Part 1 - Preparations for Your Upcoming Market Event
Not only do we make display stands for market stall holders and retail shops, but we use these stands ourselves, and we have firsthand experience with setting up and selling at artisan markets in the UK. So, as they say, been there and done that! In fact, we still attend artisan market events. Hopefully these tips will help you with your first market event, and if you attended one before, there may be a few tips throughout this comprehensive guide you hadn’t thought of first time round.
Before attending and setting up your market stand, it is important to take certain steps in advance to ensure you have a stress free and successful market day. Preparing for the big day is key, and by taking our suggestions on-board you will maximise your chances of attracting customers and generating those all important sales. Here is a summary of a few essential tasks to consider before the market day arrives:
Firstly, it is crucial to inform everyone about your upcoming presence at the market. Utilise social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to announce your market day.
Share details about the products you will be selling and any special offers or discounts you plan to offer. Additionally, consider reaching out directly to potential customers through email newsletters or personal contacts. Of course, they will need to be from the local area as there is no point in inviting potential customers from the other side of the country.
Another helpful tip is to research other market stall holders. You may need to do this a few weeks before your market day, as it will need to be done prior to you setting up your stall and selling your products. Look for market stalls that offer similar products to yours or cater to a similar target audience.
By analysing their offerings and prices, you can gain insights into market trends and competition. Use this information strategically when setting up your own stall layout, products to sell, and pricing strategy.
To ensure a well organised setup on your market day, consider creating a mock-up of your stall at home beforehand. In fact, this is essential and should not be left as an optional step. This can be as simple as arranging tables or display stands in a similar configuration to what you have in mind for the actual event. More often than not, you will find that the configuration you had in mind doesn’t actually quite work in practice and you may need to keep rearranging items and display stands until you’re more comfortable with the layout to best showcase your products. Also, this is an opportunity to see whether you need to purchase additional display stands or produce more of the products you wish to sell on the day.
Furthermore, you can assess how much space you have available to display your products and determine the most visually appealing arrangement.
Other items to consider for the day may include tables (most markets will supply this at an extra cost), chairs, signage boards with your brand logo or name prominently displayed, price tags or labels for each item, paper bags for customer purchases, business cards/flyers showcasing your contact information and product range. Don’t forget a table cover, this will elevate the look of your stall and provide a more professional look.
By taking these proactive steps prior to the market day itself - spreading awareness about your presence through various channels; researching competitors; practicing setting up at home; gathering necessary materials - you will be well-prepared with a solid foundation for success once you arrive at the actual event