If you own an antique booth or vintage booth, you already know the ups and downs that come with selling. Some weeks are amazing…and some weeks are just slow. It can be discouraging when your booth isn’t selling, but before you panic, I want to share what I do every time things get quiet.
I just released a new YouTube video with tips for what to do when your booth isn’t selling, and you can watch it here:
Slow sales don’t mean you’re doing something wrong — and they definitely don’t mean it’s time to quit. They are simply a sign to shift gears and update your booth strategy.
Why Booths Have Slow Sales
Every booth experiences slow weeks. Some common reasons include:
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Seasonal changes
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Weather affecting foot traffic
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Too much inventory in the space
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The booth layout isn’t inviting
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Not enough new items or rotation
Even experienced booth owners face this. The key is to stay proactive, not discouraged.
5 Things You Can Do Right Now
1. Refresh Your Display & Layout
Walk into your booth like a customer.
Ask yourself:
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Is it too full?
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Can shoppers easily see the best pieces?
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Does it feel inviting?
Small changes make a big impact.
Give your best pieces front-row placement and create little “stories” or vignettes.
2. Rotate Inventory
You might not need new items — just move things around.
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Change heights
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Add risers
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Group like colors together
Shoppers often miss things the first time. A fresh layout makes everything feel new.
3. Double-Check Your Pricing
Sometimes items aren’t selling because:
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They’re priced too high
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There’s no price tag visible
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Tags are hard to read
Walk your booth and touch every item. If there’s no tag, fix it.
4. Use Downtime Productively
Slow sales = time to prep for success.
Here are tasks that always help:
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Clean and dust
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Replace wrinkled tablecloths
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Make new price tags
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Fix small repairs
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Paint or refresh a piece at home
You will feel productive and ready for the next rush.
5. Don’t Rely on Foot Traffic Alone
Market your booth OUTSIDE the mall:
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Facebook
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Instagram
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YouTube
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Email list
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Blog
People love seeing behind-the-scenes, DIY projects, and thrift finds.
Marketing builds a loyal audience — and reminds them to shop.
More Resources for Booth Owners
If you love talking about booths, displays, DIY projects, and vintage finds, you might also enjoy:
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Weekly Facebook Lives where I makeover thrifted pieces
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Private Booth Owners Business Group on Facebook with weekly lives on Zoom, resources, tips, staging ideas, inspiration, and more!
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Plus, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel, where you’ll find over 400 videos covering everything from thrifting and owning a booth to crafting tutorials and more!
Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss anything!
Final Thoughts
Slow sales happen. They are just part of the booth business. What matters is how you respond.
Refresh your space, stay positive, and use the downtime wisely. The next sale could be right around the corner.
You’ve got this. 💛