SOAPBOX is the #1 platform for securing new retail premises in the UK.

This is our third or fourth time attending GRO Retail, but the first time we’ve come with a stand and taken part in the Soapbox. I’m really glad we did - the insights and connections we made afterwards were amazing. The day has been back-to-back with meetings, and we’ve even managed to get some deals done on the spot.

Presenting on SOAPBOX forced clarity around our requirements and ambitions, and the audience was highly relevant. It felt efficient, direct, and valuable. It led to targeted conversations with landlords and partners who genuinely understood our concept and needs. Rather than broad introductions, the discussions were specific and actionable and also help push the international interest.

We were grateful for the opportunity to speak at SOAPBOX. At the time, we had just six UK stores, so it was important for us to raise awareness of the Søstrene Grene concept. For brands looking to expand their UK footprint, SOAPBOX is an excellent platform for visibility and connection.

We first attended GRO Retail in 2022 and decided to give the SOAPBOX competition a shot. We were thrilled to win it, and the prize offered was a retail space in Southside Wandsworth. This allowed us to open our first site in a shopping centre, significantly elevating the brand profile and allowing us to test the Gootopia concept in a high-footfall location.

There’s no doubt that winning the competition provided an acceleration for the brand, leading to a permanent, more developed Gootopia concept at Southside and providing exposure to high-profile judges and brands, including potential investment discussions that came off the back of it.