Shopping Centers Today is the news magazine of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Issue link: https://sct.epubxp.com/i/122387
r e T a i l i n g T o d a y Keeping us posted the mail box stores aims to pick up the u.s. postal service's slack By Margaret Jackson T he end of Saturday mail delivery? Bring it on! the mail Box Stores is hardly bemoaning this year's scheduled closures of 3,500 post offices. to the contrary, the las Vegas–based company is poised for growth — on track to roll out about 60 stores this year, on top of the roughly 200 it has opened in the u.S. since its inception 12 years ago. its name notwithstanding, the mail Box Stores provides more than just stamps and mailboxes. the company is a network of independently owned stores that are virtual offices, 104 SC T / m a y 2 0 1 3 offering printing and binding, faxing and notary services, plus office supplies. "it's a one-stop shop for anything a small or home-based business might need," said theresa Whitley, general manager of the mail Box Stores. "We provide a turnkey package that includes everything you need to open a store. "in five days we hand you a key, and you're ready to open. We provide full financial assistance, site location, lease negotiation, build-out, fixtures, signage and supplies." the company takes pains to explain that this is not a franchise — the operator independently owns the store and everything in it, retaining control and responsibility over every aspect of the business, including site selection, store design, merchandise, advertising and marketing. a mail Box Stores owner invests nearly $85,000 to own and operate a store under any name he or she chooses. there are no royalties or fees, but mail Box Stores continues to provide ongoing technical, business and purchasing support. By contrast, under the licensing arrangement called franchising, the owner of a trademarked product or service — the franchiser — distributes or markets that product/ service through affiliated dealers called franchisees. these franchisees own the establishments, but the terms typically require them to share operational responsibilities with the franchiser. thus, the mailbox Stores model costs a mere fraction of what a typical franchise arrangement might go for, where the initial investment can run up to $500,000, and where there are fees and royalties in addition, says Brandon Gale, president of retail Shipping associates,