If you’re looking at starting a small business, you will find many potential pitfalls and complications become apparent, especially if you are breaking into a retail space. In addition to getting financing, finding suppliers and setting up a business plan, you also need to find a suitable space from which to sell your wares. High rent and low availability may mean that traditional retail spaces are out of the question. Sometimes the best solution is a shopping centre kiosk, which offers cheaper, more flexible term for your start-up.
What is a Shopping Centre Kiosk?
Most people easily recognise shopping centre kiosks, but don’t know the exact name unless they are told. Characterised by an enclosed selling space, the retailer stands in the centre as customers approach. Shopping centre kiosks are becoming a popular business model for up and coming entrepreneurs.
How Do Kiosks Differ from Traditional Outlets?
Shopping Centre Kiosks differ from traditional outlets in a few ways. Retail kiosks differ from traditional outlets in a number of ways. Firstly, they don’t have a dedicated space, as shopping centres are free to reorganise their kiosks as needed. Kiosks are often manned by a single employee, often the owner of business, but not in every case. The popularity of shopping centre kiosks is rising and many kiosk chains have risen up to rival traditional stores.
What Are the Advantages to Running a Kiosk?
There are some advantages to running a shopping centre kiosk business. Low rent and low overheads on your space keep your costs down while you benefit from increased visibility, as no shopper can miss your station as they go from store to store. You can easily expand your business when things go well and downsize when things are bad. As your space has low lease commitments, it is easy for you to renegotiate your arrangement with shopping centre management.
How Do Shopping Centres Benefit from Kiosks?
Kiosks benefit more than small business owners, shopping centres also benefit greatly from these outlets. Shopping centres gain small amounts of rent, and benefit from the small overhead cost as the kiosk owner. Short lease arrangements allow shopping centres to maximise space to accommodate temporary or seasonal events by reorganising kiosk locations. Shopping Centre kiosks also require less responsibility from shopping centre management to keep them running as they are more autonomous than traditional outlets.
What Are Some Tips for Running a Kiosk?
There are some things to keep in mind if you are thinking of placing your business in a kiosk. First, you should invest in a stable wireless payment system. Many malls will not run wires out to every kiosk, requiring you to find payment solutions that are convenient to customers. Plan ahead for shoplifters, as increased foot traffic can result in more items being stolen. Lastly, be sure to maintain good rapport with shopping centre management and other kiosk retailers. These relationships can be an invaluable resource in helping your business to succeed.
Shopping centre kiosks offer great opportunities for everyone involved.
Kiosks offer small business owners a cost effective means for getting retail outlets off the ground, while giving shopping centres a chance to make the most of their space and profits. Customers benefit from having a more shopping options. As an added bonus, kiosks tend to attract unique businesses and unusual ideas, increasing competition and innovation in the retail arena. When you are deciding what will be best for you and your business, keep these these simple facts about kiosks in mind,