With shopping malls losing tenants, pop-up stores have become more prevalent throughout Singapore.

However, it is not always easy for small companies to enter into these short-term leases, which has led to two start-ups aiming to connect businesses with retail space owners.

First out of the starting blocks was Invade, touted by founders Koh Cheng Guan and Kent Teo as Singapore’s first real-time online retail space-booking system. Launched in 2010 and acquired this year by online collaborative venture platform iFashion Group, it now has about 38,000 retailers and 100 landlords on its books, and has helped lease out more than 800,000 sqft (74,322 sqm) of pop-up and retail space.

Its locations include malls like Esplanade, I12 Katong, Orchard Central, Orchard Gateway and outdoor spaces such as Farmart – even schools.

Launching in Hong Kong in November, PopUp Angels has since arrived in Singapore. Co-founders Adrian and Kit Chan have a background in retail, and their venture offers rental periods ranging from a day to a year.
Their listings cover malls in Bugis, Kallang, Orchard and Raffles Place, as well as outdoor spaces, including The Grandstand.