Fresh Thinking, Fresh Produce, Fresh Approach; this has been the mantra of the Cape Town Market for many years. It was this mantra that guided us in our endeavours to offer our producers, buyers and agents the freshest market experience we could.
Since we developed this mantra there have been significant improvements at the Cape Town Market some of which have been overt and immediate and others that have been running quietly in the background.
In 2013, 9 years after privatisation, the Cape Town Market is known for it’s fresh thinking, it is revered for its fresh approach and envied for its fresh produce. The time has come to become something new, something better, something bigger and the only way to do this is to constantly change, improve and innovate.
Constantly Changing, Improving and Innovating, our new Mantra at the Cape Town Market to us means the following…
Taking care of our producers, the lifeblood of our business and our customer:
Producer Care has been taken to another level. One-on-one farm visits, to large, medium and small producers. Our management team, who specialise in the different facilities at the Cape Town Market undertake these visits. By initiating these visits we are able to listen to the producers needs and help to offer solutions.
Regular visits place the emphasis on the particular needs to a particular producer and at the same time bringing to their attention all the new changes at the Cape Town Market and exchanging ideas within the industry.
The team will also spend time encouraging new producers to market via the Cape Town Market opening up a new sales channel for the producer and a new supply channel for the buyers.
Understanding our buyers, big or small:
A Buyers Care program was initiated in 2012. An introductory welcome pack was created and is given to every new buyer with a easy explanation of how to buy on the trading floor. The pack can be downloaded here
We understand that a market does not have to be dirty:
Cleanliness has become a big focal point. The market is cleaned twice daily and we are pedantic about litter and smoking ensuring that our buyers, agents and visitors don’t smoke on the floor and that litter is cleaned away as soon as possible, leaving the market clean.
Loading and Off-loading times have been adjusted to ensure that between 4:00am and 11:00am no trucks, vans or cars are on the trading floor. This change has made a big difference; we have improved safety for our buyers, reduced emission exposure during periods of high activity and ensured a cleaner trading environment.
Producers who deliver during these times have also been accommodated via several alternative off-loading areas and the buyers have been provided with their own solutions to load produce.
We understand that sometimes you need to reach out:
Creating a friendlier, more in-touch atmosphere has had a positive impact. A friendly face on the trading floor, a smile to say good morning, a hotline number for queries and even morning updates via email, as one buyer described it:
“Nothing like this has ever been done before and it definitely adds value and service to our and many other businesses. Its also nice to know that the Market is trying to establish new trends and services to support its customers away from the old school and showing they care. In this day and age of challenging conditions its inspiring and drives me further to succeed”
We know buyers want to trade with as little fuss as possible, so we made it easier:
We have initiated a new payment method “Protected Cash” which allows buyers to deposit money into their accounts which allows them to process sales immediate and reduces waiting time to get their produce off the floor and on their shelves.
We installed an ATM for their convenience and to ensure that they are able to buy produce as and when they want.
We want to be the market of choice:
At the Cape Town Market we want to listen and learn from our partners, the producers, the agents, the buyers and staff, all of whom have a voice which we would like to hear.
We are committed to being the best and will continue to change, improve and innovate.
Watch this space!
If you have any questions, or comments, or just want to chat give us a call on +27 (82) 646 1991
We want to hear from you!