I recently received a question from Janna, a long-time student, and client of ours. Janna has been running a successful brick-and-mortar boutique and recently received an intriguing offer related to pickleball. In this blog post, we'll explore the opportunity she's presented with and discuss how to choose the right pop-up or store-in-store location for your business.

Boutique Pop Ups: Should You Put Your Product in Someone Else's Space

Understanding the Opportunity

Janna received an offer from a gentleman who owns one of the largest pickleball court complexes in the state of Missouri. He plans to open more complexes and wants to expand his business by offering pickleball products to his customers. However, he lacks the contacts and merchandising knowledge that Janna possesses. His proposal is simple: Janna would order items for his complex, retain her tags, promote her business, and keep his customers satisfied with a range of pickleball goodies. The challenge for Janna is figuring out how to make this opportunity work and ensure both parties make a profit. 

Identifying the Ideal Customer and Financial Considerations

The first step for Janna is to understand the ideal customer for the pickleball complex. By delving into their demographics, preferences, and spending habits, she can determine the financial potential of this venture. Since pickleball court memberships typically require a certain level of disposable income, it's crucial to curate merchandise that resonates with the customers' experiences. Janna can consider luxury or fun-themed products, depending on the vibe of the complex. By estimating the ideal markup and pricing range, she can strike a balance where both parties make money.

Building an Assortment Plan and Visualizing the Space

To make this opportunity a success, Janna needs to create an assortment plan tailored to the pickleball complex. This plan should include a mix of basic and branded items, such as clothing, accessories, and fun pickleball-themed merchandise. Determining the frequency of assortment changes, whether monthly or biweekly, is also important. Additionally, she should visualize the space she'll be allocated within each complex, considering fixtures, cash wrap placement, and flow of traffic. By visualizing the layout and planning for scalability across multiple locations, Janna can streamline the process. 

Financial Considerations and Partnership Options

Janna must also consider the financial aspects and partnership options. She can choose to invest in inventory and pay rent to the owner, treating it as her own plot within the complex. Alternatively, they could establish a partnership with a profit-sharing arrangement. Detailed discussions with the complex owner will help determine the best approach based on investment, risk, and ownership.

Addressing Specific Concerns 

In Janna's case, she had additional questions regarding invoicing and tracking sales at a separate location. Using a reliable Point of Sale (POS) system like Shopify can help manage inventory, invoicing, and sales tracking across multiple locations. With the right technology in place, she can streamline operations and monitor the performance of each pop-up or store-in-store location.

Should You Put Your Product in Someone Else’s Space?

Taking advantage of pop-up or store-in-store opportunities can provide boutique owners with valuable exposure and increased customer engagement. In Janna's case, the pickleball complex offers a unique chance to expand her business and cater to a specific niche market. By thoroughly understanding the ideal customer, developing an assortment plan, visualizing the space, and considering the financial and partnership aspects, Janna can make an informed decision. This opportunity requires careful planning, but it could lead to significant growth for her boutique.

Remember, when evaluating similar opportunities, trust your gut, conduct thorough research, and weigh the pros and cons. Sometimes, taking a calculated risk can lead to remarkable rewards. Embrace new ventures and evaluate opportunities based on your boutique's unique vision and goals.