Sunday markets have been a staple for many British towns and cities for generations. But, it’s actually in the last 10 years these markets have reached their peak popularity. In 2022, Google searches for ‘Sunday markets’ in the UK were 13% higher than its 19-year average.
Many people are taking the opportunity to showcase their side hustles and grow their business using Sunday markets. According to research by Fentimans, with their growth and wide customer base, the local market could be one of the best places to launch your business.
The Sunday markets are attracting a new type of shopper with greater popularity among Gen Z and Millennial shoppers: 34% of Gen Z consumers would be willing to pay 20% or more for an ethical product in the United Kingdom. Ethical products can range from recycled materials to fair products and local produce. Products that help the planet or local community are often considered ethical. Local markets provide you with the opportunity to show off your values easily, putting you in front of shoppers to explain your brand’s positioning in the community.
Getting your product in front of more people is easier with this generation of shoppers. User-generated content that is spread on social media is key for business growth, and local markets provide these tech-savvy shoppers with an aesthetic that is widely sharable. Hashtags such as #SundayMarket and #LocalMarket have over 260,000 and 362,000 posts on Instagram respectively, with many showing off local crafts, food, and drink.
Consumers are more likely to share products from local markets on social media than they would from an ordinary brick-and-mortar store or online catalogue, meaning your product is being posted on multiple digital shelves for more people to enjoy.
