Clothing market stall and pop-ups

Market visitors and locals looking for unique or good-value clothing they can try and buy on the spot.

You sell at retail price on each market day. Costs are stock, stall fees and transport, so a good pitch and a popular range matter most.

• Sourcing or making appealing stock
• Friendly selling face to face
• Display and merchandising
• Handling cash and card payments

• Check each market's vendor rules, application dates and fees
• Check whether your city requires a vendor or business licence for temporary sales
• Commercial general liability insurance is often required by markets
• Weather and winter seasonality can cut outdoor sales, so plan indoor markets or online sales for colder months
• Collect and remit sales tax correctly, and check GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold
• Storage and transport for racks and stock

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your stock, racks, display gear and market fees. Treat this as an estimate. Your own costs will vary with the type of clothing you sell and how you transport and store it.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $600 to $3,500, depending on the markets you attend, your stock and the season. That is revenue, not profit, so stock, fees and other costs come out of it.

Things to check: each market's vendor rules, application dates and fees, and whether your city requires a vendor or business licence for temporary sales. Markets often require commercial general liability insurance. Also check GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.