Pop-up shops and new locations5 min read
Getting tills, payments and internet ready for a pop-up shop
Choose tills and card readers, check the site's internet and prepare products and staff, with a four-week checklist for opening your pop-up shop.
Hiring a card machine for a day: what to arrange before it arrives
5 min read
Hiring a card reader for a market or event? Get your payment account ready, check the connection at your pitch and leave time to test the equipment before you trade.
In this guide
Sort your payment account first
You'll need your own payment account with SumUp, Square, PayPal POS (formerly Zettle) or Shopify. Choose a reader that works with your provider.
If you need a new account, open it early. The provider's identity and business checks must be complete before you can take payments.
- The provider's checks complete, so the account can take card payments.
- Your bank account linked for payouts.
- The provider's app installed and signed in on any phone or tablet you'll use with the reader.
Choose a reader or till
A handheld card reader suits a stall or event where you need to take chip and PIN and contactless payments. A battery-powered model lets you carry it to the customer.
Choose a complete till if you need a larger product screen, a receipt printer or a cash drawer. Check that you have the power and internet connection it needs at the counter.
Arrange for the equipment to arrive in time to sign in and test it before your event.
Check the site before the day
Check whether your reader uses Wi-Fi, mobile data or a connected phone, then test that connection at your pitch. Coverage at the venue entrance doesn't tell you whether it will work inside a marquee or exhibition hall.
- For mobile data, check coverage on the network your reader or connected phone will use.
- For venue Wi-Fi, get the password and ask whether there's a browser login page. Check that your equipment can connect before relying on it.
- Charge the reader fully and bring its cable. Find somewhere to recharge during a long day.
- For a till, check where the nearest socket is and whether you'll need an extension lead.
Set up products and receipts
If you'll use a product list, add your products and prices in the provider's app before the equipment arrives. Staff can select an item instead of typing its price, and your sales report will show what sold.
Check how your chosen equipment issues receipts. If you need printed receipts, choose a till with a printer. Otherwise, practise sending a digital receipt before the event.
Do a test sale the day before
Test the reader, account, connection and receipts together before the event. Follow your provider's instructions for test payments and refunds.
Sign in with your own account
Sign in on the reader or its connected app and select the correct trading location.
Test a payment
Check that the payment appears in the provider app with the correct amount.
Send yourself the receipt
Check that it arrives and shows the right business details. Test the printer if you have one.
Refund it
Find the test sale and check how to issue a refund.
Charge it overnight
Charge the reader and any phone or tablet you'll use with it.
Returning the equipment
Keep the packaging for the return. After the event, sign out of your account and pack the reader with its cables and accessories, ready for the agreed return date.
Your Saturday market checklist
If this is your first time taking card payments, start with the account checks a couple of weeks ahead.
- Two weeks before
- Choose a payment provider and apply for an account.
- Send your hire request with your market date and location.
- One week before
- Confirm the provider's checks are complete and your bank account is linked.
- Add your products and prices in the provider app.
- Check the connection at your pitch on the network you'll use.
- The day before
- Sign in and test a payment and refund using your provider's instructions.
- Send yourself a receipt.
- Charge the reader overnight. Pack the cable and your cash float.
- Market day
- Switch the reader on and check it shows a connection before your first customer.
- Keep any phone or tablet you need for receipts and refunds within reach.
- The day after
- Sign out of your account on the reader.
- Pack the equipment and accessories, ready for the agreed return date.
- Check the provider app for your payout date.
Help choosing and setting up
We can help you choose equipment for your event, set it up at your site and test it with you.
Sources and further reading
More articles
Tell us what you need
Send your dates, location and the equipment you need. We'll send an itemised hire quote.