Kiosk/cart for mall

**Gllanes5** · 07-21-2011 02:28 PM

I want to open a cart or kiosk at a mall and sell handmade genuine leather handbags and wallets, maybe belts too. They are made in central America by artisans and at affordable prices ranging from $80-$200. What do you think? Is that a good idea or not? Would you buy if you liked them? I know many stores carry handbags and such but these would be artisan work, real leather, and affordable. Any thoughts?

**JKansas** · 07-22-2011 10:28 AM

I think you should be asking your target market, not the interwebs. Personally, no, I would pass you by. I'm not into purses, and i'm too cheap to buy nice wallets. However, I know there are lots of women that spend hundreds on a purse theyll use for two months. That said, ask these questions to people who would buy from you, show them samples and ask what theyd pay. That will give you much more usable results than asking a bunch of strangers online.

**Gllanes5** · 07-22-2011 11:10 AM

Jkansas, thank you!

**peteVA** · 07-23-2011 08:39 PM

Most malls have a "specialty leasing" person who handles kiosks and such. At good malls these are professionals who attend their own industry trade shows and seminars and are very good at telling you your chances of success. If they do not think you will be successful, or that you are a good fit for their mall, they will tell you so.

Be sure to sit down, so you are not picking yourself up from the floor when you find out the cost........

**JKansas** · 07-25-2011 10:09 AM

No problem,

And since I am not the kiosk type (I associate them with cheap trinkets and knock offs, that is just me though), and peteVA brought up a good point...

What about setting up in home sales parties? This is a popular method and I think would work really well for these goods. Look at scentsy and a couple other purse people who do this. You'd have to buy some inventory and find some women you know, but not enough that your networks are the same. Then branch out that way until you have two or three parties a week. This requires more personal sales and you have to portray confidence in yoru brand, but you won't have to pay for a kiosk, you can do it part time, and all the women i know who do stuff like this love it. It would be a great chance to build a brand as the importer of these goods.

**NinaBug** · 07-25-2011 10:27 AM

i think before you think about getting a place start from home get a facebook page start advertising get a good pace and make sure you are actually going to sell something. because trust me, i started a bakery from home and its still a slow process trying to get people to know who you are but i am getting there. i know its not the same market but still i think it would help you out. and some of the money you make you can put towards a place or kiosk. If it were me i wouldnt stop either because im with him i associate the mall kiosk with cheap knock off as well.

**Bondie** · 09-22-2011 06:36 PM

Well I think a kiosk is a good idea and if you talk to the mall manager they will let you know if this is something that will go well at your local mall.
You will need a facebook page but I totally disagree with anyone who says start selling from home first. Where will you get the traffic? It takes a lot of hard work and time and more time to get the word out on the internet. Trust me I have been doing it since 2008 and I have not had many sales on either of my sites.
When I go to craft shows or other shows I do much better. Once you are out and can show the public what you have you will then begin to get clients. Be sure to have business cards and give them out to all interested. Sell on e-bay or your own website a great way to get return clients.
Kiosks are expensive but not when you think of the profit that can be made. Have smaller less expensive items or even a leather cleaning kit for people to buy. This can be an add on to any sale or you can do a demonstration to really get peoples attention. Small things like this can make your rent for you leaving the sales of your larger items as profit for you.

I say give it a go! Be sure to sit down and figure out you profit on each item you are selling and how many you need to sell to make rent and a profit. Then let it rip. Good luck!