A kiosk is a small booth-like area where merchants sell a variety of items, often located in malls or outdoor shopping areas. The term comes from the Turkish word for “pavilion” and can also refer to machines like ATMs. Kiosks offer lower start-up costs and portability for businesses. Franchise opportunities are available for a variety of products.
A kiosk is a booth-like area that is open on one or more sides. Merchants sell a variety of items from a kiosk, with newspapers, food and gift items being some of the most common items. A kiosk business is usually located within a mall or outdoor shopping area, but can be found just about anywhere you are on a regular basis.
The term “kiosk” comes from the Turkish word for “pavilion”. The original Turkish pavilions were roofed structures with supporting pillars, much like a western gazebo. The term was borrowed from the French and Belgians to refer to aedicules. It was adopted by the British in the mid-1800s when it appeared in reference to aedicules.
Sometimes a modern kiosk business is created to provide an additional service for a larger company. Machines such as automatic teller machines (ATMs) and ticket machines are often referred to as kiosks. These machines are attached to a large scale business and are meant to provide a convenience to their customers.
A mall or outdoor center is the most common place to find kiosk businesses. Sometimes these small booths look like trolleys, reminiscent of the street vendors of bygone centuries. The merchant pays a rental fee to the mall owner for the use of the kiosk.
Customers walk up to the kiosk and can easily view the items for sale. The sales clerk can greet customers as they walk by and try to get their attention. Product demonstrations are sometimes held on site. Consumers then purchase the items directly from the kiosk.
For someone starting a business, a business kiosk is an excellent place to start. Start-up costs are significantly lower than in a traditional outlet, generally ranging between $2,000 and $25,000 US Dollars, depending on the product being sold. The rents for small stands are significantly lower than the rents for an entire shop. They provide the face-to-face interaction that most sales associates in a store don’t allow. Portability is another major benefit as the process of changing locations is much easier and quicker than tearing down an entire store.
There are literally hundreds of franchise opportunities available for someone interested in starting a kiosk business. Products associated with bath and spa, beauty, pets, home decor, food, health, education, and electronic accessories are some common choices, while novelties like screen-printed and personalized items are especially popular around the holidays.
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