For those of you doing farmer's markets and/or pop-up markets

[bonny]

What is your experience this year so far?

I'm finding foot traffic is down from last year. A lot more folks are shopping with cash and debit cards this year versus putting things on their credit cards. Year to year comparison, I'm experiencing a 15.6% increase in sales so far. I keep fairly detailed records so I can crunch the numbers later to figure out what to reorder and which item has reached the end of its life cycle. The information also records sales totals per market. The caveat is this weekend is Mother's Day weekend so folks tend to splurge a little for mom. I think the next couple of months will be telling for the status of the overall economy. Because I live along a river leading to a huge port upriver, I have personally noticed there have been no container ships arriving since May 1st which is unusual. There are usually 7-10 anchored in the river waiting their turn to enter the port. There are none now. This is why I'm curious about what the folks doing in-person markets are experiencing - without the filter of news media. I think we will be the first ones to experience hiccups with the buying public.

Bonny Wagoner - Artist/Illustrator

[whysprs]

I would say the lack of boats has to do with the terrifs. As for the markets, we've only done one this year so far and the last one was rained out. I have talked to venders that are hitting other markets the last few weeks and here in southern illinois it seems to be booming. 

[bonny]

I'm delighted to hear business is booming in the heartland.  That is good news!  

[scaryann]

Our farmers market starts next month, so I won't know before then how it's going to go. Tourist season doesn't really take off here until the next couple of weeks when the lake people start coming back, so it's too soon to tell here in Western NY.

[bonny]

Let us know when things get underway.  

[LDBM]

We have taken the jewelry I make to two craft shows so far - one we've sold at several times in the past, and one for the first time. The first show was one that had an entry fee & the second one did not charge for entry. We were quite disappointed in the amount of people that came to both shows. When all was said & done, with the first show, our profits were $10.00 short of making enough money to cover our space fees; in the past, we've made $300-$500 profit.  Because we didn't have a lot of customers to attend to, we walked around & talked to several other vendors we've seen there in the past & have become friendly with. They said exactly the same thing we did, "Not nearly as many customers as in the past & we didn't make enough money to cover our table(s) fee.

At the second show, we only made enough profit to cover approximately three-quarters of our tables/spaces fees. 

We have been quite concerned about the possibility that these shows may be a "sign of the times." We REALLY hope that is not the case.  Time will tell.

[whysprs]

We do a small market and we pay for the entire season, this year was $125. Its only about 3 hours ber week but we sell anywhere between $30-100 worth of merchandise most weeks. Until we feel we can expand and work gets out about us, we will eventually hit other markets as well. 

[Subport]

How often do you have returning customers coming back? Find a way to get them to keep coming back. They already know you so it should be an easier sell.

If you have their email / number, you should create a marketing campaign where they don't need to come to you all the time. They can order and you deliver it/have them pick it up rather than waiting for the farmers market.

[whysprs]

We have people that we see weekly that come back and buy repeatedly or they bring thier friends to us. For those that bring us new customers, I slip them a 10% discount if I get a sell from the new customer.