If you've previously sold at a flea market, then you know that one of the secrets to strong sales is distinguishing your booth from everyone else's. Ask yourself, what makes you different from your competition? If you're having trouble answering this question, or feel that there's some room for improving the uniqueness of your booth, then this article is for you. Below are some tips that can help your business stand apart from all the rest (and consequently put more money in your pocket!).
Distribute business cards. Since flea markets can be pretty large in size (and very crowded), what better way to help your customers remember where they can find you than to hand out business cards? Plus, they look very professional and will make buyers more comfortable purchasing from you. We recommend including your name, the name of your business, your e-mail address, and the number of your booth on the cards. There are several printing services out there you can use such as Vistaprint to get inexpensive, professional business cards.
Start selling early. A good portion of a vendor's sales happen during the first and last hours of business at a flea market. In fact, in many locations, customers start forming lines hours before a flea market is even open for business! It certainly pays to get there early and make sure that your booth is in great shape for the first wave of customers that walk through.
Make your booth attractive. Ensure that your booth is neat, organized, and not too crowded; shoppers are more likely to buy from you if they can clearly see all of your products and if your booth looks clean. Start by covering your table with a clean, plain sheet or tablecloth and design your booth from the point of view of a customer just walking up to it. Can you see each product and price tag? If not, you may want to consider using platforms (or simply well-covered cardboard boxes) at the back of the table to make everything visible. Make sure that all jewelry is fastened to a felt-covered board and that all clothing is folded and organized by size.
Mark all merchandise clearly with a price. Buyers may be scared away if they see merchandise that is unmarked for fear that it's an expensive item. Make sure that all products are clearly marked with a price and that all price tags are new and clean; tags that look old and used may make people think that your merchandise is of poor quality. Also, try pricing your merchandise a bit above what you'd ideally like to receive for the item; that way, if customers try to talk down the price, you may end up settling on a price that you are actually happy with (for example, if you'd like to get $10 for a bracelet, tell buyers that it costs $15).
Leave enough space for customers to shop. Are your customers constantly being bumped by other people when standing in front of your booth? If so, this will negatively impact your sales, as customers are more likely to shop in locations where they don't feel rushed or cramped. Rearrange your area to make sure that your buyers have a comfortable shopping experience; then - they'll be more inclined to spend time at your booth, interact with you, and ultimately make a purchase.
Attract customers with impulse buys. Placing seasonal, unique and practical items in a prominent place at your booth can be a great way to attract shoppers. For example, does it rain often in your area? Placing some umbrellas at the front of your booth can attract buyers (and while they're purchasing that umbrella, why not take a look at what else you have to offer?).
Be friendly. Flea markets are great places to build long-term relationships with your customers. Unlike online stores, they allow you to have real-time interactions with potential buyers and to make a good first impression by smiling and making conversation. Customers are more likely to approach a friendly vendor than a seemingly annoyed or tired one.
We hope that these tips were useful to you in boosting your flea market sales! If you have other helpful tips for flea market vendors, we encourage you to send them to coach@liquidation.com and we'll be sure to post them to the Buyer Education Center!
