"Box" Shop and Shelf Space -What's Your Views?

xoxoxo

Seen many "box" shops sprouting out recently and many shelf-space-sharing concepts stores, allowing budding entreprenuers with limited budget a chance to be their own boss. I think in our own forum, we have seen 5-6 such shops. The retail scene is getting really exciting!

For those who have rented box-space and/or shelf space, care to share with fellow forum members your views and experiences. Comments on location, concept, rental, sales support, promotion and advertising, actual business results in terms of profit and loss, product awareness etc etc are all welcome!

This should benefit those who are thinking about renting one or those who are thinking of starting another "box" shop and will be useful feedback for existing "box" shop & shelf-space-sharing owners.

Lil_cherriez

Anybody gt any feedback cause I am planing to gt a box in bugis...1st time, so abit worried

pokerface

i'm thinking of getting one at cactus farm. first timer too. any feedback? thanks

__________________

"My hands are the tools that God blessed me with so I may work creatively"

JuneChiam

Hi Lil,
The box you planing to take is it from Otaku house Iluma Bugis? The salesgirls there are very friendly and willing to serve customers. I've been with them for almost coming 3 months. Sales not bad, although it's quite quiet on normal days but sat, sun n holiday it's quite crowded. Maybe due to some shops not open yet. They now building an overhead bridge across from Bugis junction so may expect to have more crowd.

xoxoxo

Yes, we need feedback like this and hopefully more will come forward and share with us. One more point, for those who provide feedback, it may be also be useful to let us know what kind of products you are selling

Lil_cherriez

Hi June, thank you so much for the feedback

ahpeow

Just to share my views. I am currently selling ladies pouches at one rented shelf space.

I surveyed those "boxes" concept since end last year. My personal view is that "boxes" concept can look innovative from the outside, it attracts people into the shop to take a look, but it does not drive the buying spirit much.

Why I say that? : My personal feel again, when I position myself as a shopper, I walk into a "boxes" concept shop, I feel that the range of products is too huge, from trick cards to bags to whatever they can sell. As a shopper, I don't feel a theme or what the shop is trying to sell. The "boxes" are booked on first come first serve basis, so you can have the same range of products but at 2 different corners of the shop, which I feel a quite messy. Every "box" owner has the rights to decorate their spaces the way they like (to a certain extent), hence, I personally feels it makes the whole place worse.

The "boxes" are not big and also priced accordingly. That is, a eye level space will cost more then spaces that are higher or lower. In common sense, I believe no one wants to place their products at those odd levels. Due to the small restricted spaces, it is best if you are selling small items (like ear rings or cuff links.

All in all, I believe in communication and hard work is essential to make things happen. I don't believe in displaying my items somewhere and people will automatically pick up my items and pay at the cashier. It needs promotion from sales stuff to the shopper and I would encourage consistant communication with shop owner to understand sales situation from time to time. That is, if goods don't sell, why? Display location? Crowd? Product itself? Can the shop owner help me in some way? If goods sells, GOOD! How much stocks left? Which range sells better? When can I replenish fastest possible?

Once again, I hope my personal views helps to spark some ideas in what you trying to do.

Cheers... all the best.... and good luck....

ultimateworker

Our retail division also has a space in one of the "box" retail shops.

Based on our experience:
1. Traffic
Must get a box shop with good human traffic, it is of paramount importance... survey the shop during weekday and weekends

2. Target Audience
Must see who visits the shop, again hangout at the shop for a few weekdays and weekends. Some shops have students, housewives etc... are they your target audience?

3. Pricing
We realise we cannot sell too expensive items in these box shops... we think around $20 is a good price point

Thanks!
Ultimateworker

noeclue

Don't you guys think box rental is too pricey?

xoxoxo

Thanks for the fantastic feedback from ahpeow and ultimate worker.

One suggestion for those thinking of renting a box/shelf space, be a mystery shopper yourself

Step into the shop, feel the environment, observe how the owner/salesgirl serves you, pick up a product close to what you are selling, and see how the owner/salesgirl promote and sell the item to you. Ask for other products, if they know all the products well enough, they will be able to address your needs.

My concern is if the owner also carries similar products as me eg accessories like earrings and necklaces, will they promote my items or their own