About International Operators Market & Street Traders

Since being established in 1994 by two Market Traders, we’ve always had the knowledge of street trading and the interests of traders at heart. IOMST was founded with the specific goal of providing support and insurance to Irish Market and Street Traders when no one else would!

We were the first providers of Public Liability Insurance for Traders in Ireland and we are constantly negotiating with our brokers for new and exciting services and deals for our members!

Since 1994 we have developed as a large membership organisation and we now have members in every county in Ireland. Our small dynamic office team have evolved and changed over the years and with the founding members now retired, their beliefs and values continue to prosper within the company with the next generation. With this in mind, it’s not hard to see how IOMST has developed into a Family Run Company with high morals and the determination to provide all members with a warm and trusting business relationship that can’t be found with other such companies!
We are undoubtedly the original providers of all of our
combined services and we pride ourselves on this.

We believe that no matter how many imitations companies may come and go....you can’t get much better than the original....

Why Markets?

Market trading is the oldest type of commercial distribution that exists throughout the countries in the European Union and indeed worldwide.

First there were markets and from them villages and cities developed. Markets have played a major role in Irish life for many centuries particularly in rural areas.

They have provided not only regular periodic locations for the sale of livestock, agricultural products, textiles, food products, groceries and other necessities at a time when shops were scarce, maybe too far away or in some cases non-existing, but also provided a major social function in peoples lives.

Throughout history the market has been perceived as a place for bargain hunters and today for many this is still the case. However we are living in an era where people are more interested in quality goods and as most market traders are aware of this they are increasingly catering for this consumer.

Markets generate specific benefits for the community:

Markets bring - often locally produced - goods, close to inhabited areas, which is particularly important for older people.

Because of its flexibility and concentration in terms of time and space, a market can bring a variety of products to the people that cannot be provided on a permanent basis in nearby shops.

In addition to encouraging competition and helping to regulate prices, markets can easily meet local demand.

By their social function markets help to create a sense of security among the public.

In our now multicultural society the social atmosphere generated by markets can help our newer ethnic groups integrate easier - not only by working in the markets but also by shopping and mingling.

With the new ethnic communities bringing their culture and goods to the markets they are becoming a more interesting place to visit. You can shop in a friendly atmosphere where young and old integrate, where different communities integrate, where you can enjoy the crack watching people bartering, or just relax with your cup of coffee.

There are a lot of different types of markets to visit nowadays - antique markets, food markets, arts and craft markets, farmers markets and of course general markets where the diversity of goods for sale is never-ending.

So if it's shopping, relaxation, browsing, bargain hunting or just a good day out in a friendly atmosphere then the market is the place to go.