A Smarter Way to Create More Retail Space
Create a high-quality retail space without the long construction program or fixed format of a conventional building. Australian Temporary Structures designs and delivers modular retail buildings for temporary, semi-permanent and permanent applications across Australia.
From pop-up stores and seasonal sales spaces to supermarkets, showrooms and complete retail warehouses, our structures can be configured around your site, brand, operational requirements and budget.
Finding the Right Retail Space
Finding the right retail space can be challenging, particularly when commercial rents are high, suitable premises are limited or a long-term lease does not suit your plans.
ATS provides another option. Our modular structures allow businesses, property owners and developers to create purpose-built retail spaces on suitable available land or alongside an existing premises.
A modular retail building can be used to:
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Open a temporary or seasonal store
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Trial a new market or location
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Expand an existing retail footprint
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Continue trading during renovations or rebuilding
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Create a branded showroom or sales centre
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Establish retail space on a development site
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Respond to fire, flood or other business disruption
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Add storage, warehousing or customer service areas
Structures are available for rental or purchase, giving you greater flexibility over how you fund and use your new space.
Retail space comparison
How Much Does It Cost to Lease Retail Space?
The cost of leasing conventional retail space in Australia varies considerably. Location, floor area, customer traffic, lease duration and the type of retail property all influence the rental rate.
In addition to the base rent, a commercial retail lease may involve:
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Property outgoings
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Utilities
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Insurance
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Bonds and legal fees
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Retail fit-out expenses
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Signage and branding
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Maintenance obligations
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Make-good costs at the end of the lease
This means the advertised rent may represent only part of the total cost of occupying the retail space.
For businesses with access to suitable land, renting a modular retail building from ATS may provide an alternative to leasing an established shopfront. Instead of adapting your operation to an existing tenancy, the building can be configured around your required floor area, customer journey and brand experience.
ATS supplies the modular building rather than the land. Site access, planning requirements, approvals, services and installation conditions must therefore be considered as part of the overall project.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Modular Retail Space?
There is no standard rental price for an ATS modular retail space because each building is designed around the project.
The cost will depend on factors such as:
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Required width, length and height
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Temporary or longer-term use
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Site location and accessibility
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Ground and foundation requirements
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Engineering and approval requirements
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Façade and walling selections
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Flooring and ceiling finishes
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Glass doors, windows and entry systems
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Heating, cooling, electrical and lighting requirements
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Branding, signage and architectural finishes
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Transport, installation and removal
A practical structure with simple finishes will have a different cost profile from a premium, glass-fronted retail environment with integrated services and customised branding.
ATS can assess your site, required operating period and preferred level of finish before preparing a project-specific rental or purchase proposal.
Is Renting or Buying a Modular Retail Building More Suitable?
The answer generally depends on how long the retail building will be required and what you want to achieve.
Renting a Retail Space
Rental may suit businesses that need a retail space for:
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A product launch
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A temporary store
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A building refurbishment
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Short-to-medium-term expansion
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Market or location testing
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Emergency business continuity
It can reduce the need to commit capital to a building that is only required for a defined period.
Purchasing a Retail Space
Purchasing may be more appropriate where the building will support:
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A permanent retail operation
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Long-term site development
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A showroom or display centre
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Future expansion
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Repeated use across different locations
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A combined retail and warehouse facility
Because the structure is modular, it may later be extended, reconfigured or relocated, subject to its design and future site requirements.
What Types of Retail Spaces Can ATS Create?
ATS retail buildings can be configured for a wide range of customer-facing and operational uses.
Pop-Up Stores
Create a temporary shop for a new product, seasonal campaign, brand activation or market trial. Modular pop-up stores can provide a secure, weatherproof environment without requiring a conventional permanent build.
Retail Showrooms
Full-height glazing, architectural façades and customised interiors can transform a modular structure into a premium showroom for automotive, home improvement, furniture, equipment or lifestyle brands.
Retail Warehouses
Combine product displays, customer service areas and storage within one clear-span building. Retail warehouse configurations are suitable for bulky goods, equipment, trade supplies and large-format retail.
Temporary Supermarkets
Maintain essential retail operations during refurbishment, redevelopment, repairs or emergency recovery with a temporary supermarket building designed around customer flow and operational requirements.
Seasonal Retail Space
Add capacity during Christmas, summer, tourism seasons, major events or promotional periods, then remove or reconfigure the building when demand changes.
Sales Suites and Display Centres
Create a highly visible, professionally finished sales environment for property developments, construction projects and new commercial precincts.
Garden Centres and Outdoor Retail
Covered retail spaces can protect customers, products and staff while providing an open, accessible environment for plants, landscaping supplies and seasonal merchandise.
Concept and Flagship Stores
Create an immersive brand environment with customised façades, feature glazing, signage, lighting and internal zones designed around the customer experience.
A temporary retail space does not need to look temporary.
ATS buildings can be customised to create a polished commercial environment that supports your branding and customer experience. Depending on the structure and project requirements, available features may include:
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Full-height glazed façades
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Double-glazed doors and windows
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Insulated sandwich panel walls
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Architectural perimeter fascia
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Custom colours and branded finishes
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Reception and point-of-sale areas
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Product display zones
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Customer lounges and consultation rooms
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Offices and staff facilities
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Storage and back-of-house areas
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Integrated lighting and electrical services
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Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
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Accessible entries and amenities
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Mezzanine or multi-level configurations
The result is a retail building that can feel established, professional and aligned with your brand from the moment customers arrive.
Retail Buildings Designed Around Your Brand
Projects Custom Modular Buildings
TESTIMONIAL
“We needed a smart, fast solution to expand our showroom for the LDV range without disrupting the day-to-day running of the dealership. The Skyline structure from Australian Temporary Structures was the perfect solution. It looks great, feels like a permanent building, and was up and running in no time. I’d definitely recommend it to other dealerships needing more space.”
— Laurie Sammut, Werribee Automotive Group
Questions Around retail space
Can a Modular Retail Space Be Added to an Existing Store?
Yes. A modular building can often be designed to connect with or complement an existing retail premises.
This can provide additional space for:
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Product displays
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Seasonal stock
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Customer service
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Click-and-collect operations
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Storage and dispatch
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Staff amenities
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Temporary entrances
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Trading during refurbishment
Because the building system is modular, its size and internal layout can be planned around the available site and existing operations. Project feasibility remains subject to site conditions, engineering and relevant approvals.
How Quickly Can a Retail Space Be Installed?
Modular retail structures generally have a shorter on-site construction period than conventional building methods because key components are manufactured or prepared before arriving at the site.
The total delivery program will depend on:
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Building size and specification
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Product and component availability
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Design development
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Engineering
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Planning and building approvals
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Site preparation
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Services and fit-out
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Transport and installation access
ATS develops a project-specific program once the site, scope and required completion date are understood.
Do Temporary Retail Spaces Require Council Approval?
A building described as temporary does not automatically avoid planning or building approval requirements.
The approvals required will depend on factors including the location, land use, installation period, building size, customer capacity and intended operation. Requirements can also vary between councils and states.
ATS can provide the relevant structural and technical documentation within our scope and work with your appointed consultants and approval authorities to support the project pathway.
Each retail building is configured around the site, operational needs, brand and intended period of use.
Rental or Purchase
Choose a commercial arrangement that suits a temporary requirement, long-term operation or future expansion plan.
Australia-Wide Capability
We deliver modular retail and commercial building solutions for metropolitan, regional and remote locations across Australia.
Customised Solutions
Why Choose Australian Temporary Structures?
Expandable Design
Modular bay systems allow the length and capacity of many structures to be adapted as your requirements change.
High-Quality Finishes
Create anything from a practical retail facility to a premium, glass-fronted commercial environment.
Integrated Fit-Outs
Retail floors, offices, display areas, storage, amenities and building services can be incorporated into the project scope.
Turnkey Delivery
ATS can coordinate the structure from initial design and engineering through to supply and installation.
Create the Retail Space Your Business Needs
Whether you need a temporary shop, seasonal sales area, premium showroom or complete retail warehouse, ATS can deliver a modular building tailored to your site and commercial objectives.
Tell us the size of the retail space you need, where it will be installed, how long it is required and what level of finish you have in mind. Our team can then recommend a suitable rental or purchase solution.
FAQs
Common Questions
What is a modular retail space?
A modular retail space is a building created using a flexible, prefabricated structural system. It can be configured as a shop, showroom, supermarket, retail warehouse, sales suite or customer service facility and installed for temporary, semi-permanent or permanent use.
Can I rent a retail space from ATS?
ATS offers modular retail buildings for rent. We supply the building for installation on a suitable site; we do not lease conventional retail tenancies or provide the underlying land.
How much does it cost to rent retail space?
The cost of renting a conventional retail tenancy depends on its location, size, lease term and outgoings. The rental cost of an ATS modular retail building depends on the structure’s size, specification, hire period, site conditions, transport, installation and fit-out. A site-specific quote is required for an accurate comparison.
How much does it cost to lease retail space?
Commercial lease costs typically include more than base rent. Businesses may also need to allow for outgoings, utilities, insurance, fit-out, maintenance and make-good obligations. If you have access to suitable land, renting a modular building may offer another way to establish a retail presence.
Can I use a modular building as a permanent retail store?
Yes. ATS structures can be designed for temporary, semi-permanent or permanent applications, subject to site-specific engineering, approvals and the selected building specification.
Can the retail space include storage and offices?
Yes. Retail displays can be combined with offices, consultation rooms, staff facilities, storage, warehousing and back-of-house operational areas.
Can a modular retail building be branded?
Yes. Options can include custom colours, signage, architectural fascia, glazing, internal wall finishes and other brand-aligned elements.
Can the building be relocated later?
Many modular structures can be dismantled and relocated. The feasibility and cost will depend on the original design, condition of the components, new site, transport requirements and applicable approvals.
Are modular retail spaces suitable during store renovations?
Yes. A temporary retail building can allow a business to continue serving customers while its existing store is refurbished, repaired or redeveloped.
