Running a stall-based business -- just curious

[Blue One]

Outside of my beat in the services industries, but going through Covent Garden this morning I saw a number of stallholders setting-up shop. I have also been to a few events like Goodwood etc. which have a regular roster of businesses trading at these events. It got me thinking about what the business case/revenue is for this kind of business (thinking about jewellery, clothing, collectibles etc.).

Do people mainly do this for the lifestyle/enjoyment, or is there real money in doing this? I ask because a lot of the people I saw today seemed very happy, but it must take huge cost and effort to travel around, rent a pitch, set everything up and then wait for business.

Anyone got any insights/experience of this?

[The Moose]

My best mate has a couple of family members that do exactly this.

By all accounts they make reasonable money out of it.

Their industry is outdoor activity based in the U.K. So every weekend they are out from spring to autumn.

I guess there is some effort in setting up/taking down however they have their customers come to them in a concentrated manor.

Like everything, making money is never easy!

[avinalarf]

Any business,whether stall based or otherwise,you need to have the right product at the right price and you'll have customers.
Many years ago I tried stalls,it wasn't for me.
Unless your product is very niche you need the stall to be sited where the footfall is best. Those sites will be hard to get and rent will be higher.
I am a retailer but have shops.
You can take a short lease for say 6 months before taking the plunge.

[C0ffin D0dger]

[singlecoil]

It's all about having the right thing to sell in the right place, in other words, what sort of customers frequent the market you are considering? You can get a good idea by looking at what sort of thing the other stall holders are selling, of course.