SA businesses quick to adapt to online trading

Are you a usual market shopper who’s keen to stay indoors through the coronavirus crisis? New online options have opened up to make this possible.

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Traders at the once jam-packed Adelaide Central Market have been quick to adapt to social distancing moves by offering customers the same quality produce direct to their door.

Skala Bakery, which operates the Bakers Tray in the market, is one of the stall holders offering deliveries in a bid to save jobs and stay in business through the COVID-19 crisis. The business, which has been operating for nearly 70 years, has retail stores as well as its market presence, and also wholesales to eateries and venues, including Adelaide Oval.

This wholesale trade has taken a major hit because of coronavirus shutdowns and the business has chosen to go direct to retail customers through a pop-up online shop.

“It’s like going back to the way it was before – when the baker would have left bread at your door and the milkman would have left your milk. And there’s nothing better than getting fresh bread in the morning,” Skala chief executive Nick Bagot said.

Consumers across Adelaide can place orders up to 4pm and have their delivery the next day, only hours out of the oven.

Skala has set up a new pop up delivery site in a bid to keep jobs and help shoppers avoid crowds. Dan Semmler of Wills & Daniel, has also started home deliveries. He is pictured with Sally Hansen and Roland Pauls of Skala at the Adelaide Central Market. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Another Central Market stall holder, Wills & Daniel, is offering a new home-delivery service, through which customers can also buy items from other market favourites, including the Mushroom Man.

Dan Semmler, who co-owns Wills & Daniel with Bill Zaharis, said while the business has been around for almost a decade, home deliveries only began on Friday.

Mr Semmler said with wholesale trade dropping a massive 80 per cent, going direct to customers made sense.

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“We wanted to put together an online home delivery service that supported local growers and producers across the state but with the capability to offer people next-day delivery,” he said.

“We’ve had a great response, with more than 500 people registering in the first three days.”

Food South Australia has also launched a new online marketplace, aimed at connecting consumers with local food and beverage providers that can take online orders and deliver products.

Chief executive Catherine Sayer said as the COVID-19 crisis continued to affect how people interact, work and shop, consumers were looking for new ways to connect with local businesses.