How to Set Up a Successful Market Stall

The relationship between clothing manufacturers and wholesale suppliers has opened a world of opportunity to would-be fashion retailers and has made it easier than ever for people to realise their dreams of owning a clothing business. One of the most cost-effective ways in which to utilise the availability of wholesale clothing is by setting up a market stall. This can be done the old-fashioned way with a pitch on high streets and market squares in the local area, as well as at special industry events, festivals, and country and car boot fairs. 

Getting the Stock

Before setting up a market stall,you are going to need to invest in the stock to fill it. Whether you intend to sell men’s, women’s, or children’s clothing, it is best in the early days to test the waters by purchasing only a few pieces of your chosen designs. If demand is strong, clothing wholesalers in the UK are prevalent and you will have no problem finding more stock.

UK fashion wholesale specialises in purchasing items directly from manufacturers and selling them on in high volume with only a slight mark-up price. The larger the order, the cheaper individual items become and the more profit you get to make on each piece. If your stall is a success and there is significant interest in a particular product, it is well worth buying in bulk and maybe even selling in bulk too - 2-4-1 and 3-for-2 offers do great business on market stalls and will help you shift stock quality without sacrificing profits.

When stocking your market stall always be sure to display items according to price point (low to high) and prominently display tags and labels to show clothing is genuine.

Always keep the prices of your stock realistic - too low may lead to an assumption that products are fake, while too high will drive away custom.

Setting up a Stall

Getting the set-up of your stall right will take some practice and experimentation, but here are the essentials you will need to make it success:

1. Equipment - tent/stall; fixtures

2. Décor - fabric to cover a table and highlight the products on it. Plain colours are best.

3. Advertising - banners featuring your name and logo; flyers; business cards

4. Accessories - low cost items that can be purchased on impulse to put you in the mind of the customer for future reference. Jewellery, hats, and sunglasses are all good accessories.

5. Stock storage - boxes for your goods so that they can be transported safely.

6. Transport - a roomy and, more importantly, reliable vehicle to carry your stock. Running a market stall generally involves a lot of travelling around visiting UK fashion wholesale suppliers, local markets, and events.

For more information on getting started as a market trader, marketstartup.co.uk is an excellent free resource.