A market stall is often the first stepping-stone on the road to business success. It's a make or break experience for entrepreneurs wanting to test the future of their whiz-bang product. Positive customer feedback and healthy sales at a market can be enough to turn a side business into a flourishing start-up. Shoppers aren't the only ones you need to impress at a market. Buyers from retail outlets are also on the lookout for new concepts, so it's important to stand out from the crowd.

Founders of the popular Finders Keepers markets Sarah Thornton and Brooke Johnston say a market stall that's visually appealing naturally attracts more customers. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Fairfax Media's terms and conditions and privacy policy. Your stall should have a clear theme and brand. Visit local markets, trade fairs and galleries for inspiration. At any market your wares will be in competition with other those at others stalls. Markets are crowded places where buyers like to take everything in as they walk by.

So put yourself in the shoes of your customers when you set up your space. Place your most striking pieces at eye level and try to arrange your other products so that you have a combination of display heights. Avoid setting up your products so people can only look straight down at your table. This means only the people at the front of your stall will see your pieces during busy times.

Bring your stall to life by going above and beyond, says Johnston. Everyone is looking for a bargain at the market. Stallholders need to reel in the bargain-hunters and convert their cash into a good profit.

Markets, Stalls and Services in North West England

Think about offering multiple price points to attract a range of people and more importantly, bring in the spenders. Thornton and Johnston suggest three main categories of price points: Bread and butter products tempt your customers, while items in the middle range are likely to make the bulk of the income.

Five tips for market stall success

Investment pieces are like the icing on the cake. Just like any business, your stall needs to connect with customers. More traditional ways of connection suit some customers. So make sure you have business cards at hand and if you have an email newsletter, make sure you have a sign-up sheet at your stall. Menu The Sydney Morning Herald News site of the year.

Subscribe Login Sign-up Become a SMH member today! Join today and you can easily save your favourite articles, join in the conversation and comment, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox.

Become a SMH member today!

China Natural Gas Market Stalls as Prices Fall

Home News Sport Business World Politics Comment Property Entertainment Lifestyle Travel Cars Tech Video All News NSW News National Environment Health Education Investigations Good Weekend Galleries Clique Photos Victoria News Queensland ACT News WA News. Sport NRL Union AFL Football Cricket Racing Motorsport Basketball Netball Cycling Tennis Scores Golf US Sports Athletics Swimming Boxing Sailing. News Markets Quotes Workplace Consumer Property Innovation Retail Economy CBD Money Small Business.

Business News, Personal Finance and Money News - ABC News

Politics Politics Political Opinion Video Cartoons The Pulse Federal Election Your Vote Electorate Map. Comment Letters Editorials Column 8 Obituaries Peter Hartcher Ross Gittins Jessica Irvine Blunt Instrument Satire. Tech News Security Web Culture Innovation Sci-Tech Gadgets Games eSports Smartphone Apps Mobiles.

Video News Sport Business Entertainment Lifestyle Travel Property Cars Food Exec Style Parenting.

News Markets Quotes Workplace Consumer Retail Economy CBD Money Small Biz Property Innovation Startup Growing Managing More Work In Progress The Venture Franchising Trends More The Big Idea Entrepreneur Marketing Finance Tech Resources Experts More Ask Our Experts Tax Time. Home Business Small Biz Growing.

It's possible to build a big business from very humble beginnings. SHARE Share on Facebook SHARE Share on Twitter TWEET Link Kate Vandermeer and David "Noonie" Nunez: Trade on good word of mouth.

Suppled Here's how to make the most of your market stall: Stand out SHARE Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Link Brooke Johnston and Sarah Thornton: Social media is everything.

Supplied Shoppers aren't the only ones you need to impress at a market. You will now receive updates from My Small Business Newsletter. HuffPost Australia Suspend Centrelink Robodebt Until Drug Addicts, Alcoholics To Be Denied Most Popular Prize-winning idea born from days in hospital. Silent victim of technology in blue- and white-collar jobs. Things to consider before starting a business.

Follow My Small Business Share on Facebook Facebook Share on Twitter Twitter. Follow SMH Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Email Newsletters. Most Viewed Today Previous slide Next slide. Small Business 'We're not doing anything to prep for Amazon'. When should an entrepreneur let go of the reins?

Six surprising items to claim on tax. The Sydney Morning Herald Islamist militants take hostages in Philippine school. Macquarie bankers drug colleague with valium, laxatives. Stay away from London if you're coming to Europe. Fadi Ibrahim takes case of mysterious mansion bargain to court. The Age 'Get off your fing phone': Macquarie bank faces class action over advice on dud Brazilian mine project.

Bulldog Stringer hits out at hurtful rumours about his family. Mystery surrounds Bali jailbreak through flooded escape tunnel. Brisbane Times Man hit by truck crossing Adelaide Street. Paul Pisasale granted bail despite police objections. Former mayor Paul Pisasale arrested, charged with extortion. Family in mourning after pedestrian death. Council accused of removing hedges used by homeless.

Canberra Times Fire sends plumes of black smoke over Hume.

Public service peace close as big depts vote. Garbage truck drivers in Canberra pause to farewell former colleague. New Child Support pay system a 'shambles', say public servants. WA Today Capel mother charged over baby's death after 'catastrophic head injury'.

Dog walker stabbed in unprovoked Perth attack. New injury could set Eagles' Josh Kennedy back another four weeks.

Murdoch University backflips on decision to host controversial 'nutrition adviser'. Fears Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi will repeat mistakes, tribunal hears. Get Started Subscribe today for unlimited access from only 50c a day.

The Sydney Morning Herald Share via Email Share on Facebook Share on Google Plus Share on Twitter RSS Feed. Products and Services AM Edition PM Edition SMH for iPad Today's Paper Subscribe Manage My Subscription Subscriber Hub Corporate Subscriptions Digital Subscription FAQs Good Food Guide The Store by Fairfax Newsletters.

Sydney Morning Herald Sitemap About Us Contact Us Subscribers Advertise With Us Text Version Site Accessibility Guide Privacy Policy Conditions of Use. Classifieds Place an Ad Cars Dating Jobs Real Estate Commercial Real Estate Oneflare Nabo Tributes Celebrations. Our Sites SMH The Age AFR. Info Save articles for later. Info Subscribe for unlimited access to news. Login to save articles. Info Return to the homepage by clicking on the site logo.