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How profitable are mall carts?

r/Entrepreneur
8/15/2025

Content Summary

The post discusses the profitability of mall carts that sell snacks, drinks, and other basic products. The author questions whether it's possible to make a profit given the high rental costs and low margins. Comments from users provide insights into actual rental prices, profit margins, and the challenges of running such a business. Some users suggest that success depends on location, product selection, and cost management, while others express skepticism about the viability of the model.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinion suggests that mall carts are not highly profitable due to high rental costs and low-margin products. Many users believe that success depends on factors like location, product uniqueness, and cost control. However, there are conflicting opinions: some argue that with the right strategy and low labor costs, mall carts can be profitable, while others dismiss them as a low-value business model. There is also debate over the actual profitability of these carts, with some claiming they can generate significant revenue while others question the numbers.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
N/AN/AN/ANo SaaS tools mentioned in the post or comments.

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • High rental costs for mall cart spaces
  • Difficulty in achieving profitability with low-margin products
  • Challenges in staffing and labor costs
  • Uncertainty about whether the business model is viable

Problems to Solve:

  • Determining if mall carts are a viable small business opportunity
  • Understanding how to calculate break-even points and profit margins
  • Identifying strategies to increase sales and reduce costs

Potential Solutions:

  • Using high-margin products or unique offerings
  • Leveraging low-cost labor (e.g., family members)
  • Focusing on high-traffic areas or popular products
  • Negotiating better rental rates or product pricing

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Leveraging high-traffic locations
  • Offering niche or unique products that attract customers
  • Using aggressive sales tactics and high-pressure marketing
  • Utilizing low-cost labor or family members to reduce expenses

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • No specific SaaS marketing methods were discussed, as the focus was on physical retail rather than software.

Monetization & Product:

  • Profitability depends heavily on product margin and customer traffic
  • High-margin items like sodas or specialty items can improve profitability
  • Successful businesses often rely on brand recognition or unique offerings

User Engagement:

  • No direct user engagement techniques were discussed in the context of SaaS, as this was a discussion about physical mall carts.