Dear Friend,
I heard from a cart operator this past week who
had recently opened a cart selling a pre-packaged
food item in one of the malls out east.
He had come up with the idea for this cart on his
own.
After a couple of weeks in the mall, it was clear
to him that the sales were not going to be what
he expected.
When found things weren't going as well as he'd
hoped, he looked around online, and came across
me and my site, and gave me a call.
***
I recently talked to a mall leasing agent who told me
that the inquiry calls she receive from prospective
cart operators fall into two main categories:
1) Folks that have something very specific in mind
to sell at the mall;
2) Folks that are interested in selling something off
from a cart or kiosk, but don't really have any idea
what to sell.
For folks that don't have anything specific in mind
to sell, I think it is wise to hook up with a product
that has a proven track record in the mall.
I especially encourage folks going into the cart
business for the first time to pick a proven entity
when choosing a product to sell.
It gives you a chance to learn more about what
works, and what doesn't work in the mall setting.
At the same time, you get a 'win' under your belt
and make some money in the process.
***
That being said, there are always people like the
person that called me this week that have a new
idea and want to give it a shot.
Giving a new product a shot can make sense under
the following conditions...
1) You have a clear vision of what you are going to
sell, and how you are going to sell it; and
2) You go forward with a testing mindset.
It is particularly important to go forward with a
testing mindset so that if things don't work the way
you intended, you are ready to make an adjustment.
***
For example, the man that called me this past week
understood after only a couple of weeks that the food
item he was selling probably wasn't going to work.
He understood that. And was ready to make an
adjustment.
So he asked for suggestions of some proven products
that would generate more sales and more profits.
Suggestion for the day:
If you go forward with a new product on a cart, and it
doesn't work out that way you expected, it doesn't have
to be the end of the world.
Just be ready to make adjustments.
***
Now... if you are someone interested in a selling a
product from a cart or kiosk, but don't know what
to sell... I occasionally profile new AND proven cart
concepts for those that are looking.
If you want to receive these profiles, you can
register to receive them here:
Mall Cart and Kiosk Product Profiles
***
Best,
Brady Flower
P.S. Another source for finding successful cart
products is the Specialty Retail Report magazine.
I suggested that the person I spoke with this past
week subscribe. And if you are looking for a cart
or kiosk product, I'd suggest you subscribe too.
Here is the link to subscribe:
Specialty Retail Report Magazine |
