Markets in Australia

  To market to market, off to market we go!

Markets have been the crossroads of humanity since time immemorial. From olden times to now, every city will host markets in parks, parking lots, amazing architectural wonders and sometimes even in tatty old buildings. Where ever there is people, you will always find a marketplace.

Like wild but beautiful flowers, markets pervade the environment, popping up wherever a fertile bit of field presents itself. The cityscape of Australia's cities are constantly enriched by the diverse, colourful and creative character of the hundreds of markets opening and closing like flowers greeting the dawn each day.

The Market is a melting pot of community, it is the meeting place where people get together, chat, check out the scene, get the goss, seek a bargain, browse for that something unique or just meander aimlessly with no real goal, absorbing the atmosphere. Whether it be a fashion market, a food and produce market, a craft market, an art market, an antiques market, a flea market, or one of the numerous types of markets that inhabit our wonderful community, you will always find a smiling marketeer ready to greet the day regardless of weather or location.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why there are so many markets around Australia? Could it be the pervasive Australian entrepreneurial spirit of the Aussie nation? It may very well just be.
 
When you analyse it there are hundreds of markets, fairs and events taking place across Australia on an ongoing basis. This equates to one of the highest densities of markets in the world against the volume of people. We do know that Australians have one of the highest ratios of small businesses registered per capita of population so there is no doubt that if the markets industry is anything to go by, Australians are simply awesome entrepreneurs!

With all this being said, make sure you spare a thought for a market trader the next time the heavens bless you with rain in your city. Don't forget markets are open rain, hail and shine.

Consider what it takes to lovingly make, craft, sew, cook, paint, build and create, you'll get the idea, it is a job and often a labor of love to bring goods to market. The possible trials and tribulations that are just part of a stall holder and market owners life just don't end there though, in order to to get to market you have to brave the elements, load up your trusty steed (car, van, partners back), pack the crates and then navigate your way to the market, always before the rising of the sun. On arrival setting up a creative looking stand is no mean feat. Attention to details and infrastructure can be noticed everywhere. Tents, tables, tablecloths, signage, racks, lights and colourful decor. You get the idea!

Imagine the tasks involved in setting it all up and then spending the day lovingly selling your creations to shoppers and then packing it all up again at the end of the day. Whew! It makes me tired just writing about it.
Be it the markets in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia or Tasmania, you are bound to find something special.

I ask myself "why do markets abound?", and the conclusion I have come to is there are some fundamental dynamics at work which cause a spontaneous explosion of markets across the country.. But mostly, they are accessible and convenient. 

Markets generally spring up in a community and are located in geographically accessible locations. They are low risk for businesses and entrepreneurs can open a market stall, and if the market does not work for them, they simply move on. No leases and no deposits.

Other than the creation of your product, which is a full time job, commitment is generally one day of trading at a time.

Markets encourage creativity. As stalls are taken on a short term basis, it is possible for creative people to take their creative works to market with the minimal of risk. Sure the vagaries of the weather are a factor, but that is negligible compared to the potential losses suffered when signing a lease and making longer term commitments to landlords. This flexibility goes a long way to nurturing creative entrepreneurs.

The people of Australia love markets. It seems that Australians love to browse, love a bargain, have a passion for locally handcrafted goods and just love going to the markets.

The conclusion I come to is that if the people of Australia did not love markets they would simply cease to exist.

So I say good on you Australia! Support the markets, because when you support the markets you support the very foundation of the community. You support the very people who strive every day to make the world a better place through their efforts.

I salute you the market operators and creative entrepreneurs of Australia!

To find a list of the Australian markets visit Markets Central now!