Lesson 15: Packing and Setting Up
Ever thought why the ‘seasoned’ traders make it look so easy when they arrive at the market and by the time you turn around they are already trading and you haven’t even opened your table yet?
Practice!
Years and years of practice, and just like you, they also started out being a little clumsy and awkward getting started.
As part of the fourth module on How to Start a Market Stall, we will look at how to pack your products for transport, setting up your stall and items required for a smooth market day event.
Your Market Stall Display
By now you’ve started your research, found the market that most suits your products and found out the average stall size.
It’s time for a Mock Up!
Either outside in the garage or in the lounge, mark out the rough space you have for your stall on market day. If you use masking tape you will see how big an area you have to play with.
Some markets provide the tables and rain covers, some markets don’t. Some require you to even bring your own light bulbs!
Whatever one you are attending though, you need to be confident in your setup and layout of your products or produce.
Mark the floor with the exact size of your market stall, then set up a table. If you are being given all this at the market, then improvise for now. If you have to take your own, set it up as you would on market day!
This is not only practise for the real day, but also will settle your nerves a little as you keep on preparing.
Now you have your bare table and the space marked on the floor, stand back and notice how small the space is! It is not a huge shop floor with acres of space around your items, but rather it is a mini window into your new business.
The Set Up
Begin by laying a cloth over your table and arranging it in a way that looks good. Make sure it covers the whole front of the table as you are likely to store your boxes, packaging and lunch under the table and no one wants to see that as part of a display!
Perhaps use two colours of sheets. One white to cover the whole table and another colour to sit at an angle to the white.
If you have a logo or printed picture you want to display then you can also arrange that so your table looks appealing.
There is nothing to stop you from getting ideas from shop windows, display counters, Instagram, or even starting your own Pinterest board for market stall displays. Here is my one for some ideas – Pinterest: Market Stall Displays
When you are happy with your colour scheme, take a photo of it on your phone so you can see how you set it up and what you used. Better to see now without anything on the table than with all the products and wonder how you did it.
Product Layout
Think about how your stall will appear to your customers. If items are crowded and cluttered you will attract customers who are looking for bargains and quick cheap sales, and push potential customers away because it looks untidy.
When you have a clear laid out stall then you will attract people who can see your products. Some may ask you questions about your products and you’ll want to be able to easily reach them without knocking everything else over to get to it.
If you are going to have multiple levels, and I suggest you do, then consider the covering of the boxes and the different heights of all the items you have. (Tip: use some of the boxes you are packing/storing your items in)
Create flow where you can so that the eye can move from one item to another. Put yourself in a customers shoes. When you go to a market, where do you normally look first? Where do your eyes move next?
Have a few attractive pieces on the edges on the left and right that draws the eyes into your stall centre.
If you put all your stock on the table at once you create two different emotions. If it is all oranges and pears, these will make for a lovely colourful display. If you place 30 carved wooden spoons in one area it will look commercial and crowded.
Place ornaments which add to your stall. Not a lot, as you will have to carry these items back and forth each time you go to the market, but things that will make your items stand out.
If you make handmade jewellery, then a tree carved necklace stand will show off your lovely necklaces or rocks with holes in them that makes rings and earrings more pronounced.
Selling fresh fruit and veg, take a few chopping boards and have your products on display and read to taste. You’ll be surprised at how far the smell of a fresh orange can travel!
Soaps and bubbles, why not have sponges, towels, rubber ducks for the kids and soap dishes with a twist. Maybe even have a spray with water in it to keep stones moist looking and to release the fragrances of your tester products!
Be creative and make sure it looks inviting. You will be rewarded and shine out from the crowd!
Now take a picture of your display!
Rearrange it and take a few more pictures. Add, take away and get something you like. Each time taking a picture.
When you finally settle on a ‘look’ take a picture from every angle. If you are able, ask a neighbour or friend to pop round and ask them for comments and what they are attracted to first on your setup to help you make up your mind.
It will never be set in stone, but it will be a great starting point to launch from.
Packing Up
You now have a great stall set up, you have some feedback from a friend or two and you are happy with the look. Photos taken, it is time to pack up.
First consider where you are going with all your items. If you need to walk a long way then you must ensure you have boxes that are stackable and a little trolley to pull your boxes on.
If you can reach the stall by vehicle (a luxury usually) still box everything for easy unloading when you arrive at the marketplace.
Boxes
I would always go with plastic boxes with lids that lock for ease of use. They protect your products from damage and rain and you can stack them too for easy transportation.
If you can only carry a suitcase to the market, then use one that is sturdy and has good wheels. A cheap case will have bad wheels or fall apart when you least expect it.
Packing away
Since you are now going to pack away your items, you will be doing it in reverse order to the way you want to lay out your stall.
Take big, heavy items and place them towards the bottom first and use packing materials or rolled up newspaper. You can always give away the newspaper as protective wrap to customers to save you taking it all back. If you are using bubble wrap the same idea can be applied.
Use all the space you can and then label the outside of the box. If you have 3 boxes, then label the first one 3. Then next one label 2 and the last one Label 1. This should also have your table clothes and other display items in it.
You can apply this to food, bottle, jars, trinkets, glass. Keep everything in good order so you always know what you have and how to unpack it.
When it is all packed up, take a picture. Then find the stop watch on your phone, or use a clock and take note of the time.
UNPACK IT ALL AGAIN!
Set up your stall just like your best picture was and note the time you are taking. When you are finished, pack up again, also timing yourself!
Do this a couple more times so you are familiar with the layout, the cloths, the displays and the products.
On the last unpacking, get some paper out for a list making exercise.
The Lists
There is nothing worse than getting to the market and not having enough stock or being sold out of what you brought because you forgot to restock.
As you pack your items away now, note what products are in each box on an individual list that will stay with that box.
When it comes to the end of market day, you will be able to easily tell what you need to restock from the list items missing from your box when you pack up.
It is also a mini stock take each time, a record of what you have and what you need to replenish.
I know it seems a little tedious but getting your setup right means you are free to sell to customers knowing you are organised and confident!
Pricing
Some market stall traders price their items, others don’t need to as they are selling only one or two products and can usually mark it up on a board nearby.
Those that choose not to list their prices for items on a large stall of many mixed items may risk loosing customers though.
If you find it difficult to talk to customers when starting out, pricing is an easy way to get a conversation started, but as you relax more and talk more so it become a conversation with your customer.
We like to know what we are buying and how much it costs, so open the dialogue with customers and before you know it you are talking about your products and selling them too.
A small sticker (buy a box of large labels and cut them up), stuck under your item is the best approach if you want to conceal you prices from the main display you have created.
Additional Items of Importance
Take a chair!
As much as selling is about being on your feet all day, at some point it will go quiet and you will want lunch!
The chair is not for sitting in and playing with a phone, but is to give the old legs a breather in between sales pitches and chats.
It IS rude to sit and talk to a potential customer too. Stand up, engage the person and talk to them. Stand sideways on to them, rather than facing them directly. This creates a friendly and open environment and doesn’t block their view.
Whats the weather like?
Take a raincoat and a jacket. If the market goes quiet for a few hours you may end up being still and get quiet cold.
Your shoes should be comfortable too. If you need to wear two pairs of socks, or buy soft gel insoles, get them before you go. Your feet can really upset your day at the Market!
Half leg compression socks help to keep your legs feeling great all day. These help keep pressure around the calves and ankles.
Take extra batteries
If you are displaying anything that requires batteries make sure you have backups. There is nothing worse than showing a potential customer a product only to have a flat battery. It shows poor organisation.
Take a backup battery for your phone too. You may need to take a number or make a call at the end of the day and your phone is flat. You may also want to show a customer a picture of how you use your product and just then your phone screen goes black and you lose a sale.
Do I need Lights?
You should always have a head torch at the very least. You may be setting up or packing away in dark or dim light and it doesn’t hurt to be prepared to have a little extra light.
Check with the market you attend if you need to provide your own bulbs for your stall. Some markets require you bring your own.
If you are using fairy lights that use batteries, make sure you have them charged up. Use little LED ones and have a set of backups available.
Exact Rent
One thing you should have ready is rent for the stall. Have the exact change so there is no need to mess about.
Time wasted trying to get the right change is time away from potential customers. Make sure you have it ready for when it is collected.
Cash Box or Tap-n-Pay App
Remember to have a little float of spare change to be able to accept cash and if you are taking card payments there are many different way to collect those using tap-n-pay machines you can pick up very cheaply.
Lunch and Drinks
Take something to drink and eat. Take a water bottle.
It is important to stay hydrated while you work. Lack of water normally accounts for the slump in the afternoon because your system is running low. Keep hydrated all day. You lose a lot of liquid just talking.
Conclusion
Being prepared is half the battle and also gets you off to a good confident start.
Have your stall display ready and practice setting it up and taking down. Keep good records of stock, so you can replace items and remember the little things that will make your day that much easier and cost-effective.
Have I missed something, tell me over on Facebook so we can share how to get better at what we are doing. Visit Market Nosh Facebook Page.
There is also The Market Nosh Show podcast and Instagram page to learn more.
Quick Quiz
- How can mocking up your Market Stall help on the market day?
- Why should you pack up your stall in reverse?
- Name 3 items that will make your day easier and more cost-effective.
