Snap, crackle and pop-ups

ENAR

Life is tough for Lebanese designers. Despite unreliable spending and tourist numbers in a contracting economy, retail rents per square meter per year range from $400-$2,000 in malls, and are totally unregulated elsewhere. Multi-brand stores are reluctant to support local names, and even established retailers rely on holiday seasons to boost slack sales. This makes setting up shop a daunting prospect for small local businesses that need to boost their brand presence and client bases while running on minimal staff and overheads. Some brands are therefore operating ‘limited edition’ or seasonal stores, which are as blink-and-you’ll-miss-them as Lebanese profit margins themselves. They are inspired by the trend in America and Europe for ‘pop-up shops’, which in some cities have become ubiquitous in their popularity. Opening sometimes for days or even hours, these stores offer unique products and experiences, from Hermès pitching its scarves and swimwear to summer crowds in the