Pop-Up Shops

2013 was the year of reimagination at Build-A-Bear Workshops across the nation, including reducing store counts, digitizing the store experience and multistation store remodels. This year, the retailer is streamlining its marketing messaging, opening pop-up stores and investing in supply chain efficiency — the glue behind its reimagination concept. Capital expenditures for 2014 are expected to be $12 million to $15 million to support selected store updates and openings, as well as the ongoing investment in IT infrastructure. With that in mind, the retailer still faces significant challenges. 

Detroit, a city famously filled with abandoned buildings and blighted neighborhoods, has a major selling point for entrepreneurs: If you have an idea you want to test, Detroit has the space for it. A growing number of aspiring merchants are turning empty storefronts and warehouses into experimental labs for temporary businesses. In other cities, "pop-up" shops often house stores or marketing stunts. In Detroit — a troubled city that holds great appeal for some entrepreneurs — these spaces are the local economy's incubation chambers.

Despite the fact that the brand launched online and brick-and-morter locations have been slow to open, Kate Spade execs envision a big future filled with lots of stores for Kate Spade Saturday. As the company's senior VP Kyle Andrew said in July, "We have big plans for this brand...It can be in a lot more places than Kate Spade can be." One of those places is New York City's JFK airport where

During the Great Recession, shoppers could stroll down just about any major city block and find one, or two, trendy storefront pop-up stores. But those days are long gone. With less vacant commercial retail space available this holiday season, pop-up shops — temporary retail stores — are evolving and finding new outlets. The vacancy decline in fact is a sign of a stabilizing economy, said Chuck Lanyard, a retail analyst for the Goldstein Group, a real estate brokerage firm.

Ad Age takes a look at one of the first Google pop-up locations in Manhattan.

J.C. Penney is launching a Disney shop inside 565 stores on Oct. 4 after launching the shop online Sept. 6. The stores will carry toys, collectibles and children's apparel for ages two to 10 that showcase Disney characters. Prices will range from $7 for a plush toy to $90 for a keepsake collection of Disney princess dolls. "The addition of Disney Shops to J.C. Penney will be a major draw in our kids department," Betsy Schumacher, senior vice president and general merchandise manager for children's, said in a release.

eBay and the United States Postal Service have a long relationship thanks to the importance of shipping to online sellers. In fact, eBay with its 120 million active users (globally) is one of the U.S. Postal Service's largest package mailers. The Postmaster General was warmly welcomed by eBay sellers when he appeared on stage at the 2005 eBay Live conference. But it's only now, in 2013, that the USPS is opening a store on eBay.