The QVM
market community is currently considering how it might provide its customers
with more relevant trading hours but a successful European model may have an
answer we haven't thought of.
La
Boqueira Market in Barcelona is regarded as one of the premiere produce markets
of the world. It is officially open from 8:00am to 8:30pm every day (except
Sunday) but if you go to their website you will find that individual businesses
trade at different times, even in the same produce category. So, a
confectionary stall is open 7:00 am till 8:00 pm everyday while an olive stall
closes at 3:00 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:00 pm Friday and Saturday. One small
goods stall operates 6:00 am to 3:00 pm while a competitor operates 7:00 am to
4:00 pm. One butcher operates 8:00 am to 2:00 pm while another goes from 6:00
am till 3:00 pm. One poultry stall opens 7:00 am till 4:00 pm while another
goes to 8:00 pm.
These are
published opening/closing times and the reality may be different. Nevertheless
there appears to be a degree of trader choice and as long as it is backed up by
a professional notification system (online and signage within market) we see
some attractive elements. Traders who are prepared to commit to longer hours
can make that choice. Traders who look for more flexibility are catered for as
well. It should be noted that Barcelona markets have a high degree of trader
participation in their management structures.
COMMENTS:
05/07/2013 16:35:32 Trading Hours "What really determines when our market closes (at least in the top end) is when the storage boxes come out and block the aisles. I wonder how many traders would keep trading and how many shoppers would keep shopping if that didn't happen. If traders were required to keep boxes within their stall and pack within their stall we might see more trade going on." Greg Smith
05/07/2013 16:35:32 Trading Hours "What really determines when our market closes (at least in the top end) is when the storage boxes come out and block the aisles. I wonder how many traders would keep trading and how many shoppers would keep shopping if that didn't happen. If traders were required to keep boxes within their stall and pack within their stall we might see more trade going on." Greg Smith