Volvo opens Bluewater pop-up to bring cars directly to shoppers

It will operate the store for four weeks in a 2,700 sq ft unit on the lower Guildhall of the centre in Kent.

Volvo says the store takes its inspiration from a cosy Swedish cabin design and will feature three car models inside the unit throughout the period.

Volvo Car UK managing director Nick Connor said: “Volvos are designed around the person. This is an experiment to extend that approach to how our cars are bought and sold. By going into a space like Bluewater, we hope to remove the traditional barriers between dealer and customer. 

“This will allow shoppers to pop in and have a chat with our experts at their convenience, in a relaxed and accessible setting”.

The move comes after the manufacturer unveiled a trial scheme at Mobile World Congress last week, Roam Delivery, in which Volvo owners can use a special app to have online orders delivered to their cars.

In 2012 Mini gained massive exposure when it opened a pop-up store at Westfield Stratford City ahead of the London Olympic Games. As part of the promotion, which ran for a year, it suspended a Mini car on the outside wall of the centre.