I know it takes time

Atidi

winniepooh wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I set up a website selling haberdashery and other bits on August and have had no sales as yet, I have my stock reasonably priced and have been doing plently of research but I realise that theres so much competition out there and getting known isn't easy.

Then a met a business advisor who advised me to open a shop and there was a grant available for me and I had to get quotes, which I did and was really chuffed and excited, found a shop discussed terms with the landlord and then I was told I was too old for the grant by two years......gutted

So tomorrow im starting a market stall and to be honest its something I never planned on doing. Its not that I have anything against markets it just wasn't in my plan. But its the only way hopefully to sell my stock.

Im just wondering if there are any market traders on here? Can you earn a living from it? Im keeping my part time job on aswell because we cant afford it if it goes tits up

Everyone makes mistakes in business and a vital part of running a successful business is learning from those mistakes.

You started an online business. The advantage of such an online business is the low overheads compared to running a shop or market stall. You say your prices are reasonable yet you have failed to make any sales, despite effectively being open 24/7/365 to anyone in the world with internet access.

Your post indicates that you think this is because your online stall is not being found by your potential customers.

So how do you plan to get those customers to come and visit you at a specific market stall, in a specific market, in a specific town, during the specific hours you happen to be there?

Without those customers, all you will have is passing trade of those who frequent the market to buy their veg, their meat, or whatever other reason they happen to go there for.

(In the event there happens top be another market stall holder already offering similar goods to what you will offer, don't expect them to accept your arrival as a competitor to them without a ruddy good fight)

Hermia

I think a market stall is a better idea than a shop. I often see crafty market stalls so people obviously make a living from it. What stuff will you be selling? I've noticed the stalls near me tend to sell the arty/crafty stuff as well as basic haberdashery. For instance one guy sells all the haberdashery basics, but he also makes up packs of quilting squares. Another lady has papercraft items as well.

Atidi

Hermia wrote: »

I think a market stall is a better idea than a shop. I often see crafty market stalls so people obviously make a living from it. ....

Of course, I often (used to) see the likes of Woolworths, JJB Sports, Comet and Jessops too! :cool: