Homegrown and Local Markets

A beginners guide on everything you need to do to be prepared for your first market

Prepared by;

Luisa FigueroaMY LITTLE LOVE HEARTwww.mylittleloveheart.com.au

Table of Contents

Applying for MarketsPaperworkEquipmentOpen & CloseSignage, Layout & Visual MerchandisingNetworkingMoney and Customer ServiceWorst Case ScenarioMajor Recommendations

Applying for Markets

• When applying for markets be aware that they can vary in pricing from free to $400.

• The first Market you should do should be a smaller, indoor market.

• When applying for markets, provide pictures of your products and detailed descriptions.

• On acceptance, pay the fee promptly and provide any additional documentation i.e. insurances

Paperwork

• Some markets can be very paperwork intensive, make sure you read all documents relating to the Market.

• Some of the paperwork requested are insurance documentation, documentation authorising the sale of food, gazebo engineers report, and sunday trading commerce certificate

• Each Market requests different information so read all instructions carefully

Equipment• Each Market is different so you will require different

equipment for each market.

• Highly recommend that you visit other Markets and see what other exhibitioners use at their stalls.

• Review other markets for equipment ideas

Indoor• The Following items are a must for Indoor Markets;

• Trolley, Folding Tables & Chairs, Plain Table Cloth, Shelves, Bags and packing (environmental friendly)

Outdoor• All the same equipment as an indoor market plus the

following;

• OzTrail 3 x 3 Gazebo & Weights and walls, Lighting - Battery or rechargeable.

Open & Close

• Read all information from the market coordinators.

• Be practical on what you are bringing to the market.

• Be on time for your “Bump In”, which is the time you are required to go and unload your vehicle.

• Park in the designated parking spots

• Only use your designated space, don't creep over into other stall holders designated space.

• Respect the closing time and stay until closing, leave the site as you found it.

Signage, Layout and Visual Merchandising

Signage

• Make sure you signage is the same as your social media signage, that its professional and clear to see.

Layout & Visual Merchandising

• Keep your layout as standard as possible for each market, this will enable you to load in, set up and load out quickly.

• Review other Markets for ideas on layout and try not to crowd your display.

• If possible, have tier levels and possibly adding lighting

Networking

• Markets are a lot of hard work but they can be very social too. When setting up introduce yourself to your “Neighbours” and try and meet other stallholders at the market.

• Other Stall holders can give you valuable information on other markets that have worked for them and other ideas about promotion.

• Promote the market through social media

Money & Customer Services

• The change you keep depends on the pricing of your goods and be confident with your pricing

• Be prepared and have a lot of change, keep it in a safe place at all times.

• Have a receipt book and order sheets handy

• Stand up, make eye contact and don't use your phone and try to talk to your customers

• Have Business cards with easy to reach for customers

• Have a calculator and packaging ready

• Every person is a potential sale !

Worst Case Scenario

• Always be prepared for the worst, as one of the below will sure to happen.

• Weather, you can and will get extreme weather conditions, be prepared and check the weather conditions before leaving home.

• Customers, there will be markets where you have rude, happy, angry and even no customers. Remember you are the face of the business so always be professional with your customer service

• Sales, or lack of sales, keep on persisting, every market is different and surprises will happen.

• Issues, go and see the Market Co-ordinator, they are there to help and would have encountered your problem before.

Major Recommendations

Here are a few recommendations I suggest you do.

• Do a trial stall at home, work on your layout, visual merchandising, where you will pack your items and have your change.

• Bring as much product as you can, you never know, you could have a fantastic turn out and you don't want to be turning customers away.

• Bring some snacks and water for yourself, you may be stuck at your stall for a long period of time.

• Have fun !