A pop-up shop is an experiential space that is open for a short period of time. Pop-up shops give brands an opportunity to engage with their customers in a unique environment, which is why they are often incorporated into experiential marketing strategies.
There are many different factors that impact the success of a pop-up shop. But, one of the most important factors is the location of the shop. Choosing the wrong location can doom the event from the very beginning, so this decision should not be taken lightly. Here’s how to choose the perfect pop-up shop location:
Set A Budget
The first step to finding the perfect pop-up shop location is setting a budget. Many brands choose to host their event within an existing retail store, gallery, or vacant space. Some of these venues are far more expensive than others, so it’s important to know what is within your budget before you start searching. If you don’t know your budget, you could waste a lot of time looking at venues that are way out of your price range.
Browse Through Pop-Up Marketplaces
Marketers often don’t have a lot of time to get out in the city and find the perfect spot. If your schedule is packed, browse through potential pop-up locations using one of the many pop-up marketplace websites. This Open Space features various venues in major North American cities. Marketers can see photos, square footage, and pricing for local venues so they can find the perfect pop-up location without ever leaving their office. Although it’s possible to book these venues from the convenience of your computer chair, it’s best to make appointments to see your top picks in person before signing a contract.
If you don’t want to use one of these websites, consider working with a real estate agent instead. Real estate agents are familiar with the area and may even have personal relationships with property owners in the community.
Explore the Neighborhood
Even if a space seems perfect for your event, it’s important to explore the area around it before making a commitment. Find out what other stores are located nearby so you can get a better idea of what kind of customers frequent the area. Ideally, you should look for a venue that is located by stores that target the same customers you do.
You should also research whether there are any upcoming events in the area. There will be a lot more foot traffic on days where there are other events going on in the neighborhood. Therefore, it would be wise to host a pop-up shop when something else is happening nearby. However, this would only be effective if the event is marketed towards people in your brand’s target demographic. If the event is catered towards older adults, but you are targeting college students, hosting the pop-up shop at the same time as the event is not a good idea.
Finally, take a look around the area to determine if parking will be an issue. Customers should not have to spend a lot of time finding parking. They also shouldn’t have to walk miles to get to the pop-up shop. To avoid these common frustrations, choose a location with plenty of parking conveniently located nearby. If this isn’t an option, look for a location that is easily accessible using public transportation.
Consider How the Interior Can Be Modified
It’s rare for a brand to find a venue that does not need to be modified in some way prior to the event. For this reason, every marketer should consider how the interior can be modified when choosing a location for a pop-up shop. At this stage in the planning process, you may not have many details of the event planned out. But, you should have a general idea of what kind of space you will need to pull off the event. Be sure to go over what can and cannot be done to the interior with the property manager prior to making a commitment.
Think of the Visual Impact
Marketers should also consider the way a venue looks before signing any paperwork. Some aspects of the venue’s visual appearance can be changed, but others cannot. If one of the permanent features does not match your brand’s aesthetic, this may not be the best place to host an event. For example, a brand with a modern and sleek aesthetic should choose a venue that is designed with clean lines and large windows. Choosing an older, stuffier venue would not match the brand’s aesthetic and would confuse loyal customers who are familiar with the branding.
Check For Necessities
Make a list of must-haves prior to starting your search for a pop-up location. This list should include necessities such as public bathrooms, storage space, Wi-Fi, and decent lighting. Some brands may also want to add security cameras to this list if they are worried about products being stolen while the pop-up shop is being constructed. Keep these must-haves in mind whenever you look at a venue and don’t settle for one that doesn’t contain every item on the list. It can be very hard to pull off a successful event without all of these necessities, so this is an important step in the process of finding the perfect venue.
