Even though Quilted Northern itself admits to National Toilet Paper Day being "the most forgettable holiday," it decided to create a unique online pop-up store in virtual reality to to drive online product sales.
Rather than creating a physical pop-up space, the brand created a pop-up store so small, it had to be made like a tiny diorama. Even though consumers are not able to physically set foot in the stores, they are able to experience them through videos posted in 360 degrees on YouTube. These comical pop-up stores cleverly brand themselves as "pop-up stores so small, they don't even have room for toilet paper."
The marketing stunt takes advantage of a number of current fads in advertising, including the integration of virtual reality technology, pop-up spaces, online-only exclusivity and acknowledging quirky national holidays.
Virtual Pop-Up Shops
Quilted Norther's Online Pop-Up Can Be Experienced in VR
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Reality Marketing - Creating virtual pop-up shops allows brands to leverage virtual reality technology to engage consumers in a unique and immersive way.
2. Pop-up Shop Trend - Creating comical pop-up stores that play on limited space offers brands an opportunity to generate buzz and create a sense of exclusivity.
3. Online-only Exclusivity - Using online pop-up stores allows brands to tap into the growing trend of online-only exclusivity, creating a sense of scarcity and urgency among consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Brands can disrupt the retail industry by incorporating virtual reality into their marketing strategies and creating virtual pop-up shops to engage customers.
2. Advertising - Virtual pop-up shops present a disruption opportunity for the advertising industry by offering new ways to incorporate virtual reality technology into campaigns.
3. E-commerce - Online pop-up shops can disrupt the e-commerce industry by providing brands with a unique and interactive way to promote products and drive online sales.