Sustainable pop-up stores: Ekoplaza, Polestar and 2nd Peak set trends
It's not unusual to present a salesroom to the public in an igloo, to introduce the new Porsche at 2300 meters above sea level in a snow globe-like display, or to be surrounded by a giant Advent calendar all at once. Welcome to the exciting world of pop-up stores! These temporary stores, also known as guerrilla stores, appear and disappear again in the streets of large and small cities, and their unusual locations and impressively staged products are now also attracting the attention of customers in Germany.
The concept of pop-up stores is based on the principle: “What’s hard to get becomes especially desirable.” Here, it’s all about scarce availability, because these stores usually disappear after a short time. Through an exclusive atmosphere and the skilful staging of the products, customers are encouraged to grab quickly and snatch up the almost artistically designed products. What we should keep in mind is that the production of new material for a short period of time can involve a large consumption of resources and a short lifespan. That’s why it’s super important for brands to take a hard look at sustainability.
We therefore present the three coolest sustainable pop-up stores
Ekoplaza: The world’s first plastic-free pop-up store
Danish eco-supermarket chain Ekoplaza set a milestone in pop-up store history with the opening of the world’s first “packaging-free” store in Amsterdam. There, Ekoplaza offers 680 products packaged in paper, cardboard and other ecological alternatives to plastic. An innovative and sustainable concept that will surely inspire many others.
Polestar in Finland: Ice cold sustainable
Swedish automotive company Polestar took the concept of pop-up stores to a new level by showcasing its all-electric Polestar 2 model in an ice pavilion showroom with around 3,000 cubic meters of snow by the end of February this year. The pop-up store in the Finnish capital of Rovaniemi, built entirely out of snow and ice, was not only a cool attraction, but also underscored Polestar’s commitment to sustainability and the use of recyclable materials.
2nd Peak: The counter concept to fashion waste
Outdoor specialist 2nd Peak has revolutionized the pop-up store concept with its focus on secondhand outdoor clothing and gear. At the store in Bern’s old town, customers could buy high-quality, lovingly worn and cared-for outdoor gear from brands such as Arcteryx, Mammut, Peak Performance, Norrona and Ortovox at affordable prices. Isa Schindler, the founder of 2nd Peak, explains, “With outdoor clothing, second use is particularly meaningful. It is durable, has a longer fashion cycle, can be highly problematic in some cases when it comes to disposal in comparison – and it is expensive.” With 2nd Peak, she provides a solution against fashion waste and at the same time promotes awareness for sustainable fashion.
By the way
The city of Schorndorf has launched a pop-up competition. As of now, founders, retailers, entrepreneurs and service providers have the opportunity to apply to the city with an innovative concept. The prize includes a first-class store space in a prime location.
So whats next?
Pop-up stores offer a unique combination of exclusivity, surprise and desirability that make them attractive to customers around the world. But they become even more interesting when they bring sustainability into play. Ekoplaza’s world-first packaging-free pop-up store, Polestar’s ice-cold and eco-conscious pop-up store, and 2nd Peak’s anti-fashion waste concept show us that it is possible to reshape consumption while respecting and protecting our planet.