Asian gifts market stall

Market visitors, tourists, gift shoppers and people celebrating festivals and holidays.

You sell products at a retail markup and pay a stall fee per event. Busy seasons such as the holidays and Lunar New Year can bring higher sales.

• Choosing products that sell
• Eye-catching display
• Friendly selling
• Handling cash and card payments

• Many markets require a vendor application and proof of insurance, check each market's rules
• Your municipality or province may require a business or vendor licence, check locally
• Selling food may need public health approval and CFIA-compliant labelling, so consider sticking to non-food items at first
• Product safety rules for imported goods, check Health Canada guidance
• Weather, especially cold winters and outdoor events, can hurt sales and limit the season
• GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold

Estimates typically put startup costs at around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your stock, display and stall equipment. Many markets also require a vendor application and proof of insurance, so check each market's rules.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many markets you attend and what you sell. Weather, especially cold winters and outdoor events, can hurt sales and limit the season. Plan for at least about 8 hours a week.

Check each market's vendor application and insurance requirements, and whether your municipality or province requires a business or vendor licence. Food may need public health approval and CFIA-compliant labelling, so consider non-food items at first. Also check Health Canada guidance on imported goods.