TruXta
tired
Then why are you banging on about the supposed benefits of taking cards?
Brixton Village/Granville Arcade indoor market, Brixton
- Thread starter Ms T
- Start date
ffsear
Well-Known Member
As i said it was simply one idea that could improve sales. It escalated!
Winot
I wholeheartedley agree with your viewpoint
Not quite relevant to the market, but I have to say that I have started using a debit card to buy my lunchtime sandwiches in Pret and it's a hell of a lot easier and quicker than using cash - no selecting and/or waiting for appropriate change and the transaction is finished well before the sandwiches have been bagged.
ffsear
Well-Known Member
So you agree that cards v cash is a red herring, but... you don't?
yawn
TruXta
tired
I doubt a lot of the traders could afford the implementation costs tbh - hardware, POS devices, training, maintenance, chargebacks etc. Makes a lot of sense for the big boys but not much for smaller volume operators I'd reckon.
TruXta
tired
Don't be a fool - it's far from obvious that the ROI would be worth it. Just because you think it's a good idea doesn't mean it is ya know.
cuppa tee
Well-Known Member
I would argue part of the attraction of shopping in street markets is that it is not a "fast food" type of experience, by arguing against the more traditional aspects surely people are saying they prefer modernity for whatever reason and so they will take their money in whatever form elsewhere which will not be good for the market as we know it.
editor
hiraethified
Swishy contactless cards are even better for some retailers and environments, but cash still has its place, particularly for the not-so well off:
OK. Farmers' stalls during the week / Saturdays. Good idea, all street markets should be mainly farmers' markets, they shouldn't be stuck in some gentry-section. Push out established traders? Of fruit and veg? There are hardly any left. Of hats, string vests and skimpy chinese cooking pots? Would we really complain about that?
Cash/card. A non-issue at the moment. Cards are still wholly unsuited to the market. But a few more cash machines nearby would help. The nearest one to the Granville is the really slow one in Nour, otherwise it's at Sainsbury's. The wave-and-pay cards are a good idea but the terminal rental is still too high (so they're only in the big stores) and not enough people have them (the cards) yet. Give it two years.
The basic problem is timing. An evening market open say from 4 to 8 on weekdays might be worth considering.
Cash/card. A non-issue at the moment. Cards are still wholly unsuited to the market. But a few more cash machines nearby would help. The nearest one to the Granville is the really slow one in Nour, otherwise it's at Sainsbury's. The wave-and-pay cards are a good idea but the terminal rental is still too high (so they're only in the big stores) and not enough people have them (the cards) yet. Give it two years.
The basic problem is timing. An evening market open say from 4 to 8 on weekdays might be worth considering.
leanderman
Street Party: July 2
Creative destruction, capitalism's unique selling point.
No fun if you are on the receiving end though.
Winot
I wholeheartedley agree with your viewpoint
Yes, I'm aware of that. But there have been complaints upthread that nu-Brixton isn't shopping in the traditional market, so it's worth considering options that persuade them to do so, no?
FWIW I doubt that cash/card is the major issue, but as it's been raised and transaction time was mentioned I offer my experience as another bit of anecdotal data.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
If customers are deserting the market as you say, then the traders need to make both the environment and offering more user friendly, convenient and attractive. As I said, I don't think that card payments would make much difference by themselves but it is worth considering as a package of measures such as opening hours, quality, variety, better looking stalls, etc.. The cost of a transaction might go up but if the volume of transactions and average spend increase then it is money well spent for the trader.
Given that the stalls are already much cheaper than the supermarkets for many items and are still losing customers it would suggest that bargain pricing is not key for the deserting customers - those people are prepared to pay more for convenience and quality (whether real or perceived).
Only in your mind does "what is so royal about not relying on cash these days?" get translated into "I never carry cash. Not even when shopping in a market".
Frumious B.
Well-Known Member
If I had the skilz I might build a price comparison app for the market versus Tesco. And a home delivery app, where a cyclist with a big trailer collects your orders from different shops in the market and delivers them after you get home from work.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
Didn't Able & Cole start in Brixton?
Frumious B.
Well-Known Member
There is a local bicycle trailer delivery service, I've seen their trailer on the road. I think it might be based at Cycooldelic, 231 Brixton Road. I've no idea what they deliver.
ETA: here it is http://www.transitiontownbrixton.org/2011/04/velocal-pedal-powered-delivery-service-gets-funding/ Seems they got their funding of £13,900 and started a service which nobody knows about.
ETA: here it is http://www.transitiontownbrixton.org/2011/04/velocal-pedal-powered-delivery-service-gets-funding/ Seems they got their funding of £13,900 and started a service which nobody knows about.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
Just checked - yes it did, in '93.
It's called Velocal. They got some funding for the e-trike thing which is, apparently, a pile of junk, the battery is too small. Mostly they deliver stuff using normal bikes/paniers. Not sure it's a viable business frankly.
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
I think the 'pick it up from the tube on your way home' might work better. So you zap round the market in the morning, load a 'what's looking good today' page, orders in by 3 and pick it up on your way home anytime between 5:30 and 7:30. A pricing comparison is reassuring, but its really about saving time.
shakespearegirl
just worked out taglines
I'd certainly use a service like that. I can't go to the market during the week if I'm working and get out of the habit on the weekends.
I do think the traders have to adapt to changing tastes and working/shopping patterns or their businesses will fail.
Know there are a lot of 'trendy cupcake' haters on urban, but these and other small businesses are succeeding by providing what people want to buy.
Frumious B.
Well-Known Member
That would work brilliantly if there was one of those Collect+ parcel collection hubs near the tube. The closest one is by the barrier block. http://www.collectplus.co.uk/orders/new?from_postcode=sw21ld
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
Or we could just take over Starbucks...
Frumious B.
Well-Known Member
How close does it need to be to the tube? I happen to know of a local shop with some space, but it's 235 metres away, round a corner.
shakespearegirl
just worked out taglines
Think it would need to be pretty close to the tube to build custom.
Perhaps some of the restaurants could sell sort of ready meals, sometimes you just want quick and convenient food but better quality than a Tesco microwave affair could be a winner.
Perhaps some of the restaurants could sell sort of ready meals, sometimes you just want quick and convenient food but better quality than a Tesco microwave affair could be a winner.
editor
hiraethified
They're not entirely reliable. When Eme tried to give them a package for delivery, she got a real 'WTF' look. She hasn't bothered trying to use the service again.
Frumious B.
Well-Known Member
All the more reason to have a branch near the tube? Assuming the staff training is better than at your branch...
Rushy
basically a scrotum
I use the one up Acre Lane - in Costcutter I think. Never had a problem.
