Mall kiosk

A retail kiosk (also referred to as mall kiosk or Retail Merchandising Unit) is a store operated out of a merchant-supplied kiosk of varying size and shape, which is typically enclosed with the operator located in the center and customers approaching the vendor across a counter.

History

The first mall kiosk opened in Boston's Faneuil Hall in 1976. As proprietors and new shopping mall design space has become more sophisticated over time, the model of mall income generation has been adapted to suit, with RMUs evolving to accommodate this transition.

They are considered part of the specialty retail industry, which is worth over $12 billion annually. Retail spending has remained strong through the economic ups and downs (according to the U.S.Census Bureau totaled about $3.58 trillion in 2002). The placement guarantees high foot traffic from shoppers, offering opportunities for impulse sales. Many carts are franchised, which provides more support for new entrepreneurs. Leases or rents are often monthly, but may range in length from a weekend to a year. The short leases allow larger retailers to test the market temporarily before committing to a location, and lower costs for new business owners.