Pop-up heaven!

Hot on the heels of our work with Kelloggs in Manchester last month, we now have a range of possible venues across the North West ready to let your brand get the kind of interaction and communication it deserves.

The cost of fit-out really depends on your specification, but it need not be astronomical. Some brands thrive on an industrial or ‘grunge’ feel, easily adapting neglected spaces. Other brands demand a bit more polish, and we have ways to create very attractive innovative coverings and window dressings that can mimic something out of Beverly Hills!

Our staff are fully experienced in running such events, guiding customers through the full brand experience, and creating a sense of ‘wow’ that will get social media trending and your local media clamouring for features.

Best of all, consumers get what they want – something different, something out of the ordinary, and a chance to interact with your brand. Contact us now to find out how we can create the splash and noise that will set your brand apart.

Pop-up: a massive brand opportunity

Kellogs

We recently partnered Kelloggs in support of National Cereal Day, with a pop-up shop in Central Manchester. It was a great way to grab some headlines, speak directly to consumers, create a bit of marketing ‘noise’ and raise the profile of cereals. What struck me was that people are more than willing to engage, and enjoy the fact that something new has popped up along their daily commute. It is people’s natural curiosity to go and see what is going on, see what is happening, that creates a really big opportunity for brand owners everywhere. It is a chance for brand owners to create the perfect venue to show off their products, expand on their brand personality, and connect with their consumers to get some real, honest feedback. I am also very proud of our staff, who are all able to cope in such an unpredictable live setting. The natural way in which they engaged with the public not only helps to keep the brand ‘accessible’, but encourages much greater trial, and more positive feedback from the event.

There is no end of empty units that can quickly and simply be transformed into a ‘brand oasis’ to really get across to consumers so much more than can be achieved through traditional retail channels. It also cheers up the high street, gives consumers something new to look at and experience, and is a highly cost effective way to generate greater engagement and footfall. We will definitely be doing more!

High Streets

There is a lot of talk at the moment about how many high streets are failing. One of the most common explanations is that the internet has changed people’s shopping habits. Whilst this is undoubtedly true, people still like dealing with people, and this is something we have found in our business. Despite increased brand spend on digital marketing, there is still a strong case for brand owners to undertake face to face marketing, whether that is product sampling, taste-testing, or just engaging your customers in some way to get their feedback, buy-in, or support.

People still like to go out and have a look around the shops, the trouble is that they don’t always buy on the spot! Retail has always relied on hard work to create the kinds of spaces where people want to come and be encouraged to shop. Our work over the past 20 years has seen a big shift in marketing spend away from POS to online, but one of the most rewarding parts of the marketing mix has been the ability to get out and in front of customers and prospects and get some real immediate feedback. Our promotions cover lots of sectors, and we can supply entertainment staff such as magicians, or face-painters, or any kind of performers. All of this adds up to an opportunity to get people out from behind their screens and start mingling, which creates a more memorable experience on a day out. An extreme example of this is the recent parade of the Giants in Liverpool, where thousands turned up to see a story unfold across the city. Yes, you could have watched it on TV or online, but the feedback from spectators was overwhelmingly positive, and it gave something to talk about to their friends. The town centre café’s and restaurants did well too, as all those people needed something to eat or drink. It also serves to encourage people to go out more often, just to experience the vibe and see what is going on. Things are changing, but that means we have to think differently and work that little bit harder to make sure we get customers on board.

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