Traders Tips - Your trading survival kit!

Unfortunately not everything goes to plan, and if you're new to trading it's likely that you won't be fully prepared for all the eventualities and dramas you may face when you're trying to work on your market stall.

If you are more prepared you will be in a better position to deal with all eventualities that occur.

Our members have put together a list to help you prepare for all eventualities at markets.

This will vary between everyone but you could use this as a guide to draw up your own checklist.

Basic Essentials (Not optional & not including essentials required by food traders)

Table (6ft)

First aid kit (if you aren't carrying one you should be - this isn't optional)

Vital Documents - Insurance, Risk Assessment, EHO registration if applicable

Business Cards - or some form of contact details to hand out

Sign/Banners

A simple float, change and a cash box

Recommended Items

Cable ties

String

Extra, warm clothing - ie hat, gloves, coat (a sunny morning can soon change)

Notebook/Order book

Receipt book

Pen

Bungee cords

Bulldog clips/clamps (to secure items and your display)

Something to level your table if you're on uneven ground (it will happen everyone at some point)

Mat/cardboard to stand on (helps keep the cold out)

Extra ground protection to set cardboard boxes of stock on when the ground is wet

Sellotape

Blu-tack

Trolley to transport your stock (you will rarely be able to park beside your stall to unload)

Scissors

Flask/snacks/sandwiches/water

Wipes

Additional power source for mobile and/or card reader

Battery operated table lighting

Decent footwear which cushions your feet and is waterproof (the ground will often be wet)

A change of footwear when the weather is considerably wet

Scissors Hand warmers Sun cream Waterproof table cover to put over stock when rain reaches the table! Recycled bags Paper bags Bubble wrap

A fully charged mobile phone

Money belt/pouch

A bag for your rubbish

Stapler

Pins

Markers

Table covering

Counterfit Money detector pens

Hand Sanatiser

Spare price tags (for those end of day reductions)

Personal Comforts

Toilet Roll (incase the local public toilet isn't restocked during busy times)

A check list to check off before you leave home

The Chair.....You are not really supposed to sit down at a market stall as it can put customers off, but all of us will need a break sometimes so you should bring something to sit on. Preferably bring a stool, or something that you can use to take the weight of your feet but remain at a reasonable level for your customers. The best practice is to always stand. Sure, if there is no one around you can sit for a minute or two, but if customers are about, you need to show you are attentive and ready to serve. Whatever you bring, the more compact the better, as this too has to fit into the car.

Just remember - when you're sitting you're unlikely to sell anything, and you've a reasonably short time at the market to make your sales.

If you still have room to pack your stock after all that we hope that you have an enjoyable day at the market.