“2025 is going to be our biggest year yet,” predicts Matt Hopkins owner of Ind!e, a UK company driving a retail renaissance with services that pair ambitious smaller brands with household big hitters.
The comprehensive support system it has developed, and now plans to scale with an investment raise, is built around four elements that organise connections in store and online. Covering the fashion, beauty, homeware, food and drink sectors, the benefits for brands include affordable market entry, sales growth, increased visibility and access to expertise.
For retailers it’s the chance to offer more choice and engage customers with Ind!e handling operations.
The company’s packages start with pop-up shops which can then evolve with its long-term shop-in-shops incubator model. This enables challenger brands to test and grow their offerings within established environments. Backing these are a resource hub and the chance to join the company’s own direct-to-consumer marketplace that operates independently and in partnership with retailers.
Hopkins, who launched the business a decade ago and works with major names such as John Lewis, Harvey Nicols and Dobbies Garden Centres, explains: “Ind!e bridges the gap providing small brands with multiple avenues to succeed. We move fast and our unique approach is all encompassing and flexible, key factors as we all adapt to a constantly changing retail landscape and shifts in consumer behaviours. »
Trends such as the ‘shop local’ movement and consumers’ desire for special products and experiences in store have also fuelled Ind!e’s growth, now forecast to double in 2025/26. Today the Harrogate-based company manages a network of more than 15,000 brands in 100 locations with pop-ups run by just two entrepreneurs. Costs start at £175 plus 20 per cent commission.
“With us retailers get the variety and experiences needed to attract customers and brands the opportunity to thrive,” says Hopkins. Among the most successful pop-ups organised by Ind!e have been tattoo studios and a permanent jewellery welding service when customers, often young women, have a forever friendship bracelet fitted. Its own marketplace is a showcase for indies such as vintage travel poster company Stick Bills and wellness brand Ela Life.
However the service that tops the lot for innovation is Ind!e’s flexible and scaleable Shop-in-Shop omni-channel incubator which allows brands to test and grow their presence within a store without taking on the full risk of setting up permanent shop locations. “We curate a high potential brand selection tailored to a retailer’s demographic and product needs, then manage an entire physical installation for stores or integrate selected brands into their platform and handle their transition to a direct relationship with the retailer,” explains Hopkins, a brand licensing expert who is also seeing more interest from international companies seeking UK market exposure.
To scale its network and 10-strong team, Ind!e plans a £3million plus external investment raise in 2025 and to launch a membership scheme. “We rebranded recently to add momentum with a more dynamic name and it has made a big difference,” says Hopkins. “We want to build more links with the US and Europe. Retail is transforming and with collaboration and innovation it can be very positive.” www.popupindie.com https://www.instagram.com/popupindie/
