Pop-up shops are a great way to test a new retail idea, expand your retail store or just increase your seasonal sales. But what does it take to make your pop-up store successful? Here are seven secrets to making your pop-up a smash hit.

Pop-Up Shop Tips

Have a Specific Goal

Pop-up shops can accomplish a variety of goals. You can use them to get rid of last season’s products, test-market a new product line, or test a new neighborhood or shopping center before opening a permanent space. They can be brand-building exercises to attract new customers and raise awareness of your business.

Your goal for your pop-up shop will guide your other decisions, so start by setting a specific, measurable target. For instance, if you’re testing the feasibility of a certain neighborhood, identify what benchmarks you’ll use to decide if the location will work long-term.

Key Objectives of a Pop-up Shop

Clear out last season’s inventory
Test-market a new product line
Scout potential for a permanent store in a new location
Strengthen brand recognition
Attract new customers and raise business awareness

Select the Right Location

Just as with any retail business, “location, location, location” is key to pop-up success. Based on the goals you’ve set, your next step is selecting the perfect space. There are lots of options. You may be able to rent pop-up space in a shopping center or find unused retail space in your neighborhood. There are also websites where you can search for local pop-up space. Check out Storefront, AppearHere or PopupInsider.

But when it comes to pop-ups, you can (and should) think outside the box, too. Do a mobile pop-up shop in a converted bus, van or mobile home. Partner with a complementary business to hold a pop-up inside their retail space. You can even do a pop-up in a shipping container.

Look for a location that attracts lots of foot traffic in your target market, since passersby are key to the success of a pop-up shop. Don’t make it too hard to find — while passionate sneakerheads might go out of their way to visit a hard-to-find pop-up shop in a sketchy neighborhood, many customers won’t. Finally, make sure it’s easy to access and park. The last thing you want is for customers to give up and head home.

Choosing a Pop-Up Location

Choosing the right location is paramount for your pop-up store’s success. Let’s compare some popular choices to help you decide the best fit for your needs:

Location TypeProsCons

Shopping CenterHigh foot traffic, established audienceMay have higher rent, competition with established stores

Unused Retail SpacePotential for lower rent, flexibility in setupMight require more marketing to attract customers

Mobile Pop-Up (bus, van)Mobility, unique appealLimited space, may require special permits

Inside Another Retail SpaceShared customer base, collaboration opportunitiesLess control over space, potential conflicts with host retailer

Shipping ContainerUnique, flexible, mobileLimited space, may require customization

Do the Paperwork

Your pop-up is booming—then suddenly the fire marshal shuts you down. Don’t let this happen. Check with your landlord and read your pop-up lease to make sure you know what’s allowed and what’s not. If you’re doing a mobile pop-up or other pop-up without a landlord, check with local authorities and get the required permits before you open for business. And check with your business insurance agent to see if you need any special coverage.

Provide Good WiFi

Social media is the lifeblood of a pop-up, so having reliable, fast Wi-Fi access for your customers is essential. How else will they take selfies and share their status to let friends know about your pop-up? Set up a guest Wi-Fi network separate from the network you use for accepting payments. Prominently share the Wi-Fi password on signage and on your social platforms so people can quickly get online.

Create an Experience

For you, the retailer, pop-ups are about selling product. But for customers, they’re all about the experience. Make your pop-up an unforgettable, unique experience that customers will get excited about, go out of their way to find, and tell their friends about. Think of it as planning a social event rather than a retail display spot. You could have live music, photo opportunities, refreshments or contests.

Don’t forget about signage and design—vital elements in attracting attention for your pop-up shop. Plan how you’ll get passersby to stop, stare and come into the store. Check out these 25 eye-popping pop-up shops for inspiration.

Build Buzz in Advance

What if you gave a pop-up shop and nobody came? That could happen if you don’t do some pre-pop-up marketing. Start by letting your best customers know about your upcoming pop-up. Then contact local members of the media as well as social media influencers in your market. You want your pop-up to go viral, so focus on spreading the word via social media. Begin marketing a month or so in advance using hashtags specific to the event.

People love feeling special, and exclusivity is part of a pop-up’s appeal—not everyone will get to go. Offer influencers and customers an incentive to attend, like a free gift or first peek at a new product you’re launching. Share “teasers” about what customers can expect via social media, email newsletters and other advertising.

Connecting with Customers

During the pop-up, focus not just on selling product, but also on making connections with customers. Ideally, your pop-up will attract lots of first-time visitors. Get them to sign up to receive marketing messages from you or ask them to follow you on social media. The goal is to create relationships you can build on.

To foster such engagement, have plenty of staff on hand to interact with customers and collect their information. Don’t forget about your “virtual” audience. Share videos of the day’s events and livestream the fun on social media to get customers to “come on down.” Make it like a party that no one wants to miss.

Essentials for a Successful Pop-up Shop

Have a clear and specific goal.
Choose the right location.
Ensure all legal paperwork is in place.
Offer reliable WiFi for customers.
Prioritize customer experience.
Promote the event well in advance.
Engage and connect with customers during the event.

Image: Shutterstock

This article, “7 Secrets to a Successful Pop-up Shop” was first published on Small Business Trends