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Makers Markets are experiencing the same sales challenges as traditional brick-and-mortar stores. You can no longer just show up and expect sales to happen; you need to actively work to attract shopper dollars. Hopefully, this article will help you convert more people who stop by your stall. My name is Paul Harvey, and I am the Director of Unrivalled Events , which organizes over 50 markets annually in Melbourne's South East. I frequently walk around these markets to observe sales techniques and stall layouts, believing that this will encourage many stallholders to consider their setup and stall presentation. Market stalls are about creating a friendly, low-pressure environment that encourages curiosity, rather than aggressive selling. Asking the right question can get people to stop, engage in conversation, and essentially sell to themselves. Firstly, market shoppers need to be attracted to your stall by something appealing, whether it's something they desire immediately or plan to purchase later. They might not buy from you on their first visit; it could take several visits before they decide to make a purchase. This is also the benefit of being a Permanent Having a stall at a monthly market helps you gain repeat business because customers know your location and what you offer. In contrast, being a one-time casual stallholder makes it challenging to build awareness and customer loyalty. Stall Set Up There are several stall setups, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Table across the front - This arrangement showcases your products immediately to customers. Ideally, your displays should have height for easy visibility, with the most valuable space being the farthest corner of your stall as people approach it. Walk In Stall - This setup is a U-shaped layout similar to a traditional shop. However, it might be intimidating for shoppers to enter your space, especially if you are standing inside. Reverse L Shaped Stall - This setup is shorter at the front but features a long table along the side, allowing people to walk through without feeling pressured. Visit these stalls to determine which one suits you best. Keep track of how many people stop by your stall; this will show if there's interest in your product at this market. If no one stops, you may need to rethink your strategy, as your product might be too niche for this market or it may not stand out. Consider who your target demographic is and whether they are present at this market. Signage It's crucial for people to quickly understand "What you do" and "What you are called." This can be achieved by: A-Frames - Permitted in some markets and highly effective. Top of Marquee Banner Back of Marquee Banner On Table Signage One Hero Product at Eye Level Having these elements is essential; without them, you risk missing the opportunity to capture a shopper's attention. Sales Pitches 👉 Ask one question, then remain silent. Silence can feel uncomfortable, but it encourages the customer to speak — and their talking can lead to a purchase. If they pause, you have a potential sale :) I often hear market stalls starting with product details like "it's handmade" or "it's this size," which doesn't engage the shopper. There's a reason they stopped, and you need to discover what it is. Try asking a few different questions. Some stalls say nothing, making the shopper feel like there's a lack of interest. “Are you shopping for yourself or a gift today?” “What caught your eye?” "Can I show you our most popular product?" “What made you stop here instead of the other stalls?” “How long have you been coming to this market?” If they respond with an answer Gently guide the conversation with another question towards the sale, without being pushy. “Does this seem like something you’d actually use?” “Which one would be a better fit for you — this or that?” “If you were to choose one, which color/style would you prefer?” "What is your approximate budget?" Soft Closing Questions “Would you like to try/feel/test it?” “Would this make a thoughtful gift?” "Go ahead, treat yourself today." These are general questions just use Chat GPT to ask " Sales Pitch for " your product" for outdoor markets and see specific questions you can ask. I hope this article prompts some reflection, as I understand that most people's sales are currently declining, and this might help you get a bit more from your customers.

Krispys Smash Burgers made it an amazing clean sweep by taking out the Title of the Best 'Overall' & People's Choice' Street Food Stall at the Inaugural Melbourne Street Food Awards at the Food Yard Mornington on Friday November 24. The Melbourne Street Food Awards was staged over Five Heats from June and culminated in the Grand Final with Stalls battling it out for the $5,000 worth of Market Credits with Organiser Unrivalled Events. Director Paul Harvey was delighted with the 1st year of the Awards "The event has captured the imagination of both the Food Stands and the Public with all heats being full to capacity with Trucks and well attended by the general public. The reason we created the Awards was to take Street Food in Australia to the next level. These days you can't just turn up at event and people will buy your product to be successful you need to build your brand and that starts with social media and then goes onto other areas like presentation and look of your Food Stand along with the Theatre of cooking the Street Food on the spot. What has become evident is that 90% of the winners had all of these elements so hopefully now that will encourage all other Street Food Stands to follow suit." The rain poured on Grand Final Night but that did not stop the crowd from turning up to support this event and they were not disappointed in the standard of food on offer. Head Judge of the 'Overall' Category was Andrew Ballard a former Australian Chef of the Year and Captain of the Australian Culinary Team was also impressed with the level of Street Food in Australia "The Food was stunning. I'm blown away by the standard as it went above and beyond with everything we looked at like presentation, look of the stall, service and of course flavour. The winner Krispys had the Full Package, and this is just the start for these Awards." Winning Street Food Stall Kris from Krispys Burgers who has only been going for 2 years said 'Its Awesome. Its a simple burger done well and with love and I appreciate the love from the followers who came down tonight it means alot" So that wraps up the 2023 Titles and they have already been locked back in for 2024 starting in June at the Food Yard Mornington again.

Unrivalled Events are excited to announce that our new market is the Hampton East Makers Market at the stunning Basterfield Park. Gather, Taste, Shop and Indulge at this 100+ stall market set in a little botanical garden park in the suburbs. Basterfield Park is the ideal place to stroll around the lake, shop at the talented maker's stalls, then sit down and have a picnic from the multiple street food trucks on the lush grass. It has two kids' playgrounds, free parking in local streets and car parks plus swans and ducks in the lake. The market will be held bi-monthly on the 2nd Sunday from November to March. Unrivalled Director Paul Harvey is excited with the new venue ''Unrivalled Markets are not just about the great selection of stallholders that we put together, the venue has to be special, and we were alerted to this venue by Georgia at the Bayside Council, who we have a great relationship with. As soon as we saw it, we knew we had another special Park on our hands. We feel that the Hampton area, with its young families, will love this market and by staging it bimonthly, it makes it a special event that you cannot miss." The 1st market will be on Sunday November 12 from 10am -2pm 😁and already Unrivalled Events have been inundated with stalloholders wanting to be a part of it. Please Like the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/hamptoneastmarket/ Like the Instagram Page https://www.instagram.com/hamptoneastmarket/ RSVP to the Market https://fb.me/e/65IuPenUd Visit the website www.hamptoneastmarket.com.au for some more info.

Who has the best Street Food in Melbourne? Well soon we will know the answer to that question as Unrivalled Events are delighted to announce the launch of the Melbourne Street Food Awards which aims to celebrate, then find, the best of Melbourne's Multicultural Street Food Trucks and Stands. Street Food is booming in Melbourne. You see Trucks everywhere from corporate events, festivals, market or on your local street and there is nothing that recognises the hard work and talent behind it until now as Unrivalled Events boss Paul Harvey says “It is hard not to fall in love with Street Food, it is an affordable and exciting night out in any weather and their talent needs recognizing which is why I created the Awards. Over in Europe, Awards like this have been the springboard for greater things for Street Food Businesses and I hope the same can occur in Melbourne.” Five qualifying heats, followed by a Grand Final, featuring each of the heat winners, will be staged at the Food Yard in Mornington from June until November on a Friday Night. Each night will see up to 5 Main Street Food Trucks/Stalls, representing the continent of the origin of their food, doing battle to win the votes of Melbourne Foodies in a “You Eat, You Vote” scenario and winners will progress through to the Final and go head to head in front of our esteemed judging panel headed by 2021 Australian Chef of the Year Andrew Ballard, to be crowned 2023 Melbourne Street Food Champion and take home the $5,000 Market Credit from Organisers Unrivalled Events plus some other prizes to be announced soon. “These awards are fantastic for the hardworking Street Food Community. I wish they were around when I was doing markets and events, as it some reward for all the hard work that is involved in owning a Street Food Business. Street Food is not just about the amazing food from all over the world, it is a bit of theatre and the look of the trucks and stands and I’m looking forward to judging who will be Melbourne’s best.” said head judge Andrew Ballard Street Food Businesses wanting to enter go to the website. www.melbournestreetfoodawards.com.au and click on the application form Dates The Event will be held on the 4th Friday of the Month from 5pm to 8pm · ​Heat 1 - Fri June 23 · Heat 2 - Fri July 28 · Heat 3 - Fri Aug 25 · Heat 4 - Fri Sep 22 · Heat 5 - Fri Oct 27 · Grand Final - Fri Nov 24 Categories · Overall - Voted by the Final Judging Panel · Peoples Choice - Voted by the Attendees · Best Desert · Best Looking Truck ​Website www.melbournestreetfoodawards.com.au Social Media @foodyardmornington Hashtag #melbournestreetfoodawards About Melbourne Street Food Awards The Melbourne Street Food Awards aims to celebrate, then find, the best of Melbourne's Multicultural Street Food Trucks and Stands. Five qualifying heats, held at the Food Yard Mornington, will see Melbourne Foodies decide who will go through to the Grand Final and be crowned Melbourne’s best by Australian Chef of the Year Andrew Ballard. About Food Yard Mornington Food Yard is an edgy Industrial Yard in Mornington that hosts Monthly Street Food & Drink Night Markets The venue has been transformed from derelict land at the end of the disused old Mornington Railway Line, into a vibrant industrial venue filled with recycled pallet and electrical cable drum tables, covered milk crate and stool seats, market umbrellas & marquees, festoon lights, fire pits and heaters in winter plus lawn games kids area. It is a great place to catch up with family and friends. ​About Head Judge We are delighted that our Head Judge is Mornington Peninsula Local Andrew Ballard the 2021 Australian Professional Chef of the Year and Captain of the Australian Team at the IKA Culinary Olympics

The Peninsula Vinehop Festival has partnered with leading Market Creation & Management Company Unrivalled Events who will organise the Official Vinehop 'After Party' at its Food Yard venue in Mornington on the Saturday night and then manage the Makers Market on the Sunday. The Vinehop Festival featuring Wine, Beer, Cider, Spirits, Music, Food Trucks & DJ's will happen across 8 Mornington Peninsula venues on Saturday November 12. On the Saturday Night from 6pm - 9pm the buses from the Festival will have a specific stop at the Food Yard on Nepean Highway in Mornington where patrons can party on with Food Trucks, Alcohol and a Live DJ at the Industrial Style Yard with Free Entry. The Sunday Sesh happens at the Briars with Music headlined by The Bamboos and Ash Grunwald and is aimed as a Family Day with Unrivalled Events organising the 20 makers stalls including Fashion, Homewares, Kids Products, Jewellery and Personal Care items. Unrivalled Events boss Paul Harvey is delighted at the partnership "We have worked with Lisa from Scarlett Mac Events previously and are delighted to link up again with Vinehop and the After Party, it's going to be a fun weekend" You can purchase Vinehop Tickets from the website and you can find out more about Food Yard here

Unrivalled Events are excited to launch the Food Yard Farmers Market @ Mornington Station this October. This will be Mornington's only dedicated Farmers Market, with the Industrial Style Food Yard the perfect venue to host it and will be heavily promoted to locals and visitors as Unrivalled Events Director Paul Harvey said "We have been looking to launch a dedicated Farmers Market for a while to add to our stable of makers and street food markets and now we have the Food Yard we feel it is the perfect venue to host it. Farmers and Producers do not need to be a member of the Victorian Farmers Market Association but they must produce their products and not import or buy from a secondary source. We also want to encourage local businesses to get involved with this market" Food Yard is situated at the end of the Mornington Tourist Railway Line and bi-monthly over the Summer (Dec, Feb, Apr) Period will see a Super Sunday with a Makers Market also being held at the Mooroduc Station. The Mornington Tourist Train will also be running each Farmers Day Market which will provide tourists with a great market to attend aswell. Expressions of Interest for the 2022 Dates are now open. Below are all the key details. 1st Sunday of the month all year round 9am - 1pm We have the capacity for up to 40 stalls in each market. There is NO power onsite Applications accepted from the following stallholders Fruit, Vegetable & Seedlings Flowers & Plants Honey Meat & Eggs Dairy Pantry Bakery Take-Home Food Dog Treats Alcohol Non-Alcohol Drink Hot Food Trucks/Marquees The price for a Permanent Stall including GST is 3m Farmers Stalls = $77 6m Farmers Stalls = $144 3m Hot Food Truck / Marquee = $143 4.5m Hot Food Truck / Marquee = $214.50 6m Hot Food Truck = $247.50 Coffee Stand = $132 inc gst The price for a Casual Stall including GST is 3m Farmers Stalls = $88 3m Hot Food Truck / Marquee = $165 Cars can be parked behind your stall if it is less than 5.5m if you are bigger then you can park in car park onsite with the closing date for Permanent Stallholders Monday 6th June at 9am To apply click the link here you must be a registered Unrivalled Events Stallholder which you can do by filling the Application Form out on this page To find out more about the Food Yard Farmers Market visit the website here

As of Friday April 1, 2022 Unrivalled Events became a Pty Ltd Company with the Sole Director named as company founder Paul Harvey with the ACN 658 492 150. The Company Office is based in Mt Martha with a Warehouse in Mornington aswell as the Food Yard Land on Nepean Highway, Mornington. The new Price List with a few small amendments has been added to the website along with the 2022 Winter Calendar. Unrivalled Events Pty Ltd currently runs 55 + markets a year with 570 stallholders a month taking part. Brands include Mt Martha South Beach Market, The 5ifth Market in Chelsea, Soul Night Market in Brighton, Mornington and Dromana, Lakeside Market Pakenham, Moorooduc Station Market plus Food Yard Mornington. To find out more visit the company website https://www.unrivalledevents.com.au/

Unrivalled Events is delighted to announce the opening of Food Yard, which is transforming the disused end of the old Mornington Railway Line into a vibrant and edgy Pop Up Street Food, Entertainment & Shopping Destination. Food Yard @ Mornington Station, will launch on Thursday January 6 from 4 to 8pm with a night called Thirsty Thursday's, which is a great chance to try different locally made drinks, plus a variety of between 5-10 Street Food & Drink Trucks all set to beats from the resident and Guest DJ. The venue will also open on Saturday's from 5pm - 9pm with Street Food Saturday's which will see a variety of Food & Drink Trucks from all over Melbourne rotating each week, giving locals and visitors a taste of foods from all over the world whilst enjoying varied live entertainment from singers, buskers and comedians. Food Yard's Pedestrian Entrance is located at 1000a Nepean Highway, Mornington, next to the Thirsty Camel Bottle Shop, with plenty of onsite car parking available via the rear entrance on Yuilles Road (opposite the Mornington Railway Line) Admittance to the Food Yard is Free unless a special event and it is open to all ages. Unrivalled Events owner Paul Harvey is excited at the launch of Food Yard "There really is nothing like this down on the Peninsula, you have to go up to city to experience what the atmosphere of Food Truck Park's are like and we hope to build on this to make it more like venues in the UK like Box Park & Vinegar Yard. This will mean adding market stalls and a real variety of Street Food Trucks so each night has a different fare on offer. With the venue being a Pop Up one, you can expect lots of exciting one off events too. Its amazing that from a conversation with our partners Mornington Railway, that Food Yard has been created and being a local it's great we are now putting this vacant land to a great community use." The Pop Up venue itself will have an industrial yard style feel to it with lots of recycled railway sleepers, pallets, milk crates and electrical drums forming part of the seating and tables for the public. There will be shade plus heating for the colder nights aswell. Food Yard is a partnership between Mornington Railway and Leading Market Event Company Unrivalled Events, using land earmarked in the long term for a return of Mornington Station. For more information on Food Yard including opportunities for Staff, Entertainers and Food Trucks visit www.foodyard.com.au

Unrivalled Events are delighted to announce that they have reached an agreement with the Iconic Dromana Estate Winery to stage Four Soul Night Market's at the Stunning Mornington Peninsula Winery, starting on Friday December 10, 2021. Soul Night Market has two established and thriving venues, Mornington in Winter and Brighton Beach in Summer and have now added Dromana Estate, in the peak Summer Months, which is sure to be a hit with both shoppers and stallholders, as Unrivalled Events boss Paul Harvey said "We are excited to add Dromana Estate as a venue for Soul Night Market. It is perfect. A beautiful venue with great Free Onsite Parking, just off Peninsula Link and perfect for locals and holidaymakers to enjoy the amazing atmosphere that Night Markets offer" The market came to fruition after Dromana Estate attended Soul Night Market Mornington as a stallholder and loved the atmosphere and vibe that they suggested to Unrivalled Events to host a summer version at the Winery and a deal was quickly agreed. This market also follows in the footsteps of Moorooduc Station Market who again reached out to Unrivalled Events to host a market to increase opportunities and income for their business. This makes 38 markets that the Mt Martha based Unrivalled Events run across South East Melbourne. Dromana Estate Sales Manager Shannon Shearing is equally excited by the partnership "Dromana Estate are thrilled to be hosting Unrivalled Events, Soul Night market this summer. You can wander our lush picnic lawns, packed with local food trucks, growers, makers and producers, whilst enjoying a glass of one of our crisp, award winning, estate grown and produced wines, a refreshing beer from one of the local breweries or enjoy a fruity cocktail, surrounded by the alluring beauty of our historic gardens in full bloom with sweeping views of the vineyard. Feel free to bring a picnic blanket, make yourself comfortable and really soak up the surroundings in the late afternoon and evening sun. Being a small, family owned business ourselves, we are delighted to welcome those alike to join us and thrive with us for the dazzling evening with Soul Night Market." Soul Night Market Dromana Estate kicks off on Friday December 10, 2021 from 5pm - 9pm at Dromana Estate Winery, 555 Old Moorooduc Road in Tuerong and has Free Onsite Parking available. To find out more information on the market or how to be a stallholder visit the website here If you plan on going to the market RSVP to Facebook Event here

The Mt Martha South Beach Market has announced the remaining dates for the 2021, following the July market postponement. The next market scheduled is for AFL Grand Final Eve, Friday September 24 from 10am until 2pm, providing that the date is still declared a Public Holiday in Victoria. The final date for the year will now be Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday November 2 from 10am to 2pm, which will still give people time to get home and watch the big race. Moving forward in 2022 all the dates for the market will, pending council approval, fall on Public Holidays. Easter Monday, Queens Birthday, AFL Grand Eve and Melbourne Cup Day as Unrivalled Events boss Paul Harvey said "We want some continuity of dates for the Market and Public Holidays make sense in so many ways for Mt Martha. The markets have worked really well in the past on these days, so now we want people to know that they will fall on 4 major Public Holiday Dates each year. The Market really brings the local community together and is hugely popular with our stallholders who rate it as one the best markets they attend." For more information on the market visit www.mtmarthasouthbeachmarket.com.au

The popular Mornington Peninsula Market, Moorooduc Station Market, held at the historic Moorooduc Railway Station, has announced that it has reached agreement with the Mornington Railway for a full summer season of markets. The 2021/22 Summer Season will be on the 1st Sunday of the Month from 10am to 2pm and start on Sunday October 3 and run monthly through until Sunday April 3. Expressions of interest are now available for stallholders and they can apply on the website here The market has some of Melbourne's best street food and drink trucks plus handmade makers, set outside the front of the entrance to the Moorooduc Station Platform where shoppers can also book a ride on the historic train to Mornington and back. For more information go to the website here The next market is scheduled for Sunday August 1st from 10am to 2pm so rug up and enjoy a day at the Market by the Station.

Unrivalled Events are looking to give back to local communities and are appealing for Victorian based Not for Profits, Charities and Sporting Clubs to contact them to help raise funds for their causes. With 36 markets coming up all over South East Melbourne (Mt Martha, Mornington, Moorooduc, Chelsea, Brighton and Pakenham) during the next year, it presents a great opportunity for these businesses to get involved with the highly successful and well attended markets. Unrivalled will offer two types of involvement as owner Paul Harvey said "Not for Profits can either choose to have a Free 3m Stall Space at our market or a Donation Box at the Entrance to raise much needed funds. Alot of our shoppers ask if they either have to pay for parking or a gold coin entry fee and we feel now is the right time to implement this at all of our markets. We also want to help the small Not for Profit, Charity or local sporting club who may struggle to raise revenue or survive, as they may be a one person band or just have a handful of volunteers. We feel our markets can also help raise awareness for these causes. So if you are one of these or know of one then please get them to contact us" All interested parties just need to fill in the Application Form on the website here and then if successful Unrivalled Events will be in contact to offer them the opportunity at an upcoming market.