We’re so excited to be running Virgin Foodpreneur 2017 in partnership with intu – a competition to find the brightest and best food and drink startups that the UK has to offer. With the prize of pop-up retail space in a major intu shopping centre on offer, it’s a serious chance for your business to move to the next level. Trevor Perreira of intu talks about the benefits a pop-up space can have on your business.
Got an amazing food or drink business? Enter Virgin Foodpreneur 2017 now.
The popularity of online shopping has risen massively over the last decade, but that doesn’t mean that the convenience of online has usurped the experience of shopping in real life. Customers are still after inspiration, innovation and experience-led shopping trips.
Enter pop-up shops – the perfect opportunity to meet this need, offering that sought-after element of discovery. The pop-up trend has not only stuck around, but has actually evolved to become an important component of the retail mix within our centres.
At intu we’re completely focussed on creating compelling shopping experiences that our customers enjoy, and by welcoming pop up stores we’re able to introduce new brands that offer something different, something new or even innovative. It’s that little moment of excitement and pure discovery that today’s consumers enjoy.
It’s also an amazing opportunity for retailers. Pop ups are the perfect, flexible arrangement for any independent or new brand looking to test the market. In fact Made in Nottingham, a contemporary design store that brings together a creative collective of Nottingham based designer/makers at intu Broadmarsh in Nottingham, is the perfect example of how we’ve been able to support a variety of retailers in meeting their business goals, whilst giving customers a unique and unexpected experience.
What’s more, running a pop-up in a location that provides significant footfall, as all our retail centres do, provides a huge opportunity to get your business in front of a wide range of customers – it could be the thing that broadens your audience, or sparks an idea you wouldn’t have had otherwise.
These days, pop-ups are not just for small independent businesses with a new product to launch. They’re also a fantastic way to bring innovative retail experiences to life, raising brand awareness and engaging with consumers, in a way only possible through the physical shopping experience. This magic happens regardless of your business’s size.
This potential for experiences is why we’re so excited to be teaming with Virgin StartUp for Virgin Foodpreneur 2017 – we’ll be helping a brilliant UK food or drink business to discover how a pop-up can take their trade to the next level.
Entrants will have the chance to showcase their business in a customised pop up at one of our prime regional shopping centres and online at intu.co.uk for one week. From the eight semi-finalists a lucky winner will be chosen for the opportunity to run their business at an intu centre and online for six weeks.
We’re hoping it will see new brands break through into the retail market and will definitely give our customers a reason to stop, discover and experience something unexpected – something the pop-up experience does like nothing else.