The Ugly Truth: Market Etiquette

I have been a stallholder of various markets since 2019. And it goes without saying that there is a certain market etiquette that needs to be followed. Now, market etiquette isn't anything obscure like wearing tutus and balancing a banana on your nose while you make a sale. They’re actually quite simple – but it is surprising how many people don’t understand (or don’t care) about these rules.

Market etiquette, while it may seem small and almost insignificant, can have a great impact on stallholders, customers and the market environment as a whole. With that in mind, here are three examples of market etiquette that I see being disregarded quite regularly in the market scene.

No-Shows. Is there anything more frustrating than attending a market and seeing a big gap in stalls? As a stallholder, I find it very disappointing to see, and instantly lose respect for all stall holders who take part in this practice.

No one can blame emergencies or being ill. But I have seen far too many instances in which people “double dip” at markets. By double dipping – they book in for two markets on the same date, and choose which one they wish to attend, leaving the other high and dry. The image below is from the Blakes Crossing Market in August 2024 - and is a prime example of a stallholder double dipping and letting down the community.

There have been occasions in which I have discovered I would be unable to attend a market, usually a few weeks or months ahead of the market date. The first thing on my list is to email the market organisers so they can allocate my spot to another person interested in attending. This benefits the market and its community, the person that otherwise wouldn’t have had a spot and the people who are coming to support local.

I feel that double dipping and regularly not attending a market when promised – for no reason other than greed or laziness – is a huge disrespect for your customers, your fellow stallholders and the organisers that work so hard to create a great event.

Smoking. I find this topic is a controversial one. However the topic of smoking at markets comes up a bit. I personally don’t smoke. But, I believe everyone has the right to make their own decisions – and if they wish to smoke, that’s their choice.

That being said…

If the written rules of the market ask you to not smoke on the premise, and you still do, it's very disrespectful. The rules are there for everyone to follow – and the personal decision to smoke should not grant you an exemption. The decision to ignore the rules (or not read them at all) shows a stallholder’s lack of care for the event they are attending and their customers.

As a small business owner, I feel it is part of my duty to provide smoke-free accessories. And there have been so many occasions that, after markets, we have had to wash our shawls because of a stallholder's lack of disregard (and total inattention of the direction of the wind).

It is also important to consider that many organisers do not have a choice in whether or not you are allowed to smoke (or vape) on the premise – such as if the venue or government regulations deem the place to be a smoke-free area.

And last but not least…

Poaching. This is a big one. In the market world, poaching is referred to market organisers going to other markets to recruit (or poach) stall holders for their events.

I believe there is no greater way to tarnish the name of your market. If I am directly approached by a market organiser who is at the event solely to promote their own market, there is a significant chance I will not attend. It is great sign of disrespect towards the organisers of the event they are poaching at.

I have seen people be removed from markets for poaching. I have seen people come once and never again, simply because they went around targeting stallholders. Poaching is a shameful way to recruit stallholders, and it is a tactic normally pursued because they do not have the number of stallholders they claim to have.

With that in mind, my advice to all stallholders is to think twice about the people who approach you, and furthermore, the places where you are putting your money and support.

If it’s not ethical, if it’s not organic, if it’s forced and corporate – I have no interest.

What are your thoughts on market etiquette? Have you encountered no-shows, unprohibited smoking or poaching at the events you have been to? Let me know!

Have a wonderful day,

Kimberley (they/them)

Accessories by Antoinette