Pop‑ups and shop‑in‑shops have grown far beyond their “temporary shop” roots. In 2025, they’re immersive experiences with custom furniture and display designs to immerse customers into a branded world. Temporary retail spaces generate roughly $80 billion each year, and 80% of retailers report that their pop‑ups are a success. Nearly two‑thirds launch them to build brand awareness and strengthen customer connections. Nike and Nordstrom’s collaboration shows how athletic retail can use retail signage and visual merchandising to turn this trend into a powerful shopping experience.
Image 1: Custom Nike-branded furniture displayed in the lounge area. Image 2: Strong red, white and black colors continue in the retail section of the pop-up.
Inside Nike Running @ The Corner
Nordstrom’s New York flagship has turned its prominent Corner space at 57th and Broadway into a limited‑time Nike Running pop‑up. Open until September 2, the shop features Nike’s road‑running lineup alongside women’s apparel, accessories and a customization bar. Backlit signage displays and strong red and white colors support the sporty vibe. The space also hosts weekly group runs, recovery and stretching workshops, ice‑bath sessions and styling appointments.
Olivia Kim, Nordstrom’s SVP of Creative, explains the intent: “We want Nike Running @ The Corner Nordstrom NYC to be our love letter to runners: a celebration of movement, mindset and personal style.” This combination of product, community events and thoughtful retail store design shows how effective sports signage and visual merchandising can turn a temporary store into a destination for athletes.
Why Pop‑Ups and Shop‑in‑Shops Matter
The success of Nike’s pop‑up echoes broader retail trends. Over 58% of retailers plan to launch another pop‑up, citing modest costs — 44% cost less than $5,000 to open. Pop‑ups also enable experimentation with visual merchandising: multi‑sensory elements, mixed‑reality experiences and live performances are becoming more common. Nordstrom is doubling down on store‑within‑store concepts too. Suit maker Indochino recently added five more shop‑in‑shops across Nordstrom locations, bringing the total to 38. CEO Drew Green says the expansion reflects strong demand for personalized fashion. Together, these trends show that temporary spaces, whether stand‑alone or within existing stores, can deepen engagement when supported by impactful retail store signage and retail store design.
Image 1: Nike Pegasus, Vomero and Structure running shoes displayed in a product lightbox. Image 2: Translucent red window graphics surround mannequins in a window display.
Nike’s running pop‑up illustrates how athletic retail can elevate a shopping experience through clear messaging, community programming and cohesive visual design. Effective retail signage guides visitors through footwear models and customization zones, while custom signage reinforces the brand’s celebration of movement and mindset. Shop‑in‑shop expansions like Sephora at Kohl’s and IKEA at Best Buy underline the need for adaptable store signage that integrates seamlessly with host retailers. If you’re planning your own pop‑up or shop‑in‑shop, focus on retail design and sports signage design that speaks directly to your audience.
At 40 VISUALS, we help brands craft retail store signage and visual merchandising solutions that turn temporary spaces into memorable destinations. Let us know how we can support your next pop‑up or in‑store takeover.
