Market trader

You could do a college course, which may help if you're setting up your own business. Courses include:

• Level 1 Business Start Up
• Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Set Up in a New Business

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for this route.

More Information

• funding advice
• search for courses

You could start by working on a stall part time or at car boot sales. You'll learn on the job from experienced traders, sharing their knowledge and watching their sales methods. Once you've got experience, you could apply to set up your own stall.

You can contact your local council for information on how they let their market stalls, licensing requirements and how to apply. For example, you may have to rent a stall on a casual basis before you can apply for a permanent pitch.

Career tips

Do your research on what sells well. You may have an advantage if you're offering something different from other traders.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the National Market Traders Federation for advice and training to support your business.

Further information

You can get more advice about becoming a market trader and setting up your business through the National Market Traders Federation.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to use your initiative
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• have insurance

Depending on where you work, you’ll need to apply to your local council for:

• a market stall licence
• a street trading licence

If you're selling food, you'll need to:

• register with your local environmental health service at least 28 days before starting
• get food hygiene certificates for any staff
• complete assessments for control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)

You'll usually need a driving licence and your own car or van.

On a typical day you might:

• visit suppliers to buy products and agree prices
• unload your van and set up your stall
• encourage customers to buy
• take money for goods and give out change
• keep records of goods bought and sold
• pack up your stall at the end of each day
• stocktake

You could work on a market stall.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.