Stress Free Market Day
You’ve decided what items of clothing, shoes, accessories, and so on, to move on. Fantastic – that will feel quite cathartic. The next step is to ensure your transition to stall is smooth (aka stress-free), and doesn’t undo all the great feelings that come with having made some amazing progress.
Don’t spin out of control!
Over the years, I’ve observed stall holders arriving at market venues and setting up. I’ve also been that person myself on countless occasions. It’s fabulous to watch as stall holders create their space, their collections coming to life with colour, texture and frivolity. But, it can also be painful to see some struggle, traipsing, multiple times, to and fro from their cars – weighed down with an eclectic mix of stuffed bags, random items, boxes, and bits and bobs piled high in their arms. No rhyme or reason to the whole affair. Why does it matter, one may ask? It can.
Whether it’s a smooth ‘bump in’ or a struggle-start can make a lot of difference to how you feel as the market doors open on the big day. If you’re exhausted and feeling under the pump before the day kicks-off, or you feel like your stall’s not quite ready as the doors open, this invariably shows on your face. It can also have you not coping with the small hiccups (realistically, there are bound to be a couple). And, this can then go on to affect your market day’s experience – which is a shame, as market day ought to be great fun!
So, how do you breeze through to market day setup like a pro?
It’s tempting to start off with the obvious and irritating first tip – BE PREPARED! But I won’t because this may mean very little, and can be equally stress-inducing if you don’t quite know where to begin.
One: Taming your pile of clothes
Hang as many clothes as possible. Choose hangers that won’t let your clothes slide off in transit. Displaying quality items on a rack is appreciated by shoppers who want to see what you’ve got at a glance.
If you are selling items at individual prices, label everything. Your customers will be more comfortable knowing the price without needing to ask. Choose labels that are least likely to fall off or come unstuck in transit. Safety pins and jute through hole punched cardboard work wonders.
If you’re hanging clothes in price brackets, tie grouped hangers together or place each group in the car so they’re easily identifiable at your destination. Make your signage at home.
Sort loose items into $2, $5, and $10 lots (or whatever price lots work for you). Prepare any and all signage at home.
Place these items into individual containers – ideally whatever you’re going to display them in on the day. Or, if they’re being displayed on a table, place them in individually marked containers ready to unpack efficiently.
Look cool, calm and collected (even if you don’t feel it)!
Two: Getting clothes from A to B
- Clothes on hangers can be placed in a suitcase, or simply laid in the back of a car (wrap in cloth such as a sheet to protect if necessary)
- Place containers of other items in next
- Locate your rack, table and props in the car so they’re first out.
Three: The 30-minute Setup
Check in with the market organiser and find your spot.
Unload and set up your rack, table and props first.
Before bringing anything else in, have some fun shifting your props around in your spot until you feel you’ve made the best use of your space whilst being mindful of, and even complementing, your neighbours’ display.
Then bring in your boxes of accessories etc.
If they’re in pre-labelled containers place them ready to go. If not, place containers to one side for now.
Next, bring in and hang your clothes straight onto the rack.
If you are grouping your hung clothes into price brackets, place them on the rack in those groups, and attach your previously made signage.
If all your hung clothes are labelled, they’re done and ready for market opening.
Now relax…you’re in control, and looking ready.
Relax.
Make sure your money belt is on and full of some coinage. You want to be well ready to accept those sales!
The next bit can be done at your leisure and it won’t matter too much if the market opens and shoppers are looking because they have a fab rack of labelled items to check out already, and possibly self-explained containers to rummage through.
You are all set with change in your money belt and looking cool, calm and collected!
If you’re unpacking loose items do this now, and place your signage as you go.
Finally, have fun dressing your props (mannequin etc.), and laying out smaller items like jewellery, shoes, belts, bags and hats.
This can all take less that 30 minutes. Believe me, I’ve got it down to 20, tops!
Let your personality shine through.
