- Page 12 of 20 - Smart advice on creative retail.

How to do more business with ShopShare – for shops

Transform your shop and make big returns from small spaces with ShopShare from We Are Pop Up.

At We Are Pop Up, our mission is to help independent retail thrive by thinking differently about the possibilities of space. In talking to our users we realised that we could do more to help smaller brands that wanted to test concepts in the market without committing to rent an entire shop.

That’s why we’ve launched ShopShare. ShopShare enables brands, spaces and customers to join forces in a collaboration that is mutually beneficial and co-create the high street of the future.

ShopShare: Handmade Interiors x Heritage Collection (see Handmade Interior’s ShopShare listing here, and read about the brand here)

So, what is ShopShare?

It’s an opportunity for you to rent out part of your shop, from a rail, a table, a shelf or a concession, or even the whole shop. Exactly as the name suggests – share your shop!

Why should I ShopShare?

For landlords and shop owners, ShopShare provides you with an additional revenue stream. You can turn your shop into a concession space or ‘micro-department store’ easily, with no upfront investment.

With ShopShare, retailers can also respond quickly to trends and changing tastes by offering consumers unique and exciting experiences in partnership with other brands.

“It injects a sense of excitement and change, which customers really react well to. We learn from every brand that is in store and it can be the start of a longer partnership”.

– Irena Gordon, Glassworks in Shoreditch and Dalston (read more about Glassworks’ experiences of ShopShare here)

Glassworks in Shoreditch has had over 16 ShopShare bookings, bringing in £15,909 extra revenue in 9 months.

Sourcing brands is quick and easy through our open, flexible and fast system. A hassle-free experience, you won’t receive calls from agents – We Are Pop Up connects you directly to suitable brands seeking ShopShare space for their latest products, garments or ideas.

It also allows you to pool resources and extend reach by accessing tenant/partners’ customers. When McQueens florists ran a ShopShare pop up with Black Vanilla gelato, the motivation was clear according to Operations Manager Michi Kanatschnig:

“We have been embracing social media and are keen to develop our online presence further and saw a pop up collaboration as a very good way to engage in cross brand promotion.”

Customers enjoy the McQueen’s Florists x Black Vanilla Gelato ShopShare, which was featured in Stylist, The Sunday Times, Telegraph and You Magazine. Read more about it here.

How do I use it?

List your space on We Are Pop Up and start browsing suitable brands right away. You can rent out your space by the day, week or month. And if it’s going well it’s easy to extend the booking. All our rental agreements are underpinned by commercial-grade contracts so both parties are protected, making ShopShare a risk-free way to test new concepts quickly in your shop.

Start doing more business with ShopShare today.

New feature: Space alerts

You told us how important it is to hear about new spaces as soon as they list so we’ve built Space Alerts. It’s simple – you set up an alert and tell us what type of spaces you are looking for. Then the moment any new space lists which matches your criteria, you’ll receive an email allowing you to view it online and get in touch with the landlord direct to start discussing a booking.

It’s easy to set up. Just search for space as normal and click ‘create space alert’ on our search results.

Give your alert a name, adjust search criteria if you need to, then hit ‘create alert. Whether you’re looking for a Shop Share in Shoreditch or a Boutique in Birmingham, you can save one or several different searches.

Then it’s just a matter of time until those spaces list – we have new spaces signing up with us every single day. Then you can go about planning your pop up, safe in the knowledge we’ll tell you about suitable spaces the minute they become available. You can edit or delete your alerts at any time in the ‘My Alerts’ menu in the top right of every page.

How business incubator Petit Miracle Hub helps start-ups capitalize on the shared economy

Petit Miracle retail hub launched in December 2014 to local acclaim, offering local entrepreneurs affordable retail ShopShare pop up space inside the West12 shopping centre. With the added help of a meeting room, Wi-Fi, marketing support and advice from experts, it’s a centre to help startup businesses flourish in Shepherds Bush.

Founder Elisicia Moore says “we are excited about this new kind of business incubator and retail hub in West London. It has been designed to give people a chance to become retailers, and it bridges the current gap in retail space to support small businesses.”

There are many brands already trading from a ShopShare pop up within the hub, from jewellery and homeware to street wear and elegant evening dresses. One such brand, Gullarn is a great example of some of the talented emerging brands who have popped up there. Dee Qadir, founder of Gullarn, describes her business as a unique label that aims to offer exceptional evening gowns for any occasion. After around 6 months of trading, Dee launched her pop up in the Hub after finding it through We Are Pop Up. As a result of just a few weeks trading in the Petit Miracle hub, Dee is now discussing with other retailers to stock her brand – great news for Gullarn!

Gullarn @petitmiracle with We Are Pop Up — Gullarn dresses on show from online to offline Pop Up

The collaborative nature of the hub means that independent businesses who have previously relied on growing their own audience now have the advantage of capitalising on their fellow businesses successes. The hub is a true community, supporting the entrepreneurial spirit.

Hubs are a ‘test, sell and learn’ category of pop up space – they are great spaces to gain valuable market research, check price sensitivity, and trial new designs. But it’s not always smooth sailing. “It’s a great opportunity with serious exceptional value for marketing. The collaborative culture we are creating enables the businesses to capitalise on each other’s successes. But, it’s still no easy street, it’s hard work starting out as a new business, you’ve really got to be shouting about your product from the rooftops, telling customers your story and offering great customer service. The hub is a place designed to help entrepreneurs succeed but the hard work is still up to the entrepreneurs” says the founder, Elisicia Moore.

With some brands boasting large reductions on income being spent on rent when switching to a short term pop up, isn’t it time you joined them too? For the latest ShopShare spaces available at Petit Miracle, click here, and for hundreds more check out our website.

Petit Miracle on Twitter
Petit Miracle on Facebook
Gullarn on Twitter
Gullarn on Facebook

New Year, New Idea

2015 is finally upon us and with the forecast looking bright for retail in the new year, thanks to low interest rates and real wage growth, there’s no time like the present for bringing your idea to life on the high street.

Indeed, January is the month for new beginnings and a time to put your dreams into action. We’ve seen the number of people bringing their ideas to life through pop ups rocket over the past year, with more than double the number of pop ups launching this January compared to last year. So if you’ve been considering starting up in business by launching a pop up, you’re in great company.

1 in 10 of us have ‘start my own business’ on their New Year’s Resolutions list.

The UK’s leading angel network and equity crowdfunding platform, Angels Den, has undertaken a piece of research looking into Britons’ New Year resolutions, and in particular their career goals and aspirations for 2015 and beyond. Participants were initially asked to reveal what they have decided to focus on as their New Year’s resolution(s) for next year, with over 10% of the 1700 respondents resolving to start their own business.

Bill Morrow, co-founder of Angels Den which carried out the research, said “I think it’s absolutely fantastic that as many as one in ten of the people we polled during this research are planning on starting their own companies during 2015. What better time to begin that exciting journey than at the start of a fresh new year.”

The most common industries that Britons are looking to break into with their start-up ideas are food and drink, fashion and I.T. So not only is January the best time of year – but this year in particular is very timely if you’re thinking of using pop-up as a route to growth.

Find your niche and bring the feel good factor

A key theme for fashion retail in 2015 will be going niche, so why not keep it simple by focusing on your best-selling product or favourite item in your new range? As far as experience-based pop ups go, it’s all about a feel-good factor on the high street to according to Retail Week

So the time’s right, but where to pop up?

Growth in consumer confidence and retail sales is being reported by Ipsos Retail’s handy Retail Weather Map in many places across the UK. For everything else – that’s where we come in and take you from listing a project idea all the way through to renting your perfect space.

And with 50% off our booking fee on all bookings made in January, regardless of start date, there’s no time like the present to test out your idea on the high street. Whatever your pop up concept, we’re here to help you every step of the way, so click here to see our latest spaces and resolve to bring your pop up idea to life.

Come out and support Small Business Saturday

Whether you’re a small retail shop or restaurant or someone looking to do something this weekend, get involved with Small Business Saturday this Saturday, 6 December. With medium and small-size businesses making up over 99 percent of all UK businesses, shop local this Saturday and support small businesses.

What is Small Business Saturday?

Now back for its second year, Small Business Saturday is a UK-wide, non-political and non-commercial campaign looking to promote small businesses and encourage consumers to support and ‘shop local’ within their own communities.

Many businesses that consist of emerging artists, designers, and chefs are shaping the future of the high street and here at We Are Pop Up, we work with hundreds of small businesses to launch their pop up every day. Here are a handful of shops popping up this week that we definitely suggest you check out.

Brighton Fashion Week’s Christmas pop up

Brighton Fashion Week just launched its first pop up store, teaming up with upcoming talent to help shoppers find their perfect one-of-a-kind Christmas gift. The boutique, featuring over 35 national and international emerging designers, artists, makers, and creators will be selling clothing, accessories, homewares, and greeting cards.

Lizzy Bishop, Director of Brighton Fashion Week says: “After the success of Brighton Fashion Week 2014, the next logical step in helping to support the immense talent at the catwalk shows was to provide a space where people can try and buy the outfits”

Visit them at: 12 Meeting House Lane, South Laines, Brighton, BN1 1HB.
Opening times: 28 November 2014 to 6 January 2015
To pop up at Brighton Fashion Week Christmas Pop Up go to: https://wearepopup.com/pr/brighton-fashion-week-faq/

The Dandy Lab pop up

Step up your shopping experience and visit the world’s first talking store, the Dandy Lab, a new gentleman’s lifestyle store enhanced with new technology to make shopping more interactive and personalised. Shoppers can now get recommendations and styling tips, tailored to their individual tastes with smart mannequins and interactive digital plinths.

Browse through British menswear brands such as Hetsch Man, Alice Made This, and Cherchbi and try out this brand-new and memorable Christmas shopping treat.

Visit them at: 9 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9LL.
Opening Times: 1 December 2014 to 13 January 2015.

Petit Miracles Hub pop up

Petite Miracles Hub is home to small businesses with entrepreneurs and creators coming together to not only build their own entrepreneurial skills but also to showcase their one-of-a-kind pieces from recycled candles to handmade jewelry.

Experience a different way of shopping by learning first hand from the makers themselves. They offer more than just shopping too. Join the business retail hub as they hold workshops, special parties, and a retail theatre for visitors to enjoy.

Visit them at: West12 Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush Green, London, W12 8PP
Opening Times: 4^th December onwards
To pop up at Petit Miracle Hub, go to: https://wearepopup.com/pr/petit-miracle-hub/

For more information about Small Business Saturday, visit their website.

The tailored experience: shopping goes interactive

Have you ever spent a day walking countless hours in and out of high street shops, sifting through piles of clothing, and trying on clothes just to put them back on the rack? It sums up the old shopping experience. Well, out with the old and in with the new. Dubbed the world’s first talking store, The Dandy Lab aims to revolutionize the entire shopping experience with new innovative and interactive technology.

Interactive shopping

Launched on the 1 December and running for six weeks before the launch of its extended pop up shop next Spring 2015, Pop Up at No.9 is a new gentleman’s lifestyle multi-brand store that aims to make the shopping experience easier, engaged, and more personalised. Co-founders Peter Jeun Ho Tsang and Julija Bainiaksina, whose main inspiration is to “collaborate to innovate”, developed a new technology that employs interactive digital plinths by CASA as well as smart mannequeins by Iconeme to deliver such an experience.

But how does this new interactive pop up shop work?

The experience starts at the front of the shop as windows can recommend styling tips and suggestions, which are tailored to the customer. From there, customers can enter the store and learn more about the suggested products. They can even try it on through virtual mirrors located throughout the store. The concept store is will also feature a new social corner, where customers can share their shopping experience with friends through Facebook or Twitter right in the store.

The concept shop, which was designed by Daniel Peters (BBSClothing, British Fashion Council, Orlebar Brown, A Sauvage) and set designer Thomas Bird (GQ), will feature a range of carefully selected British menswear brands including Alice Made This, Tom Hide, and Hentsch Man selling footwear, umbrellas, and stationary.

For The Dandy Lab, it’s not only about delivering a product but providing an overall experience showcasing British craftsmanship. With plenty of in-store events such as workshops, meet the maker sessions, and late-night shopping, the store delivers a wide range of services people that creates a well-rounded shopping experience.

Join The Dandy Lab for the launch of Pop Up at No.9 on 4 December 2014 from 6 – 9 pm.
Location: 9 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, Convent Garden, London, WC2H 9LL

The Dandy Lab opens 1 December 2014 until 13 January 2015.
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Saturday 10 – 7 pm
Sunday 12 – 6 pm

Glassworks Studios is breaking all the retail rules

Glassworks was born from the idea to create a fashion destination for modern women. They offered up both of their retail shops as a ShopShare – one in the heart of Shoreditch and the other in Dalston – to work with other collaborators who share and fit the brand vision. They have now hosted over 12 fashion and accessories ShopShare pop ups, from the likes of Be-Snazzy, Urbiana and Suite Hazen.

We caught up with Irena Gordon and Lauren Lewis, Director of Glassworks Studios about their experience so far and why hosting a pop up works for them.

It offers something new

Hosting a pop up works well for a new brand as well as the space. It introduces new brands and concepts and at the same time, it creates buzz for the store itself. “It injects a sense of excitement and change, which customers really react well to. We learn from every brand that is in store and it can be the start of a longer partnership”.

Collaborating with new brands also helped Glassworks get to know their own customer base. “We learned more about our customers. What they like, or what they don’t like. How much they are willing to spend and adapt to changes in the store.”

Every project is different

With ShopShare, Glassworks are able to host several brands at one time. Since “every project is different”, according to Irena, “it can be completely different to the way you are used to working but it’s a great way to adapt and learn. You learn as time goes on exactly what type of collaborations work and what doesn’t. It’s also a great way to introduce new customers to the store and see a real mix of clientele.”

“We use the We Are Pop Up platform to find new brands to partner with in our London stores. It is simple to use and has introduced us to great brand partners.”

Keeping an open mind to the type of collaborations is also essential to getting the most out of the pop up experience both for landlords and tenants. Irena notes, “The best collaborations are ones that feel fitting for the brand and store integrally, even if it’s a concept that’s never been tried before.” Glassworks keeps an open mind when choosing who to work with, “anything from clothing to coffee and juice brands.”

Be true to your own brand

The Glassworks team have some invaluable insights about ShopShare:

“While seeking out new experiences may be exciting, it’s also important to stay true to your own brand when collaborating with others. Ask yourself the following questions:
• Does it feel right or your store?
• Would your customers appreciate their presences?
• Is there scope for future projects?”

Irena’s take-home advice is to “never do anything that feels out of your comfort zone. It’s a reflection on your brand too.”

As for brands that wish to rent out a space, it’s always important to speak to the landlord about your ideas and vision for your pop up. “Be open to alternative ways of working and conditions. The landlord will always try to accommodate requests, but be respectful of what is actually possible. It’s a journey for you both.”

Glassworks Shoreditch is located at 190 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6HU.
Glassworks Dalston is located at 78 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 7XB.

If you’re interested in booking your next pop up with Glassworks, click here for more information and to get started.

A Different Take on Portraits: Parallax in London

New York-based photographer, Ricky Chapman, is in London from 6 to 9 November to launch the follow up to his portrait series, Parallax. Comprised of just two shots per subject with no retakes or retouching except for contrast, it’s a way to capture people as well showcase photography as a medium and process. We had a quick chat with Ricky on his how this project came about.

What was the inspiration for this project?

It was half a challenge for myself and a bit of a front to the industry. I had done a ton of commercial work such as portraiture for school and other people. There was something about it that was making me crazy and I needed to do something that was for myself. In New York, I have this great group of people that I care about and I wanted to start photographing them.

At the same time, I was really frustrated in the way the photo industry works nowadays with everything that’s so quick quick quick. Everything is digital and people don’t really understand the craft.

I said, “I’m going to take two photos. I wanted to do something that had a common thread.” You have a front-on portrait and I wanted to give another aspect of each person. But the actual each set, there’s only 2 photographs taken. If I make a mistake, there’s only two recorded and kept. There’s no retouching and it is as it is.

Why did you choose London as the follow up from your first series in New York?

That would go back to George. She was kind of the inspiration to do this here in London. She was living here in London and I was living in New York. It was a way for me to put myself here for a longer period of time and to give her time.

You were able to fund this project through Kickstarter. How was that experience for you?

It definitely raised the money that was needed to get here and it took care of aspects such as shooting, travel, post-production and the show. I was glad to do it because aside from raising the money, it was able to get the project out in front of people before it even started. It was nice.

Seeing those people who supported your campaign, even if it was just $5, come out in person and see your work is meaningful. Knowing that they can now see this thing that they were a part of and that it wasn’t something that stayed online. It’s cool to see something online but to be able to stand in front of something physically and look at it; it’s a different experience.

What’s next for Parallax or any upcoming projects?

I’d like to take the next series to a place I’ve never gone before or somewhere I don’t speak the language. Maybe someplace like Moscow or some place in Brazil. Also maybe looking into starting a whole new project, something with colour, maybe.

Ricky’s book will be available for sale. Orders of portraits and posters are also available.

Connect with Ricky:

Ricky Chapman Photography
Website
Facebook
Twitter

Visit the Parallax: London exhibition at 70 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA.
Open from 6 to 9 November from 10 am to 6 pm.

To have your next pop up at this location, click here for more information.

“Don’t be scared, and start slowly” – Chef Perez Cocina’s Esteban Perez brings us behind the scenes at Colombian Street Food

With small markets, pubs, and cafes lined up among Camden High Street, you’ll find the Colombian Street Kitchen at no. 11. This is a new concept by Chef Pérez Cocina owner Esteban Pérez.

Chef Pérez Cocina is a catering business specialising in modern Colombian cuisine, with its focus on introducing the unique flavour and taste to the British market.

The story behind the Colombian Street Kitchen name

Having operated two successful pop ups before, Esteban wanted to focus on an entirely new experience. “My pop ups before were for sit down meals. The idea with this time around was to create food that people can take away.”

“When working on my business plan, I identified the type of people that would come and try my food,” Esteban says. “I knew that my customers were between 24 to 40 and were usually festival goers who like good on the go.” Knowing who his customers were helped Esteban develop a specific type of food that is new and will be known for its quality.

Location. Location. Location.

Location definitely helps the footfall and reception of a pop up. After reading about a shop that popped up in the same location in Camden, Esteban knew that it would be a good fit for the Colombian Street Kitchen. “People would come in and tell me, ‘there’s nothing like this in Camden.’” He recounts a time a customer told him he had gotten down off the bus after seeing the shop’s sign while passing by.

Having a place that is known for heavy footfall, it was a good opportunity to also introduce new products. Since people were not familiar with Colombian cuisine, Esteban promoted his pickles that he designed specifically for this pop up. “People would be curious and ask about it. They were able to try it here and we receive a lot of good feedback.”

Insider tip: find out how to reach new customers with our Ask the experts blog post.

Be proactive

Social media was a key tool in promoting the Colombian Street Kitchen. “I used my Facebook page to let people know about what’s going on,” says Esteban. Instagram and Twitter were also important in getting the word out. Find out how to make the most of Twitter for your pop up from our experts.

Taking advantage of the situation such as location is also vital to running a successful pop up. “I knew people want to try new things, so we did a lot of sampling,” says Esteban. “I’m noisy during the afternoon, so I’d be outside telling people to ‘come inside and try our food’. People I was talking to during the first week were the ones that kept returning.” It’s important to remain consistent in order to have a steady flow of people coming in to visit the shop.

Don’t be scared and start slowly

For those who are thinking of launching their own pop up, Esteban advises to take the chance. “Don’t be scared. When you want to do a pop up, usually it’s because you know what you have is good.”

Another tip he has is to start slowly. When he first started, Esteban only booked for 9 days. “I didn’t want to spend a lot of money because I wasn’t sure. But after 9 days and the feedback I received, I knew that it worked. I ended up extending it to a month.”

If you would like your pop up held at 11 Camden High Street, check out the space or discover more for yourself here.

Ask the experts – how do I promote my event?

Peter Brünings-Hansen, Managing Director and Partner of Billetto – an events discovery platform, uses his passion for creative sector startups and interactive design to make buying tickets when you go out as easy as possible. A Scandi Tech Entrepreneur with a VC background, it’s clear that Peter has a strong vision for the company which hosts 35,000 events a year from over 15,000 organisers. We Are Pop Up spoke to him for some words of wisdom about event promotion.

Start Early

The single biggest mistake that event organisers make is that they begin their promotion too close to the event date. Festivals typically start their early bird promotion up to 9-12 months in advance. For smaller events like food pop-ups or comedy nights, ideally a minimum of 3 weeks is needed.

Think Influencers

In our experience bloggers & local media are often superior to established mainstream media when it comes to directing relevant traffic to your event page. Cultivating ties with these influencers on social media and even in person is both a powerful and cheap/free solution to your promotion.

Reward Early Action

It can be frustrating that the bulk of tickets sell in the last week leading up to your event. You can save yourself a lot of stress and last minute panic by optimising your ticket sales across the promotion schedule. Early Birds, Competitions, Value-adds and other social engagements are great tactics for catching a customer’s eye early on.

Create Content and Tell Stories

When it comes to events, content is king and to stand out in London without a huge mailing list or a Lorde show, you really need to be creative to reach the right audiences. We’ve found that creative and engaging storytelling across social channels is key to succeed. We use everything from artwork, competitions, videos, interviews, and infographics to generate buzz in the right circles and often we ask external influencers to contribute as well.

Use Billetto

We work with over 15,000 event organisers of all kinds and sizes across Northern Europe and we know that promotion is the number 1 challenge. That is why we are continuously improving our platform to help you reach and engage relevant audiences by integrating all the tactics above into the ideal event management service.

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