Today, outdoor pop-ups are trending and for good reason. They give brands a unique chance to engage with customers in new, unexpected ways without the long-term commitment or overhead of a permanent store.
Outdoor pop-up shops bring a layer of freedom that indoor spaces can’t always match. From busy festivals and high-traffic sidewalks to parks and mobile trailer setups, the possibilities are wide open. They’re also inherently attention-grabbing.
Here, you’ll learn how to do a pop-up shop outside by following seven proven steps. We’ll cover everything from site selection to branding and logistics, all with one goal in mind: helping you pull off an outdoor retail experience that works.
7 Key Steps for How to Do a Pop-Up Shop Outside Successfully
1. Choose the Right Location
The key to getting everything you want out of your pop-up project is getting noticed, and that means you want to get in front of as many people as possible. But that’s not the only criteria you want to meet. While some of the most successful entrepreneurs modestly began in humble beginnings like home garages (think Jeff Bezos, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard of HP, and even Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak of Apple), their mission was different. They just needed space. What you’re looking for is a specific location to meet your potential customers where they are.
Let’s consider a lemonade stand, the humblest example of a modern pop-up. Kids set up lemonade stands on corners and sidewalks, where thirsty drivers can see them. Even kids know that they won’t get customers without visibility from the people who need their product the most!
When seeking a location for your pop-up, you should look for areas with lots of foot traffic, where people can easily access your pop-up, and it should be someplace that either aligns with your brand or, at a minimum, doesn’t clash with your brand.
Here’s an inspiring story that demonstrates how much location can impact your success.
Estée Lauder, the woman behind the self-named, now-famous cosmetics brand, started her business by setting up a little desk inside a neighborhood beauty parlor. The word “pop-up” didn’t exist back in the 1930s, but that’s exactly what she created. She chose a location, a beauty parlor, where she knew her potential customers were — women. Beauty parlors have lots of foot traffic, and the location aligned perfectly with her cosmetic products. She did that over and over again, word-of-mouth spread, and of course, today, the Estée Lauder brand is world-renowned.
2. Secure Permits and Permissions
You want to be known for your brand, not for breaking laws. Before locking down the location for your pop-up, do your due diligence about the legalities of setting up there. Governments get a portion of their revenue from permits, and they’re serious about enforcement. Failure to procure the proper permits for your pop-up could result in embarrassment, fines, or worse. So to learn how to do a pop-up shop outside, learn about securing permits and permissions.
It’s a fairly simple process to figure out if you’ll be allowed to set up your pop-up in your desired location, but it will depend upon where it is.
If your idea is setting up during a festival, get in touch with the festival event coordinator for guidance on outdoor event permits.
If your preferred location is a city sidewalk, visit the city clerk’s office, municipal permitting or zoning department, or a similar entity in your town. If you still can’t figure out where to go to get a permit, contact your chamber of commerce for help.
Lots of pop-up brands set up on existing retailer spaces, like new and used car lots, big box stores, and similar. In a case like this, the retailer would have had experience with pop-ups, so you can confer with the manager on how to make sure you’re legally compliant.
Note that you’ll very likely need to have an official business registration in order to procure business licensing for your pop-up, so get that in place first.
Remember, no matter where your pop-up is going to be set up — even if it’s in your own front yard — you’ll very likely need some kind of permit or official permission.
3. Design a Weather-Ready Setup
No one is immune to the effects of the weather. Even places like San Diego, where the weather is balmy nearly 365 days of the year, can have weather anomalies that impact businesses, and pop-up owners have to be vigilant. Because when trying to get in front of things that can go wrong, weather is a prime potential wrench in the works. Consider Bonnaroo, a huge Tennessee outdoor festival, which, in 2025 was flooded during severe weather. Or Burning Man in 2023, when a heavy, unpredicted torrent of rain in notoriously dry Nevada turned the grounds to mud. When it comes to weather and your pop-up, if it could happen, you’d better be prepared for it.
So how can you protect your pop-up from the elements? You need to plan ahead for all contingencies, including sun, rain, wind, hail — the whole gamut.
Tents are the go-to for most outdoor pop-ups, but not all tents are created equal. You’ll want a commercial-grade canopy with strong anchoring. For a higher-end presence, consider modular displays or a mobile trailer designed for retail. These setups not only protect your merchandise but elevate your brand with a polished look.
Also, in terms of how to set up for a pop-up shop, think about flooring, signage visibility in direct sunlight, and ventilation. Do you have shade for your staff? Yes, you do. Will customers be comfortable browsing for more than a few seconds? Think of your pop-up as a potential respite from whatever driving weather forces are out there, and that will help inform your choices.
4. Create Eye-Catching Branding
One thing outdoor pop-ups do better than indoor retail? Attract attention. It’s the randomness of pop-ups that works in your favor. People don’t expect it. It’s a happy coincidence they weren’t planning on.
But that only happens if your branding is identifiable. Clear signage, bold graphics, and an inviting layout? That’s the defining difference in how to make a pop-up shop that supports your brand.
A mobile fabrication company is expert at assisting with branding. You can get wraps, custom signage, personalized backdrops, and specially made units that stand out from a mile away. You specify your brand colors, brand aesthetic, logo, and more, and you’ll have a custom pop-up unit that your customers will come to relate to your goods and services.
Use large-format banners, tent wraps, and custom backdrops to build your visual identity. Lighting can work wonders, especially for late afternoon or evening events. The goal is to create an immersive mini-storefront that draws people in from a distance and keeps them engaged once they step inside.
Don’t overlook small branding details either. Branded apparel for staff, logo stickers, or custom bags reinforce your brand even after the visit. Keep messaging consistent across all platforms—online and on-site—so people instantly recognize who you are and what you’re about.
5. Plan for Utilities and Logistics
The least glitzy part of doing a pop-up outside is the practical planning for utilities and other logistics. For your pop-up to work, what will you need? Here’s what to consider.
Electrical: Presumably, since lighting is an essential part of branding, you won’t be able to go without electricity, even if all you’re doing is handing out pamphlets. You might be able to get by on some kind of battery or portable generator. Keep in mind that generators are noisy and not in a good way. They don’t attract customers like music; a noisy electric generator is more likely to make people shy away. Instead, look at real power solutions, like tapping into the nearest outlet. For complex electrical needs, invest in the services of an electrician or someone else with experience.
Wi-fi: A solid data plan will get you over this hurdle. It’s only a problem if you’re in an area with a bad signal, so just make sure you double-check that won’t be an issue.
Plumbing: If you’re selling consumables, you probably need some kind of running water. Look to the same kinds of solutions used by RV owners.
Lighting: Get creative with your lighting because this can be a large part of the attraction. You could have flashing lights, ambient lighting — whatever goes well with your branding and also gets the attention of as many passersby as possible.
Waste Management: Have a plan in place for waste generated by your activities as well as waste receptacles for your customers. Even having a convenient waste basket nearby can be a sneaky way to lure passing individuals to come closer to your pop-up and maybe linger long enough to make an extra sale.
Staff Needs: Your staff will need someplace to use the toilet and someplace to sit down and have a break. They should have easy access to water and snacks without having to wander off in search for hours at a time.
Storage: Storage is another big one. Where will you keep extra stock and supplies? What about packaging, signage, or personal belongings of you and your staff? Modular trailers or behind-the-scenes storage bins can keep things organized, secure, and out of sight.
6. Drive Foot Traffic With Promotions
A drop-dead attractive pop-up shop might capture a few curious glances, but without a solid promotion strategy, you’re rolling the dice on foot traffic, which isn’t a great strategy. To put the “pop” in pop-up, you need to start building buzz well before the event — get people talking, thinking — and keep that momentum rolling.
Start by creating a digital campaign that fits your audience. Share your location on Instagram Stories, share behind-the-scenes videos on TikTok, and use Facebook Events to invite your community. You can’t just post once. Build anticipation with sneak peeks, countdowns, or a “coming soon” series. Geo-targeted ads can help get your pop-up in front of locals who are already nearby and likely to stop by.
When the big day arrives, give people a reason to come over and stay awhile. Free samples, quick giveaways, live product demos, or one-day-only discounts can turn browsers into buyers. That sense of “if you miss it, it’s gone” creates urgency and excitement.
Also on the day, keep posting to social platforms. Maybe have a “live feed” stand where your customers can pose in front of your branding and show their followers where they are and how much fun they’re having. This is true “crowdsharing” in practice, and it’s what the big players do to spread the word about their brands.
To take it even further, partner officially with local talent — musicians, food trucks, influencers — who already have their own audience. It adds personality to your space and expands your reach. When your pop-up feels more like a local happening than a sales event, you’ll get more faces, more photos, more videos, and more buzz.
7. Track Results and Collect Feedback
Once the event wraps, your work isn’t done. The real value of a pop-up comes from what you learn. That means tracking outcomes and collecting input.
Start with the basics: How many people stopped by? What sold well? Did you hit your sales goals or meet your signup targets? You can use QR codes to link visitors to a feedback form or offer a discount for leaving a review. This data helps you improve future pop-ups and measure ROI beyond the day-of sales.
Don’t forget to follow up with new contacts. Add signups to your email list, send a thank-you message, and keep the momentum going by sharing event highlights on social media.
How CGS Premier Supports Outdoor Pop-Up Shops
Executing outdoor pop-up shops takes vision but also the right tools. That’s where CGS Premier comes in. With decades of experience helping clients with their mobile brand experiences, we’ve honed our specialization in the creation of custom event fabrication for outdoor pop-ups, handling logistics so brand owners can focus on engagement.
We have answers to all your pop-up needs. Sleek experiential marketing vehicle? Modular display units? Fully personalized drop trailer? We’ve got your back. Our team, comprised of creatives, techs and professionals, helps brands design, build, and launch outdoor pop-ups faster and easier.
From weather-ready custom structures to integrated utilities, every detail’s built for performance in the real world.
Working with an experienced fabrication partner like us translates into shorter lead times, smarter designs, and the peace of mind that comes with a team that’s been there before. With CGS Premier, you’re not just setting up a pop-up. You’re building a branded experience that turns heads and drives results.
Sometimes the most unforgettable customer experiences don’t happen inside four walls. They happen right where people live, walk, and explore. And that’s exactly where your next success story can begin. Request a quote today.
