How to Set Up a Sales Booth at a Mall
Setting up a sales booth at a mall is a great way to kick-start your business without having to invest a lot of money in a retail storefront or advertising. Malls generate thousands of visitors and a sales booth can put your products in front of everyone who enters the facility.
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Instructions
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Construct a business plan. It doesn't have to be a formal business plan---in fact, it doesn't even have to be written. Develop a strategy for what type of products you will sell. If you are selling something you have made yourself, ensure you have the capability to produce enough of it before opening a sales booth. If you are distributing other products, you need to get a supplier agreement to stay fully stocked.
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Contact the management office of your local mall and request an appointment to discuss leasing a sales booth. The manager will likely ask you questions about the nature of your business and your expected budget before granting an interview. It is a good idea to take notes before making the phone call so you don't stumble with your words.
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Dress professionally for your interview and arrive 10 minutes early. Treat the interview as you would a job interview. Mall managers screen applicants to avoid "fly by night" operations or clients who will deceive mall customers and hurt the mall's reputation.
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Review the contract details of the lease, such as the sales booth size and term of the lease. Make sure the terms fit into your business plan. Be aware that the lease balance can be collected if you break the lease or damage something. Once the terms are agreeable to you, sign the contract, and oversee the placement and setup of your sales booth.
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Apply to your local licensing agency to acquire a business license. This process is simple and usually only requires a small fee ($50 to $100). Once you have your license, you can begin stocking your sales booth with products and point of sale advertising. Then open for business.
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Tips & Warnings
Most mall sales booths come with cash registers; however, if yours does not, acquire one. If you choose to hire an employee to run your sales booth, make sure it is someone who can be trusted, since she will have complete control over your sales volume.
Selling a product that several other vendors in the same mall already offer will make business difficult. Try to offer a product that no one else does.
References
Resources
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