Shopping centre kiosk business
Rent a small kiosk in a mall or busy centre and sell a focused range of goods to passing shoppers.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small booth or island stand in a mall, transit hub or busy indoor space selling a tight range of products such as accessories, candles, phone gear, gifts or packaged treats.
Your first three steps
- Visit a few local malls, note which kiosks look busy, and ask the leasing office about available spots, rents and lease lengths
- Pick one product line and test it by selling at a local market or pop-up first
- Price out the kiosk fit-out, stock, a card payment system and insurance to build a simple first-year budget
Who pays
Shoppers and commuters who stop on impulse, plus gift buyers in the holiday season.
How it makes money
You buy or make products and sell them at a markup. The main costs are the kiosk rent, often a base amount plus a share of sales, and your stock.
Skills that help
- Friendly selling to people passing by
- Choosing products that sell on impulse
- Stock and cash handling
Watch out for
- Read the lease carefully: rent, percentage of sales, length, opening hours and what happens if sales are slow
- Commercial general liability insurance, which landlords usually require
- Check your provincial and municipal business registration and GST/HST rules once you pass the small supplier threshold
- Sales often peak in the holiday season, so plan cash for quieter months
- In Quebec, check French-language rules for signs and displays
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: shopping centre kiosk
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a shopping centre kiosk?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the kiosk setup, your opening stock and the lease terms. Treat this as an estimate and compare it against the rent and fit-out you are quoted.
How much can a mall kiosk make?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the location, product range and time of year. Sales often peak in the holiday season, so plan cash for quieter months.
What should I check before signing a kiosk lease or opening?
Read the lease carefully for rent, percentage of sales, length, opening hours and what happens if sales are slow. Also check liability insurance, provincial and municipal registration, GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and French-language rules in Quebec.
Other ways to run this business
Similar retail ideas
Second-hand CD shop
Open a small shop selling used CDs, buying collections over the counter and building a local music community.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Linen shop on your local high street
Open a small shop selling bed linen, towels and table textiles to shoppers in your neighbourhood.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Massage supplies shop
Open a small local shop where therapists and clients can see and try tables, oils and equipment before buying.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Neighbourhood flower shop
Open a small street-front shop selling fresh flowers, gifts and arrangements, with local delivery.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Used computer shop with repairs
Open a small shop selling refurbished computers and parts, with repairs to bring customers back.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Electronic parts counter for repairers and makers
Run a small shop or unit stocking components for local repair businesses, students and hobbyists, plus an online store.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises