Merch commission explained: who takes a cut, the 700-plus venues that take nothing, and how to negotiate
Some venues take 25% or more of an artist's gross merch sales, sometimes with VAT on top. The Featured Artists Coalition says more than 700 UK venues charging nothing have joined its 100% Venues directory. Most grassroots rooms never charged, though, so the real fight is at bigger and corporate venues, and the best tool an artist has there is a rate agreed in writing before the show.
Industryvia Featured Artists Coalition