Tableware market stall and pop-up

Market shoppers, gift buyers and people furnishing a first home. Sales often rise before the holidays and in wedding season.

You buy at wholesale or source secondhand sets, then sell at retail prices. Gift bundles and mugs are good add-on sales at the stall.

• Friendly selling face to face
• Attractive, safe display
• Lifting, packing and loading

• Market stall fees, vendor permits and municipal rules (check with each market and your municipality)
• Breakage when loading and unloading: use padded crates and wrapping
• Winter cold and wet weather reduce outdoor markets, so plan for indoor holiday fairs
• Collecting GST/HST and any provincial sales tax once required
• Commercial general liability insurance, which many markets ask to see
• Check Health Canada guidance on lead and cadmium in tableware, especially for vintage or imported pieces

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your stock, display, padded crates and stall fees. These are estimates, so many sellers start with a small range and one or two markets.

Monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on the markets you attend, your stock and the season. Winter cold and wet weather reduce outdoor markets, so consider indoor holiday fairs.

Check market stall fees, vendor permits and municipal rules with each market and your municipality. Also check when to collect GST/HST and any provincial sales tax, whether you need commercial general liability insurance (many markets ask for it), and Health Canada guidance on lead and cadmium in tableware.