’ll get into why it is such an ingenious way to promote your brand and business, and why you should definitely hop on the pop-up trend.

Benefits of creating a pop-up retail campaign

Not only do pop-up stores look cool and would add an exciting addition to your brand or business’ portfolio (not to mention, add a layer of fun planning amongst your team members), but they can also help you:

• Introduce your brand: There is nothing that people love more than exclusivity and the opportunity to try something new in small doses. For new businesses or even established brands trying out new ideas, pop-up stores present the perfect opportunity to do just that without taking huge risks.
• Get a flexible footprint: Because it’s a pop-up store, you can use local parks or an open space to set it up, and have the option to keep it in a temporary area for a couple of months before relocating it by the time the next season starts.
• Remain cost-effective: Unlike jumping on a lease and setting shop in a brick-and-mortar setting, the flexibility of pop-ups allows you to manage costs while avoiding big-ticket spending such as long-term rental leases as well as utility and logistic costs.

How to set up a pop-up shop

Any kind of planning involves a healthy dose of panic and stress, but we’re here to assure you that setting up a pop-up shop isn’t rocket science.

However, to ensure a smooth process, there are three things that you should take into consideration when planning the logistics of your pop-up shop setup:

• Goals: Before you jump into things, define the primary goal of your pop-up shop. Are you announcing a more permanent mark? If that is the case, you could follow the footsteps of Swedish fashion brand, Monki, which set up a pop-up store in Pavilion KL to offer new and existing customers a chance to experience Monki fashion before opening its permanent store in the Fall of this year.
• Location: Knowing what your shop’s goals are is one important factor to consider, but now comes another major decision – where will you place your pop-up shop? Your choice here has to play into the theme of the overall goal. For instance, if you are launching a swimwear collection, then setting up a pop-up shop by the beach would be a great idea that can generate a significant amount of sales during the campaign period.
• In-shop experience: A pop-up shop is meant to entice and give customers a taste of your brand and product or services. When setting up your pop-up shop, think about how you will deliver that experience as that will impact all the logistical aspects of it – from space size to the facilities you need.

Unique ideas to make sure your pop-up shop stands out

Image: Unsplash

It is very obvious, but pop-up shops are meant to, well, pop. With brands fully leveraging this approach to get attention and traffic, having an idea of setting up shop isn’t enough to be successful. You’ll need to think outside the box and make sure that you stop your potential customers in their tracks, and keep them interested enough to come and experience your store.

Here are four unique ideas to make your pop-up shop an unforgettable experience:

1.  Curate the design space

Image: Aventri

Did you know that 90% of consumers immediately turn right when entering a store? This is a piece of handy information to keep in mind when designing your pop-up space. This means placing all the key products on display on the right-hand side to immediately catch attention.

2. Did you know that 90% of consumers immediately turn right when entering a store? This is a piece of handy information to keep in mind when designing your pop-up space. This means placing all the key products on display on the right-hand side to immediately catch attention.

That being said, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to designing and creativity. Let your brand identity lead the way and get an expert’s opinion before making any huge decisions.

3. A spot for #Instagram

 
Image: WAWO 

Harnessing the power of social media is a basic component of any marketing strategy. Get the word out there by having a dedicated space for people to take photos and #tag you on the ‘Gram. Put some design thinking into place, such as what colours, visuals and decor should be put together for the photo spot. Again, let your brand style lead you, but it always helps to have some kind of expert from an expert – such as graphic designers, for example, who can advise you on how to go about creating a stunning, Instagrammable spot.

4. Don’t forget the brand experience

Image: SAYS

One of the most highly-anticipated pop-up shops this year, “In The Soop” (a pop-up store based on K-POP boy bands BTS and Seventeen reality show) opened its doors at 1 Utama shopping centre in Petaling Jaya in April 2022. While fans went wild at the idea of the store itself, what has made it successful is also the brand experience where fans were able to get their hands on loungewear, plushies, blankets, stationeries, apparel, and more – all of which are inspired by the series.

5. Get Flashy

 
Image: Sign Africa

Aesthetics are everything when it comes to pop-up shops. This is where you need to really step up on the visual creatives for your posters, brochures, flyers and even digital window displays.

The pop-up store planning doesn’t just end once you’ve set the space up – you’ll need to supplement this with attractive visuals that will constantly keep your customers interested in discovering more. Remember that this pop-up store will stay in one place for a few months or so, so it’s best that your visuals remain exciting for both new and returning customers.

Put the “pop” in your pop-up shop with Brandripe

Now that you are equipped with the know-how on setting up a pop-up shop, consider making it a part of your marketing activation. While the logistics play a huge part, it’s a no-brainer that the visual and creative work makes up the heavy lifting to get you to stand out and get the crowd in.

In order to create the best experience, we recommend that you work with a creative agency to not just work on the graphic design, but also be your partner in curating the entire brand experience – like Brandripe!

We are a design company fueled by creators, and we are focused on bringing brands to life through creative design work that covers everything such as logo, social media, web design, product packaging and more.

Together, we can make your pop-up store come to life by making it as creative and eye-catching as possible. Of course, feel free to take a look at our work samples for some of the most prominent brands in Southeast Asia so you can get an idea of the possibilities that we can achieve together.

Want more reasons to work with us?

Creativity aside, here are some other ways that your business can definitely benefit from working with us:

• Brandripe offers flexible plans to meet your business needs – from as low as RM1,695 per month, you get a dedicated designer to your account with unlimited requests and revisions.
• We move fast with a guaranteed 24 to 48 hours turnaround time.
• Still unsure? Work with us risk-free on a trial basis, with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

You’re most welcome to browse through our website for more information, but we have a better idea: let’s talk so you can find out more about how Brandripe can help you design an unforgettable pop-up shop (among other things). Click here to schedule a 15-minute VIP Demo Call with us today, and we’ll be in touch!