Seasonal pop-up and market stall

Local shoppers looking for decorations and gifts, families, and people buying last-minute cards and presents.

You buy stock wholesale or make some items yourself and sell at a markup. Sales peak in a few busy seasons, so you plan stock and pitch fees around them.

• Choosing stock that sells
• Eye-catching displays
• Friendly selling face to face
• Basic stock and cash tracking

• Public liability insurance, which many markets ask for
• Street trading rules and pitch permissions vary by council, so check before trading on public land
• Product safety rules for items such as candles, lights and children's gifts, check what applies to what you sell
• Unsold seasonal stock can be hard to shift, so buy small and plan storage
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC once you start trading

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on the stock you buy, your stall and display equipment, and pitch fees. Treat this as an estimate, and consider buying small to begin with.

Check public liability insurance, which many markets ask for, and street trading rules and pitch permissions, which vary by council. Also check product safety rules for items such as candles, lights and children's gifts, and register as a sole trader with HMRC.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on the events you attend, your stock and your prices. These are estimates, and unsold seasonal stock can be hard to shift, so plan your buying and storage.