Coat and jacket market stall

Market shoppers, event visitors and locals looking for good-value outerwear.

You buy stock at wholesale or from clearance suppliers and sell at retail, paying a pitch fee each trading day. Autumn and winter are the strongest months.

• Friendly selling and haggling
• Displaying stock so it catches the eye
• Loading, setting up and working outdoors

• Check whether your local council requires a street trading licence or consent for your pitch
• Public liability insurance, which many markets ask to see
• Weather can affect trading days, and you will need a way to transport and store stock
• Check clothing labelling rules, and be careful with any branded goods to avoid counterfeit stock
• Keep records for Self Assessment as a sole trader

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your stall equipment, how much stock you buy and how you transport it. These are estimates, and a stall can be a cheaper way to test demand than a shop.

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £3,000, depending on the markets you trade at, the season and your stock. Estimates suggest at least 8 hours a week. Weather can affect trading days.

Check whether your local council requires a street trading licence or consent for your pitch, and whether the market expects public liability insurance. Also check clothing labelling rules, and be careful with branded goods to avoid counterfeit stock.