Mall Kiosk

[breatheeasy17]

I did a little search on here and realized its not really talked about except 1 guy who told a story back in 2006. But I am a college student looking to start a kiosk in the mall. There is a guy who goes mall to mall around here selling kids computer games and does really good but the music is annoying! Anyone have any ideas on some good products to sell at a mall kiosk? Going thru searches on google it seems everything is overpriced. Im lookin for some unique ideas where the profit margin is high. Thanks!

[Paint and Air Sportz]

Well just a heads up at my local mall its $2500 a month for a kiosk and you can get a 1500 sqft store for around that in a strip center, but the mall was highend and well populated.

[RL4010]

I have worked mall Kiosks for about the past 12 years and there is no limit to what you can sell from them. If you live in an area where a large regional mall is close by drive over and make a list of what you see there. There is also a magazine that will help you, it is called Speciality Retail Report and there are trade shows for kiosks called Spree. You can look them up and find out lots of things about products to sell. Be aware though, Speciality Retail is going to have ads and stories about products and the magazine gets its ad revenue from these same people so the magazine is not passing any judgement on the product or whether you are going to make any money from them. All you are reading is an advertorial about the product.

As for the rent amount, it really doesn't matter what the rent they charge you is. I have friends who pay $10,000 per month for November and December and they make really good money. That is $20,000 in rent for 2 months and they still make money. What is important is what is the traffic like, I would much rather pay a high rent and get high body counts instead of paying low rent and not seeing any bodies.

[rpendery2006]

Thats interesting RL4010. I was thinking about doing a kiosk at one point when I was running my clothing company. I think they could be really good, you would just have to have someone really motivated selling.

[RL4010]

It is that way with any business, kiosk or strip center or stand alone or whatever. You need good motivated salespeople. There is nothing different in kiosk operation in that aspect. Kiosks are great for a variety of reasons but they do have some limitations. Again, no different than any other business opportunity.

[BOG]

Have you ever looked at the kids faces who are working the kiosk? They look like they want to just die.

NO THANKS!

[ChaseManset]

A few years back I almost started a kiosk in my local mall but got too wrapped up in my manufacturing company.

What I suggest you do is locate an online builder of custom poker tables. Take all his/her specs and formulate a brochure, e.g. felt colors, stain options, cup holders, collapsible legs, etc.

Contact the manufactuer that you feel can yeild the best price for the quality you want to sell and can meet a prompt delivery time (may be two weeks on delivery + or -)

Set up this poker table with your kiosk and let mall patrons play in daily tournaments for % off coupons, or other offers. There are an endless amount of ways going about this. Ultimately up to you.

At your kiosk, have available all the options in a brochure and supplement your custom poker tables with poker accessories, e.g. poker chip sets, cards, poker books, etc.

I wrote out a half assed strategic plan but had to drop it for my company. I really think it will do well if set up correctly. Keep in mind with mall kiosks prices rangle drastically with season. I was quoted 1500$ a month for Jan - Oct and 6000$ for Nov and Dec.

Poker is a fad, but a fad with a capacity for addiction. Thus has a potential for greater market longevity. If you want to ask anymore questions, pm me. I spent a decent amount of time looking into this.

- Chase

[jrod31]

I' am thinking about the same thing. right now i have access to equipments to do t-shirts, cups, plates hats... etc. I know that on mall out here has that.

[jasaunders]

The largest demographic at malls are women between 30-60. I would consider targeting them.
Scrapbook products would be a good idea.

[Hooman]

Interesting idea, keep us posted on how it goes...

[syia]

why don't you 1st survey the mall and see who, when.. what segments of people are in there.. if the mall is attracting more teenagers than target your products cater for that niche.. you don't want to end up selling stuffs that is YOU THINK are in DEMANd

[BlueOcean]

Hi,

I was just wondering if someone could post some numbers of the % markup of various products that kiosks sell?

Thanks

[ryanf]

You should take a look at the Luci. It's a special cigarette that uses water vapor instead of burning tobacco. So, you can smoke it practically anywhere even with smoking bans. The mall kiosks are a special program with low minimum orders and really high profit margins. There's quite a few out there already doing really well. Take a look at MyLuci.com

[KKoher]

Body Jewelry...Huge markup: 200%-2800%...No Returns...

[Henryj]

Phone cases, phone accessories, or ipod accessories, stuff like that. You can also sell unique clothing, funny clothing, those are most things I look for, and no one wants a long line.
Some other ideas are:
Kid toys
Clothes
Ear rings
Movies