A high foot traffic area in the right neighbourhood and on an ethnically diverse street of Papatoetoe is the best spot to launch the Okotai pop-up shop, a collaborative initiative between the Cook Islands Development Agency NZ (CIDANZ) and Pasifika Futures.
“A pop-up shop is a great way to introduce a range of family and community owned enterprises”, says Ina Michael, CIDANZ Chief Executive.
“The shop will feature the oneHERITAGE business; a community cooperative driven by values not just profit, this means that our enterprises are led by families and owned and run by the community and the profit we make stays in the community”.
“The shop will showcase a range of hand-made arts, craft, fashion and furniture from the local community.”
The concept of a pop up shop creates consumer interest because an entire store will be available today and gone tomorrow.
“We are trialling it as a marketing strategy to extend and test family and community handicrafts ultimately to a mainstream market.”
“The pop up shopping experience will be unique by providing authentic Island products.
Mr Michael says more work is required in terms of spreading the word so people are aware about their physical presence in the area.
“Papatoetoe is a perfect location. We are located on a street that fits our brand and we chose the right neighbourhood with the right retailers and businesses nearby to attract foot traffic to our shop.”
Pasifika Futures Board Chair, Mr Kiki Maoate congratulated CIDANZ for being innovative and creative.
“One of the most captivating features about this initiative is the pop-up concept. It’s a new trend of selling. This is a great way to test products, and is an effective way to tell the story behind our families and those products and make it more tangible to the wider communities.”
“I had the pleasure of attending the launch and it was an exciting moment.”
“This is a very strong customer acquisition channel for CIDANZ. It’s an opportunity and an innovative way of reaching new customers and explain who we are, what we’re all about and what we can offer them.”
“This is exactly what Whānau Ora is about enabling families to realise their aspirations and dreams.”
The Okotai pop up shop is located on Shop 101, 63-65 St George Street, Papatoetoe.
For more information contact Angie Enoka, Communications Manager on 021 809 137 or angie@pasifikafutures.co.nz
Issued: 16 May 2016