WHY POP-UP SHOPS ARE THE FUTURE

I was amazed by a report last week announcing that pop-up stores are now worth E2.3 billion to the UK economy. From Google to Ugg boots pop-up shops have become a great way for businesses to market themselves, but it’s incredible to think that such small shops can contribute so much.

More than that, though, it’s refreshing to see that physical retail still has a very important place in the modern economy. Amidst all the news of the rise of ecommerce and billion-Dollar tech companies, it’s proof that physical retail can innovate and that customer experience is still important. In fact, it’s often the experience element that leads digital businesses to launch temporary stores, as they look for an innovative way to attract new customers.
CJ Accessories, which is an online business entity run locally, is one such business that has done very well from its pop-up initiatives.
Their Covent Garden-based pop-up is always a roaring success having recently put-up a pop up at Funtown in Fonteyn. I am personally a big fan not least because, with its live craft demonstrations, it really emphasised the unique nature of the artisanal online marketplace.

Pop-up shops are a booming new trend that has broadened thinking in the traditional retail sector.
Temporarily opened to take advantage of a seasonal product or to test the potential of a product or concept in the market, pop-up shops have gained an increasing popularity in Swaziland.
Pop-up shops are an ideal way for entrepreneurs to sell and promote their business, and by doing so, it allows them to gauge whether or not it will have long-term benefits in the market. It is cost effective, with low overheads and does not require the commitment of a full lease agreement.

With the dismal Swazi economy, entrepreneurs and retail centres are forced to find ways of making additional revenue. Pop-up shops offer many benefits to both the entrepreneur and the shopping centre.
New business owners that are looking to expand should take advantage of an opportunity like this to create awareness around their brand. Opening a pop-up shops comes with its own set of challenges for entrepreneurs.
It is difficult for business owners to find staff and shop assistants that are willing to enter in a contract of employment that is on a short-term basis and does not offer long-term financial security. In addition to this, training staff for such a short period of employment is costly for business owners, he says.

Shopping centres are seeing some great benefits with the opening of temporary stores. Instead of having shops that are vacant, landlords are placing pop-up shop tenants, also known as nursery tenants.
This allows the centre to ascertain if the products or services being offered are suitable for their target market and if it is worth offering the nursery tenant a permanent lease agreement.

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