Market trader
Market traders sell goods like food, clothing, crafts, artwork and antiques. They also offer services, such as mobile phone and watch repairs.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a market or street food trader, you could:
- work with local producers and makers to supply products
- create your own items for sale, for example artwork or pottery
- set up your stall at the start of the day
- prepare food, if offering mobile catering
- answer customers' questions about your products
- handle cash and card payments
- keep records of goods bought and sold
- promote your business in the local community and online
- plan ahead for forthcoming events
Working environment
You could work on a market stall, on festival sites or on the streets.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
Career path and progression
You could expand your business by taking on more staff and starting up new stalls. You may wish to open a permanent retail outlet if there's enough demand.
You might also move into market stall lettings and management.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- the ability to sell products and services
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- persuading and negotiating skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- business management skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- have insurance
Depending on where you work, you’ll need to apply to your local council for a:
If you're preparing food, you'll need to get food hygiene certificates for yourself and any staff.
You'll usually need a driving licence and your own car, van or catering truck.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- training with a business organisation
You could do a college course, which may help if you're setting up your own business.
Courses include:
- principles of business start up
- setting up your own business
- preparing to set up in a new business
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements for this route.
More Information
You could start by working on a stall part time at an indoor market, pop-up events, craft markets, seasonal markets or festivals.
You'll learn on the job from experienced traders, sharing their knowledge and watching their sales methods. Once you've got experience, you could apply to set up your own stall.
You can contact your local council for information on licensing rules and how to apply for one of their market stalls. You may have to rent a stall on a casual basis before you can apply for a permanent pitch.
You could check your local further education college as they may run short self-employment courses. They can also direct you to community organisations in your local area that help people who want to start their own business.
If you're between 18 and 30 years old, you may be able to find help and support to set up a business through the King's Trust.
Registration
- you'll need to register with your local environmental health department to be a street food trader
Career tips
Do your research on what sells well. You may have an advantage if you're offering something different from other traders.
You can find useful short courses, advice and free resources online to help you start your own business.
Further information
You can learn more about becoming a market trader and setting up your business through the National Market Traders Federation and Nationwide Caterers Association.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.