The State of Artisan Markets: A Note from Jackie, Managing Director of Little Bird Artisan Markets

As we move into the final part of 2025, I’ve been taking stock of the changes we’ve seen across the artisan market landscape. It’s been a year of growth, challenges, and important shifts—for stallholders, organisers, and the wider creative community alike.

At Little Bird Artisan Markets, our mission has always been to support quality handmade work and create spaces where small businesses can thrive. But the environment we’re all working in is evolving, and it’s worth asking: what’s really happening in artisan markets right now?

Positive Momentum: Demand for Craft is Growing

The global handmade and arts market is booming. It’s projected to exceed £340 billion this year and continue growing steadily. That’s not just a number—it reflects a real and growing appetite for thoughtful, ethical, and locally made products.

Here in the UK, we’ve seen encouraging trends across our own events and beyond. Footfall is strong, customers are engaging with makers more directly, and there’s a clear interest in quality over quantity. Buyers are seeking out products that are sustainable, unique, and full of character.

Products that are resonating with customers right now include:

• Eco-conscious homewares
• Natural skincare
• Custom gifts
• Upcycled or heritage-inspired pieces
• DIY kits and interactive craft experiences

At the heart of it, people want more than just a transaction. They’re looking for connection—both to the maker and to the meaning behind the product.

But It’s Not Without Its Challenges

While the market is growing, it’s also becoming more crowded. Many stallholders are telling us they’re feeling the pressure from a saturated events calendar, rising costs, and inconsistent event quality.

Common concerns include:

• Increased booth fees without a guarantee of return
• Markets lacking proper promotion or footfall
• Customer hesitation due to the cost of living
• Fatigue from managing both in-person and online sales

These are real issues, and they deserve honest conversations. It’s no longer sustainable to attend every market or accept every opportunity. We don’t. Stallholders are having to be more strategic and selective than ever before.

Where Little Bird Stands

At Little Bird, we’re staying focused on what we’ve always believed in—quality, community, and curation.

We don’t aim to run the most markets—we aim to run the best ones. Our priority is to create well-organised, well-promoted events that give stallholders the chance to succeed and customers the chance to engage meaningfully.

Our team works hard to curate a strong mix of makers, maintain high presentation standards, and ensure that our events feel like a celebration of creativity—not just a retail opportunity.

We also value the relationships we build—with our makers, venues, and local communities. That human connection is what keeps people coming back.

What We’re Seeing for 2026

Looking ahead, several key trends are shaping where things are heading:

Experience-led markets: Customers are drawn to more than just stalls. Events that include demonstrations, workshops, or live elements tend to perform better and feel more engaging.

Craft linked to wellness: Products and brands that promote self-care, mindfulness, and sustainability are striking a chord.

Smaller, intentional purchases: People are still buying, but they’re buying carefully. Quality and meaning matter more than ever.

Digital presence: Stallholders who support their in-person selling with a strong online presence—through Instagram, newsletters, or online shops—are better positioned for long-term success.

My Advice to Fellow Makers

If you’re a maker navigating this landscape, here’s what I encourage:

• Choose your markets carefully. Don’t stretch yourself too thin. Focus on the events that align with your brand and values.
• Tell your story. People connect with the person behind the product. Make that part of the experience.
• Keep evolving. Whether it’s your display, your packaging, or your online presence—small improvements make a big difference.
• Protect your time and energy. It’s okay to say no. Prioritise what serves you creatively, financially, and emotionally.

In Closing

There’s still a lot of strength and opportunity in the artisan market world—but success today looks different than it did a few years ago. It’s about focus, intention, and building something that’s both sustainable and meaningful.

To our stallholders and supporters: thank you for being part of the Little Bird community. If you’ve traded with us, visited one of our events, or supported local makers in any way this year, you’re helping keep this community alive.

And if you’re a maker looking for a thoughtful, well-run market to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.

See you at the next market.

Jackie

Managing Director

Little Bird Artisan Markets