Novelty gift market stall

Shoppers browsing markets, families on days out and people picking up inexpensive gifts on impulse.

You sell items at a mark-up over what you paid. Low-priced impulse buys and multi-buy offers help raise the value of each sale.

• Friendly selling face to face
• Eye-catching displays
• Handling cash and card payments

• Street trading licence or consent: check with your local council whether you need one, as rules vary
• Public liability insurance, which many markets require before they will give you a pitch
• Product safety and labelling rules, especially for toys and electrical items
• Avoid unlicensed or counterfeit branded goods
• Weather and quiet days can affect takings, so keep your commitments flexible at first

Startup costs are typically around £400 to £2,000, depending on your stock, stall equipment and pitch fees. It is a low-cost way to test what sells, but these are estimates, so check your own figures.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on the markets you trade at and your stock. Weather and quiet days can affect takings, so keep your commitments flexible at first.

Check with your local council whether you need a street trading licence or consent, as rules vary. Also check public liability insurance, which many markets require, plus product safety and labelling rules for toys and electrical items.