5 Essential Tips for Preparing for a Market
5 Essential Tips for Preparing for a Market
How many times have you shown up to a market with all of your stock and thrown a display together in the time you had left until opening? I am quite guilty of this, and honey, I am here to tell you it is not the vibe!
I now and forevermore take the time to do a mock setup before each event. This has been because no two markets have been the same this season, so each setup has been unique.
Speaking of different – I took a chance and expanded to outdoor markets this season! Two of the markets were outdoors: one on a Main Street in a picturesque town and one in a stunning provincial park.
With each market, I strived to improve my flow and thought I would share all of my wisdom in one place in case it can help you out too!
1. Do a Mock Setup
Yes, you’ve heard me say it before! This may seem like a waste of time when you are prepping; however, I promise you this will save more time in the long run. By doing a mock setup, you can visualize what your shoppers will see when visiting your booth. It can allow you to see your inventory in a more visual representation that could save you time in stock building.
Watch My Mock Setup Reel Here!
For example, during one of my mock setups, I discovered that my stock was unevenly weighted toward my classic line, with only a few items from my luxury line. It made the display difficult to balance and create symmetry.
This season, I started carrying three separate lines to my shows: a classic, an eco, and a luxury line. Having each line laid out in the space they deserve to shine is crucial. A mock setup allows you the space to make decisions on placement and whether to add or remove products. I also suggest taking a quick video or some photos of your mock setup so you have it as a reference when you arrive at the venue. This guarantees the smoothest setup, even if things get busy after opening.
When you are ready to pack everything up, pack your items intentionally in reverse order of your display, so you know exactly where everything is going during setup.
2. Take Inventory & Update Your Square/Shopify
This section assumes you are using a Square Reader or Shopify POS at your markets. If you aren’t using these yet, that’s okay! It’s something to consider as you begin to do more markets. Even if you’re just starting, these tools can provide organization and valuable data reports after each market.
This year, I added a SKU system to my items. This meant assigning a three-digit number to each and every item. If an item came in multiple colors, a unique SKU number was required for each. It can be time-consuming, but once everything is uploaded, checking out customers becomes that much easier. Instead of searching through all your items, you can quickly enter the SKU numbers and have your customer’s cart ready in no time.
3. Signage & Item Tagging
Every single item you intend to sell should have a price tag. You know how awkward it can be to search for a price on something. Asking for the price can feel daunting for some customers. To avoid this, I suggest doubling down and adding signs that display your prices as well. This will help draw your customers in if they can quickly see whether your items are within their budget.
Of course, I recommend helping each sale along as best you can by mentioning the qualities of any item a customer picks up. You can also mention any promotions or sales you have going on to ease any transaction awkwardness.
4. Pack Yourself a Doomsday Box
I mean it. I grabbed a tackle/craft box from the Dollar Store and packed it with all the extra little things I could possibly need. Here’s a quick list of what’s in mine:
- Extra tags (hang tags, pins for tags, faux leather tags for finished products)
- Needles and thread
- Scissors
- Tape
- Snaps for pom-poms
This kit has saved me more times than I can count!
5. Have Everything Packed the Night Before
This might possibly be the most crucial thing you can do to set yourself up for success. If you’re anything like me and tend to overthink every possible detail but also enjoy sleep, then just take all the overthinking away and pack your car! Depending on the market and whether I’m required to bring my own table, I pack the car in the order I’ll need things. If a table is required, it’s packed first, and my stock is packed last for easy access.
Bonus Tip: Stay Flexible
Markets can be unpredictable, so staying flexible and open to adjustments is key. Whether it's shifting your display slightly to catch better light or rethinking your layout mid-event, a bit of adaptability can go a long way in ensuring your booth stands out.
If you try even a couple of these tips before a market, I believe they will quickly become common practice for you and will make your markets run much more efficiently!
What tips stand out to you the most? Which will you incorporate into your prep for your next market? Comment below, and please share this with someone who could benefit from it!