Start a weekend market variety stall

Weekend market shoppers, bargain hunters and local families looking for useful items at low prices.

You buy stock cheaply from wholesalers or close-out sellers and sell at a markup, paying a stall fee per market day.

• Spotting good-value products
• Friendly selling and haggling
• Displaying stock attractively
• Handling cash and card payments

• Sales tax registration or a seller's permit, rules vary by state, check with your state tax agency
• Stall insurance, many markets ask vendors for general liability cover
• Weather and slow days can make income uneven
• Product safety rules for toys and children's items, check CPSC guidance
• Storage and transport of stock, you'll need space at home and a suitable vehicle

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your stock and stall equipment. You will also need storage space at home and a suitable vehicle to transport your stock to each market.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on which markets you attend and how often. Weather and slow days can make income uneven, and revenue is before stock and other costs.

Check whether your state requires sales tax registration or a seller's permit by asking your state tax agency. Also check whether markets ask vendors for general liability insurance, and review CPSC guidance for toys and children's items.