Shoppers flock to Preston Market for fruit and veg, meat
As supermarkets struggle to fill their shelves, independent retailers at Preston Market are reaping the benefits of their flexibility. Here’s why you should shop local during the coronavirus contagion.
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Traders are rejoicing as shoppers turn from empty supermarket shelves to their local butchers and fruit and veg retailers.
While supermarkets struggle to restock shelves, smaller independent chains have seen stock fly out the door only to restock overnight and have a full store the next morning.
MNM Fruit owner Domenic Mollica said most smaller traders could get stock and restack shelves within a day, unlike supermarkets which could take days to resupply.
“There shouldn’t be any panic,” he said.
“(People) can go to the local supplier, bakers delight, local butcher, local deli.”
“There’s no need to panic buy.”
Mr Mollica said many of his customers were regulars, and there were a range of benefits to getting to know your independent traders.
“Make friends with your local businesses and if you send them a text or an email they’ll happily put stuff away. For my regular customers, I’m doing that.”
This morning at my local market Preston. There's still much life around. Go support your local market. And 'go Corona. Corona go"😀 pic.twitter.com/Zb8gD52UK8
— Indii (@indira_laisram) March 19, 2020
Mr Mollica, who is based at Preston Market, said trade had slowed since the weekend’s frantic pace and hoped it was a sign people had calmed down.
“People just need to think about each other and not be hoarders. There’s plenty for everyone,” he said.
Preston Market manager Gary Zoabi said the market had been extremely busy and on Wednesday all butchers had sold out of stock before 11am.
The market had ordered in extra hand sanitiser and employed more cleaners to sanitise common areas.