Nut and dried fruit market stall

Market shoppers, home bakers, health-conscious snackers and people after gift bags or party nibbles.

You buy in bulk from wholesalers and sell by weight or in bags at a mark-up. Your own mixes usually earn a better margin than single items.

• Friendly customer service
• Basic maths and weighing accurately
• Spotting good-value wholesale buys
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather

• Food businesses normally need to register with the local council, check how early you must do this before trading
• Nuts are a major allergen, check the rules on allergen information, labelling and avoiding cross-contamination
• Selling by weight generally needs scales that are suitable for trade use, check the weights and measures rules with Trading Standards
• Public liability insurance, and your pitch may need it as a condition
• Stock has a shelf life and bad weather can cut takings, so buy cautiously at first

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your stall setup, scales and first stock order. Buy cautiously at first, as stock has a shelf life and bad weather can cut takings.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £600 to £3,000, depending on the markets you trade at, how many days you work and your stock choices. This is revenue before stock, pitch fees and other costs.

Check how early you must register as a food business with your council, and the rules on allergen information, labelling and cross-contamination, as nuts are a major allergen. Also check trade-use scales with Trading Standards and public liability insurance.