Herb and tea market stall

Market shoppers, gift buyers and food lovers who like to meet the seller and try before they buy.

Direct sales at the stall, with gift sets and seasonal blends in the holiday period. Many sellers also collect emails for repeat online orders.

• Friendly selling face to face
• Product knowledge
• Packing and labelling
• Planning stock for each event

• Markets often require vendor permits, insurance and sometimes a public health permit; check each one
• Natural health products and remedies generally need Health Canada approval, so stick to approved products and avoid health claims
• Food labelling rules, including bilingual and French-language requirements in Quebec
• Commercial general liability insurance
• Weather, short outdoor seasons in many regions and stall fees on slow days

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your stall setup, stock and the events you choose. Stall fees on slow days are also worth planning for.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many markets you attend and what you sell. Weather and short outdoor seasons in many regions can also affect your sales.

Check whether each market requires vendor permits, insurance and sometimes a public health permit. Natural health products generally need Health Canada approval, so stick to approved products and avoid health claims. Also check labelling rules, including French-language rules in Quebec.