Stationery market stall and pop-ups

Market visitors, gift shoppers, students and parents at seasonal events.

Retail markup on each sale. Sales can be strong around the holidays and back-to-school, and you can build an email list to sell online between events.

• Friendly selling face to face
• Display and stall design
• Choosing products that suit the audience
• Handling card payments and cash

• Stall fees and application deadlines, which vary by market and often close early
• Commercial general liability insurance, which many markets require
• Checking whether you need a vendor permit or business licence from the municipality
• Collecting and remitting GST/HST and any provincial sales tax once required
• Weather and winter, since outdoor markets are seasonal, so consider indoor holiday markets
• Storage and transport of stock, so check how you will carry it

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your stock and stall setup. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $400 to $3,000, depending on which markets and pop-ups you attend and how often you trade.

Check stall fees and application deadlines, which vary by market and often close early. Also check whether markets require commercial general liability insurance, whether you need a vendor permit or municipal business licence, and when to collect GST/HST and any provincial sales tax.

Time needed is estimated at a minimum of around 8 hours a week, depending on how many markets you attend. Outdoor markets are seasonal, so consider indoor holiday markets, and plan how you will store and transport your stock.