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The farmer’s market is a great innovation. People from all over come together to buy and sell not just fresh produce but also craft items, flowers, and sometimes even prepared food. Plus selling at a farmer’s market has some perks over selling at regular stores. For example, farmer’s markets usually don’t have the same stringent regulations that regular stores have so you can sell pretty much whatever you want as long as it’s legal and safe.
That being said, selling at a farmers market can be tough. You’re competing with other vendors selling similar items. So how do you make sure that you sell more than your competitors?
Here are four tips.
Have Quality Produce
It’s pretty easy to tell healthy produce from subpar produce, especially when there are several other produce stands for ready comparison. People come to farmer’s markets specifically to buy fresh, quality produce so making sure that’s what you have is the simplest way to make a sale.
How do you make sure of this? First, endeavor to use only proper methods during planting season like more precise irrigation techniques or using plastic mulch to deter pests and weeds. Then, do a quick check of your produce on the day of to make sure that everything looks fresh and appetizing. If you have any produce that looks past its prime, set it aside to use for yourself or donations.
Offer Competitive Prices
The next step is to price your produce. In general, you want to be in the same ballpark as other vendors selling similar items.
Of course, there are always going to be outliers with higher or lower prices, but in general, you don’t want to be too far off from the average. This means doing research beforehand on what other vendors are charging for similar items.
You should also think about your target market and what they’re willing to pay. If you’re selling to a more affluent clientele, you can probably charge a bit more than if you’re targeting a budget-conscious crowd.
Create an Inviting Display
People walking around a farmer’s market often judge displays aesthetically and your stall needs to be one of the eye-catching ones.
A good way to start is with your signage. Make it colorful but easy to read from a distance so people know what you’re selling before they even get to your stall.
Also, how you arrange your produce can make a big difference. Instead of just throwing everything on tables, arrange them in baskets or crates in order of color.
Be Engaging
When people come to your stall, take the time to chat with them, answer any questions they have, and help them find what they’re looking for. People prefer to buy from vendors that are friendly and knowledgeable.
Additionally, being engaging is how you build relationships with your customers for repeat business.
If you’re not a naturally outgoing person, that’s okay, just put on a friendly smile and be as helpful as you can.
Selling at a farmers market is all about offering high-quality produce at competitive prices, having an inviting display, and engaging with your customers. If you can do all of these things, you’ll be well on your way to making more sales and growing your business.