Mexican goods market stall

Market shoppers, local Latin American communities, tourists and festival visitors looking for authentic products and gifts.

Retail margin on each item sold, with sales peaking around festivals, holidays and summer market season.

• Friendly selling face to face
• Product knowledge and storytelling
• Cash handling and stock planning

• Selling packaged food at markets may need approval from your local public health unit; check before you apply
• Market organizers often require liability insurance
• Check vendor licence or business licence rules with your municipality
• Outdoor markets are seasonal in much of Canada, so plan for winter income or indoor markets
• Weather and storage of stock between events

Estimates suggest startup costs of typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your stock, stall setup and market fees. Weather and storing stock between events are also worth planning for.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $600 to $3,500, depending on how many markets you attend and what you sell. Outdoor markets are seasonal in much of Canada, so plan for winter income or indoor markets.

Check whether selling packaged food at markets needs approval from your local public health unit, whether market organizers require liability insurance, and what vendor or business licence rules your municipality sets. Confirm these before you apply.