A Market Trader’s Guide to Winter Stock
Cold weather brings a change in what people buy at the market. Shoppers who would walk past a clothing stall in summer will stop for a pair of gloves when their hands are freezing. With the right stock and a clear display, winter can be one of the best times of year for a stall.
Choose stock that sells on impulse
Market customers often decide in seconds. Products that work best are useful, easy to understand and priced so that nobody needs to think twice. Winter accessories fit this perfectly:
- Kids’ magic gloves in bright colours and fun designs.
- Adult thermal gloves in stripes and plain colours.
- Single fleece neck warmers that suit men and women.
- Knitted scarves, including novelty designs such as the Union Jack scarf.
Keep pricing simple
Round prices make life easier for you and your customers, especially when taking cash. Many traders use a single price for each product type, with a small saving for buying two. Work out your cost per item from the pack price first, so you know your margin at every price point.
Make the stall easy to shop
- Hang gloves on a pegboard or clip them to a line so they are easy to see from a distance.
- Group items by who they are for: kids, women, men.
- Keep a clear price sign on every section.
- Bring a small mirror for scarves and hats, so customers can try them on.
Plan around the weather
Footfall and buying habits change with the weather. Cold, dry days are often the strongest for winter accessories. Bring extra stock on those days and keep a reserve in the van so you can refill the display quickly.
Add festive lines for December
From late November, gift shoppers start to appear. Festive designs such as Christmas pattern gloves make easy stocking fillers. Put them at the front of the stall in the weeks before Christmas.
Find all of our winter lines, including gloves, scarves and neck warmers, in the wholesale shop. Packs of 6 in assorted colours give your stall plenty of variety without a large outlay.
