Are String
Bean Alley containers a whole new way of shopping or just an evolution of open
stands that meets modern demands? It is an interesting question and one that we
probably haven’t examined closely enough particularly in relation to the cost
of trading.
The interest
in containers from traders is huge. Twelve new containers in SBA attracted 70
applicants. Some traders are suggesting that containers should become the
dominant option in our market. A lot of that is probably being driven by the
convenience factor. A roller door means lots of labour saving. Some traders in
open stands spend 2 hours at the beginning of the day setting up and another 2
hours packing.
There are
other factors at work too. Customers are demanding more accessibility to
traders. Trading more often and trading longer are two of those demands.
Night time
trading is becoming a key element for the market and some of you will be aware
of the effort it takes packing up a stall at the Wednesday Night Market,
getting home at around midnight, and then turning up for trade early the next
morning, all while keeping a smile on your face. A roller door certainly makes
that easier.
And of course
all this needs to be done on a shoe string, because low operating costs are the
ace card of small businesses like ours. Traders have been maximising efficiency
and minimising costs since 1878. That is how we remain competitive.
String Bean
Alley is an interesting experiment. In many ways containers are an improvement
on existing open stand set-ups but we shouldn’t get carried away. So far the day
trading in SBA has been disappointing. Completing the aisle and giving it
identity will hopefully correct that. But the jury is still out on the
economics and it will probably take 6 months, or at least until 5 day trading
is introduced in SBA to get the full picture.
Containers
in SBA have great potential, but like all business ventures we should watch the
efficiency/cost equation very closely as we move forward.
By Greg
Smith
