The market stall is a timeless institution in the UK and it can be a great business idea if you’re considering becoming a market stall trader. Market stalls often have cheaper goods than other stores, partly driven by low overheads, and many customers enjoy the social experience of going to the market, making it popular with consumers. In fact, the number of people shopping in markets is increasing year on year as people are becoming more conscious of their spending habits and of the benefits of shopping locally, often with local produce. Opening a new market stall can be a lot of fun, and if you get it right, there is a lot of money to be made.
If you have always wanted to be a market vendor but don’t know where to start, here are 10 great ideas for the most profitable market stalls in the UK.
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1. A Farmer’s Market Stall
Farmers markets are an ideal opportunity to offer their produce such as meat, vegetables, and dairy products. You can also sell locally made wines, jams, honey or baked goods which many people prefer to the generic ones on sales in supermarkets.
Farmer’s markets are very popular these days because people are becoming more interested in healthy food and organic produce. There has also been a major shift towards supporting local farmers, businesses and market traders which has helped the farmer’s market phenomenon grow. Offer quality, seasonal produce at its absolute peak of freshness and you are sure to have a successful market stall.
2. A Food Stall
Everyone gets hungry when shopping at the market, so a food market stall is a great way to make some money. You can sell any type of food as long as it is high-quality and people are able to eat it in the market. You must also receive all appropriate permissions and certificates from your local council, proving your food meets all food safety standards.
Remember, most hot food stalls won’t have any table seating so you will need to design your menu with dishes that can be eaten on the move. If you are fortunate enough to have seating then you can be more expansive with what you offer.
In many places in the world, the local market is the absolute best place to eat. In South East Asia, for example, locals and tourists alike often shun restaurants and eat dinner in the night market, while in Singapore, the traditional hawkers are a central part of the local food culture.
3. A Pet Supplies Stall
The pet industry is worth billions so why not get involved? Pet stores are often very overpriced, and so a pet supplies stall can bring customers your way. In order to keep your prices low, it is important to buy wholesale pet supplies and not retail, and that way you will be able to make a healthy profit on every item you sell.
Your own market stall for pet supplies can offer everything from pet food to animal cages. Just make sure that any pet food, supplements, or medicines you sell have been scientifically tested and approved or you could be in trouble with both your customers and the authorities.
Any stall will require a market stall licence, but ensuring you’re fully compliant when offering food – to both humans and animals – is even more important because of the potential risk otherwise.
4. A Christmas Stall
For many people, exploring a traditional Christmas Market is one of the highlights of the Christmas period. The great thing about having a Christmas Market stall is that there are so many different things you can sell.
For example, you can sell Christmas decorations such as handmade tree ornaments and tinsel, or you can offer novelty festive clothing like Santa hats or elf shoes. Some Christmas stalls sell exclusively religious items while others sell more general gifts and decorations.
Another option is to open a Christmas food stall which are also very popular. Many vendors offer German sausages, turkey sandwiches, homemade mince pies, hot chocolate, and mulled wine.
To attract customers to your Christmas stall, make sure it is lit up with fairy lights, and if you are allowed, play some festive Christmas music. Know your target market to ensure you stand out from the crowd during a Christmas market. They get busy, so you need a unique selling point and a reason for customers to check you out versus others. The best way to do this is by knowing your customers and what they’re looking for so you can give them what they want.
5. A Craft Stall
Craft stalls are very popular at craft markets, car boot sales, and weekend market days. There are vendors who sell everything from paintings and pottery to jewellery and clothes. People love to buy things which are handmade and unique so there is the potential to really start to build your customer base here.
As well as your market stall, you can also advertise your products on social media platforms like Instagram, which should help bring more people to the market. If your stall has a lot of space, you can even sell beads and other materials and allow customers to make their own crafts. This is a really fun way to get customers involved and make some sales whilst encouraging others to fall in love with the crafting process for themselves.
6. Second-Hand Clothes Stall
Many people like buying second-hand clothes because they are usually cheaper than new clothes and because buying second-hand causes less damage to the environment. There are also some unique items to be found in second-hand stalls which are perfect for people who like vintage or chic style.
The hardest thing about running a second-hand clothes stall is sourcing quality items to sell but perusing local charity shops is one easy way to pick up some great stuff – so many markets in the world rely on charity shops to help them with their product sourcing and sales. Charity shops will already have sorted items in good condition from dirty or damaged clothes so you won’t have to do it yourself and then you’ll be able to pick out the best of the lot.
7. A Second-Hand Mobile Phone Stall
With the newest iPhone or Samsung release coming out every year, there is a huge market for second-hand mobiles. The great thing is that there are so many people who want the newest model every time it comes out, but many people who can’t afford the latest tech will be more than happy to settle for the previous years phone, second hand. There are always second-hand phones available to buy which you can then sell at a profit on your stall.
You can also offer different mobile phone accessories such as phone cases, screen protectors and phone chargers. Customised phone cases are particularly profitable because if you are good at crafts, you can make them for just a few pence and sell them at a huge markup.
8. A Second-Hand Book Stall
Audio books, e-books, kindles… those are essentially swear words to the physical book lovers out there, and there are millions of them still out there. In many ways, the world of physical book buying is one of the few areas that haven’t been affected by modern technology. Book lovers will tell you that there’s no better feeling than stumbling across the perfect second hand book for your collection at street markets.
Book lovers will flock to your stall and start up costs are minimum too! You can buy some at wholesale price, or simply start by selling your large collection and asking for donations from others. Online sites are also available for second hand books which usually sell by weight rather than individual titles, giving you amazing deals and sometimes some incredible finds that will fly off the shelf.
There’s profit to be found in second hand books, so why not consider it for your stall, especially if you’re a bibliophile yourself!
9. A Jewellery Stall
Jewellery is always a big hit, and a successful jewellery stall can be very profitable. Generally speaking, you will be hard-pushed to sell expensive jewellery on a market stall because people won’t be confident about its value or authenticity and most people will pay cash. There will also be potential security issues with selling precious metals and stones from a stall, and so it is better to sell costume jewellery or handmade pieces. Look for the unique and interesting.
To get started, all you need to do is find a supplier of costume jewellery and ask them if they will sell to you in bulk – or alternatively, get some beads from your local art shop and get stuck in yourself. You can also buy fake gems which are pretty cheap online and have the potential to make huge profits when used creatively and in a favourable design others will fall in love with.
10. A School Supplies Stall
A school supplies stall is a great addition to any market. Customers can stock up on all of their children’s stationery needs, from pens and pencils to notebooks and calculators. Stationary and school supplies can be very expensive in shops so as long as you are able to offer these items at a reduced price, you are sure to get a lot of business.
The best way to keep your prices down is to stock up from a wholesaler during the times of the year when there isn’t as much demand. Then just before a new school term starts, you can check out the prices in local shops and undercut those prices with the items on your stall.
Some Important Questions for New Market Stall Owners
Before you get started, it is important to do your homework to ensure that you know everything needed to make a success of your new market stall. Whilst all the info below is important, you’ll also first need a business plan – considering the following:
- Where will you set up? Craft fairs? Local markets? Christmas specific locations?
- Will you stay with your local community or travel further afield?
- What transport costs are involved?
- Will you rely on repeat business or focus on marketing to new customers?
- How will you make a good profit whilst keeping price points fair for customers?
- What will your annual turnover be?
- What profits do you need from selling goods to make a good living?
Getting a strong business plan in place from the off is vital.
Here are some other questions that you should consider:
What Fees Do Market Stall Owners Usually Pay?
All stalls are different but the fees for market stalls often include a stall fee, electricity and water if applicable, and insurance where needed. The stall fee is monthly or yearly, depending on the policy of the market you are operating from.
Insurance may also be required to protect your goods from theft or damage and may also be required to cover any emergency medical treatment that might be required for market attendees. Make sure you factor all of these costs into your budget and break-even calculations so that you can ensure you make a profit.
Why Do People Still Like Shopping At The Market?
Market stalls are very popular and for many people they are an iconic symbol of British culture. For these people, there is nothing more enjoyable than browsing the local flea market or car boot sale looking for deals. There is something for everyone at the market: clothes, food, household goods, books…the list goes on!
Although most people do their shopping online or at a big supermarket today, the market gives customers the chance to support local businesses, find rare and unique items, and just connect with other people. This isn’t usually possible at the supermarket and definitely isn’t possible when shopping online, so the market is a big draw for many people.
How Can You Attract Customers To Your Market Stall?
The best way to attract customers to your stall is by selling quality items and ensuring that your stall is in a prominent position in the market. The best spot is usually near the entrance which means that lots of potential customers will have to walk past your stall but these spots are hard to get and often come at a premium.
You can also offer discounts or special deals like buy one get one free offers or give out free samples if you have a food stall. Some market stalls, especially those selling homemade food items or jewellery can also benefit from a strong social media presence. Make a fuss about your market stall and people will flock to you.
What Returns/Refund Policy Do Market Stalls Offer?
You will need to check with the town council or whoever is running the market, but it is usually up to each individual vendor to set their own policy. Some vendors give refunds if requested within 24 hours of purchase while others don’t offer any kind of refund at all. However, if you want to build a good reputation for your market, it is better to offer refunds to avoid a bad reputation.
But be warned, for those selling clothes, individuals might wear the outfit once and then return it after the event they attended, so make sure your returns policy isn’t too long or else you might find your returns policy comes back to bite you down the line.
What Tax Rules Are There For Market Stalls In The UK?
If you run a market stall, you will need to charge VAT on your goods and services if applicable. You must also register with HMRC as self-employed but it is possible that certain items, such as food or clothing items, can be zero-rated which means they don’t have any tax applied at all when sold. It is very important that you follow these rules because otherwise, you will have to pay the tax plus a penalty.
Check the latest tax rules and speak with people already running market stalls. Markets run like clockwork because everybody knows what they’re doing and what their responsibilities are. Make sure you know it too.
Market Stall Ideas: Final Thoughts
Despite the rise of supermarkets and mega stores and even the explosion of online shopping, the humble market is still incredibly popular and new market stall ideas usually create interest. The camaraderie of a market stall can be great fun, making your workplace great fun.
People have a special place in their hearts for markets, and if you open a market stall that sells quality products at the right price, there is some real money to be made. If you are interested in opening a new stall but you don’t know what to sell, consider some of the suggestions in this guide. Just make sure that you figure in the market fees, sales tax, and all the other payments that you have to make. This will ensure that you know exactly what price you need to sell your items in order to make a profit.
