Like so many businesses during this unprecedented time, there have been many challenges for the Kumeu Produce Market since the lockdown.
“One of the biggest challenges was the uncertainty around whether businesses like ours were able to continue to operate during the lockdown, to provide locals with the essential fruit and vegetables for their five-plus-a-day,” said Sandy Cheng who owns the market with her husband Jerome.
“We sought guidance and we were informed that we were allowed to operate with strict hygiene and distancing guidelines.”
However, when the Chengs saw what was happening overseas they decided to temporarily close for the safety of the local community. Unfortunately, they had a lot of fresh produce left that would go to waste, as a result, the couple decided to sell most of the stock, at a loss, to a nearby supermarket.
“Though we closed our storefront, we still continued to supply fresh fruit and vegetables to essential businesses that continued to operate during these difficult times.”
Kumeu Produce Market has always had an online e-mail and phone ordering system in place for its wholesale orders, where they would prepare orders for pickup or delivery for cafes, bars, restaurants, rest homes, or private healthcare around Auckland. However, they did not have an e-commerce platform prior to lockdown for everyday shoppers.
“There were customers that wished for us to have an online platform to place their orders. We did not have the resources for this sort of operation, nevertheless, we utilised the resources we did have available.”
The Chengs set up a separate online ordering e-mail address, with a spreadsheet containing updated prices for fresh produce and organic produce, as well as an order form.
“We also offered Kumeu Produce Fruit and Vege bags at different price points for contactless pick-up. These were Kumeu Produce Market reusable grocery bags which contained an assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables.”
The market’s diligent staff shared the produce bags on social media and while a few orders come in, the market, unfortunately, did not get as many orders as they had hoped.
During the temporary closure, there was still a demand to open the physical store. The market had several phone call messages, e-mails, and notes, asking to contact customers when it reopened.
“Even while we were closed, but silently working around the store, some locals would pop-in and ask if we were open. We regret that we were unable to serve these locals during that time we decided to close, but we are really grateful for all the support the local community has provided to us during this time.”
To get the market ready for operation the Chengs have followed guidelines set out by the government. They have encouraged social distancing, implemented a simple contact tracing log, limited the number of people in-store, encouraged the use of PPE, installed acrylic screens, increased the cleaning routine, staggered lunch breaks, limited the number of operational tills, and encouraged card transactions.
One of the biggest challenges to the market has been adapting to the digital world. The Chengs admitted that they were never very proactive on social media before the lockdown.
“Thankfully, our staff have been diligent in promoting the temporary online system, as well as interacting with locals and updating them on the status of their local fruit and veg store,” said Cheng, proving why it is so vital to have a strong, loyal team behind a business.
The Kumeu Produce Market prides itself on being a local business that provides great customer service, quality fresh fruit and vegetables at an affordable price, fruit and vegetables from local farmers, and a wide selection of organics.
For the time being, it will be hard for all businesses to bounce back, the outbreak has heavily impacted the economy and people’s spending habits.
“But we think, COVID-19 has sparked Kiwis to support their local businesses. So, we hope that going forward, businesses will flourish with their community’s support.”
Check out The Kumeu Produce Market's Facebook page.
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