Walmart Inc. plans to start renting retail space in its stores to local small businesses as short-term “pop-up” shops.
The Bentonville-based retailer will work with Popable, a pop-up marketplace designed to connect brands with available spaces looking for tenants. Brands can list themselves for free on Popable’s website and be paired with their local participating Walmart store.
Houston-based Pop-able said in a news release Monday that its partnership with Walmart will give small businesses and start-ups a chance to bounce back from any setbacks or losses they may have suffered during the pandemic.
Popable co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Scott Blair said it also lets Walmart bring new brands to local communities.
Darryl Spinks, Walmart’s senior director of retail services, said supporting small businesses has always been a priority for Walmart. “We are proud to work with Pop-able to offer local brands an opportunity to grow inside our stores,” he said.
It was unclear Monday when and where the first pop-ups may open and whether any are currently planned for Arkansas.