How much inventory do I take to a 3 day craft show?

Question

I sell handcrafted food candles, soaps, dolls, potpourri, and other primitive goods and I am looking to get started doing craft shows. I have no idea how much inventory to take to a show that lasts this long. I have only had experience with church bazaars and flea markets and I usually always take too much stuff. How do I make sure that I don't bring to little for a show this long?

I am looking at shows with attendace between 20K and 60K visitors.

Answer 1

The rule of thumb is 10x booth fee. If your booth fee was $100, take $1000 in products.

My own personal mantra: If you don't take it, you can't sell it. So I tend to take as much stock as is ready or even nearly ready. You can label things, for example, during slow periods.

Those items that are consumable and every one uses (e.g. soap and candles) are the items that you should stock most heavily. Dolls less heavily. Food front and center.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I have done a craft show at a church also. Never had the extra cash to make supplies for ones at the malls that are year round. from what I found out by other people who have done craft shows in the past that it does vary throughout the year. they have mentioned that they have done real good at a few and then others not as well. The only thing I can suggest with little experience is go to a few that are going on and ask a few people with booths how well it goes at certain times of the year and go from there. that way you know what to expect as far as how much of each product to take and maybe what products to take when. Maybe try having an open house for your products for people to come to your home. Like an avon or tupperware party. that might also help too.

Answer 3

Take all you have and can fit into your car, but remember that you will have to shift it all from your car to your stall too, and maybe into safe locking at night.
So get everything in crates or sturdy boxes and bring a cart to transport everything from and to the car. (Even when they say that you can park the car next to the stall for unloading it is worth having a set of wheels for local transport.
And take a set of cards with your contact details, so people who show interest in something that is sold out (or you run out of the colour they wanted,) can get a card.

Answer 4

You have to ask the person who is renting the space how many people usually attend the event/craft show...I'd judge it that way
ex. if 300 people attend bring 300 crafts. It's better to have too much then not enough

Answer 5

Better to take too much than to run out and miss on sales.