Want to add a twist to your current retail offering? A pop-up shop might be the answer. These temporary retail spaces can be a great option for eCommerce brands looking to host an in-person pop-up or independent shops that want to test out a new location for a limited time.

You can use pop-up shops to reach new customers, build extra buzz around your brand or as part of a wider marketing campaign.

Want to know more? In this guide, we’ll break down what a pop-up shop is, explore how Adobe Express can help you launch your own, and reveal some pop-up shop ideas to help inspire you.

What is a pop-up shop?

A pop-up shop is a short-term retail space that ‘pops up’ temporarily. It can be an indoor or outdoor venue, which could be hosted as part of an existing shop, at a market, as part of an event or even in a completely unexpected location.

You can sell a range of things at a pop-up, from clothing and accessories to food and drink – depending on the business you run.

You can use a pop-up shop to:

• Test new products. Get your products in front of people and encourage them to try before they buy. This could convince them to make a purchase and even return.
• Spread the word about a mainly online business. If your shop is mostly online, you might want to treat your customers to an exclusive in-store experience.
• Boost awareness of a new brand. People might know a little about your brand, but a pop-up shop can help take that one step further – especially in the local area.
• Create a buzz. A pop-up shop feels limited edition. This exclusivity can create a buzz around a product launch, campaign or other marketing moment as people want to experience it before it ends.

What are the benefits of launching a pop-up shop in the UK?

Thinking about setting up a pop-up shop in the UK? Here are some of the benefits you can experience:

• Enhances customer engagement. A pop-up shop can help get your offering in front of customers, which can increase engagement and interaction.
• Helpful for market research. You can use your pop-up shop to test how customers respond to new products before you officially launch them. This gives you a chance to make any tweaks, if needed, to ensure you launch something your customers will really love and want.
• Raises your brand’s local profile. Give back to the community or target a specific location to reach your target audience. You can use flyers to advertise the pop-up shop and boost footfall.
• Lower overhead costs. With a pop-up shop, you’ll only be renting that space for a short period. This can help get you visibility without the high overhead costs of renting a space with a contract.
• Ability to get direct feedback. You’ll be able to hear directly from your customers and hear what they think of your products.
• Test expansion. Whether you’re an online store, or have a brick-and-mortar shop in one location and want to open a new store, a pop-up shop can help you get a feel for what customers want from your business.

10 pop-up shop ideas.

Wondering how to turn your business into a limited edition pop-up shop? We’ve pulled together 10 creative ideas you could use in your own temporary retail space. Bear in mind some of these concepts won’t work for every business, but you can tweak them to make them work for you.

1. Offer exclusive perks and discounts.

Provide visitors to your pop-up shop with exclusive discounts and offers for their next purchase – either in-store or online. This can encourage new and existing customers to shop with you again.

Alternatively, you could offer money off when customers spend a certain amount at the shop, or a free gift with their purchase as part of a pop-up shop special.

2. Try using product demonstrations and free samples.

This is your opportunity to show the world why they need your product and why it’s amazing. Product demonstrations can entice potential customers who have never seen your product before. They can sample your exclusive coffee beans or try out your new hand cream – and hopefully end up purchasing their own.

Even better, they might tell their friends and family about it or share a post on social media. Through this word-of-mouth style of marketing, you could suddenly make multiple sales off the back of one product sample or demo.

3. Consider a mobile pop-up stall.

Take your pop-up shop to the next level by planning a tour across the UK. Not only is this a great way to reach more customers, but it’s also an eye-catching way to generate brand buzz.

You could even make the most of your time on the road by adding branded livery or your logo to the vehicle. Include your brand name, tagline and website and social media platforms, and enjoy some extra advertising on the UK’s road network.

4. Use eye-catching signage and displays.

You want to entice people to your pop-up shop, so it’s a good idea to have a bright, eye-catching design that encourages customers passing by to stop and have a look. Try branded business banners, or discount flyers in the shop window – anything to grab their attention and notice you.

5. Invite influencers or celebrities.

If you have the budget, inviting influencers or a celebrity to attend your pop-up shop is a good way to promote your business and attract even more attention.

You could partner with them on some user-generated content (UGC) to show them sampling the products and browsing the pop-up. They can then share on their own social platforms.

Customers might be keen to take selfies and share them on social media, which can generate even more buzz. Set up a special area for this, with a background of your branding, then people will naturally be posting your brand everywhere.

6. Set an end date to create a countdown.

The reason a pop-up shop is so popular is because there’s a sense of urgency. After all, the physical shop will only be around for a limited time.

Make it clear on your flyers, posters and social media posts when your pop-up shop will be ending. That way, customers and followers know exactly how long they have to attend.

One pop-up shop idea is to have a countdown to the last day on your website, or host a special discount on the final day.

7. Consider a seasonal or themed shop.

Not sure when to host your pop-up shop? Why not tie in this exciting venture with a specific season or theme that fits with your brand?

A micro-brewery might host a beer garden-inspired pop-up shop in the summer, where customers can sample a small can and buy a pack to take home. Meanwhile, an eco-friendly gift company might set up a pop-up stall as part of their local Christmas markets.

A seasonal or themed shop is a great way to create a buzz around your brand – especially if you make it an annual event, and pitch up at the same location each year.

8. Encourage customer interaction with your brand.

A pop-up shop is a good way to encourage customer interaction with your business. Some customers might not know the people behind your brand, so a pop-up shop can give customers a chance to meet you and connect more with your business.

Other interactive ideas might include a virtual reality experience, where people can try on different items in your shop without the need to physically change.

9. Launch a competition.

Embrace your customer’s competitive nature and host an in-shop competition. Think raffles, retro games or a scannable QR code that takes you to an online competition.

When it comes to prizes, you can choose to be as generous as you like – whether they end up winning some of your products, an exclusive discount or tickets to your next event.

10. Team up with other brands.

Partnering with other local businesses or brands can be a great way to offer customers a limited-edition collaboration. One pop-up idea you can do is team up with a coffee brand to offer customers free drinks while they browse your shop. If you create posters for your event, be sure to mention the collaboration on there.

Pop-up shop checklist.

Before opening a pop-up shop there are some things you need to consider and plan. We’ve created a handy checklist below to help you organise the perfect pop-up shop.

• Choose the right time and location to open.
• Obtain any permits and insurances required.
• Promote your shop through social media and other channels.
• Ensure you have the right equipment.
• Consider the time of year and weather conditions (if planning an outdoor pop-up shop).
• Create banners, signage and promotional items.
• Choose the staff to help run the show.
• Set up a Point of Sale (POS) for payments. Bear in mind that some people may only carry card and contactless payment options.
• Put together freebies and goodie bags.
• Send out invitations for the opening to friends, family and any influencers.
• Post about any competitions on social media.
• Ask visitors to your pop-up shop for contact information to receive news about future events and pop-up shops.

Free examples of pop-up shop posters, social posts and more.

How can Adobe Express help you set up your own pop-up shop?

Adobe Express offers a wealth of free creative tools to help you plan, prepare and market your pop-up shop. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

1. Make your own flyers to leave at local businesses.

Use Adobe Express to create bright and professional flyers to promote your pop-up event. With a range of templates to choose from, you’re sure to find one that suits your branding and theme.

2. Shout about your pop-up shop on social media.

Design and schedule social media posts with help from Adobe Express. Get creative with a countdown to opening day on TikTok or Instagram, then share some Stories or Reels direct from the pop-up shop.

3. Create exclusive launch day invites for influencers, brand ambassadors and loyal customers.

Use Adobe Express to create stylish and exclusive invitations your guests would be excited to receive. Include key details like the launch date, location and social handles so they know exactly who you are and what to expect.

Rather not start from scratch? Take a look at these editable invitation templates and start designing your own.

Try Adobe Express for free now

Good to know.

What can I sell at pop up shops?

You can sell a range of items at a pop-up shop including food and drink, clothes, beauty products and more. Be sure to check you have the right permits and insurances for the products or services you offer.

Is a pop-up shop a good idea for my business?

A pop-up shop can be a great idea for any business looking to increase awareness, build their brand identity and promote their products. It might come with additional costs though, so be sure to factor it into your business plan or marketing strategy, to ensure you can benefit from organising one.

How do I announce a pop-up shop?

One of the best ways to announce a pop-up shop is online, on your website and social media channels. Not only can this help you get seen by many people at once, but it’s also free.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.