Market Stall Idea

Daisychain09

Hi,
I would really like to own my own shop but for now to get started in the business I would like to get a market stall and see how it all runs for me. Does anyone have any idea how I go about getting a stall and also any tips on wholesalers?
I want to sell items such as candles, incense, jewllery, gifts. All things I love browsing market stalls for! I have searched the internet and these things can be gotten really cheap from china, anyone tips on this?
Hopefully someone can give me some tips as I just dont know where to start!

ronkmonster

First thing to look at would be whether there is a market for these products? And if so, where?

tombull82

Don't know your location but as a FYI there is a New Market after opening in Carlow last week..Penny Lane Market.

You could have a look at bringing a good stall that you have seen in other market's into it if it does not already have one..

bigbadben

Good luck to you , thats how I got started. You'll find out quickly enough if you're suited for sales. Here's a site I find handy:

http://www.eventsmarketsireland.com/browse.php

Do a google search for where to by a stall, there's a few Irish ones and you'll find plenty on ebay as well.

mandz

If you decide to sell bellydance items/accessories let me know and I'll spread the word!! Apart from ebay the only person I know of who sells such items is the lady in George's Arcade in Dublin!!

lecheile

Daisychain09 wrote: »

Hi,
I would really like to own my own shop but for now to get started in the business I would like to get a market stall and see how it all runs for me. Does anyone have any idea how I go about getting a stall and also any tips on wholesalers?
I want to sell items such as candles, incense, jewllery, gifts. All things I love browsing market stalls for! I have searched the internet and these things can be gotten really cheap from china, anyone tips on this?
Hopefully someone can give me some tips as I just dont know where to start!

Hi DaisyChain,
glad to hear that you are looking to getting into setting up your own business - I hope you enjoy the excitement. I have recently helped someone get established as a market trader and can offer the following advice:

(1) Select your market carefully - there are 50+ markets in the greater Dublin area but cater for different customers and have different established traders. There is also a big variance on price - from €25 per day to €80-€90 per day. Go and visit a number of markets and see who is there selling and talk to the traders.
(2) Try and source your stall gear second-hand - you will need some form of a gazebo and a table as a minimum - you can pay silly money (€1500+) for a 3m X 3m pop up gazebo or buy a starter one designed for garden usage for less than €100. A nice table cloth or cover will hide the fact that you are using an old painting table. When you are established you can get more industrial strength gear. When you reach this point do your research online - you can get stuff shipped from the UK and Europe at very reasonable rates rather than having to depend on local inflated prices.
(3) Select your stock carefully - you should be known for selling something specific - when I read your list (candles, incense, jewllery, gifts) I am thinking the there will be a large stock overhead in holding and presenting such a range - if you are going to hold such a range, at least try and have a theme running though it e.g. All from a particular country, all natrually made by hand..etc.) you should try to avoind been seeing as a bric-a-brac if you want to develop a business that will attract customers to you
(4) Select your suppliers carefully - if you have a specific product set that you plan to sell - go online and find the manufacturer of such items - you mention China as a great source, it can be once you are happy with the quality, you will need to experiment and develop relationships - but it will deliver higher margins to you.

Best of luck in your venture.

mcaul

Daisychain09 wrote: »

Hi,
I want to sell items such as candles, incense, jewllery, gifts. All things I love browsing market stalls for! I have searched the internet and these things can be gotten really cheap from china, anyone tips on this?

Beware of candles from China, generally they burn very poorly. Also understand that shipping costs for small amounts can be expensive when local charges / customs clearance are taken into account. Also check out eu duties for the items your are looking for. - I used to have 4 stores in Dublin and never considered China for candles / insense due to quality issues.

Best option might be to try a local whoesaler - pm me and I'll give you details of the main ones - you can buy in small quantities as and when you need them.

Daisychain09

Thanks for all the advice! Found eventsmarketsireland great, have sent off for an application so hopefully they will be some help.

Haven't really thought about bellydance items but worth knowing theres a need in the market for that!

Lecheile, thanks so much. Lots of info for me to work off there! I need to look at the customers I want to target, and think of a theme I could work with. Really dont want to be seen as bric-a-brac!

lecheile

Daisychain09 wrote: »

Lecheile, thanks so much. Lots of info for me to work off there! I need to look at the customers I want to target, and think of a theme I could work with. Really dont want to be seen as bric-a-brac!

you are welcome. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM.

eddie4

hi the advice on researching the markets is invaluable, i took delivery of stock on thursday and attended my first market - northside market/ artane market today (sat) the amount of public that attended was very dissapointing, i would appreciate it if anyone could suggest a dublin market that gets a high attendance.
Many thanks

lecheile

eddie4 wrote: »

hi the advice on researching the markets is invaluable, i took delivery of stock on thursday and attended my first market - northside market/ artane market today (sat) the amount of public that attended was very dissapointing, i would appreciate it if anyone could suggest a dublin market that gets a high attendance.
Many thanks

To the best of my knowledge the best (and longest established) market on the north side is the Howth Pier sunday market. Its run by Irish Farmers Markets but tends to be full and hard to get into as a trader. There is an overflow marketacross from the Dart Station but only getting established and may not have the traffic you require. What sort of product are you selling, as that can have a large impact on what markets may suit.

eddie4

thanks for that, we are selling costume jewely will check out the above

lecheile

eddie4 wrote: »

thanks for that, we are selling costume jewely will check out the above

Hi eddie - last sunday there were 4 stalls on Howth pier selling jewellery - so worth having a look to see that what you have is different. Dont be put off by one bad day, the general sense in a number of the markets is that things are fairly quiet for July.
best of luck.

eddie4

hiya thanks again, a number of the traders did say that it was unusually quiet just panicing a bit, have bought this stock and not looking good will have to stick with it and keep everything crossed

marco murphy

eddie4 wrote: »

hiya thanks again, a number of the traders did say that it was unusually quiet just panicing a bit, have bought this stock and not looking good will have to stick with it and keep everything crossed

Are you restricting yourself to Dublin or would you go to Meath?

eddie4

would depend where abouts in meath we are based in carlow

ZumGirl

I trade in Leopardstown on a Friday and there are no jewelery stalls currently there so it might be worth a try. It is run by the irish farmers markets.

eddie4

thanks for that i had a quick look at the irish farmers website, is leopardstown a busy spot and is it hard to get into, we do not make our product we buy it in would this be acceptable?

ZumGirl

thanks for that i had a quick look at the irish farmers website, is leopardstown a busy spot and is it hard to get into, we do not make our product we buy it in would this be acceptable

I am only trading there a few weeks myself and had no difficulty getting in there. I find that it is quiet busy, its an indoor market mainly food. The regular stall holders have said that July and August are quiet months and it is very busy during the winter. It wont be a problem that your product is not 'homemade', I am selling an natural soap product which I import from the US and so far I'm getting a lot of interest.

eddie4

thanks maybe it would be worth a phone call the fact that it is indoor is handy

Boggie

Hi, did anyone buy a Market stall gazebo? Where can I buy one and how much can I expect to pay for one?

hr1963

hi,

i've been thinking of opening a grocery shop in a big village,can anybody tell me where i can buy shampoo, housecleaners ect like that in the euro discounts shops. cheers

seanog2ie

Boggie wrote: »

Hi, did anyone buy a Market stall gazebo? Where can I buy one and how much can I expect to pay for one?

Hi Boogie

I started going to a market ion clarinbridge in galway. I purchased a gazebo in Argos for €19.99, it has no sides but is find for purpose and if the market does not work out you havent lose too much. NB. with the gazebo, make sure you bring four bricks or stones to anchor it.

lecheile

Boggie wrote: »

Hi, did anyone buy a Market stall gazebo? Where can I buy one and how much can I expect to pay for one?

To see the range available of more professional ones have a look at here under market trader tents to see what the options are. But research on the web as there can sometimes be available cheaper that prices listed there.

Also worth having a look at gumtree for second hand alternative. Be careful with Argos 'cheap' model if you can't afford your stock getting wet as it will only take an unexpected downpour - if may cost you!

Irish Eztrends - Authorised Merchant

HI,

I am just new to Boards and adverts. I am interested in all info on the best way to sell all my jewelry stock to market stall holders. Is there
some were to advertise just for this group of people.

Thanks.

tyngchen

Hi everyone,
wonder if anybody here have had a stall in jamestown market? would like to know from your experience is there a good traffic in terms of people? would it be worth to try as the spot to start my business? Thanks