Chocolate market stall and pop-up

Market visitors, gift shoppers at holiday markets, and locals who become repeat customers.

You sell products at a mark-up, with sampling to draw people in. Holiday-season markets and pre-orders for gift boxes can be your busiest times.

• Friendly selling face to face
• Attractive stall display
• Planning stock for each event

• Temporary food vendor permits, which differ by public health unit and may be needed for each event
• Sampling rules and allergen labelling
• Chocolate melting at outdoor summer markets, so plan shade and cooling
• Winter outdoor markets can be cold and quiet, so check which events suit your budget
• Commercial general liability insurance, often required by market organizers

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your stall setup, stock, packaging, cooling equipment and event fees. A stall lets you test the idea without the cost of a full shop.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on which events you attend and how often. Winter outdoor markets can be cold and quiet, so check which events suit your budget.

Check temporary food vendor permits, which differ by public health unit and may be needed for each event. Also check sampling rules and allergen labelling, and commercial general liability insurance, which market organizers often require.