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The holidays are the perfect time to run a pop-up shop. If you're in the process of getting things going, we’ve got your back!

Pop-up shops ideas for the holidays

Here are some tips for setting up an effective Christmas pop-up that'll get shoppers excited about your merchandise and keep them coming back throughout the season.

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1. Make it easier for shoppers to buy

One thing that holiday shoppers truly need is ease. With families, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and more to shop for, this time of year gets quickly overwhelming. Flowcode’s QR technology is a great place to start; we can streamline any part of the shopping process. Whether customers place the order using a QR code in-store, access one-of-a-kind coupon codes, sign up for your shop’s newsletter, or so much more, Flowcodes help you make sales, impressions, and memories. Simplify the shopper’s experience and maximize your conversions with a QR code!

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2. Hire an enthusiastic staff

Hiring staff is your most important task when planning a pop-up shop. You want people who are enthusiastic about your brand, have experience in customer service, and enjoy working with others. Great candidates will be friendly and outgoing and able to provide strong customer service. Ideally, hire folks who have worked around the holiday season before and are confident that they’re up for the high demand!

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3. Create a pleasing atmosphere with holiday themes

Curating the right atmosphere is a key part of any successful pop-up. Scientists have proven that shopping makes people happy, and there’s no better time for a joyful shopping experience than the holiday season. Put your customers at ease with a themed store, comforting atmosphere, and warm employees. Here’s a short list of positive-atmosphere boosters for your pop-up:

One great way to do this is by playing holiday music.
Add wintry scents to the shop. Gingerbread, pine, open fire, and more are perfect scents to create a happy winter experience for your customers.
Hang decorations like lights, garlands, and ornaments. If you are aiming to be neutral from religious affiliations, avoid any clear Christian symbols like Santa Claus or reindeer. Or, add enough symbols that encompass the many winter holidays, like Hanukkah menorahs and Kwanzaa candles.

Lastly, stick to a calming and homey color palette of green and gold. If applicable to your merchandise, offer holiday food and drink like hot chocolate and cookies to make customers feel right at home!

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4. Take inspiration from other stores and markets

Not only are you likely to see some great ideas for décor and music, but you can also get a sense of what people like about this area during the holidays. If any local events happen regularly around this time of year, consider finding a way to collaborate with them or draw attention to them through your store. This will help you establish yourself as a part of the community while also letting people know that they don’t want to miss your shop’s take on the events!

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5. Try to host events at your pop-up (invite key figures if possible)

Hosting events is a great way to foster a sense of community at your pop-up. Sponsor painting, wine, book, or movie nights at your location or a nearby venue to gather like-minded individuals. Invite local key figures to attend and contribute. These simple events can go a long way in making an impression on future shoppers.

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6. Generate buzz for your merchandise, events, and more on social media

Here are some of the best ways to do that:

Seek out local relevant Facebook groups. These are great places to share details of your event or offer coupons to get shoppers in the door.
Use relevant hashtags. Hashtags can help people find you on Instagram and Twitter if they search for terms like"Christmas pop-up shop" in their area. Make sure to also include these in the bios section of your store's social media accounts so that anyone interested can easily find them!
Encourage shoppers to share pictures online and in reviews for a coupon code or entry in a raffle. One way to do this is through a holiday hashtag, where any entrants are entered into a pool to win a gift basket! Another way is to scan a Flowcode that enters them into a raffle and sign up for your newsletter. Then, they get to wait and see if they win!
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7. Shoot and upload original video content of shoppers, window displays, and staff from your pop-up

Now that you've got the shop itself set up for success, it's time to start recording some video content. You can use a tripod for great landscape shots and even record footage of your shelf displays and key merchandise items. This will help you create an engaging social media presence for your pop-up that people will want to follow. Consult a staff member with social media experience if you aren’t sure what to do with your filmed content.

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8. Check Pinterest and other relevant blogs for inspiration

Pinterest is a great source of inspiration for decor, scenery, and more. Also, get to know what your customers like by asking if they have public Pinterest boards when they ring up. You can also check out other relevant blogs (e.g., local or national retail blogs) for classic pop-up shop ideas. Lastly, read pop-up shop personal stories online to see what has worked and what hasn’t for past owners like yourself.

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Your best holiday pop-up season yet!

If you want to run a successful pop-up shop, the most important thing is to make sure that you’re passionate about the merchandise and the atmosphere of your store. The other tips we covered are basic guidelines to fill in the rest and make your customers feel welcome in your space. Curating a warm, themed environment, generating a community atmosphere, and utilizing social media to highlight your products are great places to start!