Markets

[Tulip]

I admit I'm a bit bummed about the cost of markets in Adelaide at the moment. I'm a small operator working at home, producing one product aimed at young children under 6.

The market I attend wants to increase their stall fees to 'compete' with the other markets that are charging higher stall fees and I'm afraid I'm going to have to pull out if their proposed fee is the fee that is charged ($120 up from $60).

Just to give a few examples of some of the markets presently in the Adelaide metro area:

Little Monster Markets - $100* for stall space only 1.5x1.5 (a table attracts a furtehr rental fee) 5 hours market time
* you can also bid for a stall if someone pulls out, meaning it's $100+

Lollipop Markets - $185 for stall space only (1.8 x .75) 5 hours market time and entry fee charged

Matilda's Markets - $220 for stall space only (1.8 x .60) 4 hours market time

Moonlight Markets - $90 for stall space only (1.5 x .90) and 3.5 hours' market time

Gone are the days where you could set up a stall for $30

I have looked around and they all seem to be starting at $100 now and moving on towards $200. I'm talking about grassroots markets btw not the trade/retail buying markets. I am not sure if I'm being stingy but I can't afford this and with a limited budget, it's very difficult for me to start an online business. What to do?

*sigh*

[flower-child]

The markets that you're looking at are niche -markets (lol double entendre).

Setting up somewhere like Mathilda's means that your getting (on paper at least) qualified buyers. People who attend these markets are looking for boutique baby/children's items.

If you want to have an un-targeted market, go and set up at a trash and treasure / car boot sale.

Straight off, you'll be thinking now way - not my target market. THAT'S why those places charge what they do.

Try school fetes.....

[Tulip]

Did you read my post? They're specific markets, yes, just as car boot sales are. They are not, however, specialist markets. I understand why specialist markets charge what they do as they cater for mass production and retail buyers. Their selection process also illustrates this.

However, I am presently at a specific market with a specific product which I've explained in my previous post. The markets that I have mentioned are for everyday people with items that are specific to that market (ie kids/mums etc). I don't understand your qualified buyers comment.

In the past year, prices for stalls in such markets have increased 100% in some cases more for a simple, grassroots children's market in little Adelaide.

Excusing huge prices as "niche" falls flat when the standard of items sold does not justify the expense, something that markets in other States seem to understand.

[lilly]

Hi Tulip,

Lately every man and his dog is setting up a market in Melbourne and trying to charge a fortune. I'm not familiar with the Adelaide regular market scene but recently contacted by a women asking if I would be interested in attending a weekly market for $150 or so can't remember, but honestly it was so unprofessional, poorly set up website, kept sending me updates when I hadn't even applied for a stall...

There is a big difference between a quality regular artist/designer market and a car boot sale just s there is a big difference between an event market run once or twice a year and a regular once a month event.

It reminds me of the days here in Melbourne when people were charging 3.00 for a coffee because the cafe down the road were charging that. The difference which they failed to see what that down the rd it was made by a trained barista and what they were was low end a bakery using instant coffee and boiling up a jug of milk!

I'm happy to pay $1500 for a double stall for an event (3 days, well marketed, quality stall holders...) but would not pay $150 for a half day market run by Mrs Betty Smith that thinks it's so easy and TRENDY.

My advice would be to do the bigger well run markets interstate state perfect for getting business cards out there. Set up a bigcartel site for online shopping and wait till you find the perfect market for you at the right price with the right crowd.

Lilly

[MinzBeadz]

Hi Tulip,

Wow - expensive! I also sell at markets and, like you, are new and have to be careful of the outgoings vs the incomings at this stage. They are expensive, and there are equivalent (and even dearer) markets in Melbourne too.

One of the markets I go to has a "mothers and children's" day once a month, with the stall cost only $5 (1 x long trestle table supplied by the market). Whilst I realise this doesn't help you in SA, perhaps one of your larger 'all purpose' markets has something like this? This market is for both trash & treasure and all types of retail stall holders.

I agree with flower-child too - primary school fetes (although sometimes around here they can be rather expensive too).

My other suggestion would be to look at country markets that aren't too difficult to get to. Country people can be very generous with their dollars, and if you find an area that has a lot of tourists as a rule, they are also generous with their dollars on holidays.

Good luck with the search, I hope you find a great market.

[AngelaGirl]

Holy Cow! Lilly, you might want to delete your initial post because it came through in duplicate and the first one is HUGE (font size, that is).

[craiglongmuir.com]

A few ok DIY online store options.. Or start with eBay ..

[flower-child]

Originally Posted by Tulip

Did you read my post? They're specific markets, yes, just as car boot sales are. They are not, however, specialist markets. I understand why specialist markets charge what they do as they cater for mass production and retail buyers. Their selection process also illustrates this.

Yes I did read your post, and am very familiar with baby/kid related markets - I've exhibited at many, including large trade fairs and wanted to explain why these markets are costly. You say they are specific, but not specialist? Exactly, they are targeting a specific group, a group which it appears you want to target as well.

Do you mean the market you attend now? You haven't said whether it is a specialist market (aimed at mum/kids), but you did compare it to a range of other markets specifically targeted at mums/kids and your product targets that market.

It's very hard to compare 'your' market with all those you mention. Mathillda's for example, spends a lot on advertising, has very high profile allegiances and a large social media following, and no shortage of people wanting to exhibit. That's why they can charge that kind of money.

In Sydney, you can go to a car boot sale for $30, but are they the people you have identified as your target market? Local markets run between $70-90, and schools tend to be $50-90, so it sounds like your markets are pretty standard in their pricing.

I think you need to identify your target market (which I suspect you have already done) and assess whether it's worth setting up every week/month at your local market or is it worth getting mass exposure over 4-5 hours, at a boutique market for more money?

It appears your items are handmade (forgive me if they are not). If so, perhaps look at only exhibiting at handmade markets, and then backing it up with a social media presence. The 8 or so hours you spend on the weekly market day (again, just assuming it is weekly), you could put into building your facebook presence, and just do the quarterly specialist (or specific) market.

There are also loads of other resources to get your product our there, eg handmadekids.com.au, which has advertising for (from memory) as little as $20.

I know this is a bit off topic, but if the increase in price can't be justified (for you), you need to look at alternative means of getting your brand out there, preferably with as little cash outlay as possible.

[bluepenguin]

It's just how business works. If the markets can double their prices, and still rent out all of their spaces, why not?

[Khalid Adam]

Your problem is price. Increase it so you can offer better experience and service. Stop catering to the vast majority and look at serving the smaller market which will pay for a great experience and some extra attention.

Find a competitor that sells at top price and buy from them. experience their service and compare with yours.

IF there is no difference, you are under priced. IF their service is superior to yours, offer the same or better experience in your market.

You can also have 2 tier pricing. one for the masses and the other for premium customers.