Test, trade, grow: Why SMEs are turning to pop-up retail

For many small businesses, the leap into physical retail can feel daunting. Long leases, high costs and complex logistics often put shopping centre or high street locations out of reach.

But there's another way – one that gives you visibility, sales and customer connection quickly and easily.

That's where we, SpaceandPeople, come in. For 25 years, we've been connecting brands, independent retailers and entrepreneurs with high-footfall venues across the UK and Germany.

From prime shopping centres to busy commuter hubs and retail parks, we make it possible for businesses of all sizes to show up where their customers already are.

Pop-up retail, made simple

Our Rock Up and Pop Up service is designed with small businesses in mind. Think of it as retail without the red tape. You bring your product; we handle the rest.

That includes:

• helping you choose the right location

• designing and building custom kiosks

• setting up and maintaining your space, and

• even the option for staffing and merchandising support

Everything is flexible and scalable – you can trade for a few weeks, test a new region or trial a new product line.

Real results in action

The impact can be huge. A jewellery retailer achieved £41,000 in sales in 30 days at a major shopping centre.

But beyond the numbers, the real magic happens face-to-face. Pop-ups give shoppers the chance to see, touch, and connect with your product in real time – something online alone can't deliver.

An independent retailer I recently worked with says:

"We've been an online-first brand so doing a pop-up was new – but everything just clicked. From Trinity Leeds to Metrocentre, we had a custom-branded kiosk, steady footfall and real-time customer engagement.

"The support from the Rock Up and Pop Up team was efficient, reliable and exactly what we needed to kickstart our pop-up retail journey."

Your next step

If you've ever thought about stepping into physical retail, now might be the time. With seasonal events, high-performing venues and flexible booking windows, there are more opportunities than ever to put your brand in front of the right audience.

SpaceandPeople is here to help you make it happen. Get in touch today.

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