An electronic kiosk or interactive kiosk houses a terminal that functions flawlessly to store data locally, or retrieve it from a computer network. Some computer kiosks could provide a free, informational public service, while others serve a commercial purpose. Touchscreens, trackballs, computer keyboards, and pushbuttons are all typical input devices for such interactive kiosk.

Kiosks in shopping malls, airports, sporting events, or larger stores are considered part of the specialty retail industry, which is estimated to bring its users over $12 billion annually. The placement guarantees high foot traffic from shoppers, offering opportunities for impulse sales. the portability of such kiosk The short leases allow larger retailers to test the market temporarily before committing to a location, and lower costs for new business owners.