Joseph-Beth Booksellers is the latest bookstore to experiment with a pop-up location, in this case a month-long Joseph-Beth Express at the largest independent grocer in Cincinnati, Jungle Jim’s International Market Eastgate. “We’ll always test things and see where there’s stickiness,” said Joseph-Beth CEO and president Mark Wilson. It took the retailer two days to set up the fixturing and inventory for its first 1,000 sq. ft. Joseph-Beth Express store, which holds roughly 3,500 units. All sales are rung through Joseph-Beth’s own cloud-based POS system inside the store.
“For us, it’s all about engaging with the community,” says Wilson, who is also looking to bring in more kids to the main Cincinnati store. The city serves as the mini-chain’s headquarters. More than half of the pop-up’s inventory is dedicated to children’s books, particularly those priced at $12 or less, with another 25% adult titles and 20% sidelines.
To draw families to the pop-up, Joseph-Beth signed up 22 schools in the Cincinnati market and gave out vouchers for the kids to redeem. Those shopping with the vouchers have 20% of the revenue go back to their schools.
It’s too soon to tell how the pop-up is doing; it opened on May 3 and will remain open until June 2. If it’s successful, Wilson hopes to expand the concept.
