Planning a Pop-Up? Set Yourself up for Success with This Checklist

After you’ve settled on your pop-up space, you’re one step closer to creating an offline experience that will benefit your brand in many ways. But the truth is, there’s a lot of planning that goes into a pop-up store.

We’re here to set you up for success before, during, and after your event. To ensure that you don’t pass over any critical details, we put together a checklist of everything you need for a successful pop-up store.

1. Prepare for your pop-up store

• Coordinate a setup with the space owner. Agree on a time to pick up keys and start setting up.
• Get any permits, licenses, and insurance in order. This will vary on the nature of your pop-up store and your city and state’s regulations. Do your research ahead of time.
• Confirm the space’s utilities. Know what features are included in your rental (wi-fi, video equipment, or kitchen space, for example) and how to use them. Most spaces include this in the price, but always double-check!
• Choose a payment system. Mobile POS systems and cash are both good options. If you’re planning a ticketed event, select a platform to sell and scan tickets.
• Design your layout. Visit the space and decide how you will configure it and showcase your products. Read up on visual merchandising to design a smooth customer experience from front door to checkout.
• Rent, buy, or make any furniture or fixtures you need. This can include shelves, clothing racks, hangers, display tables, extra lighting, decor, and more. Make sure that everything in your space aligns visually with your brand.
• Develop a marketing strategy. Promote your pop-up on social media, plan in-store events, create an event page, or partner with other brands or local influencers. How will you spread the word and build buzz?
• Create branded materials. Think price tags, signs (for your products as well as the interior and exterior of your space), posters, cards, and window displays.
• Stay in touch with your customers. Plan to collect email newsletter sign-ups or pass out business cards during your event. Get creative with social media. This is your chance to convert one-time visitors into lifelong fans.
• Hire staff if needed. Establish policies and guidelines to help staff provide a great experience for your guests.
• Set goals. Ask yourself why you’re putting on a pop-up. Are you building brand awareness or just trying to tap into seasonal sales? How will you know if you’ve met your goals? Set up a way to track key metrics.
• Determine store policies. Think about hours of operation, parking restrictions, sound limits, etc. Keep all staff in the loop.

2. Set-up your pop-up store

• Set up your space. Arrange furniture and decorate according to your design plan. Assemble your products in a way that attracts shoppers and increases your conversion rate.
• Keep in contact. It’s always good to have your space owner’s contact info on hand if last-minute questions come up.
• Test your tech. Take your Wi-fi, POS system, and other gadgets for a test drive before you open your doors.
• Draw in foot traffic. Attract visitors by putting up banners, signs, or other attention-grabbing elements.
• Bring a tool kit. The contents will depend on your event, but we suggest bringing along a hammer, nails, tape, tape measure, stapler, staples, pens, paper, glue, extra chargers or batteries, and anything else you might need in a pinch.

3. Break down your pop-up store

• Clean up the space. Leave the space in the same condition that you found it. It’s best to coordinate cleanup and trash disposal with the space owner.
• Break everything down. Take apart all displays, furniture, and signage that you brought in for your pop-up store. Don’t forget to return any rented furniture.
• Return keys to the space owner. Make sure that any equipment provided with your space rental ends up in the right hands.
• Keep in touch. As always, feel free to let us know if you have any questions about booking a space or planning your pop-up store. We’re happy to help.

Book your dream space for your next pop-up event