Spending and Saving

Looking for Holiday Savings? Try Pop-Ups

Throughout 2009, malls across the country have been battered by the downturn, struggling to stay afloat amidst a record number of store closures and a high rate of retail vacancies. Now that the holiday season is nearing, though, those same vacancies are turning out to be a benefit for some retail companies. Loosened lease terms and lowered rental rates on retail spaces have created a perfect storm for a myriad of companies planning to open temporary “pop up” stores this holiday season.

Hickory Farms and Calendar Club have been springing up in malls for years. This holiday season, however, they’ll hardly be alone. Big-name companies like Toys ‘R Us, American Eagle, and even eBay are all planning to enter the “pop up” game as well, opening retail stores for a limited time—usually 10 to 20 days—in malls and other commercial spaces across the country. These stores are good for the malls themselves, too, since they tend to bring in new customers and provide additional revenues, albeit only for a short period of time.

Of course, the biggest fans of pop up stores are oftentimes the shoppers themselves, since these stores tend to offer limited-time deals on products that aren’t available year around. We’ve put together a roundup of some of the most anticipated pop up shops this holiday season.

Toys ‘R Us – The toy giant has plans to open 80 temporary Holiday Express stores this year, “including several at upscale malls previously unavailable to the chain.”

eBay Store – The online auction site his opening its first brick-and-mortar pop-up shop on West 57th in New York City, just in time for the holiday season.

77Kids by American Eagle – In an effort to gauge public interest in its new children’s line, American Eagle Outfitters has opened a temporary pop-up store in a suburban Pennsylvania mall for 77 days during the holiday season.

Citizens of Humanity – The premium denim brand recently opened a holiday pop-up shop in Los Angeles.

Brookstone – The gift emporium is planning to open a temporary holiday store inside the Altamonte Mall in Florida.

The Limited – The fashion retailer’s New York pop-up store was so successful when it opened in October that the company has decided to extend its run through December 28th.

Tags: holiday, holidays, retail, shopping