What to buy and bring for a flea market

A flea market needs more than tables for sellers. You will also need clear stall numbers, price tags, payment equipment, signs, power supplies and a simple drinks and food setup for volunteers and visitors. Plan quantities around the number of stalls, vendors and expected opening hours. Buy disposable or reusable serving items early, and check weather-dependent equipment before the event rather than on the morning itself.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 30
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 6
Party tentsqty 4
Clothes racksqty 8
High tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 8
Coolersqty 4

Equipment

Payment terminalsqty 2
Cash boxesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Mobile phonesqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Booth numbersqty 40
Route signsqty 12
Directional signsqty 10
Information boardsqty 6
Price tagsqty 500
Tapeqty 8
Cable tiesqty 200

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 10
Cooling platesqty 6
Jerry cansqty 4
Handwash sinksqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom setsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 3
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Spongesqty 12
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Herbal tea - 40 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic wine - 3 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Egg salad - 1.5 kilos
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Margarine - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Sambal - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Filled cookies - 60 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Mini cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Nut mix - 2 kilo
- Raisins - 1 kilo
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Allergen stickers - 100 pieces
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper snack bags - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 50
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Cleaning wipes - 6 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes

Tips

Plan one stall number, price-tag set and basic supply bundle per vendor, plus at least 10% extra labels and tape for last-minute changes.
For a four-hour market, allow around 500 ml of drinks per visitor and 1–2 sandwiches per volunteer. Chill drinks several hours before opening and keep backup stock in coolers.
Bring one payment terminal or cash box for every busy sales point, plus enough change for the smallest prices. Test terminals, phones and charging cables the day before.
For outdoor stalls, prepare one party tent per exposed selling area and secure signs, bunting and cable runs with cable ties and tape. Check the forecast 24 hours before setup.
Count power needs before buying or packing extension cords and power strips. Keep lighting, terminals and phones on separate accessible connections so one unplugged cable does not stop sales.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a flea market?: Start with tables, chairs, clothes racks or other stall furniture, then add booth numbers, price tags, route signs, payment equipment and cash boxes. Include extension cords, lighting, reusable cups, coffee cups, plates, cutlery, drinks and sandwiches for the setup team.
How many tables do I need for a flea market?: Plan at least one table or equivalent display area per registered vendor, based on the stall layout. Add 10% extra tables if space allows for information, checkout or late vendor changes.
How much food and drink should I provide at a flea market?: For a four-hour event, budget about 500 ml of drinks per visitor and 1–2 sandwiches per volunteer. Keep chilled drinks in coolers and prepare or buy fresh food on the day of the market.
When should I prepare flea market supplies?: Confirm furniture, tents, payment terminals and power supplies at least 1 week before the market. Buy fresh food and chill drinks on the event day, while signs, booth numbers and price tags can be prepared 1–2 days earlier.

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