How to Set Up a Market Stall

When setting up a market stall, there are a variety of things to take into consideration. From choosing the right size pop up gazebo, to gaining a licence. Our guide will help you sort through all the noise so you can set up your pop up market stall as effectively as possible.

Market stall ideas  

If you’re not sure where to start, but want to get involved with setting up your own market stall, here are some market stall ideas for what you can sell at your stall:

1. Homemade Body Products 
2. Vintage Clothing 
3. Handmade Jewellery 
4. Plants and Flowers
5. Custom T-Shirts 
6. Silk Screen Printing 
7. Artisanal Foods 
8. Handcrafted Leather Goods 
9. Organic Soaps and Lotions 
10. Gourmet Popcorn 
11. Freshly Baked Goods 
12. Natural Health and Beauty Products 
13. Handmade Toys 
14. Local Honey and Jams 
15. Organic Coffee and Tea 
16. Handmade Candles 
17. Craft Beer and Wine 
18. Upcycled Home Decor 
19. Unique Gift Items 
20. Local Art and Photography

Business or Pleasure?

It can be helpful to establish why you want to set up a market stall in the first place, and what you want to provide to your future customers. Do you want a more casual stall to run occasionally as a hobby, or do you want to utilise the stall to earn extra income and sell your products more frequently at different marketplaces? 
You’ll also have to think of additional factors like budgeting, especially during the quieter periods, as footfalls can change dramatically throughout the seasons.

Consider set up costs

Initial set up costs will require money. Things like decorations for your pop up gazebo to entice customers, a good chair to sit on, a till or a contactless card machine and other advertising materials such as boards, menu boards etc. 
You may also need a market stall licence, also known as a street trading licence, which costs around £100 and is valid for 6 months. These licences can be acquired by applying to your local council.

What documents will I need to set up my market stall?

• General insurance for stolen goods
• Hygiene and food certification (if you intend to sell food and/or drink)
• Product and liability insurance 
• Combined market insurance

Research your market

When setting up a market stall it’s vital that there’s a gap in the market for your stall, and we don’t just mean physically. 
Take some time to look into and visit other successful stalls, ensuring there aren’t too many close competitors that may often be present in areas that you wish to trade. Carry out market research to understand if your audience actually wants to buy your products and ensure you push your unique selling point.
Make sure you have key skills that will come in handy. For example, can you stand for long periods of time? Are you a chatty person? Can you actually sell your products? If you can’t do these things, you could consider enlisting someone who can help you learn or work on the stall with you.
It’s likely that you have a range of market stall ideas so drilling down and focussing on the one that works best for you and your skillset is often the way to go.

Embrace the community

There is a real sense of culture and community with markets. They can be a key part of towns and cities, even attracting visitors from across the country and tourists looking to embrace local life.
It’s vital that your stall is welcoming and inviting to the local community. Start by introducing yourself to the locals and getting to know them. You can also offer local community discounts or specials to show your appreciation for their support.
Try to get involved with community events or initiatives and use your stall to support local causes. By doing these things, you will be able to create a stronger relationship with the local community and increase your sales and customer loyalty.

Show off your branding 

Having a strong sense of branding for your market stall business will help customers identify you and be drawn to your pop up market stall, setting it apart from those around it. 

An additional tip would be adding your information on the stall so customers can follow you on your social media, email or website, even if they don’t have the time to buy from your stall that day. Our printed gazebos help make this process easy so you can find the right size and model for you and customise it to represent your brand.     

Stand out from the crowd with a branded gazebo from Gazeboshop

How to choose the right size gazebo

When it comes to determining which size gazebo is right for your market stall, you need to consider a few aspects, including:

• Space: Ensure you will have the space required for all your stock, staff and equipment at your market stall as having a cramped work space can hinder your productivity and make selling your products more difficult.
• Function: Consider things such as whether you will be having a table at the front of your gazebo to display your goods, or will people need to come inside the gazebo, will you be purchasing gazebo side walls to protect your goods in the rain?

Our pop up gazebos come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours, and are all able to be custom printed. Take a look at our buying guide to find out which pop up gazebo is best suited to your requirements. Additionally, you can explore our gazebo accessories to enhance your stall and stand out from the crowd.