Department store John Lewis is to open its first ever pop-up store in Exeter.

The retailer, which traditionally trades from large stores of 132,000 sq ft, will open the pop-up shop for six weeks prior to its main line department store opening in the autumn.

A John Lewis spokeswoman confirmed the retailer would be opening the pop-up shop but declined to give further details. It is understood the pop-up will serve as a branding exercise to raise awareness of John Lewis in the town before its main shop opens.

It is thought the temporary shop will also sell products.

Pop-up shops have become an increasingly popular low-risk way for retailers to test their wares in a new market. Catalogue retailer Boden is opening a pop-up store in the Bullring in Birmingham at the end of the month.

The John Lewis spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that we have put in planning permission for a pop-up shop in Exeter but have yet to confirm any of the details.”

John Lewis will open its first smaller ‘flexible’ department store format in the autumn in Exeter, covering 70,000 sq ft.