Callie Battle
June 24, 2025
Top Tips and Helpful Guidance

Tips and Guidance for Festival Vendors

Festival season is upon us, and for vendors, this means a fantastic opportunity to connect with new customers, showcase unique products or delicious food, and make sales. A successful festival experience relies on smooth operations, especially when it comes to taking payments and managing your sales.

Here at Bespoke Merchant Solutions (BMS), we’re passionate about helping businesses thrive. So, we’ve put together our top tips and guidance for festival vendors to help them have a successful season.

Seamless Payments: Don't Let a Sale Slip Away

In today’s increasingly cashless society, relying solely on cash is a certain way to miss out on sales. Festival-goers expect quick, convenient payment options from vendors.

Embrace Contactless:

Ensure you have a reliable card machine that accepts contactless payments (cards and mobile payments) for festival trading. This is the fastest way for customers to pay, keeping queues moving and spirits high. Many festival vendors choose the PAX A920 card machine due to it's long-lasting battery and multiple connectivity options.
Consider Virtual Terminals:

For more complex operations, or if you want to track inventory alongside sales, a virtual terminal system can be a game-changer. These systems can run on a tablet or smartphone, offering flexibility and powerful features without bulky hardware.
Always Have a Backup:

Technology can sometimes be unpredictable, especially in bustling festival fields with potentially patchy Wi-Fi. Discuss backup options with your payment provider, such solutions with offline modes, having an additional terminal, and a supply of till roll; at BMS, we offer 20% off for additional terminals and a till roll subscription.

Power and Connectivity: The Unsung Heroes

Your payment terminal and any other essential tech (tablets and phones) need power.

Plan Your Power Source:

Check with festival organisers about power availability at your vendor stall. If providing your own, ensure you have a fully charged portable power bank or generator and that it complies with site regulations.
Connectivity is Key:

For real-time card authorisations and cloud-based systems, reliable internet access is vital. Many modern card machines can connect via Wi-Fi or mobile data (4G/5G). Consider a dedicated mobile hotspot if you’re concerned about shared festival Wi-Fi.

Security and Compliance: Protecting Your Business

PCI Compliance:

If you're taking card payments, you need to be mindful of PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). At BMS, we help guide you through simplified PCI compliance, ensuring your customer data is handled securely and you avoid potential penalties.
Cash Handling (If Applicable):

If you are taking cash, have a secure cash box and a system for managing floats and cashing up. Minimise the amount of cash held on site.
End-of-Day Reconciliation:

Make sure you have a clear process for reconciling your card payments and cash takings at the end of each day. Modern virtual terminal systems can often automate much of this.

Choosing the Best Payment Solution for Your Vendor Stall

Finding the right payment solution for festival trading is key to a successful event. It’s about understanding your unique needs – from fast, reliable transactions in a bustling environment to portability and resilience, whatever the weather.

Whether you need a super-portable mobile card machine like the Pax A920 for quick contactless payments, a simple-to-use EPOS system to track sales on the go, or just robust connectivity, Bespoke Merchant Solutions can help you find the perfect fit for the festival season.

Ready to join BMS?

Ready to take your business to the next level? Bespoke Merchant Solutions is dedicated to providing customised payment processing solutions that help businesses succeed. Contact us today to learn more about how Bespoke Merchant Solutions can help you achieve your goals.