December 2018

We are not only doing accounting

We are hunting for tax deductions

The purpose of this blog is to provide a reliable source of business, tax, and accounting information. English is chosen language to ensure coverage for Danish and non-Danish readers. 

Going to the Christmas markets

December, 2018.

 

By now, you should have seen the first Christmas markets pop up in town already: big and small, at premium locations or at the local hall. Have you ever wondered what is behind these cosy, glittering Christmas stands? This article is about the cost and conditions of attending a Christmas market, from the premium locations to the local stands. All the quoted prices are excluded VAT.

 

Premium locations

Premium locations are concentrated in the city centre, along the high street Strøget: Kongens Nytorv, Højbro Plads and Tivoli. Except Christmas market at Tivoli, the two markets at Kongens Nytorv and Højbro Plads have free entry for visitors.

 

You need a deep pocket to attend these markets. The duration of the market is often long, from the middle of November to Christmas day. Here are the prices and conditions for attending the Christmas market at Kongens Nytorv:

  • Number of days: 37
  • The price for renting one wooden stand 3 mx 2.3 m: 40.000 kr. For a double stand (6 m x 2.3 m) it is 80.000 kr. Bigger stands are available.
  • Services: ready setup with decorations and electricity, security guards, Christmas decoration and cleaning in the common areas, dismounting and cleaning up at the end of the market.
  • Free entry

 

Right now you can visit the market at Kongens Nytorv and taste German sausages, Danish gløgg, Spanish churros or Belgian waffles. After taking a round on the market, you might realise that the sellers are mostly professional traders traveling from other EU countries to Denmark for the Christmas season.

 

Middle markets

Middle markets are often located in wealthy neighbourhoods and known locations. The duration of the market is shorter e.g. for a weekend. If you live in the rich northern Copenhagen, you might have heard of the Christmas market at Bernstorff Castle. Nørrebro also has a Christmas market for design and art items, and the price per day for attending the market is comparable to the premium market’s price in the city. It is Flid market at Nørrebrohallen.

To attend the Flid market, you have to prepare for:

  • Cost of attendance for one days: 1.000 kr. for table size 180 cm x 90 cm, for double table size 360 cm x 90 cm it is 1.600 kr./day
  • For 2 days attendance, the prices are lower at 1.600 kr. and 2.400 kr. respectively.
  • Flid market is placed in a hall, so I guess it is locked during the night and the sellers can let the goods stay overnight.
  • Entry ticket of 30 kr.

 

Flid is a market for design and art items; therefore you have to go through a sort of screening before getting accepted to the market. You will be asked to describe your art works and products, attach photos of your works and reference to your page/site on the social media etc. Flid stated that it only accepts applicants, whose production and material making have been carried out under certain ethical guidelines.

 

Many years ago, I attended a Christmas market at the horse race track Galopbanen in the rich neighbourhood of Klampenborg. Moving up from the local market segment, I was hopeful that the rich clientele with will be the right customers for my French imported organic products - my first adventure as business owner. The market turned out to be a disaster. The customers are rich but they are not interested in buying organic products, even of higher quality than conventional products. So before going to a market, you should research who your potential customers are. Nothing is better than a visit to the market and watch what is selling well and what is not.

 

Local markets

Local market is synonym for Hygge market, because many people come here, sellers and buyers, for the ‘cosy’ factor. First of all it has free entry for visitors. Many local Christmas markets are organised by the local communities, charity organisations or a group of small business owners. Depends on the size and scope of the market, the price can be varied accordingly from free to a few hundred kroner per day. The duration of the market is often short, just a day or over a weekend.

Here are the prices and conditions for going to the local Christmas market at Lindegaarden in Lyngby:

  • Price for a space 3 m x 3m with 2 tables 140/120 cm x 70 cm and 2 chairs: 600 kr. for 2 days (no VAT)
  • Some Christmas decoration. The seller can let the goods stay overnight.
  • Kitchen facilities with café machine and fridge
  • Free entry

 

People coming to this type of market are mostly locals, especially families with young children. They are coming for the cosy atmosphere, which very often involves foods and drinks. You can always get warm mulled wine ‘gløgg’ and pancake balls ‘æbleskiver’ at these markets. Once, I was racing through the premium Christmas market at Højbro Plads, desperated for a cup of gløgg and couldn’t find one. Bigger is not always better.

 

Low cost local Christmas markets are also a good place to test your products.  You will find interesting information that you would never think of: for instance, a product is selling unexpectedly much better than the others, or what you thought is a big hit turns out to be a disappointment. It is also a place for advertising your business, handing out business cards and brochures. Most important of all, it is where you get your customers.  In one of my first Christmas market days in Østerbro, among  curious visitors to our stand was Pascal, the French owner of a local wine shop. He didn’t say who he was and we chatted about my products. At the end, he made the first purchase and became my loyal business customer for years.

 

It’s magic at Christmas time.