Batik clothing market stall

Market visitors, festival crowds and community event goers looking for something colourful and different.

You sell stock directly to shoppers at a markup, paying a stall fee per event. Customers can try items on, which helps sales.

• Friendly selling and chatting with shoppers
• Visual display and merchandising
• Basic stock and cash handling

• Check each market's rules, stall fees and whether they need vendor insurance
• Commercial general liability insurance is often required by organizers
• Outdoor markets are seasonal in much of Canada, so plan for winter with indoor fairs or online sales
• Check municipal vendor licence rules and provincial sales tax collection
• Unsold stock ties up money, so start small

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $5,000 CAD, depending on how much stock you buy and what display gear, rails and stall equipment you need. Starting small helps limit money tied up in unsold stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $3,000, depending on how many markets you attend, your stall fees and your pricing. Outdoor markets are seasonal in much of Canada, so plan for winter.

Check each market's rules, stall fees and whether they need vendor insurance. Commercial general liability insurance is often required by organizers. Also check municipal vendor licence rules and provincial sales tax collection.