What: Monetising store surface at Walmart is seen as a logical way to generate new streams of revenue.

Why it is important: Such an approach is not novel per se, but in the way it is implemented, thanks to the use of tech and legal flexibility to make access to in-store concessions scalable to many companies and almost fully automated.

Walmart stores across the US will now allow small businesses to rent retail space, thanks to a partnership with pop-up shop marketplace platform Popable. The start-up will pair a local participating Walmart store to a corresponding company listed on the platform. Leases will be short-term, from one month to a year, with terms negotiated directly between the brand and the store.

Walmart is exploring new ways of generating revenue streams. For instance, it has also launched Walmart Creator, a social commerce platform making it easy for influencers to monetise shoppable products from the retailer.

Walmart launches short-term rental leases for SMEs