Want to get your products close to the people? Drive-up service — using a “retail truck” to bring your product to the customer rather than having them come to you — is a new trend in retail.
The old concept of “stack it high and watch it fly” is too expensive. Instead, why not load up a truck, go around selling your products, unload the truck at warehouse, get a new assortment and go out again. It’s low cost. You’ve only got to pay for the truck and gas.
A recent article on The Consumerist’s website highlighted this “mobile” trend. Originally featured in The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, a clothing retailer recently turned a newspaper truck into a business on wheels. It parks at different locations at various times during the day, informing customers via social media of its schedule. The limited inventory on the truck encourages high turnover and impulse buys. The cost for the truck was equal to one month’s rent and utilities for a brick-and-mortar location, the owner told the newspaper.
Similarly, an antique furniture boutique repurposed a school bus for its “mobile” storefront. The move was so successful, the owner was able to open a permanent retail location. The bus, the physical location and online enable the company to reach more people.
Pop-up stores are already happening everywhere, though they may not always be in a truck. This up-and-coming trend is being driven by the high cost of real estate.
Source: The Consumerist, July 2012
