Over 1000 people attended this year’s ANZ pop-up market event, generating over $115,000 in sales.

Mark Hiddleston, ANZ’s managing director, Commercial & Agri, said the success of the event showed how retail businesses aren’t just relying on traditional consumer sales this Christmas.

“Three years ago one of our customers came to us with an idea on how we could generate some business to business networking for them as well as an opportunity to get in front of a new group of customers,” Hiddleston said.

“We are seeing a real move towards business to business marketing, something traditionally done by big or wholesale companies. And to do that they are relying on business partners, other organisations they buy or sell products and services to or from.”

The ANZ Market Day this year hosted 21 businesses in the ANZ pavilion at their Albert Street headquarters, with Best Ugly Bagels as one of the retailers that came back again this year with its pop-up stall.

“It’s really good, ANZ have a cluster of some nice brands there, and we like to get involved in that kind of thing and get out of the office. Little activations are great for us as well as the customers,” said Jeremy Coombes, Best Ugly Bagels National Operations manager.

According to Retail NZ, consumer retail trends change quickly, and consumer habits tell stories retailers can’t ignore.

“We are seeing internationally and in New Zealand a move by online only stores to establish a bricks and mortar presence,” said Greg Harford, Retail NZ spokesman. “This is because customers increasingly want to be able to go into a store, they want to be able to touch and feel the goods in many cases, and have a personal interaction.”

“Many retailers are looking to engage with their customers in a different way, they are looking to make the shopping experience exciting and interesting and to create a lasting experience for the customer,” Harford said, “and a pop-up store allows that to happen in many ways.”