The last couple of years have been especially challenging for the entire Farmers & Artisan community markets. A substantial percentage of your market community had to suspend their in-person markets. Even those that continued to meet were very restricted in their activities.
It was necessary at the time to get through.
One thing that has become evident over this period. Your customers had to fully embrace shopping online. And not just shopping online, but scheduling to pick-up, or have their order delivered.
This shift to online purchasing has now become the standard. Even for those seeking the kind of products offered through your market.
Your online marketplace becomes the way for you to meet this new business reality.
The general way it works is this:
- The online market opens for a set of days prior to the next physical market date.
- Online venues typically close 48hrs prior to the next physical market opening so vendors can assemble online orders for pick-up at the next physical market.
- Customers pay for orders using an online checkout and start making plans to visit your physical market!
It really is that simple!
Our platform has seen solid growth over the last 2 years. Even now, through these most recent economic challenges; sales have remained steady.
Your customers want to support their local farmers/artisan markets. This is just a terrific way to help them do it.