Bringing consumers the market online!

I loved going to the market as a child.

There was always something exciting to see or do.

The cacophony of sounds was a delight as the vendors at their stalls were calling out prices in a sing song voice to the customers who participated as they bargained with them.

I suppose to my mother these various activities were not what attracted her to the market. The low prices played an integral role in most consumers’ decision to shop at the market.

Prices

Unlike supermarket produce, market goods are fresh as they come directly from the farmer and have not spent weeks in a frozen display case.

The prices for the goods are also significantly lower.  The vendors are usually willing to ‘drop’ prices in their quest for a sale.  They also have a wider variety of vendors in a small area so compete sometimes quite aggressively for the sale.

Consumers will often arrive at the market early in the morning then leave before the rush of the day.  The vendors at Coronation market in Downtown are often there long before the sun is up as some even sleep at the market on weekends.

Despite the price, many people do not shop at the market as much as they would like. This is because of the inconvenience of parking at the various markets which often have informal ‘guards’ of the vehicles and the time to go drive to downtown and conduct business on a busy weekend.

Online Shopping

The world of online shopping has become more appealing to the busy consumer, who simply does not want to spend time driving around ato various shops.  They also want to avoid the hassle of trying to find parking in an increasingly busy town.

In order to alleviate the problem, businesses have started to have online delivery services.  Some companies even encourage shopping online by offering market produce delivered right to your door!

One company is creating waves by its innovative ideas. The company operates from Newport West in Kingston and is divided into two entities: Fresh Mart; and an online shopping platform called Fresh Mart Express.

Both units are divisions of the 10-year-old company, Fresh and Direct, an importer and wholesaler of produce.

They offer their customers a range of provisions such as seasonings, fruits and vegetables. Customers order online and receive quality goods for low prices.  According to an online article published by The Gleaner on May 26, 2015,  Campbell, operations manager of the company, is quoted as saying,”Many people wanted the downtown prices without the downtown experience.”

Although the company currently operates from Kingston and Portmore, there are plans to expand their services.

So what’s your take on the online market experience?  Have you used it? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Paisley

Gleaner online writer