Weekend bargain stall at local markets

Market-goers looking for a bargain, including families, locals and casual browsers.

Buy clearance stock in bulk at low prices and sell at a margin on market days. Stall fees are your main running cost, so choose markets with steady crowds.

• Finding and negotiating cheap stock
• Friendly selling and display
• Handling cash and card payments
• Packing and unpacking quickly

• Market organisers often require public liability insurance, check what they ask for
• Rules for selling particular goods such as food, cosmetics or electrical items, check with your state or local council
• Australian Consumer Law and product safety standards for the goods you sell
• Weather, which affects takings on market days
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your opening stock, stall setup, stall fees and insurance. It avoids a shop lease, so it can be a lower-cost way to start.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on the markets you attend, your stock and pricing, and how many days you trade. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week.

Check what insurance organisers require, as many ask for public liability. Also check rules for selling goods such as food, cosmetics or electrical items with your state or local council, product safety standards under Australian Consumer Law, and GST registration.