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Lessons from the Mall - Part 3
There were lots of wonderful benefits we gained from having a kiosk at the Mall this past holiday
1. Increased sales revenues - As we did demos and handed out samples we got a loyal following that came back to buy gifts during the holidays. The repeat business increased our confidence. Customers were now coming to the mall looking for us.
2. Increased exposure - We got featured in the Specialty Retail Report - Carts Across America which has led to more interest in our company. Another magazine editor based in the Baltimore area contacted us to do a feature on our products
3. Contacts from local businesses in my area wanting to network with us
Some final thoughts on the Mall.
The two months we spent at the mall were very valuable, they were also very tough. The hours are grueling, and when an associates call out sick or doesn't show up you can end up working some real long hours. We manufacture our own products, so we stayed pretty busy between the mall and production. The cost of kiosk rental and wages really ate into our bottom line.
It was a great experience, but I don't recommend it for everyone. If you are thinking about it, please feel free to talk to someone who has done it in order to fully understand all the potential pitfalls.
1. Increased sales revenues - As we did demos and handed out samples we got a loyal following that came back to buy gifts during the holidays. The repeat business increased our confidence. Customers were now coming to the mall looking for us.
2. Increased exposure - We got featured in the Specialty Retail Report - Carts Across America which has led to more interest in our company. Another magazine editor based in the Baltimore area contacted us to do a feature on our products
3. Contacts from local businesses in my area wanting to network with us
Some final thoughts on the Mall.
The two months we spent at the mall were very valuable, they were also very tough. The hours are grueling, and when an associates call out sick or doesn't show up you can end up working some real long hours. We manufacture our own products, so we stayed pretty busy between the mall and production. The cost of kiosk rental and wages really ate into our bottom line.
It was a great experience, but I don't recommend it for everyone. If you are thinking about it, please feel free to talk to someone who has done it in order to fully understand all the potential pitfalls.
Views: 9
Comment
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Comment by Patricia L Sims on February 17, 2010 at 10:32pm -
Thank you so much for your honesty and information. It would have been really easy for you to tell everyone that it was so easy and fun. The truth is that a lot a people forget that retail...especially mall retail is cut throat and grueling work. I have worked as an associate and a manager in mall stores in my career and have a lot of experience in retail but what you did is the "real deal"! I don't know that I would have been that brave. You're great. Good luck and God Bless you.
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Comment by Anne-Marie on February 17, 2010 at 8:15pm -
This is a wonderful series - I love that you told it how you really felt it and experienced it AND you came up with some tangible take-aways for others.
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Comment by Amaka Olateju on February 17, 2010 at 5:28am -
Great post Funlayo. Thumps up for feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Your experience has given an insight into the hard work that goes with renting a space at a mall/shopping centre, and manufacturing your own products at the same time. It is a lot of hard work.
It won't be a bad idea if you do it next holiday, because this time around you will be ready for the challenges.
Hope it all goes very well for you.
Amaka :)
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Comment by Funlayo Alabi-Shea Radiance on February 16, 2010 at 4:02pm -
Hi Cherie,
Great questions. I have been asking myself the same questions too. In spite of the benefits, it is a very exhausting endeavor. Having the right people working the kiosk is key or you will lose money. If you have a family and manufacture your own products, it is virtually impossible to be at the kiosk 10 -12 hours a day 7 days a week.
I have been approached by folks who would like to franchise, or replicate our kiosk concept, but I haven't yet had the time or inclination to develop the idea.
I will say that mall managers are looking for Local, Green businesses with a personal touch to add variety to the kiosk options.
Would I do this again next holiday? I'm considering it but not sure if I still have the stamina for it :)
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Comment by Nikki on February 16, 2010 at 3:05pm
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Thank you so much for your insight! I'm often asked to rent a cart at the mall, and the thought of the expenses frieghtens me terribly. I still work a full time job, while producing & marketing my products, and with that said, one can only imagine the set back. It loooks like it was worth the risk. You have great products and wonderful insight! Thanks!!
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Comment by Cheri Tracy on February 16, 2010 at 2:36pm -
I have been thinking about a kiosk myself. I appreciate your insight.
And, I have to ask..
Are you doing it again next year?
And could you imagine doing it year 'round?
x Cheri
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