Pop-Up bookstall at markets and events

Market visitors, families, gift buyers, and schools or community groups that hire you for book fairs.

Direct sales at the stall, plus fees or a share of sales from school and community book fairs. Gifts and stationery lift the average sale.

• Choosing stock that suits each crowd
• Friendly selling and chatting with customers
• Setting up an attractive display
• Handling cash and card payments

• Commercial general liability insurance, which many markets ask for
• Check whether your city requires a vendor or business licence for market sales
• Weather and winter, outdoor markets slow right down in cold months, so look for indoor events
• Collect and remit GST/HST or provincial sales tax once required, and check your province's rules

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $6,000 CAD, depending on your stall setup, stock and display. Many markets ask for commercial general liability insurance, so factor that in. These are estimates.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500 CAD, depending on how many events you attend, your stock and your prices. Outdoor markets slow down in cold months, so look for indoor events.

Check whether your city requires a vendor or business licence for market sales, and whether markets require commercial general liability insurance. Also check when to collect and remit GST/HST or provincial sales tax in your province.