Recent research has revealed that 29 per cent of new UK businesses will be launched as pop-up shops.
11.6 million people are looking to become entrepreneurs within the next two years, with almost a third of them planning to do so through a pop-up shop, according to research conducted by EE.
Food was the most popular prospective pop-up shop at 30%, followed by drink (18%) and arts & crafts (15%). It was also revealed that 57 per cent of people consider pop-up shops a good way to start a business, while the proven success of the retail model is inspiration for 39 per cent of people.
Despite this, findings also showed that 32 per cent are concerned about being unable to find the correct space for their shop, and whether they have the appropriate technology.
Last year EE and CEBR conducted a report, The Pop-up Retail Economy, which found that pop-up retail contributed £2.1billion to the economy.
‘This research shows that Britain is now a nation of aspiring business owners’, Mike Tomlinson, Director of Small Business at EE, says.
‘Whether you’re starting your first business on your own or you’re an established company testing out a new location or product, pop-ups have become a tried and tested business strategy.’
Successful small businesses operating as pop-up shops are becoming increasingly prevalent. This has allowed many to grow proficiently, choosing to retain the pop-up and add a ‘brick’ building to operate from too. Online businesses are also progressively looking to pop-up shops as a way to interact with their customers directly.
For the majority, the cheeky ‘pop-up’ has grown up and proved itself both financially and conceptually, for the long-term and for any smart-minded property owner. In fact , pop-ups are becoming an integral part of the commercial leasing landscape.
This research builds on EE’s Pop-up UK campaign, aiming to aid people in starting their own business. EE is currently advocating Appear Here, the leading site for booking retail space online, and its ‘Space for Ideas’ competition which intends to ‘find and support the UK’s next top pop-up entrepreneurs’.