71. Sook

Founder: John Hoyle
Founded: 2019
Website: sook.space

Sook is tackling sky-high business rental costs, the high-street’s lockdown footfall losses, and a resurgence of shoppers wanting special, in-store experiences in one Sook-style swoop.

At first, the London-based startup’s model sounds simple. It offers short-term rental leases in a physical store, so that online retailers can attract new business via an omnichannel approach. 

But unlike the characterless, plain-walled stores of many flash retail locations, Sook furnishes all of its locations with a complete digital fit-out, supplying retailers with a customisable backdrop that ensures their pop-up store doesn't feel like a one-stop shop.

John Hoyle founded the company in 2019, after he sensed an opportunity to reduce the negative impact of the UK high street losses. 

Emerging retail trends suggest that 32% of consumers are now more interested in experiential in-store shopping than online Amazon scrolling, putting Sook in an excellent position to help ecommerce businesses stay on-top of changing consumer demand and drive new footfall in 2023.

And, with same-day bookings, spaces in prime locations, and 3D technology that lets you visualise the layout of your shop, Sook is a real swiss knife for today’s businesses, providing an arsenal of tools for retailers.

Sook stands out from the business crowd by providing short term rental leases for landlords, lowering the barriers to entry for shop owners to get their hands on prime retail space. 

The company will be opening the pearly digital gates to its twelfth site at the beginning of 2023, in Islington Square. But Hoyle is looking further afield, with aims to have a Sook space in every major town across the UK over the next few years. Coming to a store near you, it's our top 100 startup, Sook!