PopUp Republic

The Day-to-Day

Once you are open, here are a few simple things that may be expected of you when you first arrive:

• Unlock the doors and keep them propped open to create a more welcoming atmosphere (subject to weather, of course) for your customers.
• Depending on the type of pop-up, turn on music and have it play in the background (not too loud!) throughout the day.
• Make sure there is cash in the cash box or register.
• Keep track of employee hours and hold them accountable.
• Clean your space, making sure it’s a welcoming environment for customers.
• Clean bathrooms, kitchens, and/or common areas.
• Make sure your products are arranged in an aesthetically pleasing way.

As you gain more experience, you will develop policies and procedures that will become second-nature for you and part of your daily routine. Ultimately, it is important that you create an environment that is conducive to handling multiple customers at one time—if you’re a chef, this is a bit different, as usually pop-up dining concepts are seated and ticketed meals, but for retailers, if you are selling products that are scattered about your shop and require explanation, it might be wise to hire hourly staff (or have friends or family help out) so that multiple people with knowledge of your brand and offerings can provide an experience for customers and make the sale.

We hear from pop-up organizers all the time that, although they have achieved some level of success, there is far more management and overseeing involved ...