CASE STUDY: FROM FOOTFALL TO REVENUE: SCALING SEASONAL RETAIL WITH POP-UPS

How Rock Up and Pop Up enabled repeatable, multi-site seasonal growth for Menkind.

Menkind - Rock Up and Pop Up at Metrocentre

OVERVIEW

Menkind is a well-established UK retailer specialising in gifts, gadgets and novelty products with a strong presence across major shopping centres in the UK.

During the festive period in 2025, Menkind partnered with SpaceandPeople to extend its physical retail footprint using Rock Up and Pop Up kiosks alongside existing in-line units.

BACKGROUND

Peak trading periods represent a significant opportunity for established retailers. But in-line stores alone can limit exposure during the busiest moments.

Menkind identified pop-up kiosks as a practical way to meet peak demand where footfall was already strongest, while keeping core store teams focused on day-to-day trading.

OBJECTIVES

  • Increase festive trading capacity during peak periods

  • Improve visibility for seasonal and impulse-led products

  • Support permanent stores through complementary mid-mall presence

  • Deliver a scalable format suitable for repeat seasonal use

THE CHALLENGE

Scaling physical retail across multiple centres during peak season requires speed, consistency and compliance. Menkind needed a solution that removed operational friction from approvals to installation while ensuring each kiosk reflected the brand and traded effectively in busy environments.

The focus was on commercial delivery, not experimentation.

Menkind - Rock Up and Pop Up kiosk in Metrocentre

THE SOLUTION

SpaceandPeople delivered a full Rock Up and Pop Up activation across top UK shopping centres including Lakeside, The Trafford Centre and Metrocentre. Each kiosk was designed as a natural extension of Menkind’s existing stores, optimised for fast-moving seasonal ranges and impulse purchasing.

  • Access to a high-visibility mid-mall location with strong footfall

  • A custom-designed kiosk, build, installation

  • Centre liason, approvals and compliance

  • Operational support throughout the trading period

This end-to-end approach enabled Menkind’s teams to remain focused on store performance while additional selling space operated in parallel.

Menkind -Rock Up and Pop Up kiosk in Metrocentre

““Rock Up and Pop Up made it easy for us to scale quickly across multiple centres during our busiest trading period. From securing the right sites to delivering kiosks that genuinely feel like part of the Menkind brand, the process was seamless. The kiosks supported strong sales and helped drive footfall back to our stores – exactly what we needed during peak season.”

KEY INSIGHT

For established retailers, pop-up retail does more than test the market.

When used alongside permanent stores, it becomes a commercial channel, extending selling space, supporting peak trading and delivering measurable return without long-term commitment. Menkind’s activation demonstrates how short-term retail can be repeatable, scalable and directly tied to sales performance.

RESULTS

  • Incremental seasonal revenue generated beyond in-line stores

  • Evidence of kiosks driving traffic back to in-line units

  • A proven model for future seasonal rollout across the UK

WHY THIS WORKED

This activation worked because it responded to peak festive demand in a highly competitive retail environment by placing consistent, on-brand kiosks directly in path of high-intent shoppers. The scalable Rock Up and Pop Up format extended Menkind’s presence during busy walk-by moments while driving performance in in-line units.

Planning for peak trading beyond a single touchpoint?

Contact our Rock Up and Pop Up team to explore opportunities across shopping centres, train stations and retail parks.

Email us at marketing@spaceandpeople.co.uk