Chocolate market stall and pop-up

Market shoppers, event visitors and gift buyers, especially at Christmas and Easter.

Profit on each sale at events. Gift boxes and seasonal lines bring higher spend per customer.

• Selling face to face
• Display and presentation
• Planning stock for each event
• Customer service

• Register as a food business with the council, and check whether your market organiser needs extra paperwork
• Check whether you need street trading permission for pitches outside organised markets
• Allergen information must be available to customers, so check labelling rules
• Heat can ruin chocolate, so plan cool storage and avoid hot days in direct sun
• Public liability insurance is usually required by market organisers
• Weather and footfall can make income uneven

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your stall setup, stock, cool storage and insurance. Market organisers usually require public liability insurance, so check before booking pitches.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £600 to £3,000, depending on the events you attend, the weather and footfall. Income can be uneven. Plan for at least about 8 hours a week.

Check that you register as a food business with the council and whether your market organiser needs extra paperwork. Check whether you need street trading permission for pitches outside organised markets, and allergen information rules. Plan cool storage for hot days.