Market trading has been a feature of retail life for hundreds, if not thousands of years. It is one of the purest forms of retailing which does not rely on millions of pounds being spent on image and advertising, but rather on good, honest deals by real people on the ground.

Being a trader can be a very enjoyable way of making a living with a large degree of freedom and variation. It can also be achieved for a relatively low start-up cost.

While running a market stall is a more formalised business than selling at a car boot sale, it is an easier process than finding shop premises and paying a fortune for rent and staff.

As a trader with your own portable stall, a wide variation of events become available to you. From trading at open-air markets close to your home, to travelling long distances to large or specialist markets. There are also many county shows, fairs, antique and flea markets, etc. The choice is yours.

There is a huge range of products that can be sold at outdoor events. Careful thought should be given when selecting the right product or 'line' and also where you will sell it. In other words, there should be enough demand to ensure you can make a decent living.

It is worthwhile doing some research at this stage as it can save a lot of time and effort later. Visit all the markets in your area. Consider the market as a whole, is it thriving and progressing with a buzz of activity or does it seem run-down? Take a note of how busy the stalls are, what's selling and what's not! Talk to traders about the market. Speak to as many traders as you can to try to get a consensus of opinion. Is there a product that is not represented or not represented well enough?

If you need some ideas to help you choose a product, then look in 'The Trader' and 'Market Trade News' – two excellent stock-buying magazines.