Usherette trays: sizes, straps and how staff wear them

What is an usherette tray?

Usherette tray, vendor tray, hawker tray, stadium tray, sampling tray and mobile vending tray all describe the same thing: a tray worn on straps so a promoter can walk to the audience rather than wait for the audience to come to a counter. It is used for roaming sampling in shopping centres and at festivals, selling in stadium stands, and giveaways at corporate events.

The difference from a sampling table or cart is mobility. A table holds more stock and suits a fixed spot. A tray goes where the crowd is, but carries less, so it needs a restock point nearby. If your plan is still at the format stage, our sampling and usherette tray buyer guide compares the options. This page covers sizes, straps and how to wear one.

Usherette tray sizes

Our vendor trays come in one size only. Prices exclude GST and freight.

The 58mm depth matters. A shallow tray keeps products in view of the people you approach, while a deep tray hides them. For anything taller, or anything that might tip over, add a drop-in insert (see below) rather than a deeper tray.

To check capacity, lay out your cups, cans or packs on a 520mm x 400mm area.

Strap types: shoulder straps, coloured or printed

Every tray comes with two black shoulder straps that adjust for length and have comfort padding where they sit on the shoulders. We don't offer neck straps, harnesses or waist belts. Two options change the look:

• Coloured straps ($72) to match uniforms or brand colours.
• Printed straps ($248) carrying your logo or message. The artwork guide sets a 1,500mm x 30mm trim size and a minimum text size of 5mm.

How to wear an usherette tray

Fit the tray to each person at the start of every shift.

1. Put the tray on empty. Loop both straps over the shoulders with the curved inner edge of the tray against the body.
2. Set the height. Adjust both straps evenly so the tray sits at about waist height, with the forearms able to rest near the tray without lifting the shoulders.
3. Keep the elbows free. The person should be able to serve and take payment without the arms pressing the tray down.
4. Level it. Check the tray is level side to side and front to back, so products don't slide forward.
5. Load it, then check again. Add stock with the heaviest items at the back, closest to the body. Spread the weight evenly left and right.
6. Walk a short loop. If the tray swings, bumps the thighs or pulls on the neck, readjust before going on the floor.

How much weight should an usherette tray carry?

There is no single safe weight. Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks says "there is no safe weight set for all workers in all circumstances", so assess the task rather than relying on a number. Carrying a tray for hours means holding a posture for long periods, and the Code treats a task as long duration when it is done "for more than a total of 2 hours over a whole shift or continuously for more than 30 minutes at a time".

In practice:

• Keep loads light. Carry a short run of stock, not a full shift, and don't overload promoters.
• Set up a restock point close to the roaming area, so refilling is quick and the tray never needs to carry more.
• Build in short, frequent breaks. The Code says "more frequent and shorter rest breaks are better for rest and recovery than fewer, longer breaks".
• Rotate staff between the tray and other tasks such as restocking, data capture or the stand.
• Plan for heat and cold. Schedule breaks in shade or a warm space.

In every state and territory except Victoria, safety law says the business that engages the promoters must manage manual handling risks and consult its workers, and the brand, agency and venue must work together on it. Victoria has its own law, so check with your state or territory's safety regulator what applies, including this Code.

Branding the tray: graphic strips, skirts and inserts

A tray is a moving sign. Branding options on our trays:

A white tray with a printed graphic strip and printed straps comes to $455 before GST and freight. Because the standard strip is interchangeable, one set of trays can carry a new campaign by swapping the strip. You can supply print-ready artwork, or our in-house design team can prepare it.

Cleaning and food contact between shifts

When the tray carries food samples, Food Standards Australia New Zealand says that under Standard 3.2.2 "utensils and surfaces that come in contact with food should be clean and sanitary". Its guidance on displaying food recommends using "platters, containers and benches that are easy to clean and sanitise" and protecting food with "food-grade cling wrap, bags, paper strips or containers".

• Food can sit on the tray. The tray surface is suitable for direct food contact. Cups, wrappers or a drop-in insert still keep portions apart and make cleaning quicker.
• Clean, then sanitise. FSANZ says "you need to clean items before you sanitise them". Wipe out scraps, wash with hot water and detergent and rinse, then sanitise with a commercial sanitiser used to the maker's instructions.
• Keep waste off the tray. Carry a separate bin or bag so used cups never sit next to fresh samples.
• Dry and store flat, straps unclipped and the strip protected from scuffs.

Check local requirements with the council or food enforcement agency for each venue.

Choosing the right tray for your activation

• Roaming food or drink sampling: standard tray with a stability insert for cups.
• Stadium or event selling: add space for a card terminal and keep high-value items at the back of the tray, closest to the body. Brief staff on moving through crowds.
• Product launch giveaways: full graphic skirt or profile-cut strip for visibility.
• Ongoing program across campaigns: interchangeable graphic strips and coloured straps.

Pair trays with branded aprons, caps and polos from our roaming product sampling range, or see the full sampling and demonstration kit if the program also needs a counter or cart. For planning the wider campaign, read our product sampling campaign guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a branded usherette tray cost? From $136 for the tray with black straps, plus $71 for a graphic strip, before GST and freight. The per-tray price drops from 6 trays.

Can we hire usherette trays? No. Our vendor trays are sold, not hired.

How long does a branded tray take? Standard production is 1.5 weeks from order and print-ready artwork, plus freight time.

Next step

Browse our vendor trays or call 1300 240 250 to talk about a branded tray for your team.