Farmers' markets’ ‘unique fresh produce offerings’ have helped them to outperform traditional retail markets in 2012, according to new figures released at the annual National Association of British Markets Authorities (NABMA) conference.
In its nationwide 2012 retail market performance survey, presented in Harrogate this week, NABMA found 78 per cent of farmers’ markets are currently stable or reporting growth, compared to 74 per cent of traditional retail markets. “It has been an extremely good year for farmers’ markets with their unique fresh produce offerings proving very popular with customers,” said Krys Zasada, policy officer for NAMBA.
Despite the recent wet weather, outdoor retail markets are performing better than indoor markets, with only 23 per cent of outdoor markets in decline compared to 32 per cent of indoor. And 25 per cent of local authority-managed retail markets are in decline compared to 30 per cent of privately owned retail markets.
In light of the figures, Peter Box, board member of the Local Government Association, has called on Britain’s retail and wholesale markets to innovate their services in the year ahead.
“Government funding for Britian’s markets has been cut by 30 per cent so it is key our markets continue to innovate and provide services that stand out from your Tescos; the localisation of business rates would allow councils to offer markets more flexibility,” explained Box.
The Institute of Place Management agreed market innovation is key, with town spend down 50 per cent in 2012 and internet sales expected to rise 10 per cent by 2016. “Unless the high street innovates, online sales will devastate trade,” said IPM’s Simon Quinn.
Meanwhile, Sheffield City Council outlined its hopes for the city’s new £18 million, 79,000sqft indoor Moor Market which is due to open for trade on 4 November 2013. The project, led by Sheffield City Council and Scottish Widows Investment Property Partnership Trust (SWIPPT), will use 60 per cent of its 197 stalls for the sale of food.
“Fruit and vegetables are one of the biggest wants of the people of Sheffield, and the new market will definitely answer their calls,” pledged Andy Ward, Sheffield City Council’s head of markets.
