Flea Market Booth Display Tips: “Sale” Section & Avoid Display Tables

Post Date: Nov 28, 2018

Shipshewana Flea Market experts share how to move out old inventory without making it look like unwanted merchandise, while creatively discovering all there is to offer shoppers for the next flea market season. (Part 6 in a Series.)

It’s that time of year again! The air is crisp and cold, daylight quickly flees as darkness lingers, and we’ve even experienced several snowy days here in Northern Indiana. 

Yep, it’s THAT time of year again… Christmas season is in full swing! Malls are getting noticeably busier, craft shows are popping up everywhere and your shopping to-do list is a mile long. Not to mention you’re trying to juggle your business and make sales on top of doing pretty much everything else during this busy, festive time of year.

As this year draws to an end, you’ve already started thinking about next year’s new line of products you’re going to launch. The designs, colors, patterns…oh my!

**Extra: Want to know the hottest color trends for next year? Check out Pantone’s website… go ahead, check it out, because you’ll want to follow latest trends if you’re going to launch a new line!!

While you’re already thinking about next year, pull the reigns back just a little bit. Take a look at your inventory, take a good look at your inventory and make a decision…

What do you NEED to get rid of?

What products have you had for a while and now it’s just time to cut ties with?

Instead of tucking them away in a box and hoping you might “accidentally” lose them, use them to create buzz around your booth…

Practical Booth Display Tip #6: “Sale” Section

People love a deal… I love a deal, my entire family loves a good deal. Fact is, it makes people feel better about spending their money. It also gets people excited… the thrill of the hunt, the thrill of finding deals and comparing prices!

So do exactly that, get people excited… while moving out your older products. But what I’m about to address next, I cannot stress enough…

Make your discounted section look good. Period.

Do not, I repeat, Do Not allow it to look like yesterday’s sloppy seconds.

Give it color, flare and care. Make it cohesively flow into the rest of your display. If you neglect your Sale section, people will think your items are more on the undesirable side and pass you by.

If you don’t like the idea of a Sale Section, intrigue people with a BOGO sale, or include a Free Gift with every purchase!

These are just a few examples on what you can do. Your options on how to move old inventory is limitless, find what works best for your product and your business.

Shipshewana Flea Market Vendor Application

Creative Booth Display Tip #6: Avoid Display Tables 

I love getting creative with this topic! In my own humble opinion, tables are a hindrance. They’re big and bulky, cut off traffic flow, and honestly are just plain boring.

Check out his adorable booth found at the flea market.

It's great how this vendor gets creative with her space. She draws attention with her fun colors as well as uses a cute little flower cart to set smaller products on. She has converted a ladder into a shelving display and creates height with her Tiki umbrella!

I love when people use what they already have.

Oh, you have a cute little gossip benches you’re selling?… why not use that to display other products. What, your ladder is just the right size to hang items from, and you have a beautiful shabby chic hutch?…. Yes, yes, yes! Use it!

If you have the option to hang things, do it. Hang from the ceiling, hang from the wall, hang it from your neck - if you’re selling scarves or necklaces, obviously.

I’ve seen people get REAL creative with this.

To get you started, here’s a list of props/things/items to consider using to get your wheels turning:

  • Ladders (yes, it’s been done before… but it’s a start for beginners)
  • Stackable wood boxes/crates
  • Standing pegboard
  • Bookshelves
  • Benches
  • PVC Pipe
  • Shutters
  • Doors
  • Old Luggage
  • Mannequins
  • Hammocks
  • Rugs (I threw this one in just because they’re comfy and inviting!)

… the list could go on and on… but I hope I’ve at least sparked and little bit of a creative thought cloud for you, and have you thinking in new and different ways.

The important thing is your drawing people into your booth. Grab their attention with the promise of a deal while also up-selling your current items... and keep them in your booth by allowing enough comfortable space for customers to walk and move freely. 

If you haven't taken the leap into starting your own flea market business, let me persuade you a little more. Check out this blog!

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