What’s Changing for Traders This Week – Week 39, 2026

This week’s trader news includes an important reminder about keeping cash and valuables secure at busy markets and events, another suspicious Christmas market email reported by a member and an import-cost change that we are continuing to monitor ahead of November.

Trader Reminder: Stay Alert to Theft at Busy Markets and Events

One of our members contacted IOMST this week after having cash stolen while trading at the National Ploughing Championships.

She told us that the event was extremely busy and that one person appeared to distract her while another took a money box from underneath her stall. She was also aware of at least two other traders in the same tent who had been targeted.

What makes this particularly worth highlighting is that she is an experienced trader. She was already conscious of the risks, knew the types of distraction techniques to watch for and was wearing a money belt. Even with those precautions in place, the theft happened very quickly during a particularly busy period.

With Christmas markets and events beginning to get busier over the coming weeks, this is a useful reminder for both new and experienced traders.

Thieves may work together, with one person distracting the trader while another reaches for cash, stock, phones or other valuables. Distraction can come in many forms, including lengthy questions, several people approaching the stall together or someone deliberately drawing your attention away from another part of the stand.

Where possible:

  • Keep your cash securely on you, ideally in a money belt or secure zipped pouch, rather than in a cash box underneath or behind the stall.
  • Avoid allowing cash to build up in a separate box or tin during the day. If you are carrying cash, keep it securely on you.
  • Keep phones, handbags and other valuables out of sight and out of easy reach. If you do not need them at the stall, consider leaving them securely locked in your vehicle where this is safe and practical.
  • Be particularly alert when several people approach your stall together or when one person is taking up a lot of your attention.
  • If you expect particularly busy periods, consider having a helper with you so that one person can deal with customers while the other keeps an eye on the stall, cash and stock.
  • If you already have someone helping, agree in advance who is responsible for watching the stall and valuables while the other person is serving customers.
  • Pay extra attention during the busiest trading periods. Crowds can make it much more difficult to notice what is happening at the side or back of your stand.

Unfortunately, being experienced does not make anyone immune. When several customers are being served at once, it can take only a few seconds for someone to take advantage of the situation.

We have previously put together a more detailed guide with practical advice on protecting your cash, stock and valuables while trading.

Read our full trader safety guide here:

Another Suspicious Christmas Market Email Reported

Unfortunately, another member has contacted IOMST after receiving a suspicious email inviting traders to take part in a supposed Christmas market.

The latest email was advertising a Christmas Market Clonmellon and was sent from a Gmail address. The member became suspicious because the email did not give a clear venue and the advertised details did not appear to match the information she could find from the genuine local market.

She did exactly what we continue to encourage traders to do. She stopped before paying or submitting information and checked the opportunity independently.

IOMST is contacting the genuine organisers so that they are aware of the email.

Why We Are Mentioning Scams Again

We know we have spoken about fraudulent market invitations quite a lot recently, but reports from members are continuing to come in.

The important pattern is that scammers are becoming better at using real market names, genuine event dates, believable venues and professional-looking application forms.

Recognising the name of a market or event is no longer enough to confirm that the person emailing you actually represents it.

Before applying or making a payment:

  • Check the complete email address, not just the sender name.
  • Find the organiser’s official website or social media page yourself.
  • Contact the organiser or venue using details you find independently.
  • Check that the application method matches the one published by the genuine organiser.
  • Be cautious if you are being pushed to pay quickly.
  • Do not assume that a Google Form, flyer or genuine event name means the invitation is legitimate.

If something does not feel right, stop and verify it before paying.

You can also read our previous scam warnings:

Market Scams Are Getting Harder to Spot: https://iomst.ie/scams-are-getting-harder-to-spot/

Urgent: Please Check Who Is Really Emailing You About Events: https://iomst.ie/urgent-please-check-who-is-emailing-you/

If you receive a suspicious trader invitation, please send it to IOMST. Reports from members help us spot patterns and warn other traders.

What We’re Monitoring: Further Import Costs From November

We are also keeping an eye on another potential cost for businesses buying stock from outside the EU.

Revenue has advised that an EU-wide handling fee is due to be introduced from 1 November 2026 in connection with low-value e-commerce imports.

This follows the customs changes introduced earlier this year, which we have already covered for members.

At the moment, Revenue has said that further information on the handling fee will be issued, so we are not advising members on the cost or exact impact yet.

Why this could matter to traders

Many market traders and small businesses buy stock, packaging, craft supplies, components, accessories and other materials from outside the EU.

If another charge is added to low-value imports, it could increase the true cost of those orders and affect margins, particularly for businesses ordering several small items regularly.

We will keep watching this and update members once Revenue publishes enough information for us to explain exactly how the new fee will work.

Revenue information:
https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/businesses/electronic-systems/ais/ecustoms-notifications/2026/ecustoms-notification-09-2026.pdf

A Quick Reminder as Christmas Trading Gets Busier

The next few months are some of the busiest of the year for many market and street traders.

Along with finding markets and preparing stock, it is worth taking a little time to think about the less obvious risks too, including where you keep cash at an event, who is contacting you about trading opportunities and what information you give before you have verified an organiser.

A few minutes spent checking an email or reviewing how cash is handled at your stall could prevent a much bigger problem later.

For more Information, Guides Help, Support or Advice. Get in touch with IOMST and become a member today!

Grainne & Greg

Just a little reminder:
This blog is here to spark ideas and help you think about your business in new ways. What works for one person might not suit another. Take what’s helpful, adapt it to your own style, and if you ever need more tailored advice, just get in touch. That’s what we’re here for, supporting you and your business every step of the way.