After being cooped up inside all winter long, it’s time for folks to venture out and start shopping. With small businesses in various stages of closure, it may seem like an odd time to set up a pop-up shop. But consumers are hungry for one-of-a-kind experiences and while they’ve grown accustomed to the convenience of online shopping, they want to feel connected to brands in a physical setting. In the past few years, there has been a surplus of retail space and widespread commercial rent has decreased, leading to a market ripe for retailers and brands looking to expand their physical presence. Landlords are desperate to fill vacant spaces, so they’ve reduced rent and loosened lease terms. Pop-up shops present some unique benefits: they are simple to set up and dismantle and they do not necessitate the costly long-term real estate required to establish a traditional store. People want to experience the magic before it flies away. This makes pop-up shops ideal for promoting new products or brands and raising awareness in a non-traditional setting. 

If you’re looking for a low-cost and low-commitment way to establish a retail presence, a pop-up shop could be the perfect solution for you!

In the coming year, Wizard Studios anticipates a surge in low-budget, short-term, quick-install pop-ups. To help you prepare, we'll look at how you can get started with pop-up shops in 2023. You'll learn what they are, how Wizard Studios can help you set them up, and see some ways that will inspire you into action.

WHAT IS A POP-UP SHOP? 

A pop-up shop is a temporary retail space that can be used to promote and sell products of all types, ranging from food and drinks to clothing, gifts, and other merchandise. A pop-up shop gives emerging online brands the opportunity to sell in a brick-and-mortar setting. The idea behind it is to let customers see, touch, and experience your products. 

Pop-up shops can look like regular stores, but many brands use them to create a unique, one-of-a-kind immersive shopping experience. With that in mind, you can open a pop-up shop to add an intangible “wow” factor to your brand. Furthermore, if you’re interested in testing out a retail presence for your business, but you’re put off by the financial risk and commitment of a permanent storefront, a pop-up shop could be the solution for you! They are a direct way to boost sales without pouring even more money into online customer investments. This offers your customers some variety in how to purchase your products, as well as gives them the chance to see and feel your products in person before purchasing, something they can’t do if you exclusively sell online.

If you’re interested in learning how you can start a Pop-Up Shop for your business, keep reading! And if you want to know why Wizard Studios loves pop-up shops, check out our past blog article, “Why We Love Pop-Up Shops” to learn more!

We’re going to show you how you can start your very own pop-up shop in just a few easy steps!

1. Choose the Perfect Venue 

2. Let Wizard Studios Work Our Magic

3. Host an Unforgettable Event

CHOOSE THE PERFECT VENUE

It’s crucial to find the perfect space for your pop-up shop. You can trust the experts at Wizard Studios to help you scout the ideal venue or begin your search on your own by considering what type of space aligns with your brand’s essence and will entice your target audience. For example, if you plan on selling delicious bakery items, find a location that’s known to attract foodies.

Look into and consider the neighboring and nearby retailers, the amount of foot traffic you’ll get, and the reputation of the area. Is it safe and will it draw your target audience? Here are some common spaces that work great for pop-up shops:

• Empty Storefronts: Vacant and empty storefronts are convenient retail spaces totally customizable to fit your brand’s image and offered products. 

• Gallery/Event Spaces: Event and gallery spaces make it super easy to highlight your company’s products in an innovative and dazzling way. If you want to host an event at any time to promote your brand, these venues are a perfect choice because they’re already set up to host gatherings! 

• Shopping Centers: Most malls and shopping centers have booths, kiosks, and small storefronts for rent available. Warning: these spaces tend to be more expensive, but they offer a great deal of foot traffic for hungry shoppers! 

And if you want to start even smaller before committing to a store:

• Mobile Pop-Up Shops: Consider purchasing or renting a bus or trailer for a pop-up shop on the go! This way, you can set up shop at any location and maximize your reach.

• Pop-ins: Pop-ins are simple stalls or small spaces that are placed within an existing location. When using pop-ins, search for a company to partner with that aligns with your brand and products. For example, a new candle company might “pop in” to a home decor store.

LET WIZARD STUDIOS WORK OUR MAGIC

Wizard Studios has set up dozens of pop-up shops in the past and we are always excited to help an online company come to life in the physical world! By partnering with Wizard Studios, your pop-up space can be completely transformed with the help of our incredible artisans and designers. We have the ability to transform any space with the use of custom builds, fabrications, and installations. We have the expertise to guide your thinking and execution, and it begins with your wildest ideas. You dream it, we build it. Simply putting out some shelving units is not what’s going to draw attention and engagement to your business. Allow our scenic shop and our professional artisans to take your brand’s identity and create original masterful sets, props, and environments to enhance consumers’ experience and draw new customers in. 

What can Wizard Studios offer for pop-up shops?

Check out all our amazing capabilities on our website!

HOST AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENT

Get your pop-up shop off the ground with an unforgettable event! What kind of event should you consider for a pop-up? We’ve got the answer!

• Exclusive VIP/ Invitation Only: Invite local journalists, bloggers, and influencers who can help you spread the word about your store. Any positive media coverage will be great for your budding business. Consider finding sponsors that can land you even more coverage. A partnership with a local magazine or paper can provide you with great coverage before, during, and after your pop-up happens. 

• Launch Party: Pop-up shops make for great launch parties, whether it’s your pop-up debut or the launch of a new product line. Offer fun music, delicious food and drinks, and ask your guests to promote the products and the space on social media to further your audience reach. Consider inviting local celebrities or influencers. Ask them to help host and curate the evening. They have the ability to build anticipation before the event by posting about it on social media. You can invite them back for a unique opportunity to do a meet-and-greet with their fan base and followers, leading to more customers!

PRO TIP:  Whichever type of event you choose, entice visitors with immersive experiences they can’t get anywhere else! Make it an experience your guests and customers will never forget!

Wizard Studios knows better than anyone the wonder of pop-up shops and how they offer businesses the ability to create unique, one-off experiences that build brand awareness and create buzz. Are you excited about the magic of pop-up shops and can’t wait to get started? Contact the experts at Wizard Studios today!