Does it leave a profit?
Add up stock, pitch fee, fuel, insurance and payment charges, then check that your prices cover them.
Guide hub
Stall ideas for markets and events
The best stall ideas suit your skills, your budget and the event you are booking. This hub covers profitable products, craft, farmers market, Christmas, festival, school fair and summer ideas, low cost starting points and display tips, with the checks to make for each product type.
DP
Written by Darren PerrySpecialist in markets and outdoor retail
The short answersMargin Rules Fit Display
Four questions to ask about any stall idea
What applies to the product?
Food, cosmetics, candles and toys each have rules. Check with your local council or Trading Standards.
Does it suit the event?
A product that works at a craft fair may differ from one that suits a festival or a farmers market.
Will it show well on a table?
Think about height, lighting, signs and the space inside a standard pitch.
The guides
Every guide on stall ideas
Profitable market stall ideas
Traits that protect your margin and categories worth testing.
Low cost market stall ideas
Ideas that need a small outlay to start.
Craft market stall ideas
Handmade ranges and the product safety points to check.
Farmers market stall ideas
Producer-led products and food registration.
Christmas market stall ideas
Festive ranges, early booking and cold weather.
Summer market stall ideas
Ideas and set-ups for hot weather.
Festival stall ideas
Products and paperwork for field events.
School fair and fete stall ideas
Community event stalls and the checks that apply.
Market stall display ideas
Height, lighting and layout that catch the eye.
Common questions
Stall ideas: frequently asked questions
What is the best stall idea for a beginner?
Pick something you can make or source reliably, that sells at a modest price and fits a small table. Test it at two or three events and keep a record of your takings.
Do I need to check any rules before I sell?
Some products carry rules. Food sellers register their food business with the local council, and cosmetics, candles and toys have product safety duties. Ask Trading Standards if you are unsure.
Which events suit which stalls?
Craft fairs suit makers, farmers markets suit producers, Christmas markets suit gifts and festive food, and festivals suit quick food, drink and accessories. Ask each organiser about their trader mix.
How can I test a stall idea cheaply?
Book a short pitch at a small local event with a limited range, and record sales by product. Reinvest in what sells.
From Gala Tent
Gazebos built for regular pitches
Once a pitch is confirmed, the stall needs to fit it. Gala Tent makes market stall gazebos for traders who set up week after week.
More from the Gala family
Useful pages on our sister sites
Event Industry Trader is published by Gala Tent. These pages from Gala Tent and the wider Gala group go further on the kit, branding and payments covered here.
Sources
Where to check the rules
Rules vary by council and by event. Confirm requirements with the organiser and the relevant authority before you act.