Rain, wind, or scorching sun - weather can make or break a market day. Preparing your stall to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at you not only protects your products but also keeps customers comfortable and confident in shopping with you. Here’s how to stay ahead of the weather:

1. Invest in a Sturdy Market Canopy

A durable, water-resistant canopy is essential. Make sure it’s properly weighted down with sandbags or stakes as gusty winds can easily lift an unsecured tent. Consider sidewalls for extra protection against wind and sideways rain.

2. Protect Your Products

Keep fragile items, paper goods, or electronics in waterproof containers or display cases. For food, invest in insulated boxes or coolers to prevent spoilage in heat. Small investments now can save bigger losses later.

3. Secure Your Market Displays

Wind can topple shelves or signage. Use clamps, bungee cords, or sandbags to secure tables, racks, and banners. Heavy tablecloths or mats also help prevent items from sliding or blowing away.

4. Plan for Shade and Cooling

On hot days, provide shade for both products and customers. Consider portable fans, misters, or even a small umbrella for delicate items. Happy, comfortable shoppers are more likely to browse and buy.

5. Prepare a Market Day Weather Kit

Always have an emergency kit ready: extra weights, clips, tarps, waterproof tape, and even a small broom or cloth for drying wet surfaces. Quick fixes on-site can save your stall from disaster.

6. Adapt Your Layout

Position fragile or temperature-sensitive items closer to the centre of your stall, away from wind or sun exposure. Heavy items can act as natural windbreaks or anchors for lighter merchandise.

7. Stay Informed

Check the weather forecast in advance and plan accordingly. Adjust your stock, display, and protective measures based on expected conditions. Flexibility is key.

Weather-proofing your stall isn’t just about surviva...it’s about creating a professional, safe, and enjoyable experience for customers. A little preparation goes a long way toward smooth market days and happy shoppers.

A great market layout is more than just a collection of stalls. It’s the rhythm of your event, shaping how visitors move and experience every corner. When done well, a market layout hums like a well-tuned melody... visitors wander happily, stallholders stay busy, and no one feels trapped in a crowd. Get it wrong, and you risk bottlenecks, dead zones, and frustrated faces.

Here are practical tips to help you plan a market layout that keeps foot traffic flowing and every stall thriving:

Start with your market space

Before positioning your stalls, take a step back and map your terrain. Where do people naturally enter and exit? Are there choke points you can’t avoid? Spend time understanding the natural perks and limitations of your space, then design your layout to work with them and optimise foot traffic. Remember you’re not forcing movement, you’re guiding it.

Position key market areas strategically

Strategically guide and direct your visitors by positioning anchor points such as live music, kids’ activities, or headline stalls at different ends of the market. Spreading them out draws visitors deeper into the event, balances traffic flow, and keeps every stall buzzing. Not just the ones near the entrance.

Minimise market bottlenecks and spread the crowd

Restrooms, food stations, registration desks, entertainment, and interactive displays are natural magnets for crowds. Place them where they’re easy to find but away from main walkways to prevent queues spilling into busy areas. Think of these as essential “pit stops.” Valuable, but best positioned just off the main track to avoid overcrowding and bottlnecks. 

Guide market visitors with maps and signage

Visitors love to explore, but they also love knowing where to go. Use clear signage, banners, and directional arrows to provide gentle guidance. Place market maps at entrances, food courts, and rest areas. For extra convenience, add QR codes linking to an interactive map showing stalls, zones, and event highlights. A visitor scanning their phone to find that gourmet doughnut stall...now that’s time well spent!

Market design for comfort, as well as flow

Give your visitors space to pause and recharge. Shady benches, hay bales, or even a patch of grass that says “sit a while.” Comfortable resting spots keep people onsite longer and ensure walkways stay clear while they take a break.

Use market zones and grouping wisely

Zones give your market a sense of organisation without making it feel rigid. A food lane here, artisan crafts there, kids’ activities around the corner. Within these zones, mix stalls to keep things interesting or place complementary stalls side-by-side. Group similar stalls only when it clearly benefits them. For example, clustering fresh produce for a true farm-fresh feel.

Test, learn, and improve every time

No layout is perfect the first time. Walk the market yourself before opening day. Where would you go first? Where might you get stuck? After the event, gather feedback from stallholders and visitors. Every adjustment makes your market smoother, stronger, and more successful.

Bring it all together...

When visitors can explore freely, stallholders stay busy and your market feels alive from one end to the other.

With the LocalStalls’ drag-and-drop layout builder, you can plan and adjust your market layout with ease, assigning stallholders to the perfect positions. Spend less time juggling logistics and more time creating a market people love to discover.

Running a market stall is exciting... but how do you turn casual browsers into loyal customers who come back market day after market day? At LocalStalls, we’re here to help stallholders grow their businesses with practical tools, tips, and advice.

Here are 10 proven ways to build lasting, loyal relationships with your customers:

1. Offer simple loyalty rewards

Give shoppers a reason to return. A loyalty stamp card, discount voucher, or special deal like “buy 3, get 1 free” works wonders at markets. These incentives encourage customers to come back to your stall again and again, giving you more opportunities to sell.

2. Add a personal touch

Take a moment to chat with your customers and get to know them. Remember their names, ask how they liked their last purchase, or note their preferences. Going that extra mile with a personal touch makes customers feel valued and appreciated, so much so they may even recommend you to friends or return again themselves.

3. Always include your brand details

Don't forget to include a business card or postcard with your website and Instagram handle in every bag, along with every sale. This helps customers locate you easily when they want to reorder in the future, whether in person or online. And as an added bonus, this also helps to grow your social media following.

4. Keep customers updated online

Use social media channels like Instagram or Facebook to let your followers know where you’ll be next and what new products you’ll be offering. Sending out a newsletter is another great way to keep your customers informed about your latest products, news, and special offers.

5. Make sign-ups easy

Have a printed QR code or a tablet at your stall so that customers can quickly join your mailing list. Sweeten the deal with a small giveaway or 
exclusive discount for subscribers. You can also offer special perks for social media likes or subscriptions to really encourage engagement.

6. Offer market-day exclusives

Stand out by offering special flavours, limited-edition items, or bundles only available at your stall. Giving shoppers exclusive products gives them a great reason to stop by, and to keep coming back.

7. Show your process and passion

People connect with stories. Share yours by displaying photos, doing mini demos, or explaining how your products are made. This helps customers see the true value behind your products, which builds trust, support, and brand loyalty!

8. Ask for feedback face-to-face

Have you heard the saying “Feedback is the breakfast of champions” by Ken Blanchard? It’s a powerful reminder that customer feedback is essential for growth. And it doesn’t have to be complicated...simply asking, “What do you think of this?” can open the door to valuable insights. When you listen and act on your customers’ feedback, it shows you value their opinions and makes them feel like part of your journey. That sense of connection is a key ingredient in turning one-time buyers into loyal customers.

9. Cross-promote with nearby stalls

Collaboration is your friend! Working with neighbouring stallholders creates a friendly market vibe and encourages repeat visits. For example, if you’re next to a coffee stall, suggest pairing their brew with your pastries. Or if you’re beside a frame seller, recommend pairing their frames with your art prints.

10. Encourage social sharing

Finally, a simple but powerful tip is to encourage your customers to share your stall on social media. Try putting up a friendly sign that says, “Love our stall? Tag us on Instagram!” This not only keeps you top of mind after market day, but also helps attract new customers through their networks.

In the end…
Turning browsers into loyal fans isn’t about being pushy... it’s about building genuine connections, staying visible, and being consistent.

From all of us at LocalStalls, we wish every stallholder wonderful market days in your thriving communities. We hope these tips help you build stronger, lasting relationships with your customers, market after market!

Running a market has always taken heart, but these days, it also takes strategy. From rising costs and growing competition, to higher expectations from stallholders and customers, organisers today face more complexity than ever before.

Markets are more than just trading hubs; they’re vibrant community spaces, launchpads for small businesses, and a cherished part of local life. As markets evolve, many organisers are thoughtfully exploring new ways to manage the growing demands behind the scenes.

In this post, we’re highlighting four common challenges organisers are navigating today, along with a few practical ways to respond, adapt, and continue to thrive:

1. The Pressure of Rising Costs

Rent increases, insurance, staffing, infrastructure, compliance, the cost of running a market is climbing on all fronts. And it’s not just organisers feeling the pinch...stallholders are too, which means price sensitivity today is high.

Instead of compromising on quality, some market organisers are reviewing their internal systems to reduce admin time, track payments more efficiently, and cut hidden costs. Others are exploring hybrid revenue models, from ticketed workshops to featured stallholder promotions.

2. Competition is Everywhere

From boutique events to pop-up shopping centres, and even social media sales, stallholders have more options... and so do customers.

Markets that stand out are the ones that communicate clearly, promote consistently, and offer a seamless experience from application to pack-down. Having digital systems in place to manage communication, payments, and stallholder onboarding can free up time to focus on curation and community,  the real competitive edge.

3. Managing Admin Overload

Between endless emails, payment tracking, site maps, compliance checks, and late cancellations, it’s easy to feel like a human spreadsheet.

Organisers who are streamlining with purpose-built software are finding new breathing room, not just for themselves, but for their teams and volunteers. Automating repetitive tasks and keeping everything in one place makes space for better planning, smoother events, and less burnout.

4. Rising Expectations from the Community

Markets are expected to be inclusive, sustainable, family-friendly, well-promoted, well-run, and affordable ...all at once.

While the heart of the market hasn’t changed, the tools and expectations have. Organisers are learning to scale their impact with small but intentional changes: better data to make decisions, clear communication with stallholders, and tech that supports (not overwhelms) the human touch that makes markets so special.

You don’t have to be a big organisation to run a great market - you just need the right support behind you!

At LocalStalls, we’re proud to support market organisers globally with tools that save time, reduce stress, and help markets grow sustainably. If you’re ready to take a fresh look at how your market runs, we’re here to help.

Local markets have long been a place to buy fresh produce, handmade goods, showcase artisans and other unique finds. But today, some of the best markets are also becoming so much more - evolving into vibrant community hubs that bring people together for connection, culture, and shared experiences.

If you’re a market organiser looking to stay ahead, here are some tips on how you could transform your market into a thriving community hub.

1. Create Space for Connection

Markets aren’t just about transactions, they’re about people. Design areas where visitors can relax, chat, and linger. Think picnic zones, comfortable seating, or even cozy corners with shade and music.

London’s Borough Market features communal tables and seating areas where visitors can gather to enjoy food and conversation.

2. Offer Diverse Experiences

Why not incorporate workshops, cooking demos, kids’ craft sessions, or local artist performances? These types of activities add layers of engagement and make your market a fun and interactive destination for all ages.

New York City’s Smorgasburg features regular cooking demonstrations and live music alongside its food stalls.

3. Celebrate Local Culture and Stories

Highlight the stories behind your stallholders and their products. Feature local artisans, farmers, and creatives through spotlight talks, social media features, or market newsletters.

San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza Farmers Market features stallholder profiles and stories on their website and at the market.

4. Collaborate with Community Groups

Partner with local schools, clubs, or non-profits to host events or awareness campaigns. This fosters goodwill and brings in new audiences aligned with community values.

Some markets host charity days or cultural festivals in partnership with local organisations, boosting both foot traffic and community spirit.

5. Use Technology to Connect and Communicate

Create an online presence where visitors can learn about upcoming events, book workshops, or interact with stallholders. Use digital newsletters or social channels to build excitement and keep the community engaged between market days.

6. Activate Market Days Beyond Shopping

Extend market hours or add evening events like live music or night markets to transform the atmosphere and appeal to different crowds.

Melbourne’s Queen Vic Winter Night Market turns the historic market into a buzzing nighttime destination with global street food, live entertainment, and a vibrant atmosphere that brings locals and tourists together.

Why This Matters

Transforming your market into a community hub isn’t just about increasing sales, it’s about building loyalty, creating memorable experiences, and fostering a sense of belonging. People come for the stalls but stay for the vibe.

As markets evolve, organisers who embrace this shift will not only survive - they’ll thrive!

Ready to make your market the heart of your community?
LocalStalls is here to support you every step of the way - from managing bookings to connecting your stallholders and promoting your unique events.

Running a market is no small task! Between juggling bookings, answering endless emails, and keeping track of stallholders, it can feel like a full-time admin job. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

With the right tools in place, you can save hours each week, communicate more clearly, and grow your market’s impact, all while staying focused on what really matters: building a thriving community!

Here are five ways technology (like LocalStalls 🙂 ) can make your life easier:

1. Ditch the Paperwork

No more chasing handwritten forms, generic online forms or updating spreadsheets manually. The right platform can link your application form with your market booking system to allow stallholders to apply online, submit documents, and manage payments - all in one place.

2. Centralise Your Communications

Have you ever needed to update all stallholders about a change in setup, time or wet weather backup? The right technology can help you send bulk messages instantly, via email or SMS, and track who’s seen them. Clearer comms, means fewer headaches. The right technology can also help to automate communications, so that repetitive emails and sms's become a thing of the past e.g. stall application approved, payment outstanding 

3. Automate the Boring Stuff

Things like issuing invoices, sending reminders, or confirming payments can all happen automatically. That alone could mean literally hours of admin time saved, and fewer chances for things to slip through the cracks.

4. Track Everything in One Place

From stallholder status to insurance documents to past attendance, having a central dashboard helps you stay organised and confident going into every market day. Good tracking tools collect data that over time can show patterns and trends in your operations. Information like this is powerful for future decision making.  

5. Integrate with Your Accounting Software

Save time at tax time (and all the times in between) by syncing bookings, payments, and invoices directly with Xero or other accounting platforms. It means fewer manual entries, fewer mistakes, and a clear audit trail.

6. Reach a Wider Audience

List your events online, promote your stallholders, and make it easy for customers to find you. A well-run, well-promoted digital presence builds trust and helps you run a successful event!

7. Streamline Market Day Management

Forget clipboards and manual check-ins. With a mobile-friendly system, you can check in stallholders quickly on-site, see who hasn’t arrived, and even update their positions in real time. Great for tracking attendance, managing allocations, and staying agile on event day.

You don’t have to do it all manually.
With LocalStalls, organisers get the tools they need to run smoother, smarter markets — and stallholders love it too.

Ready to simplify your market admin? Book a demo or Start your free trial today.

So, you’ve been approved for a market, and your spot has been locked in... how exciting! Now it’s time to get set up and stall-ready. Whether this is your first time, or you’re simply keen to lift your game, here are 8 friendly & practical tips to ensure that your stall stands out, and your sales soar!

1. Your Ideal Customer

The first step is to get really clear on who your ideal customer is. This goes well beyond demographics such as age range or gender. Rather, think about your ideal customer in terms of what kind of lifestyle they live, who they are, what they care about. For example, are they parents hunting for the perfect gift, eco-conscious shoppers looking for local options, or tourists who love handmade and unique items? To take this one step further, you could try creating a profile for your dream customer - give them a name, a budget, a reason they’re at the market. This approach will help you centre them in your decision making, when you're deciding on from anything from stall display through to pricing, you can keep asking whether you're appealing to this customer.

2. Create a Stall That Stands Out

First impressions matter, especially when crowds of people are strolling past one stall after another. Make your space pop with colour, signs and branding. Then create a layout that’s both inviting and easy to explore.

Don’t just lay everything flat on a table, create height to make products visible, then stack, hang, drape and layer items to create an interesting display. Little touches like fabric backdrops, fairy lights, fresh flowers, or cute props can also go a long way. If you want to create a name for yourself, don't forget to include branding elements, and make it clear where customers can return to if they want to purchase in the future. 

A fun tip is the use of slow-turning product displays, moving lights, a gentle fan with scent, or even a little bubble machine if your stall is kid-friendly. Remember movement catches the eye!

3. Make Your Display Inviting

Your stall is essentially a tiny shop, so you want people to slow down, come on in, and feel comfortable exploring. Group similar items together, make sure your bestsellers are front and centre, and avoid overcrowding items. A little breathing space between items can actually make them feel more premium.

Sampling areas are another great way to invite people in to engage with and experience your product. If you’re selling anything edible or scented, find a way to let people try before they buy. Even a tiny nibble or spritz can start a conversation and build trust.

4. Clear Pricing

People rarely like asking for prices... if it’s not clear, they may just walk away. Use easy-to-read signage, price tags, or mini chalkboards. If you offer bundles or multi-buy deals, show the value clearly, something like “3 for $25, save $5” helps people do the math without effort.

Mystery Boxes or Lucky Dips are fun ways to price items in bundles, while at the same time adding excitement, which could attract some impulse buys.

5. Make Payments Easy

In our increasingly digital world, most of us have been caught out with no cash, yet customers today still expect quick, easy payment options. Having a card reader is now essential, and some shoppers may even ask if you accept Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Still bring some cash and coin for change, and make sure your phone’s charged, with a power bank handy just in case!

A fun idea, is a little display sign that says “Yes, we take cards, cash and smiles.” It’s friendly, informative, and often gets a giggle.

6. Bring the Essentials

There’s nothing worse than realising you forgot something mid-market. Be prepared, create a checklist and pack the night before. In addition to your products and packaging,  think cash float, card reader, power-bank, pens, scissors, hand sanitiser, tissues, tape, sunscreen, reusable bags, and of course water and snacks.

7. Be Approachable (Not Pushy)

The best stallholders strike that sweet balance between friendly and informative. Greet people with a beaming smile, make eye contact, and let them browse without pressure. Some shoppers need a bit of space before they feel ready to chat or ask questions.

If they linger, offer to help, or start up a conversation by sharing a quick story about one of your products - where it’s made, why you created it, or maybe share other customers' feedback,  something small and genuine.

8. Promote Yourself

Market day is about more than just today’s sales, it’s also about visibility and building a loyal customer base. Take the best photos of your stall, post to social media with your location, and tag the market. Encourage people to follow you, or sign up for your email list.

If you’re using a site like LocalStalls, make sure your profile is up-to-date so future organisers and shoppers can find you easily.

To build your brand and keep customers returning,  pop a little thank you card in with purchases that includes a QR code linking to your website and social pages. You could even offer a “next market” discount to bring people back.

The Path Forward...

Markets are more than just a place to sell, they’re about community, creativity, and connection. With a bit of preparation, a sprinkle of personality, and the right mindset, you’ll be turning browsers into buyers, and strangers into fans in no time.

Every market is a chance to learn, grow, and share what you love. So go on... give it your all, and enjoy the ride!