Selling at markets, fairs, and festivals is a great way to expand your customer base and increase your sales. These events provide an excellent opportunity for small businesses to showcase their products and reach new customers.
However, selling on the go requires a different set of equipment compared to selling in a traditional brick-and-mortar store. In this article, we’ll discuss the must-have equipment for selling on the go.
A Mobile Payment System
The first and most crucial piece of equipment you’ll need is a mobile payment system. Gone are the days when customers carried cash around with them. Nowadays, people prefer to use their debit or credit cards to make purchases.
That’s why it’s essential to have a mobile payment system that allows you to accept card payments on the go.
There are several mobile payment systems available in the market, such as Square, PayPal Here, and iZettle. These systems allow you to accept payments from major debit and credit cards, as well as mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
They also come with their own card reader, which plugs into your smartphone or tablet’s headphone jack, allowing you to take payments anywhere, anytime.
A Portable Cash Register
While a mobile payment system is essential for accepting card payments, it’s still a good idea to have a portable cash register on hand.
A cash register allows you to keep track of your sales and provides customers with a receipt for their purchases.
When choosing a portable cash register, look for one that is lightweight and easy to transport. It should also be user-friendly and come with features like a cash drawer, barcode scanner, and receipt printer.
A Portable Display Stand
A portable display stand is an excellent way to showcase your products and attract potential customers. It’s essential to choose a stand that is easy to set up and transport.
Look for one that is lightweight and comes with its own carrying case.
When setting up your display, make sure to arrange your products in an attractive and eye-catching way. Use props like baskets, crates, and shelves to create a visually appealing display that draws customers in.
A Generator
If you’re selling at an outdoor event, you may need to bring your own power source. A generator is a great way to ensure that you have access to electricity to power your equipment.
When choosing a generator, look for one that is quiet and produces minimal emissions. It should also be lightweight and easy to transport. Make sure to choose a generator that has enough power to run all your equipment, including your mobile payment system, cash register, and any other electronic devices you may be using.
A Pop-Up Tent
A pop-up tent provides shelter from the elements and helps to define your selling space. It’s an excellent investment if you’re planning to sell at outdoor events regularly.
Look for a tent that is easy to set up and take down, and comes with its own carrying case. It should also be sturdy enough to withstand wind and rain. Make sure to choose a tent that is large enough to accommodate your display stand, cash register, and any other equipment you may be using.
Portable Lighting
If you’re selling at an event that lasts into the evening, you’ll need to have portable lighting to illuminate your products. Portable lighting is also useful if you’re selling in a dimly lit indoor venue.
When choosing portable lighting, look for one that is bright and energy-efficient. LED lights are an excellent choice as they consume less power and last longer than traditional bulbs. They also produce a brighter light, which makes your products stand out.
A Hand Truck
A hand truck is an excellent investment if you’re selling heavy or bulky items. It helps to transport your equipment and products to and from your selling space quickly and easily.
Look for a hand truck that is lightweight and foldable, so it’s easy to transport and store. It should also be sturdy enough to carry your heaviest items.
Packing and Shipping Supplies
If you’re selling products that need to be shipped to your customers, it’s essential to have packing and shipping supplies on hand. This includes boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and shipping labels.
Make sure to choose packing supplies that are durable and provide adequate protection for your products during shipping. You should also invest in a shipping scale to ensure that you calculate the correct shipping costs for each order.
Marketing Materials
Finally, it’s essential to have marketing materials on hand to promote your business and products. This includes business cards, flyers, and brochures.
Make sure that your marketing materials are well-designed and reflect your brand’s image. They should also include all the necessary information about your products and how customers can contact you.
What Is It Selling On the Go
Selling on the go is a relatively new concept that’s gaining popularity in the retail industry. It refers to the practice of using mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, to sell products or services on the spot. This can take many different forms, from setting up a pop-up shop on a busy street corner to using a mobile app to sell products at a trade show or exhibition.
One of the key advantages of selling on the go is that it allows retailers to be more flexible and responsive to customers’ needs. With a mobile device in hand, retailers can take their products to where the customers are, rather than waiting for the customers to come to them. This means they can target specific locations or events where there’s likely to be a high demand for their products.
Another advantage of selling on the go is that it allows retailers to be more agile in responding to changes in the market. For example, if a retailer notices that a particular product is selling well in a specific location, they can quickly ramp up production or order more stock to meet the demand.
Examples of Selling on the Go
There are many different examples of selling on the go in action. One of the most common is the pop-up shop, which has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Pop-up shops are temporary retail spaces that are set up in high-traffic areas, such as shopping centres, train stations or busy streets. They’re designed to be eye-catching and interactive, with retailers using a range of tactics to draw in customers and encourage them to make a purchase.
Another example of selling on the go is the use of mobile apps to sell products or services at events such as trade shows or exhibitions. For example, a clothing retailer might create a mobile app that allows customers to browse and purchase items from their latest collection at a fashion trade show.
Finally, there’s the growing trend of using social media to sell products on the go. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have become increasingly popular as sales channels in recent years, with retailers using them to showcase their products and drive traffic to their online stores.
However, some retailers are taking things a step further by using social media to sell products in real-time. For example, a retailer might use Facebook Live to give customers a virtual tour of their latest products and allow them to make a purchase directly through the platform.
The Benefits of Selling on the Go
There are many benefits to selling on the go for both retailers and customers. For retailers, it allows them to be more flexible and responsive to customer demand, as well as enabling them to reach new customers in different locations. It also allows retailers to test new products or sales channels without making a significant investment.
For customers, selling on the go offers convenience and flexibility. Rather than having to travel to a store to make a purchase, customers can buy products on the spot, wherever they happen to be.
This is particularly useful for time-poor customers who don’t have the time or inclination to visit physical stores. It also allows customers to see products in a different context, such as at a pop-up shop or trade show, which can help to create a more memorable shopping experience.
Another benefit of selling on the go is that it allows retailers to create a sense of urgency and exclusivity around their products. By setting up a pop-up shop or using a mobile app to sell products at an event, retailers can create a sense of excitement and anticipation among customers, who may be more likely to make a purchase if they feel they’re getting access to something special or limited.
Challenges of Selling on the Go
While selling on the go offers many benefits, it’s not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is logistics. Setting up a pop-up shop or taking products to a trade show requires careful planning and coordination, particularly when it comes to things like transport, storage, and staffing.
Another challenge is ensuring that the customer experience is seamless and consistent across different sales channels. Customers expect a high level of service and quality, whether they’re buying products in-store or on the go, and retailers need to ensure that they’re delivering on these expectations.
Finally, there’s the issue of data security. With retailers using mobile devices to process payments and manage customer data, there’s a risk that sensitive information could be compromised. Retailers need to take steps to ensure that their mobile devices are secure and that they’re complying with relevant data protection regulations.
The Future of Selling on the Go
Despite these challenges, it’s clear that selling on the go is here to stay. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, retailers will need to embrace new technologies and sales channels in order to stay competitive. Selling on the go offers a range of benefits, from flexibility and agility to creating a sense of excitement and exclusivity around products.
Looking to the future, we can expect to see more retailers embracing selling on the go as a key part of their omnichannel retail strategies. As technologies like augmented reality and mobile payments become more widespread, retailers will be able to create even more immersive and seamless shopping experiences for their customers.
Conclusion
Selling on the go requires a different set of equipment compared to selling in a traditional brick-and-mortar store. To ensure a successful and hassle-free selling experience, you need to have the right equipment on hand.
This includes a mobile payment system, portable cash register, portable display stand, generator, pop-up tent, portable lighting, hand truck, packing and shipping supplies, and marketing materials. By investing in the right equipment, you can expand your customer base and increase your sales at markets, fairs, and festivals.
