What you need for an antique market

An antique market needs more than tables for displaying furniture and collectibles. You’ll need a clear stall system, signs visitors can follow, reliable power, and a simple refreshment setup for vendors and shoppers. Plan the shopping around your number of stalls and expected visitors, then check what can be borrowed or reused. The items below cover the equipment and supplies most often forgotten until setup day, especially extension leads, batteries, cash-handling equipment and transport carts.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 12
High tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 30
Cash desk table
Clothes racksqty 4
Transport cartsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Serving plattersqty 8

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Power banksqty 3
Cash register
Payment terminal
Cash box
Calculatorsqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24

Decorations

Welcome signsqty 2
Booth numbersqty 30
Directional signsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 16
Chalkboardsqty 6
Chalk markersqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Waste binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 3
Barrier tapeqty 4
Conesqty 12

Office

Floor plansqty 250
Vendor badgesqty 40
Pensqty 20
Tapeqty 6
Scissorsqty 4
Clipboardsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Jam - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Mini waffles - 6 packs
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 4 bottles
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Cleaning product - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan one foldable table or display surface per stall, then add at least one cash desk table for the market team. If vendors bring their own furniture, confirm this before buying or hiring anything.
Bring one booth number for every stall and prepare directional signs for entrances, toilets, refreshments and exits. Pack spare signs, tape and markers so a missing or damaged sign does not delay opening.
Allow roughly two to three drinks per person during the first hour of the market, then adjust for the expected duration. Buy or prepare reusable cups, coffee cups, plates, cutlery and serving spoons before chilling drinks or setting out snacks.
Check the power plan at least one week before the event. Count every coffee machine, kettle, speaker and light that needs electricity, then match them with enough extension cords, power strips and power banks.
Prepare transport carts and label crates before loading them. Keep lighting, batteries, cables, signs and cash-register supplies in separate crates so the setup team can find them without opening every box.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an antique market?: Plan for display furniture, booth numbers, directional signs, lighting, power equipment, refreshments and cash handling. For each stall, allow at least one table or agreed display unit, plus shared tables and chairs for the event team.
How many drinks do I need for an antique market?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, including water, coffee and other refreshments. Add more for a market lasting several hours or taking place in warm weather, and keep drinks chilled before doors open.
How many signs are needed for an antique market?: Prepare one booth number per vendor stall and at least one directional sign for each key route or entrance. Make the signs ready at least one day before setup, with a few spare signs for changes or damage.
When should I check power equipment for an antique market?: Check the power plan at least one week before the market and test cables, power strips, speakers, microphones and lights before loading. Bring spare batteries and power banks on setup day so small equipment failures do not affect opening.

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