It's a Swapping Success! Swap meets give entrepreneurs a low-cost way to break into retail.

Want to get started in the retail business? Check out your local flea market or swap meet as an inexpensive yet effective point of entry. "It's a good way for people to get into business," says Chuck Pretto, president of the National Flea Market Association, which estimates there are currently between 2,500 and 3,000 weekly flea markets across the nation, bringing in about $5 billion in annual sales.

The first step, says Pretto, is to research your local flea market. Shop the market to get a feel for the customers, the booth design/setup and the kinds of products that sell well, paying special attention to vendors in your same category. Says Pretto, "[Determine] who your competition is, and then you can make [your offering] a bit different or a bit better." In terms of booth design, "Don't just lay your merchandise on tables and on the ground," he says. Design a display that is both welcoming and attractive to customers.

Most cities and states require a vendor's license, and many marketplaces offer a bevy of information to new vendors. Though fees and terms vary by market, booth rentals range from $10 to $100 per day (the high end is usually for permanent vendors selling new merchandise), and fees are often payable upfront in cash. Pretto also notes that many flea markets operate only on weekends--and you'll generally want to shoot for between $300 and $500 per day in gross sales. According to Pretto, items that tend to sell well at flea markets include impulse items under $20: T-shirts, sunglasses, used items, knickknacks, collectibles, toys and kitchen items.