Introducing The Retail Playground
Our new online community where entrepreneurs, founders, movers, shakers and retail changemakers unite. In The Retail Playground you're working for yourself, but never by yourself.
Empowering brands. Revitalizing storefronts. Championing communities. Pop-up style.
Through education, project management, and community building, we take the guesswork out of creating a pop-up. By connecting brands to spaces and spaces to shoppers, we cultivate pop-up shop ecosystems that empower local economies. We’re not just raising the bar, we’re popping the top off traditional retail.
FOR THE FOUNDER READY TO GROW THEIR BRAND AND BUSINESS
Entrepreneurs are the heart and soul of UpNext. By providing educational resources, pop-up opportunities, and access to The Retail Playground, our collaborative community, we equip founders like you with the resources you need to take retail for a test drive.
FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER READY TO REIMAGINE THEIR SPACE
Through creative retail activations, we help property owners and developers reimagine underutilized or vacant storefronts. From pop-ups and pop-ins to mobile activations and collectives, we help make your space a vibrant retail destination.
FOR MUNICIPALITIES READY TO TRANSFORM RETAIL DISTRICTS
Through our grant-funded Project: Pop-Up initiatives, we partner with economic development offices, municipalities, and public/private stakeholders to revitalize communities. With financial and professional support, we’ll help bring back that small business buzz.
DREAM IT
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DO IT
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DREAM IT ★ DO IT ★
Tonya Smith-Winston // Founder, B.Royal
“[My] Pop-Up experience was the best market research activity my brand has had in our five years.
[My] Pop-Up experience was the best market research activity my brand has had in our five years. It was an opportunity to test a new market, experience what it takes to operate a brick-mortar space soup to nuts for several months, and an opportunity to experience brand collaboration - it was an amazing endeavor!”
Craving a community of like-minded business pros? The Retail Playground is where it’s at!
The Retail Playground is an online community where entrepreneurs, founders, movers, shakers and retail changemakers unite. We’re opening doors to new opportunities, fresh perspectives, and the magic of collective growth. Join today for peer-to-peer networking, exclusive access to special events and expert led sessions and SO MUCH MORE!
What’s popping up now?
Explore our retail roundup of pop-up shops happening in Greater Boston (and beyond).
Noteworthy Resources
Comb the blog for insights into past pop-ups, founder stories, and a dash of industry know-how.
Tips for Talking with Landlords
20 Maker Market Booth Must-Haves
Entrepreneurship and the Fear of Failing
Get your brand on our radar
UpNext is here to help you test new markets, drive sales, and build your business through pop-up retail activations. Our brand database is our go-to resource for scouting brands when new pop-up opportunities pop up! Submit your brand profile to share a bit about your business and join our database. You’ll also be added to our newsletter list where we share storefront stories, marketing tips, and more.
LET’S CONNECT!
