Waco Modular, a leader in modular construction services, has unveiled a mobile, scalable, and rentable pop-up shop solution designed to reshape how businesses in South Africa approach retail, events, and service delivery.
“In today’s fast-paced business environment, flexibility is essential for success. These innovative structures offer unparalleled flexibility, enabling businesses to establish a presence in prime locations without the enduring commitment of traditional brick-and-mortar stores,” says Zharn-Pierre Nel, Branch Manager at Waco Modular.
He explains that the pop-up shop solution offers businesses a unique opportunity to create a more personalised customer experience. These shops allow businesses to directly engage with customers, gather feedback and build relationships compared to traditional modular structures.
“The product is designed to cater for specific customer needs and for businesses looking to expand into new markets or experiment with different rental concepts. Importantly, pop-up shops offer a cost-effective way for businesses to test the water before committing to a more permanent presence in a modular building,” says Nel.
Several factors inspired the development of the pop-up shop solution, with the main one being the need for flexibility. There is a growing demand amongst small businesses and entrepreneurs for a flexible retail solution or a space that can be quickly reconfigured.
Rapid deployment
“One of the key benefits is rapid deployment. Pop-up shops can leverage existing infrastructure and can therefore be set up in locations like parking lots, malls or sports stadiums with minimal disruption while maximising convenience for both the business and customers,” says Nel.
From an innovation perspective, pop-up shops provide a platform for entrepreneurs and small businesses to test new ideas, while also being adaptable to seasonal events. There is a diverse cultural landscape of vibrant calendar consumer behaviours, and pop-up shops can be deployed quickly to coincide with these events and maximise sales and brand visibility during peak periods.
“Given their mobility, scalability and stackability, pop-up shops address many of the challenges faced by businesses today, especially in terms of flexibility and cost-effectiveness. They can be set up in various locations and align businesses to reach different customer segments or test new markets without long-term commitments,” says Kate Tarry-Smith, Rental and Sales Executive at Waco Modular.
Risk mitigation
“This solution also mitigates risk. Renting a modular unit shifts the burden of ownership, and depreciation to Waco Modular, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations without the burden of capital outlay and liabilities associated with asset ownership,” says Tarry-Smith.
“Essentially, the pop-up shop solution enables businesses to test new products, services or concepts in a real-world setting without the costs and commitments associated with a permanent location or purchase of a permanent facility.”
This, she adds, can provide valuable insights into consumer preferences and market trends. If a particular location is not performing well, the business can easily relocate its pop-up shop to a different area.
“For small businesses and entrepreneurs, these pop-up shops provide an affordable and effective way to explore new markets or locations before committing to long-term expansion. In times of economic uncertainty, the pop-up shop offers a flexible alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar stores, allowing businesses to adjust to their operations quickly to meet changing consumer behaviour and market conditions,” Tarry-Smith adds.
One satisfied user of the solution is Aletta Nel, owner of Koffi-múr, a coffee shop based at the ERPM Golf Club in Boksburg. She says the Waco Modular pop-up shop has been the ideal solution for her new business.
“Renting a pop-up shop from Waco Modular gives me flexibility around cost and the opportunity to explore this new location, which already has significant foot traffic,” says Nel.
“Waco Modular also provided signage to promote both my business and their product, which is a dual benefit. With rental costs in shopping centres and complexes being so high, this solution has allowed me to open my business in a good location,” Nel concludes.
