VICTORIA TRADER SETUP BLUEPRINT (Guide 2 State Edition)

VICTORIA — TRADER SETUP BLUEPRINT (Guide 2 — State Edition) 1. Victoria — Trader Setup Blueprint Introduction This reference summarises publicly available, practical information for new and growth-phase traders operating at Victorian markets. It reflects common patterns observed across government resources, stallholder checklists, and industry guides. The aim is to help traders understand typical considerations when preparing a stall, choosing equipment, planning for costs, and identifying what to check with local councils and market operators. It does not provide legal advice and does not tell traders what they “should” charge or what licences they “must” obtain. 2. Pricing & Cost Logic (VIC Context) Publicly available Australian sources (business.gov.au, Square AU, CommBank, AUZi, Big Little Markets) commonly highlight the following pricing logic frameworks, presented here neutrally: Cost-Plus Thinking Questions traders typically consider: • What is the unit cost of producing or purchasing my product? • What margin do I need to ensure viability after stall fees, POS fees, transport and time? • Is my price covering packaging, labelling, and consumables? These concepts appear across general small-business resources on business.gov.au (costing products, understanding expenses). Stall Fee Influence Victorian market stall fees vary significantly across farmers’ markets, artisan markets, and general weekend events. Public operator sites usually list: • flat daily fees • corner stall premiums • food vendor surcharges (due to power/water usage) • occasional weather cancellations or pre-paid systems Questions to ask: • How does the stall fee affect my minimum sales target for the day? • Will I need additional equipment or power at this market? • Does the operator offer refunds or credits for severe weather? POS Fee Impact General POS providers in Australia publicly disclose: • A per-transaction fee (e.g., fixed cents + % fee) • Possible monthly subscription (varies) • Device cost or no-device tap-to-pay options Questions to ask: • Will transaction fees change my margin at different price points? • Does the market have good phone reception for cloud-based POS apps? Travel, Fuel & Time business.gov.au notes that time is a cost when planning operations. Questions traders consider: • Travel time return trip? • Fuel cost? • Loading/unloading time? • Setup/packdown? • Is the market far from stock storage or home base? Entry-Level Pricing Approaches Seen Across Public Sources These aren’t recommendations but widely discussed considerations: • Simple round-number pricing for speed at busy markets • Bundle pricing (e.g., 2 for X) • Tiered product categories for clarity • Avoiding overly complex price structures 3. Packing Kit (Full Checklist) This checklist is derived from verified references (Big Little Markets, Make It Collective, publicly available stallholder blogs and operator checklists). Core Infrastructure • Folding tables (with tablecloths or covers) • Marquee or umbrella (if allowed by market rules) • Marquee weights (commonly required at open-air Victorian markets) • Sidewalls or weather panels • Ground sheet/tarp Display & Merchandising • Tiered shelving, risers, crates • Display stands and easels • Clear, legible price tags • Product containers and trays • Mirrors (for jewellery/apparel stalls) POS & Money Handling • Card reader or smartphone tap-to-pay • Spare charger / power bank • Float with small notes and coins • Secure cash tin or belt pouch Lighting • Battery-powered clip-on lights • Portable LED panels • Spare batteries Signage & Branding • Stall banner • Price lists • Business cards or postcards • QR codes for social media Bags, Packaging & Consumables • Paper bags • Compostable/food-safe containers (if relevant) • Napkins (food vendors) • Product labels & stickers Weather & Comfort • Sunscreen • Hat, raincoat • Towels/cloths • Water bottle, snacks • Portable fan or heater (allowed only if compliant with operator rules) Tools & Repair Kit • Tape (gaffer, packing, masking) • Zip ties • Scissors, knife • Spare hooks • Multi-tool • Spare product repairs (e.g., jewellery findings, glue) Hygiene & Safety • Hand sanitiser • Food-safe wipes (public information: Food Safety Victoria) • Gloves (if relevant) • Rubbish bags Transport & Storage • Plastic tubs with lids • Foldable trolley • Bungee cords • Vehicle boot organiser 4. POS Options (Neutral Overview) This is a neutral description of major categories of payment tools available in Australia. No endorsements. Smartphone Tap-to-Pay Providers in Australia include apps that allow a smartphone to accept contactless payments with no external reader. Considerations: • Reception requirements • Battery life • No physical receipts (digital only) • Simple setup Reader + App A small card reader pairs with a phone/tablet. Common considerations from publicly available provider pages: • Transaction percentage fees • Bluetooth connection stability • Battery of both devices • Ability to send SMS/email receipts All-in-One Terminals Compact devices with built-in screens. Considerations based on provider disclosures: • Works better where reception is stable (unless offline mode exists) • Usually longer battery life • Higher upfront or subscription cost Setup Conditions to Consider • Does the market have signal blackspots? • Is there shade to read screens? • Will you need paper receipts? • Do other traders at this market use offline-capable devices? 5. Branding, Signage & Layout Derived from open articles from Big Little Markets, Creative Plus Business, Harbourside Markets. Table Layout & Visibility Common patterns across sources: • Use multiple height levels • Avoid placing all products flat on one plane • Leave space for customers to touch and view items • Keep pathways open Signage Principles • Prices clearly visible • Neutral fonts, legible from a distance • Vertical signage at eye level • Consistent colour theme Lighting & Angles • Use downward, soft lighting to avoid harsh shadows • Light key products • Ensure lights don’t blind customers Flow • Entrance point visible • Keep packaging/bags behind your primary table • Avoid blocking yourself behind fixtures Customer Visibility • Stand or move around rather than sit behind the stall • Keep key products at front-of-stall level 6. Hardware & Logistics Patterns observed across operator guides and independent stallholder blogs. Hardware Options • Collapsible tables • Marquees with 4 weighted legs • Portable racks for clothing • Foldable shelving units • Plastic tubs for transport • Waterproof covers Transport Planning • Pack vehicle in reverse order of setup (marquee last in → first out) • Keep tools and repair items accessible • Use tubs to reduce packdown time Lighting Logistics • Carry at least two battery packs • Keep spare batteries in a labelled container • Use cable ties to secure lights to marquee bars 7. Common Mistakes to Avoid Summarised from publicly available articles (Pedddle, Make It Collective, Marvellous Markets, Daily Bulletin). These are descriptive, not prescriptive. • Choosing markets without researching audience fit • Having unclear or missing pricing • Overcrowded table layouts and clutter • Not capturing customer emails or social follows • No card reader or inadequate float • Underestimating stock quantity • Arriving late and rushing setup • Sitting behind the stall for long periods • Weak product storytelling (e.g., no material/ingredient info) • Ignoring weather forecasts 8. Compliance Notes (High-Level Only) This is not legal advice. These notes summarise typical categories of checks described on Victorian government websites. Always check with the specific local council and market operator. Local Council Requirements Many Victorian councils publicly discuss: • Temporary trading or event guidelines • Marquee weight standards for wind safety • Electrical safety for portable appliances • Waste disposal rules Check with the specific council hosting the market. Food Handling & Food Stalls (If Relevant) Victorian government sources commonly outline: • Food Handler training awareness • Labelling requirements for packaged food • Temporary/minor food business guidelines • All food-related matters should be verified using official Victorian food safety sources (below). Insurance Awareness Government resources frequently mention: • Considering public liability insurance when participating in public events • Checking requirements with the operator (some operators explicitly require proof of cover) No advice is provided here; this is purely awareness. Electrical & Equipment Safety Common themes across Victorian councils include: • Test and tag requirements for electrical items • Safe use of extension leads and power boards • Market rules vary by operator and location General Reminder Phraseology from business.gov.au is followed: “Check with your local council and the market organiser to understand what applies to your stall.” 9. Official Links for This State (Government Sources Only) (All verified, no non-government links in this section as per your instruction.) Victorian Government — Food Safety Food Safety Victoria — Temporary & Mobile Food Premises https://www.health.vic.gov.au/food-safety FoodTrader — Registration for food businesses (official Victorian platform) https://foodtrader.vic.gov.au/ Business Victoria / Business.gov.au Business Victoria — Starting a Business https://business.vic.gov.au business.gov.au — Costing & Pricing Basics https://business.gov.au/planning/costing-and-pricing business.gov.au — Running a Home-Based or Mobile Business https://business.gov.au/planning/business-structures-and-types/home-based-businesses Victorian Councils (Examples of Public Guidelines) City of Melbourne — Event & Activation Guidelines https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ City of Yarra — Event Guidelines https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/ City of Greater Geelong — Events https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/events/ (These are examples; traders must check the specific council for the market location.) Reference Library — Full List of Verified Links (VIC Edition Only) Government Food Safety Victoria https://www.health.vic.gov.au/food-safety FoodTrader (Vic) https://foodtrader.vic.gov.au/ Business Victoria https://business.vic.gov.au business.gov.au — Costing & Pricing https://business.gov.au/planning/costing-and-pricing City of Melbourne https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ City of Yarra https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/ City of Greater Geelong https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/events/