At markets you want to shine and at Christmas more than ever! Designing your stall for Christmas is not just about your product offering; it’s about creating an experience that captures the festive spirit and entices shoppers to explore your products further. Here are some tips to turn your stall into a winter wonderland and boost your sales during the most wonderful time of the year.
How to make your stall a ‘little more Christmas’
- Add Christmas themed props
- Offer Christmas ranges within your products
- Offer sets or bundles
- Create a sensory experience with interactive displays
- Offer personalisation of products
Christmas Themed Props
To create a festive shopping experience at your stall simply shop from your own home – basically raid the loft and grab some products that you would usually put out at home and don’t take up too much room but add a little festive love to your stall. I have also spoken to people that have been to their local charity shop and grab a few bits (prefect for sustainability).
Don’t buy a crazy festive table covering and think you have nailed it (gasps in horror). Think about your vibe, are you minimal or do you love the maximal look – what works for your brand.
These examples show different stall ideas from Upsydaisy Craft (left) and Teppi (right) both go for quite different looks both with their own festivities. Or have your whole stall about your Christmas stock as the middle shows.
Offer Christmas Ranges Within Your Products
Although this doesn’t suit everyone, some people can create Christmas themed products. We have recently discussed this within our community. There were 2 quite clear camps. Those that felt their products could lend themselves to have a change of colourway to suit or they could include a Christmas range and those strongly against it usually for sustainability reasons.
So if you can create Christmas products this should usually start early on in the year and by August have the images taken and product listings complete ready to launch – in an ideal world. In most other worlds, makers start creating in August and then are rushing to get them listing in October. What ever works for you is fine!!
If you are in the camp that is against making products specifically for Christmas then, think about our next point…keep reading.
Pictures below – Nova & Me and Old Man & Magpie Candle Co.
Offer Sets or Bundles
So, if you don’t want to create specific ranges for Christmas, help your customers visualise how they can use your product for gifting maybe – and you can do this by creating gift sets.
Create the perfect gift as a collective and offer a lovely box as part of the bundled price. Check out Tiny Box Company for some lovely gift boxes in various colours.
Alternatively you can offer bundles of products at a discounted rate. These could be products that could be gifted split up or the customer can find a way to package themselves as a set.
Create a Sensory Experience with Interactive Displays
These are becoming so much more popular with traders over recent months – not least because we keep bashing on about it but make your stall fun! It will make it a memorable experience and the customers will love it. A delightful experience will not only boost your sales but also encourage repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
So how can you make it interactive?
We have seen lucky dip boxes – great way to get rid of older stock too (did I just say that out loud!), Gum ball machines – these are a total hit with younger clients and can keep them busy for a while – the element of fun and surprise all rolled into one.
Another option and a way to get people onto your email list is have something to do like colour in an image and with each place coloured they enter a draw to win a free gift – don’t forget to take their email address too! Over the festive season this could get completed and you could showcase your customers work.
Offer personalisation of products
Again, not everyone can offer this but it could be a great thing at an event because they are purchasing bespoke products that in some cases might have been completed right in front of them. These little touches make the customers shopping trip much more special.
Promote Sustainability
Christmas is the season of giving, and many shoppers are also more environmentally conscious than in previous years. Showcase eco-friendly products and highlight your sustainable practices. Use recyclable or reusable packaging and clearly communicate your commitment to a greener planet.
Good luck in your endeavours to make your stall stand out and on that note – invest in some really good lighting for the winter months because that could also help to make your stall shine!
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