MERCHMODE LEARN How to Plan Merch for a Pop-Up Shop
HOW TO PLAN MERCH FOR A POP-UP SHOP.
A pop-up has one defining characteristic: the date is fixed. Production, stock, display and delivery all need to work backwards from it.
01 / DEFINE THE JOB OF THE POP-UP
Is the pop-up mainly for sales, launch visibility, community building, content, press or product testing? The answer affects how much stock you need and what type of merchandise should be prioritised.
02 / BUILD A SMALL, CLEAR PRODUCT MIX
Too many SKUs can create complexity in a short retail window. A focused range is easier to display, explain and replenish.
Consider a hero product, supporting products and one lower-priced entry item where appropriate.
03 / FORECAST DEMAND
Use expected footfall, previous sales, RSVP numbers, audience size, event duration and intended price points to create a planning estimate.
Do not treat maximum venue capacity as guaranteed customers.
04 / PLAN THE SIZE MIX
For apparel, total quantity is only part of the decision. Build a size breakdown and make sure the sales team can see stock levels clearly during the event.
05 / SET RETAIL PRICES BEFORE PRODUCTION
Work backwards from intended retail price and margin. Include garment, decoration, labels, packaging, freight and event-related costs where relevant.
Avoid discovering after production that the required retail price no longer fits the audience.
06 / MAKE DISPLAY PART OF THE PRODUCT PLAN
Consider how garments will be presented: rails, folded stock, wall samples, mannequins or display units. Keep sellable stock organised separately from display samples where possible.
07 / PLAN THE PAYMENT FLOW
Decide how customers will pay and make sure connectivity, devices, chargers, card readers and backup options are ready before doors open.
08 / DELIVERY NEEDS A RECEIVING PLAN
Confirm the exact venue address, access times, loading restrictions, receiving contact and storage space. Stock arriving at the building is not the same as stock arriving at the selling area.
09 / BUILD A RESTOCK AREA
Keep reserve inventory organised by SKU and size so the sales floor can be replenished quickly. Opening every carton in front of customers is not an inventory system.
10 / CAPTURE CUSTOMER DATA
The pop-up should not end when the doors close. Where appropriate, use email signup, QR codes, social follows or future-drop registration to convert footfall into an audience you can reach again.
11 / PLAN FOR UNSOLD STOCK
Decide what happens after the event. Remaining units might move into ecommerce, another event, tour inventory or a controlled follow-up sale.
Do not create stock with no post-event destination.
12 / BUILD CONTENT INTO THE DAY
A pop-up can generate launch footage, customer reactions, styling content, product photography and behind-the-scenes material. Assign someone to capture it rather than assuming it will happen automatically.
13 / POP-UP CHECKLIST
Before opening, confirm: - products and quantities - size breakdown - pricing - card/payment setup - display plan - stock storage - packaging - staff allocation - delivery and collection - customer data capture - post-event stock plan
THE MERCHMODE PRINCIPLE
A pop-up is a fixed-date production project, not simply a room full of products. Plan stock, delivery and sell-through together.
YOUR POP-UP HAS A DATE. PRODUCTION SHOULD TOO.
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