Siberian
Hamster - fans of Fawlty Towers will remember Manuel’s Siberian Hamster (it was
in fact a more mundane rodent). A hamster was sighted in Spring Bean Alley on
Saturday morning and was quickly bagged before it upset too many customers.
An
experienced market person reckons that a Saturday Night Market is worth a try
for the Upper Market.
Saturday’s
combination of rain and extremely strong winds tested many traders and
reinforced the luxury for those who trade in the comparative comfort of J-RL
Sheds. A trader suggested that it was the height of optimism to read the
forecast for Saturday and still come in expecting reasonable trade. Yep, we are
just a bunch of optimists.
One
trader said that two of his customers were unfazed by the atrocious weather.
One was from Canberra, the other from Hobart.
A
Trader says he made the mistake of checking his sales figures over the last few
months and comparing them with last year. He now wishes he hadn’t although it
did explain the level of his bank account.
Another
Trader doesn’t need convincing that consumers have dried up their spending to
previously unheard of levels. He sells umbrellas, and on Saturday, despite
extended rain periods, did not sell one.
A
Trader has a new name for SBA – Spring-A-Leak Alley. Thanks for the name-twist
Jeff.
A
Trader asks if a lower rent could be struck when you’re your aisle has more
than 20% absentees. The gaps certainly create a bad impression with customers.
And
In our desperate search for positive news we can relate a comment from one
happy trader who says that over the last few months he has spent much less on
cash register rolls and carry bags – not quite what we had in mind.
The Happiest Trader in the Market Award goes to wood burner Mick as he completes his first week in SBA with a permanent display, a new engraving machine, and a roller door.