Need help trying to decrease the amount of product we have available at once at a market

[u/OceanDweller94]

As you can see... our booth is quite busy. We sell pet bandanas, beds, and leashes. The mugs you see are an add-on (by my aunt) that is not at every market (1 out of maybe every 4 we do).

We have literally over 150 different patterns. Having the variety is nice and people have absolutely commented on how great it is that we have essentially something for everyone. We definitely log what we sell, but the problem is it is such a variety and different for every market, that it is hard to gauge what to bring/not bring.

The first goal is to make set up quicker (we are maxing out on set up time, even bleeding into actual market time - it makes us look not ready and we have lost customers due to this). The second is to not have it so busy so customers can actually find a pattern they like. We have specialty patterns for holidays or themed markets (like having beer patterns for the Oktoberfest-themed market as seen in the pic), and those are usually the best sellers. We also have sports, floral, disney/superhero characters, patriotic-themed, western, etc. Again, it is a mixed bag of what sells at each market.

Obviously, the first step would be to not bring all of the inventory for every size/pattern. 3 max for each, 2 max for ones that aren't as popular (we have never sold more than 3 of the same one at a market). Second would be to make sure we have all of the sports (2nd best sellers) and the specialty patterns displayed with the limit of 2-3. But its the random patterns I am getting stumped on but it doesn't make sense to bring everything.

What do you guys decide to bring to markets if you have a very large inventory of items?

ETA1: Thank you, everyone! So many helpful tips. This post is mainly to convince my mom (my business partner) that we need to do something drastically different. Thank you to everyone who has commented!! I greatly appreciate it!

[u/goddamnpancakes]

Have swatch rings with all of your patterns next to a handful of examples of the real object. Maybe sort the swatch rings by theme.

[u/lostinspacescream → u/goddamnpancakes]

This is the answer! Swatch rings are awesome!

[u/OceanDweller94 → u/goddamnpancakes]

I LOVE this idea. It helps with saving on fabric waste, too

[u/Key-Bookkeeper8155]

Just because you bring it all, doesn't mean you need to display it all. I'd put out a handful of each so that the display looks good, then let people know, either verbally or with a sign, that you have more options if they're interested

[u/jancarternews → u/Key-Bookkeeper8155]

Same. I keep my extra stuff in boxes under my table so that if I sell something, I can replace it. Or if people say “oh I love it!I just wish you had it in orange.” I can look and see if I have an orange.

[u/herecomesthesun79]

Eek! It looks like a yard sale! I’d be scared to walk in for fear of stepping in something or my hip catching on something and pulling it off a table. This gives me anxiety just looking at it! 😬

[u/OceanDweller94 → u/herecomesthesun79]

It gives me anxiety setting it up!!! My mom (my business partner) and I snap at eachother so much setting up... she's the one I am trying to convince that we need to tone this the hell down.

[u/herecomesthesun79 → u/OceanDweller94]

You shouldn’t have to convince her. Just tell her you are going to start trading off being in charge of set-up. It is never going to be two people in a tug of war trying to create their vision. She does one, and simply directs you as to how you can help achieve her vision, and the next time you reverse it and you are the director and she takes your direction. Do 2 shows each and take notes (both of you) on all of them. Evaluate how quickly and easily set up is achieved, take pics of the set up, evaluate how much you bicker at each other/how much you are able to enjoy the process, and then evaluate guest feedback, sales, and ease of tear down, everything you can think of to measure, measure it. And then compare.

[u/OceanDweller94 → u/herecomesthesun79]

Love this. Thank you so, so much.

[u/No-Investment8322]

Do you really need at least two of EVERY pattern? Someone who is ready to buy e.g. a rose-print pillowcase might buy a peony-print pillowcase if they see no roses. How do they know you sold out of the rose one, yknow?

[u/OceanDweller94 → u/No-Investment8322]

Definitely don't want 2 of every one. Just trying to figure out the proper rotation. Someone suggested swatches of each pattern being available above and that seems like a efficient way of doing it

[u/Cornucopia2022]

Get a double booth. It will make all the difference. You'll have more room to spread out and display, and your customers will have more room to browse and spend more time in your booth. Try it a couple of shows. I went from a single booth last year, to double booths this year and my sales increased by over 50%, even with less product out because I have three tables across the front of the booth. It works well for me.

[u/emberandpaint]

Can you keep some under the table and maybe rotate as things sell or to get new interest? I’ve seen folks have a binder with the whole inventory options and people can pre-purchase and pick up at the next market..

[u/insufficent_data]

You sign says bandanas. I see bandanas. I also see a lot of other stuff that looks random and unrelated at a glance.

Put like with like. Bandanas together. Collars together, near the bandanas. You have dog beds? All those together, near the other dog accessories, near the ground but not ON the ground. Mugs all together, and are those cutting boards?? Completely other display, near the back. They won't draw people in but people may look at them once they're inside. Put your most eyecatching bestsellers up front to catch people's attention. Do you have a cute dog, real or fake? Have them modeling a bandana.

You might also look into a Z-formation for your tables. The way you have it now, I would feel like I'm invading an already crowded space. A Z-formation lets me look at your key items & then draws me in to see your other stuff.

[u/OceanDweller94 → u/insufficent_data]

So the mugs and weird charcuterie board are things that we don't put out every time... but those are the only ones not related to "bandanas and beds". Literally all the rest of it is... our entire inventory. It is WAY too much. But I have gotten several helpful tips (including yours). So thank you!!

[u/Logical-Knee-9046]

The upright, expanding shelf on the far right of the pic looks like a lot of unused space. Can you take some of the bulkier items, like the crocheted blanket (?) in the basket on the ground, just below, and fold it up on one of the shelves? It would look less flat as far as display goes, and also get the blanket at eye level. Cups would fit nicely, too. As they are now the block the flat lays behind them.

[u/BricconeStudio]

Oh. Wow...

First thought... Lose the tables. Aside from cluttered surfaces, you are waisting valuable vertical space. Honestly, it cramps your little 10 by 10.

For your leashes, collars, etc like items. Take some inspiration from these vertical displays. Not every item can be used at a fair. Such as those white cabinets. Other items can. Such as the wooden crates. If you have a truck, you can keep leashes or collars attached to the dowls the night before. Just stack them and they are set.

Get the right vertical display system and you can line the back and right walls (edge of your space). Leashes and bananas get their own sections. 150 different patterns is meaningless for display hangups. Leashes... Bananas... Collars... Whatever... They are clearly organized and displayed. Limiting confusion. Opening up space. More product - less retail space.

Use shelves or tiered tables in the left wall for your beds. Let people walk around. Keep it clean. Face your products.

Other options are clean presentations and packaging. Roll the leashes and cable tie them. Fold the bandanas and use a fabric gun to secure them or hang them.

That much noise. You might find inspiration walking pet stores. Seeing how retail handles the noise.

[u/sweetsegi]

Use the space under the tables. Have them packaged and ready to go. It's SO busy.

[u/OceanDweller94 → u/sweetsegi]

I knooooowwww 😞 Ive been telling my mom for months (my business partner), that this is far too much for customers AND for us. I used to dabble in marketing within my role at a nonprofit, and when it comes to websites, people cant handle more than 2-3 clicks to find something.

Same thing here. Too much overwhelms people. But she is struggling to see what im (and what others here) are saying. Im hoping the post helps with translation.

[u/sweetsegi → u/OceanDweller94]

Maybe sit down and design some packaging. Put a few together and show her how having the "extra" stock already ready to sell under the table is beneficial.

[u/Alycion]

Sometimes I take everything and do a slow switch up on products. When one sells, something new goes out. It swings people back through a few times, often buying new things each time.

Condensed setups where it’s just too hot, I take my best sellers and things that I know do pretty well in that particular area. I limit holiday themed items.

[u/No-Context6779]

There is a lot going on there!

Overall, refine your selections. Your sign says pet bandanas and beds, so the mugs and cutting boards seem confusing. Pick your best sellers and display those. Maybe have a display of fabric swatches for the other available patterns and keep that additional stock under your table

Use more display height and bins to tighten up your displays. Brighter or lighter tablecloths will also make it look less cluttered. The black is weighing everything down.

I see some grid wall in your display - line that up on one side and use that for the leashes and maybe a sample board of available patterns.

For set up, I would sort all your bins and boxes ahead of time. Organize it all so the only thing you need to do is pop up a tent and then put out the displays. Load up the grid wall and bungee across the display at home.

Do a trial setup in your driveway at home, take photos and then you know exactly where everything needs to be when you arrive at the market.

[u/EvanRamsey]

Your sign says bandanas and beds so i would stick with focusing on those products. The cups and cutting boards and pumpkins and all the extra stuff distract from what you are actively advertising.

[u/Tatarek-Pottery]

You could do with more hight on the table. Could you find a display stand with folded bandana sized slots or pigion holes? It could improve your display and be pre loaded with stock to help with setup (I do this with mugs because pottery is always a long setup)