Pop-up shops have been popping up around Australia for over 10 years now. As the pop-up industry reaches adolescence, we can expect brands to provide their customers with a more wholesome pop-up experience. 

The internet has changed the way we shop permanently. As more small businesses are created, the interest in permanent brick and mortar stores declines. This paradox has started the meteoric rise of the pop-up shop. 

What is a pop-up shop?

Pop-up shops are a temporary store set up in a prominent area with high foot traffic to promote brand awareness. As their name suggests, a pop-up shop does not last long and it is usually gone just as quickly as it appears.

A pop-up shop is a win-win for everyone, from the brand setting up the pop-up shop, to the customers welcoming a new shopping experience. Even the building renter is generating an income by having a short-term tenant in what would have been an empty space.

With the expediential boom of social media and Gen Z reaching adulthood, we can expect to see an influx of pop-up stores in the future.

Here are some reasons why the pop-up shop concept is becoming popular in the retail space.

They create excitement

A pop-up space often creates excitement as they offer their customers a new retail shopping experience. The unique locations and short-term leases of pop-up stores can create exclusivity, a sense of urgency and even FOMO amongst customers as a pop-up store is not open as long as stores with traditional leases. 

Smaller investment & set up

A lot of brands love creating a pop-up store as they do not initially cost as much to set up compared to brick and mortar stores. Their short leases, temporary fixtures and casual staff also mean a pop-up shop can have lower running costs. Pop-ups also save on advertising by primarily marketing their presence through influencers, social media and word of mouth. 

Excite customers new and old.

Pop-up shops have the capability of drawing two different demographics together. If the brand has a strong online following and effectively markets their pop-up shop, they can attract both loyal customers as well as new shoppers who would never have discovered their brand without the presence of a pop-up shop. Both sets of customers are equally as likely to spread the word of their positive pop-up experience, prompting further brand awareness.

They offer a lot more than shopping.

Traditional retail stores require a constant stream of sales to remain viable. In contrast, because of their short-term lease, pop-up shops can serve a different purpose and achieve different goals to be considered a successful pop-up retail campaign. 

Key purposes for the creation of a pop-up shop are to have flash sales, educate their audience, launch a new product range and promote brand awareness. These purposes for pop-ups are simply not sustainable with a traditional brick and mortar store.

Test the market

The beauty of pop-up stores and their short leases is their ability to test the viability and demand for a permanent store. Pop-up stores are considered lower-risk investments compared to traditional stores.

In contrast, some brands have such wild success with their pop-up shops, they pave the way for further expansion of their brand with a brick and mortar store. 

They can be created by almost anyone

Pop-up shops have been historically created by larger and more established brands. Although they are cheaper and easier to set up than permanent locations, they can still be a lot of work for some small businesses to launch their own pop-up shop. 

Some influencers and event companies who want to create a pop-up event are still tinkering with the pop-up shop concept to make it suit them. Likewise, more renters who are struggling to find long-term retail tenants are considering using their retail space like an "Airbnb" for shops and retailers. 

That's why Hawker spaces are here to change that. 

Hawker Spaces are reimagining the pop-up shop

 With Hawker spaces, setting up your own pop-up shop has just become easier.

Hawker spaces have turned the pop-up shop concept into a pop-up experience with flexible short-term leases in premier locations. With every Hawker Space booking, you gain access to the unique digital technology to help you professionally set up your pop-up store. 

And who says pop-ups can only be created by retailers? The use of our flexible spaces extends to small businesses, designers, property developers, events, organisations, influencers and more. 

Find out what you and your business can achieve and book a Hawker Space today.