Special stores called "lattice shops" have begun popping up across the city of Shanghai and have become a popular shortcut for young entrepreneurs to showcase their wares as well as earn some extra money.

Lattice shops are small stores of about 20 square meters with shelved walls. Every shelf is divided into lattices.

An average shop contains more than 160 lattices, said Geng Yiling, brand manager with Ju Bao Ge, a lattice shop on Shaanxi Road S.

Geng said people could rent the lattices and sell whatever they want under a contract negotiated with the owner. In the small spaces, cosmetics, self-designed goods and jewelry are among the top sellers.

The cost to rent a lattice range from about 50 yuan (US$7.35) to 700 yuan depending on the different position of the showcase space and location of the shop, she said. Lattices by the window or in the middle of the shelves are more costly than others.

Shop owners also charge a 5-percent to 8-percent commission on everything sold.

Shop owners said that college students and office workers are the main lattice shop moonlighters.

"Since the rental is attractive and there is someone who takes care of the sales, more and more people get interested in lattice shops and the lessees are various people with various aims," Geng said.

Many handicraft lovers have jumped at the opportunity to sell the fruits of their labors and some roadside sellers had also move their stands into the lattices, Geng said.

A lattice renter surnamed Li, who holds a lattice in Ju Bao Ge, told Shanghai Daily that she has another shop nearby. She said she sells fancy accessories from her own shop in her lattice.

Online shop owners said they also prefer to rent a lattice to display some of their products.

However, the trend has not proved to be a big money spinner yet for lattice shop renters.

Ge Ge Wu lattice shop vice manager, surnamed Shen, said that fewer than 50 percent of lessees are earning a profit.

"Actually, many regard it as a hobby rather than a business," he said, adding that the lessors are often looking to balance their hobby with a business.