How to Make More Money with an Usherette Tray: 10 Smart Strategies for Success

In today’s fast-paced world of pop-up events, cinemas, festivals, and street performances, one old-school tool is making a serious comeback: the usherette tray. These wearable vending trays — often strapped around your neck or waist — allow you to sell products while on the move. They’re light, mobile, and a direct way to get your goods in front of customers without needing a booth or storefront.

But simply walking around with an usherette tray doesn’t guarantee sales. To truly maximize your profits, you need a smart strategy. In this guide, we’ll share 10 powerful tips to help you make more money with your usherette tray — whether you’re vending candy at the cinema, drinks at a sports match, or merchandise at a local market. If you’re looking to source professional, high-quality usherette trays, there are great options available that can boost both your branding and sales potential.

1. Pick High-Profit, High-Demand Products

The number one rule of usherette tray selling? Offer products people want, and that give you a good profit margin.

Here are ideal items:

• Candy, popcorn, and chips
• Soft drinks or bottled water
• Ice cream (if the venue supports it)
• Glow sticks, LED toys, or novelty items
• Small branded merchandise (pins, magnets, lanyards)
• Event-themed items (Santa hats, foam fingers, flags)

The trick is to sell impulse-buy items that are easy to carry, don’t spoil quickly, and don’t need any complicated handling.

2. Look the Part

Your appearance matters. Wear a clean, themed uniform or apron to show professionalism and match the environment. If you’re selling at a family event, a fun costume or colorful outfit may help draw attention. If you’re working a more formal venue, stick to neat, uniformed attire.

Also, make sure your usherette tray looks appealing:

• Use signage to display prices
• Arrange items neatly
• Keep the tray clean and well-lit (especially at night events)
• Consider adding small LED lights for nighttime visibility

People are more likely to buy when they trust the seller and the presentation looks polished.

3. Bundle and Upsell

Maximize every sale by encouraging bundles or combo deals. For example:

• “Buy 2, get 1 free”
• “Snack + drink combo for $10”
• “Glow stick + spinning toy for $15”

These offers make people feel like they’re getting more value, while boosting your average transaction size. Just make sure the pricing still leaves room for solid profit.

4. Target High-Footfall Areas

Location is everything, even when you’re mobile. Position yourself where people naturally gather:

• Entrance and exit points
• Queues for restrooms or ticket booths
• Along main walkways
• Near seating areas before shows or games

You don’t want to compete with too many other vendors — but you do want to be where eyes and feet are moving.

5. Use the Right Language

Sales is about engagement. Use friendly, short, and energetic pitches:

• “Snacks and drinks right here — no need to leave your seat!”
• “Last chance before the show starts!”
• “Ice-cold water — stay refreshed!”

Smile, make eye contact, and don’t be pushy. A little charm goes a long way.

6. Accept Card and Mobile Payments

In today’s world, many people simply don’t carry cash. If you’re only accepting coins and bills, you’re missing out on sales.

Invest in a mobile card reader (like Square, SumUp, or Zettle) so you can accept:

• Debit/credit cards
• Apple Pay or Google Pay
• Mobile wallets (Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, depending on region)

This simple upgrade can dramatically increase your earnings, especially at large events or in younger crowds.

7. Work the Right Events

Not all events are created equal. You’ll make far more at a busy concert or festival than at a small weekend market. Ideal events for usherette tray sales include:

• Concerts and music festivals
• Sporting events
• Parades and street fairs
• Outdoor cinemas and drive-ins
• Theater intermissions
• School functions and carnivals

Always do a bit of research beforehand. Find out the expected attendance, the type of crowd, and whether other vendors will be competing for attention.

8. Track Sales and Optimize

The most successful vendors don’t guess — they track what works. After each event, record:

• What sold best
• What didn’t move at all
• What times of day were busiest
• Your total sales and profit margins

This helps you fine-tune your inventory and strategy for future events.

9. Use Promotions and Limited-Time Offers

People hate missing out. Use urgency and exclusivity to drive purchases:

• “Only 5 left at this price!”
• “Special offer — just for the next 10 minutes!”
• “Event-exclusive deal!”

A little FOMO (fear of missing out) can lead to big gains in sales.

10. Stay Legal and Respectful

Last but not least, make sure you have the right permits or vendor permissions. Selling at private events without permission can get you kicked out (or fined). Respect the event organizers and follow any rules about where and when you can sell.

Being respectful also means maintaining a good attitude, keeping your area clean, and being polite to customers and staff.

Final Thoughts

An usherette tray might seem like a throwback to the past, but it’s still a powerful, low-cost way to make money in the right setting. With smart product choices, a friendly approach, and a little hustle, you can turn your tray into a steady income stream — or even scale it into a full-time vending business.

Whether you’re doing this on weekends for extra cash or building a mobile retail brand, the key is to stay mobile, stay visible, and stay engaging. And if you’re looking for quality, professional-grade trays to elevate your presentation, usherette trays from SM Studios offer a reliable and customizable solution to help you stand out and sell more.