How to attract people to your market stall

As you might know, I’ve been trading at Spitalfields market for the last six months or so, although I have taken some time off holidays and visiting my parents recently.

One thing that I have learnt is that Markets are really suffering right now (and retail in general) and many businesses are not making many sales if any sales at all these days.

I can’t imagine that it is much different across different markets in London so I thought I would write this blog post to explore different ways to attract more people to your market stall.

Decorate your stall 

Have signs, and things hanging from the frame to attract people Who may be walking past. By hubby hanging elements from your store people are able to see your store from further away and perhaps make a detour to pass my closer and have a look at what you have on offer.

For example if i am trying to portray that i have a bag business, i could ask ways make a sign with a cycling quote such as one that is on this blog post here.

Try to get a good location

often when you first start out at a store, you are stuck with whatever location is available. As you become more of a regular try to talk to the organises about getting a better location such as a corner or a store closer to where them maybe more people walking past or waiting for things such as near a food stall,

Smile and look busy

many people sit there on their phones trying to pass the time, but actually, I have found that by looking busy and rearranging things on my stall and smiling to people as they walk past can’t actually help with Sales. The first thing you want to do is to get people to stop at your stall and look at and touch your products and once they have touched your product there is a higher chance that they will buy it. 

Try to get a double stall

if you’re lucky you may be able to ask for a double stall if someone next to you hasn’t turned up. More likely than not organises what the market to look easy so this might be possible if you have a reputation for having a really nice looking display then this will increase your chances to get a double Stall.

Have things to give away 

I purchased some inflatable balloons that I sometimes give away to children as they will pass. If the children belong to adults who are in your target audience then it makes the adults grateful to you, and more likely to buy something from you. I have personally found that this has worked for me, but obviously it depends on what kind of products you sell.

Tell your customers where you are

try to share your exact location and advertise on your website or social media platforms that you are at the market and what the opening hours are. Making a video showing the exact path from the train station or bus stop could be very helpful.

“hire a crowd”

often people attract more people. How many times have you walked past a restaurant and not gone in because it was empty? The same logic works for Market Stall is as well, you may be able to get your friends or fellow Market store holders to create small moments of crowd or interest around your Stall as a way to attract people to come and have a look.

Clear pricing 

some stalls don’t like to have prices because they want to provoke conversation. Other stores like to have clear pricing to make sure they don’t lose sales if there are people who may not speak the same language or don’t want to interact with you verbally. Either way, make a decision and act on it proactively as a strategy rather than just not thinking about it.

Don’t get disheartened 

sometimes it’s just a bad day, it could be that the weather is terrible or there is another event on nearby, making the market that you are very quiet. Don’t be disheartened!  keep your energy levels up, go for a walk, talk to people, think about other ways you can benefit from the market store other than just making sales. For example, you might make some good contacts, some good friends, or have a laugh. People are attracted to good positive energy and if you are low on energy, then people will not stop at your stall.

In summary, attracting more people to your market stall requires a mix of visibility, engagement, and good customer experience. Here are five effective ways to do it:

Eye-Catching Display & Signage

• Use bright colors, clear signage, and an organized layout to grab attention.

• Make sure your stall looks inviting and well-stocked but not cluttered.

• Use banners, chalkboards, or digital displays to highlight special offers or bestsellers.

Have free Samples or Demos

• If possible, offer free samples of your products to entice customers to stop by.

• Live demonstrations (e.g., food prep, crafts, or product testing) can draw a crowd.

• Let customers interact with your products before buying.

Exclusive Deals & Promotions

• Offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, or “buy one, get one free” offers.

• Create a “happy hour” discount for a specific time of day.

• Provide loyalty cards or discounts for repeat customers.

4. Engaging & Friendly Interaction

• Greet everyone warmly and make eye contact.

• Engage customers with questions about their needs rather than just selling.

• If possible, wear something unique (like a fun hat or branded apron) to be more memorable.

Social Media & Word of Mouth

• Promote your stall on social media before and during market days.

• Encourage customers to take photos and tag your business.

• Offer a small discount for those who share your stall location online.

When i first set up the market stall 6 months ago, i planned ahead and designed the stall to be eye catching as well as functional, that’s why i planned the suitcases as a design feature with the vinyls as well as being able to be used as storage for my stock and fittings.