The pop-up boom: What short-term stores can teach full-time businesses

They may appear overnight and disappear just as quickly, but pop-up shops have become one of the most powerful tools for grabbing customer attention.

In Canada, demand for pop-up spaces has grown quickly since the pandemic, with more small and local businesses using them to reconnect with customers. These short-term setups make it possible to showcase products, test new ideas, and build real connections—without the weight of a long lease.

Even if you’re running a permanent brick-and-mortar store, food truck, or service-based business, there’s plenty to learn from the pop-up playbook.

What is a pop-up shop?

A pop-up shop is a temporary retail space, typically lasting only days or weeks, designed to deliver a one-of-a-kind, limited-time shopping experience that excites customers and sparks urgency. They might take over a vacant storefront, set up at a weekend market, or appear inside another business. The goal? Drive sales, generate awareness, and connect with customers in a fresh and memorable way.

Pop-ups are known for:

A compelling example? Picture a local bakery setting up a short-term kiosk in a shopping mall to debut an exclusive line of seasonal pastries. Rather than filling the space with their usual products, they spotlight just a few limited-edition flavours, presented with photo-worthy touches like a decorated counter and branded packaging. Shoppers are drawn in by the smells and samples, and many make impulse purchases knowing the kiosk won’t be around for long. As photos and mentions trickle onto social media, the bakery leaves not only with extra sales but also with direct feedback on which flavours resonate most—insights they can carry back to their main location.

Types of pop-up shops

Pop-ups are not one-size-fits-all. Depending on your goals, you might choose:

Why pop-ups work and how you can adapt the strategy

When customers know a store won’t be around forever, they act fast—and they often buy more than planned. In fact, this “fear of missing out” drives roughly 65 per cent of purchase decisions, making it a powerful force in temporary retail.¹

For your business: Create urgency with weekend-only promotions, seasonal bundles, or a short-run product launch. Even without changing locations, you can recreate that “get it before it’s gone” feeling. If demand spikes, Moneris Advance helps eligible businesses access working capital quickly, making it easier to order more stock and keep the momentum going.

The most successful pop-ups focus on creating a full brand experience, not just a point of sale. Interactive product demonstrations, complimentary in-store samples, or photo-friendly spaces can deepen engagement and encourage customers to stay longer.

For your business: Think beyond selling. Give your customers something to talk about and share, fueling powerful word-of-mouth marketing long after they leave.

Pop-ups work best when people are already excited to see them. Tactics like sharing sneak peeks on social media and connecting with a local community group or influencer can quickly put you on the radar. Even with a minimal budget, stepping outside your usual marketing routine sparks curiosity and anticipation. 

For your business: Run product drops like pop-up events. Set a launch date, share teasers online and in-store, and build a moment everyone wants in on.

Pop-ups are a practical way to experiment. They give you the chance to test products, prices, or even new concepts in real time, while hearing directly from customers. The insights you gain can guide smarter decisions for the future.

For your business: Treat your pop-up like a live feedback loop. Ask questions, notice what customers gravitate toward, and use those learnings to fine-tune things like product variations.

Many pop-ups thrive on collaboration—pairing with a complementary brand to share costs and attract each other’s customers.

For your business: Whether it’s a coffee shop hosting a bakery or a florist setting up shop inside a cozy bookstore, collaborations can multiply your reach.

How to make a pop-up shop successful

A pop-up isn’t just about showing up with products—it’s about creating a moment. The best pop-up shops feel more like events than stores, blending exclusivity, creativity, and customer engagement into an experience people can’t wait to share.

Whether you’re hosting a one-day booth at a local market or transforming a storefront for a weekend, success comes down to careful planning. From the story you tell to the way customers pay and interact with your brand, every detail should work together to make the experience seamless and memorable.

Here are a few steps to make your pop-up both memorable and profitable:

Define the story you want your pop-up to tell. A consistent theme—from décor to packaging—makes your brand feel more intentional and cohesive.

Offer something customers can’t get anywhere else. This can be a limited-edition item, early access to a product, or a unique bundle. Exclusivity drives foot traffic.

Every corner should be camera-ready. Think of unique backdrops, branded props, or a playful product display that encourages customers to take and post photos.

Create a sensory experience that customers associate with your brand. A signature scent, curated playlist, or sample station can make your pop-up more immersive and memorable.

Nothing kills excitement faster than a long line or clunky checkout. Stay prepared and reduce friction with solutions like the Tap to Pay on iPhone with the Moneris Go app, which enables fast and secure in-person, contactless payments with no additional hardware needed.

Encourage email sign-ups or social media follows during the pop-up to stay connected after the event. Offer a small incentive to increase participation, like a discount code for their next purchase.

Close your pop-up with a hint about what’s next. This could be your next location, upcoming product, or seasonal collection. It keeps the conversation and anticipation going.

Turning pop-up lessons into permanent success

The pop-up mindset is all about agility—reacting to trends, creating urgency, and making every customer interaction memorable. You don’t have to rent a temporary storefront to get the benefits. By building urgency into promotions, keeping your visuals fresh, and treating launches like events, you can capture the same excitement and translate it into long-term growth.

The bottom line? Pop-ups prove that customers crave novelty, exclusivity, and connection. If you bring those elements into your everyday operations, you can make your permanent business feel as exciting as a grand opening, every single day.