Establishing a mall kiosk business may be simpler than opening an inline store, but it’s still a complex process. You have to get things right in order to succeed. Picking the right partner to create your kiosk is essential, because you need a solid foundation to build your business. When it comes to mall kiosk manufacturers, how do you pick the right one? 

Insist on customization.

Your kiosk must fit within space limitations and it must fit the products you plan to sell. An off-the-shelf design can’t do that, dimming your sales prospects before you even open your “door.” Custom design ensures you get exactly what you need, with a look that is uniquely yours.

In essence, a mall kiosk is a single, large retail fixture. Like any fixture, your mall kiosk has to promise and deliver an exceptional customer experience. The elements that make in-store fixtures work also apply to your mall kiosk. The right manufacturer knows retail merchandising, store layout, and fixture design, as well as how to construct a kiosk. That’s very different from a manufacturer that focuses on a particular type of stand-alone kiosk, say for handling touch-screen transactions. (You might want that functionality in your mall kiosk, but it’s not all you’ll need.)

Choose a company that’s on your side.

There are numerous mall kiosk manufacturers out there. But Palmer Retail Solutions president Jim Palmer warns, “Many companies prefer only to make kiosks. They really don’t want to get involved in the mall approval process or any permitting that may be required, so they discourage that by charging prohibitive fees for the work.”

Palmer takes the opposite approach, automatically including all that behind-the-scenes work for clients. His knowledge and contacts smooth and speed the process, whereas clients who try to navigate this on their own often waste time and make unfortunate mistakes.

Do your homework.

Talk to multiple mall kiosk manufacturers. Look for companies with experience building kiosks similar to what you need. Ask lots of questions. Are they openly willing to explain your options and make recommendations, so you don’t overlook something? Can they meet your timeframe and budget? Ask for references, and check for reviews.

In the end, ask yourself who among the companies you’re considering can help you: 

• Establish and reinforce your brand
• Make it easy for shoppers to spot and buy your products
• Highlight certain merchandise
• Support displays that help customers visualize how your products will look or feel in their home or office
• Draw attention to your business and your merchandise without competing for your customers’ attention

Starting a mall kiosk business is a major investment. By choosing the right manufacturer, you’ll get actionable advice from knowledgeable pros. You can be confident you’re getting a kiosk design that looks great, functions beautifully, and meets every regulation. You’ll be set up to sell from Day One – prepared to succeed rather than wishing you had done things differently.