Guest post: Small and Able tells us how to prepare for a flea market
As some of you might know, I’ll be selling my goods at the Christmas Pop Up Store this year. After freaking out about my decision, I freaked out further because I had to start planning but had no idea what to prepare or take note of. I knew I could use some advice so I stepped out of my comfort zone and asked for some. I tapped on Sarah & Siew – shopkeepers of Small and Able for tips. I’ve always appreciated their openness on their blog and what they stand for. Thus I’m so happy they obliged and came up with a comprehensive list of what to do.
I’m sharing it here with the hope that this list will be helpful to many more people. Other than me.
First, think about your shop front.
• Something eye-catching in the display to have people want to come over in the first place
• A signboard of sorts – so that people can remember your name/shop
• People like a busy display, we think
• Try to have variations in the height of the display – a flat display requires people to come close and look down
• Think about how you would like to display your prices. Try to commit your price list to memory so you won’t be caught off guard!
• Namecards! Let people know where/how to find you.
Next, some things to consider and prepare for the upcoming event.
• Decide how to pack purchases. Paper bags? Plastic bags? Envelopes? Do you have irregular-sized items that may require special packing? Remember bubble wrap for fragile items!
• How to store your goods? We don’t really like suitcases because we have so many little things. Hence, we settled for plastic boxes from IKEA and lots of bubble wrap. After setting up our display, we try to consolidate the rest of our stocks in one/two boxes for easy access.
• How are you getting there? We carried our boxes to and fro the car for a few markets before we decided that we needed to preserve our ageing backs. We got ourselves a trolley, which helped heaps. Stairs are always/still a challenge though.
• Collect S$1 coins and a good assortment of other coins. Collect as many S$10 and S$2 notes as possible too.
• Do not underestimate the energy required to man a stall for hours – best to get help. You will be standing for hours. Busy is good!
• Stock up on water and snacks beforehand
• A market is one of the best places to interact with your customers, (regular or otherwise) and to gain exposure. Consider having a mailing list for potential customers to sign up for so you can provide them with updates and news.
It’s D-Day, time to execute.
• Give yourself enough time to set up your display – we do mock-ups and still take a fair bit of time to set up
• Have your ‘sales pitch’ ready – people will ask you about you, your stuff, and pretty much anything
• Be prepared for people asking for discounts
• Leave some space on your table as your “office” – a place for your cash box, scissors, tape etc
• Bring a notebook to note purchases. A calculator will come in handy for doing calculations.
• Bring blu-tack, tape, twine and scissors, just in case
• Lastly, you’ve to be prepared to stand. And stand. And smile.
Here are the deets to the Christmas Pop Up Store:
14 Dec 2013, 1-9PM
at The 3rd Space
18 Cross Street (China Square)
B1-05
Thank you, Small and Able for shedding light on gearing up for a flea market! Readers, do come by to shop for Christmas gifts (or for yourself). Small and Able will be participating too, together with a whole bunch of favourites like the little dröm store, Green Banana (for terrariums) and nong jia nu (gift wrapping class!). Check the Facebook page for updates and more sneak peeks of vendors.
I haven’t written a post this lengthy in a long time. Imma need to lie down after this. Actually no. It’s already December, there’s no time for that. Carpe Diem-cember?
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