Traders Meet With CEO and Board

Tuesday’s Queen Victoria Marketing Advisory Committee meeting contained a number of firsts. It was the first meeting chaired by our new CEO, Jan Cochrane-Harry, the first attended by two members of the QVM Board, Caroline Parker and Paul Sheahan, and the first since the renewal announcement. . Eight Trader Representatives attended the meeting which opened up a new era in Trader/Management/Board relations.

One of the key issues raised by traders concerned marketing expenditure. The question was asked – “Is the current marketing expenditure at QVM sufficient to meet the needs of a major retail entity?" (see separate article below). This issue is to be examined in more detail following the appointment of a new Director of Marketing this week.

One of our Trader representatives made a presentation on the impact of shrinking wholesale and manufacturing sectors in Australia, how that affects QVM Traders, and what assistance can be provided by CoM, State Government, and other relevant bodies to guide traders in finding new sources of supply. This is one of the most important challenges facing public retail markets worldwide.

Other matters included 
1. Progress on the lighting fitout in the top end.
2. The new loading bay arrangements in Queen St.
3. Trader’s vehicles occupying customer parking spaces in Queen St.
4. Procedures for recruiting and approving new traders.
5. Christmas promotion program.
6. Progress on installing wi-fi throughout the market.
7. The latest figures on tourist visitations to QVM.
8. A review of the casual trader stall allocation process.
9. A guidance manual for new traders. 

The Queen Victoria Market Advisory Committee (QVMAC) has been operating since at least the 1990’s with varying degrees of success. It is fair to say that today’s re-vamped version, particularly with direct Board access, gives traders their best opportunity in a long while to have greater input into the direction of our wonderful market and ensure that the interests of traders receive appropriate consideration.

Have Your Say - click here.

Marketing QVM - A Shared Responsibility

A major point of discussion at this week’s QVMAC meeting was the level of marketing and promotion at QVM and whether expenditure on this critical function reaches industry standards and is sufficient for a major retail entity. In other words, how much should we be spending on marketing at QVM to do justice to the combined sales potential of all traders.

What is the industry standard? A Bloomberg article back in 2009 suggested that, in the retail industry, around 5% of sales turnover should be spent on advertising. A more recent study by Gartners in the US suggested that the average total marketing spend (that is the total spend on marketing including the cost of operating a marketing department) was around 10% for retail.

So how does QVM fit into this? Traders do not report sales figures so getting a handle on QVM's sales is not easy. Back in 2008 our CEO famously suggested that QVM turnover was around $1billion per annum, although that was based on an average customer spend taken from some market research multiplied by the number of visitors to QVM (10 million per annum). The figure is probably optimistic but even if we allow for half, $500 million per annum turnover, then around $25m per year needs to be spent on advertising at QVM.

Once again, it is difficult to measure what is spent on advertising. The spend by QVM, the company, is not too difficult to work out, but the spend by traders is unknown? Some traders have substantial marketing budgets, while others spend very little. It is fair to suggest that the combined total gets nowhere near $25 million. In an industry where our competitors are spending huge amounts on marketing (just look at our two competing supermarkets) QVM would appear to be falling behind. This is a common failing of public retail markets around the world.

Traders do have some responsibility for marketing their own businesses. Establishing and maintaining a website is probably the main component and embracing social media is certainly a cost effective way of promotion. Many traders have websites and many more need to establish them. But what about other forms of advertising, and is individual business expenditure the best way to market QVM? There is a strong argument for saying that pooled marketing resources is the best way to go. You are more likely to create ripples in a pond with a stream of water than with thousands of individual drops.

There is also an argument that traders are already contributing to QVM marketing in their rent. Apparently a number of years ago the market collected a rent figure and a separate advertising levy which were eventually combined into one. Despite this many traders understand that a combined Trader/QVM marketing effort is necessary. A number of traders have already expressed a willingness to contribute to special marketing and promotion funds that, as an example, would bring tourist buses to the market. There are many options to look at, but one thing is sure - both management and traders need to lift their contribution if QVM is to get the level of marketing it deserves and our market is to prosper in today’s competitive retail environment. 

Have Your Say - click here.

Rivers Sold To Specialty Fashion Group

Iconic Australian apparel brand, Rivers, has been sold to the Specialty Fashion Group (Millers, Katies etc.) for $5 million.

 The acquisition of 160 Rivers stores will give the Specialty Group a foothold into value footwear and men’s and children’s clothing. The company’s research showed that 50% of men’s clothing purchases are made by women and Rivers is the favourite footwear brand of Millers customers.

Update On CBA Mobile EFTPOS Facilities - Union Pay and Paywave.

We posted last week about the significance of Union Pay card facilities for our Chinese tourists at the market - http://www.victraders.com/2013/11/important-card-facility-for-market.html We understand that both CBA and NBA are contemplating Union Pay facilities for their merchants.

The Commonwealth Bank advised us today that software upgrades allowing the acceptance of Union Pay Credit cards were being gradually introduced across the system with completion expected by early next year.

The updates are being introduced in batches and unfortunately there is no way of jumping the queue even for premier tourist spots like QVM.  With over 100,000 Chinese tourists visiting our market every year we are certainly a significant destination for potential Union Pay users.

PAYWAVE – on a separate issue we can advise that CBA will upgrade mobile EFTPOS terminals to PAYWAVE for a fee of $59. Simply ring the CBA EFTPOS Help Desk on 1800 022 966.

 Have Your Say – click here.

Nick Auden Passes Away

Nick Auden, Son of QVM Traders Peter & Kay Auden, passed away over the weekend after a high profile battle with melanoma.

Nick was the subject of the extraordinary "Save Locky's Dad" campaign to give cancer sufferers access to trial drugs and was supported by a wide range of business people, celebrities and organisations.

Our sincere condolences to the whole Auden family. A sad time for the market community.

Have Your Say - click here.

COMMENTS:
25/11/2013 14:24:41 Nick Auden "So sad, condolences to the Auden family" - Tony  
28/11/2013 16:34:01 Auden Family "Our Thoughts are with you, lots of strength! Annette Boere and family" Annette Boere

Retail News Shorts

Food Growing - in the 12 months to September Australian retail turnover grew by 2.9% while food grew by 3.75%. And that trend is a continuation of recent experience with food growing by an average of 5.3% over the last 10 years while retailing generally grew at 4.2%.

Kogan Gatecrashes Click Frenzy Event - Online retailer Kogan has been issued with a cease-and-desist letter after conducting its own Click Frenzy sale outside the official event. Kogan said that nobody should own Christmas Day, Boxing Day or Online Sales events. Kogan had shown interest in participating in last years event but were put off by the $30,000 fee.

Coles and Woolworths Code of Conduct - Coles and Woolworths are about to sign up to a voluntary code of conduct, subject to ACCC ratification. This follows complaints, particularly from smaller suppliers, that the supermarket duopoly was abusing its power. Just in case you doubt that abuse claim we note that the two supermarket giants will no longer be able to charge suppliers for goods stolen from their supermarkets........Honestly?

Have Your Say - click here.

Traders Comment on General Merchandise Shrinkage.

Traders Comment on General Merchandise Shrinkage.

 Would the trader who posted on Have Your Say on Monday 18^th (Concerned Stall Holder) please contact the Editor on 0406 222 020 to discuss how best to publicise this issue. Thanks. – Greg Smith

Latest Retail News – 24/11/2013

Latest Retail News – 24/11/2013

1. McDonalds identifies coffee as key product for global sales growth.
2. Bucking Bull carvery opens first Victorian franchised store at Craigieburn.
3. Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay remains world’s most expensive retail location.
4. Dick Smith’s plans first sharemarket offer at $2.20 per share to raise $344m.
5. McDonalds Australia launches company’s first mobile ordering app.
6. Sportsgirl upgrades online offer with better mobile access.
7. Starbucks orders first in-train store on Geneva Airport to St Gallen railway.
8. Senator calls for moratorium on fuel discount dockets until anti-competitive claims are investigated.
9. Sydney Airport looks to upgrade its retail offer with international brands.
10. Myer launches Australia’s first store app with Christmas augmentation.
11. CBA reports October retail sales up 4.1% after 1.4% decline in September.
12. Online wine retailer, Vinomofo, wins Deloitte’s award for fastest business growth.
13. Pumpkin Patch says it faces more downside risks for 2014 profit result.
14. US reports a modest 0.4% increase in October retail sales.
15. US fast fashion brand, Forever 21, to open first Australian store in Brisbane 2014.
16. UK department store stalwart, Debenhams, sets up eBay online store.

Important Card Facility For Market Traders

Two of your Trader representatives were given a heads up last week during discussions with a senior official from Tourism Victoria.

She asked if traders accepted Union Pay which is a credit card based in China. Chinese tourism to The Queen Victoria Market has apparently doubled in the last 4 years. Chinese tourists can only bring $5,000 to Australia and the rest of their needs must be accommodated through Union Pay. Union Pay say their average transaction is $800 so you would need to make sure you have plenty of boomerangs in stock.

NAB and CBA can offer Union Pay facilities through their system and traders should check with their bank to ensure it is operational on their mobile terminals. In addition, it would be a good idea to arrange counter promotional material for Union Pay.

Intelligent Shopkeepers

I have just read an article about the very latest innovations in retailing including augmented reality, holographic displays, drones, robotic assistants, and something called “intelligent shelves”.

Now I am going to be a bit of a smart-ass here, but “intelligent shelves” are described as camera-ready shelves that will “read” our profile (making judgments about features, sex and ethnicity), serve up suggestions, and change detail provided about the product to suit. Apparently this new system is being tested in Singapore this month. But isn’t that what shop owners and their assistants have been doing for centuries? Don’t we “read” our customers by looking at them and then conversing with them to find out their needs?

As we have printed on this website many times – our single biggest advantage as market traders is that we can personally relate to our customers in a face to face exchange that not only works better than technological guesses but helps make shopping a pleasant experience.

Give me intelligent shopkeepers anytime.

Have Your Say – click here.

Is An Underground Carpark The Best Option?

Of all the issues surrounding QVM renewal the car park is probably receiving the most discussion and with good reason.

The car park is a very important ingredient of market business, particularly for the food traders. Take away a car park for even a few days and those customers who bring their cars to do their week’s shopping will find alternative places to shop, perhaps permanently.

So why is an underground carpark being considered? Well, part of the current car park is required for an apartment development (which will help finance renewal) and a new road linking Franklin St. with Dudley St. It is partly a space problem. According to our Lord Mayor a car park cannot be built over the current car park because there are graves underneath. That doesn’t leave much alternative space except perhaps for the southern end of the market where apartment towers are being proposed or perhaps by acquiring nearby properties. It is also partly aesthetics. There are some who want a green parkland next to the sheds rather than a car park.

So what are the problems with going underground? Two possible locations for an underground car park are under A, B, and C sheds or under J, K, and L sheds. Firstly the cost is huge. One estimate put a figure of $80 million on such a project. Secondly, building an underground car park is incredibly disruptive. Basically, if overseas markets are a guide, you remove the sheds on top, scoop out the area required, build your car park and facilities, put a floor back over the top of the car park, and re-install the sheds. That is a long, disruptive process.

What are the alternatives? Well, you could build an off-site, but adjacent car park – perhaps even at the bottom of the new apartment towers proposed for the southern end of the market. Secondly, you could build over part of the current car park using shallow footings but go multi-level and still leave space for a green area. Thirdly, if the proposed roadway across the current car park is going to take away too much space then you could put that road underground, and make it deep underground away from possible gravesites.

Are these alternatives feasible? We don’t know. We are not city planners or engineers, but we do know when projects have great potential for harming our businesses. At a recent meeting of 24 traders, participants were asked if they felt an underground car park was a good idea. Around 20 said “N0!”. Recent comments on web forums suggest that many customers would find dingy underground car parks a real turn-off.

We would really love to hear counter arguments from the planners who believe an underground car park is the preferred option.

Have Your Say – click here.

Sounds of the Market - Barmy Kangaroo

You may have to be a bit of a cricket fan to appreciate this little clip but Guru Pete's version of a Barmy Army cricket fan song has a real Aussie flavour to it. This is early Saturday morning while Pete is doing the rounds handing out rubbish bags plus a dose of his usual cheeky humour. Not sure what the British fans would think.



COMMENTS:
30/11/2013 07:38:56 Barmy Kangaroo "He really does need a Tune-Up" JR Eshed

Latest Retail News – 17/11/2013

Latest Retail News – 17/11/2013

1. Australia Post franchisees launch action over low parcel handling fees.
2. Sydney Airport launches new luxury jewellery precinct.
3. Australia Post releases world first 15 second video stamp.
4. British supermarket giant, Tescos, launches entertainment areas for children while parents shop.
5. Australian Retailers Association predicts 3.3% sales growth this Christmas.
6. Myer reports flat sales in first quarter.
7. Amazon launches an Australian e-book and Kindle store.
8. Ebay launches in Indonesia.
9. Mirvac buys Sydney’s Harbourside Shopping Centre.
10. DFO Spencer St. rebranded as Spencer Outlet Centre with Harris Scarfe and Coles Supermarket.
11. Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment increasing by 1.9 per cent from 108.3 in October to 110.3% in November.
12. Australians stole more than $1.7 billion worth of goods from retailers last financial year
13. Costco to open up 15 stores in France.
14. Starbucks ordered to pay nearly $3b compensation for botched deal with Kraft Foods.
15. Marks & Spencer plans to expand its operation in India.
16. Dick Smith to list on Australian share market.
17. Petbarn to link up with 100 clinic vet business in joint retail/vet operation.
18. Luxury retailer, Nordstrom’s, third quarter sales fell by 7%.
19. Walmart’s third quarter up by 2.9% but trims yearly profit forecast.
20. ASOS launches dedicated website for Chinese market.

New Market In Queensland

The Big Top Farmers Market is expected to open in Maroochydore in late 2014 with more than 100 market stallholders.
The markets will form one component of the $20 million redevelopment of the Big Top complex in the Maroochydore CBD, which on completion in October 2014 will comprises a 10,000sqm hybrid market anchored by an existing Woolworths supermarket. The site is owned by Reed Property Group.
The founder and operator of the successful Noosa Farmer’s Market (voted best market in Australia by Trip Advisor), Shane Stanley, has been appointed operator of the new market.
“It’s going to be really exciting and we’ve now got the ability to create a proper food hub for locals and visitors. The community have to have ownership of the markets so we’ll keep it authentic to reinforce the ‘farm gate to plate’ ethos which has been the hallmark of our business,” Stanley said.

Car Park Hogs No.3

 Well, we had the Ferrari that took up two car parking spaces (thanks to Tony for the photo), the Nissan that took up 4 car parking spaces (thanks to Terry for that photo) and now the Minis that are probably the worst of all. You might think these 8 Minis are parked very neatly in their 8 car spaces but they are small enough to go side by side, two to a car space, and therefore free up another 4 spaces for our customers if they had really wanted to.Thanks to Tony Pierrakos for the photo. Over to you Terry Lawn for the next episode in our car park saga.

                                        

More Public Comments On Renewal

Following are some more extracts from the CoM website that invites the public to comment on QVM renewal. You can make your own comment by going to - http://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/projects/queenvictoriamarket/forum_topics/what-aspects-of-the-queen-victoria-market-do-you-think-should-be-protected

Adllara 08 Nov 2013, 10:06 Pm

As a single parent with 4 kids, I go to the market to do my weekly shopping. The fear that this whole 'renewal' thing will ruin a fresh and relatively inexpensive market is worrying. All I can see is the councils desire to make it 'trendy' and what follows that is expensive. Its a food and produce market, not a trendy coffee place to relax on the weekend.

Market Trader 10 Nov 2013, 06:19 Pm

The core ingredients for successful public markets are quality, value and personal service. Value is closely related to the cost of doing business and the QVM model does allow low cost retailing (some traders may disagree). That low cost model must be retained if we are to avoid some of the disasters overseas where “gentrification” has resulted in higher retailing costs as well as a loss of “market feel”. There are aspects we can improve on. In 2013 it is difficult to understand why most traders don’t have electricity. Running water would seem to be an essential for Fruit & Vege traders but are expensive cooling facilities really necessary?
Maybe we can add another ingredient to the quality, value, personal service trio and that is convenience. Modern living does make us time poor. A key objective may be to introduce easier ways for customers to find what they want, when they want it (more flexible trading hours) and then getting it home efficiently. This applies whether you are a local, interstate or even international shopper. One of the main attractions for online shopping is the convenience factor and modern public markets need to recognise convenience as a modern essential.
There are many aspects of 20th Century markets that remain attractive today, but choosing what needs to be added for modern living, without increasing costs (and prices) is now the challenge at QVM. 

BenK 03 Nov 2013, 02:45 Pm

I agree with what most people have said so far in terms of making sure we keep the market viable as a place to do "real" shopping. One of the things that I think makes the market "real" in this sense is the variety of food you can buy. By this I don't just mean different cheeses or different meats, but also the different varieties of the same foods. If you want to the crispest of tomatoes for a salad, you can buy those at the market. But if you want some over-ripe tomatoes for a tomato sauce you can buy those too. I would hate for the market to lose this "realness" and become only a seller of "premium" foods.
I can see where Market Trader is coming from in terms of the need for car spaces, but I don't really agree with her/him. As a resident of the municipality I would like to see the Council do everything it can to encourage people to use public transport in order to reduce congestion and pollution within the municipality. There are four tram routes that go past the market and two nearby train stations, and anything you can fit into a market trolley you can take with you on the tram or train. Anyway, road congestion is only going to get worse as the city's population increases, so it may not be sustainable to rely on car traffic for the market's future viability.
As others have said, some later trading hours would be good.
Also, like others making comments, I think that the non-food section of the market needs looking at. As has been said, more variety would be good. I'd like to see some space given over to stalls for makers of quality designer crafts/clothes. There's a bit of a trend for pop-up shops these days and maybe the market can tap into this by having cheap, flexible space available for young crafty types to take a low-risk punt on setting up shop.
Lastly, I agree with kellyhertzog that the market revamp would be a great opportunity to green up the market, both in terms of having more green space and incorporating environmentally friendly infrastructure/programs. 

Miriam Faine 12 Nov 2013, 10:28 Pm

My family's weekly trip to the market contributes to our amenity in many ways as it does for other Melbournians and I am concerned that to date we customers have had no input into the plans for the market's future.
A really important thing about the market is that it is a profoundly democratic space, one of the declining number of public spaces where a whole range of very different people can not only mingle, but share a common purpose.
If the market is deteriorating, it is because its management has no understanding of or sympathy for what is the essence of a market - competition (low prices), choice and freshness. Since ?early 2000s food traders were permitted to purchase and trade licences. This has led to some traders buying out others, thus reducing competition and leading to price fixing across the market. Because fresh produce traders now own more than one stall, they operate on a large scale. Hence the pressure to install freezers and cool stores, increase trading days etc. Basically this will turn the market into a supermarket with little choice of vendor, food being stored on site and consequence loss of freshness (which the reason the market traditionally only operated some days).
All proposed changes will cost a fortune, so the trade off is to develop part of the market site for high rise and put the parking underground. But the current car park is sacred ground (over Melbourne's earliest cemetery) plus there are ideas for a grand plaza. So the plaza goes on the carpark, other land is promised to developers, and what is left of the market is 'upgraded' - reduced, refurbished and wrecked as a functioning food market. Mr Doyle thinks a 'win win' but I think a sad thing for the popular culture and heritage of Melbourne.

Andrew In NM 15 Nov 2013, 10:31 Pm

Please do not forget the customers. As can be seen from the majority of comments here, it is the customers who sustain the market. We do not want the interests of the more wealthy food traders to obtain a monopoly or even a larger share of the market than they already have. If that is allowed to happen we can all throw away our trolleys and go to the supermarkets because that will be all that's left.
If we continue to play to the markets strengths (which are many and varied) it will succeed. It is unique, for it's locale, size, history and culture. Ensuring that it maintains and enhances these things is not difficult if our motives are transparent. I think some basic things would grow the patronage. Namely some more seating areas and more scope for art and music and perhaps this would encourage more people to eat at the market as well.
Increasing numbers will live near the market and if it caters to them it will thrive.

Lapchick 16 Nov 2013, 08:11 Am

Please do not forget the residents! Please clean the streets surrounding the market area, in particular, Cobden and O'Connell Streets. The market area is cleaned after the market finishes, however a vast amount of rubbish, boxes and general waste is strewn in our streets and is left in place for the weekend. Victoria St, close to the market area, is also a huge mess during the weekend. Our visitors could easily mistake the area for downtown Calcutta on market days and indeed on other days. The cleaning companies should extend their area of operations. Please think of the residents and also of the impression the litter makes on tourists of all description. It is not just the market that needs cleaning, it is our adjacent streets.

Retail Competition Now Comes From Many Directions

If your competitor at the market introduces a new feature that is likely to pinch your customers you do something about it, right?

Let's say you sell sports shoes and your competitor down the aisle has introduced a new fluoro orange style that is coming past your stall in shopping bags at an increasingly alarming rate. You make sure your next delivery has stock of orange fluoros so you can get a piece of the action.

What if your competitor is offering door to door delivery, or alternative payment methods, or after hours ordering? And I can tell you, they are. These are not necessarily your competitors down the aisle, but your competitors in the wider shopping environment - the worldwide shopping centre.

It would be nice if shopping only took place in our little cocoon at The Queen Victoria Market. We could keep track of what our competitors are doing and adjust our offer to maximise sales. But, thanks to the digital mobile age, there is no cocoon. Shoppers have access to all our competition all of the time. How often do you see customers wandering around with a mobile phone in their hand? Many are using mobiles to check what is available from our competitors. For those customers it is all part of the adventure.

The good news is that we can also offer things like door to door delivery, alternative payment methods, and after hours ordering. We can also check what our worldwide competitors are doing and adjust our offer to suit. We can be competitive in the worldwide shopping centre by using our low overhead retailing model and our flexibility to trump the other competitors out there.

A trader once said to me - "If you forget about the competition and just concentrate on giving your customer the best possible service, you will probably achieve the same result." The trader was right, but today's "best possible service" is more than just standing at your stall with a friendly smile. We need to show excellence in a whole range of retailing imperatives to be truly competitive.

Have Your Say - click here.

Traders Become Video Stars

The City of Melbourne has sponsored a video about QVM and its upcoming renewal. Included in the video were extracts of interviews with various traders. Ben, Luke, Herman, Greg, Betty and Mino should all check it out.

Actually all traders and friends of the market should watch the video. It is definitely has a PR function but understanding some of the broad proposals made by politicians and senior executives will be useful as we move forward with the renewal. There is a significant emphasis on social engagement and entertainment at QVM which is fine as long as we don’t lose sight of our core purpose – a place for retail business.

Have Your Say – click here tocomment on this website OR click here to go to the CoM website and leave a public comment.  

Editorial - Making Mistakes At QVM

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" says a famous adage and making mistakes is an accepted part of any worthwhile undertaking. We shouldn't expect to get everything right first time, particularly when breaking new ground, like in a major renewal project.

Creating an environment in which traders are encouraged to make worthwhile contributions is a major emphasis for this renewal campaign. Consultation and engagement opportunities have never been more prolific for traders. Perhaps the biggest mistake we can make is seeing opportunities for improvement but doing nothing about them. Passive mistakes are worse than active mistakes. Active mistakes can be corrected. Passive mistakes just slip into the depths to later re-surface and inhibit progress.

Thorough analysis of new ideas is an essential part of any major project and criticism is inevitable. But offering criticism without offering positive solutions, or at least contributing to the discussion, is cheap. Let's be honest, we have plenty of traders who are willing to criticise or denigrate efforts at improvement. The real challenge is to make contributions and offer solutions. Not throw away lines like "Just bring back the customers we used to have" but a real assessment of the incredible changes in retailing and how a public retail market might prosper in the future.

Will there be mistakes? Of course there will. But this is a great opportunity to influence our future and correct any mistakes we might make along the way.

"People who don't take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year. People who do take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year." - Peter Drucker

Have Your Say - click here.

Trader News - Renewal Process Starts Quickly

Pop-up consultation posts have been in operation around the market over this past week as a specialist consulting group hits the ground running to capitalise on last week’s media coverage.

The first of 3 special Trader engagement meetings took place on Thursday afternoon at the Multi-cultural centre in Elizabeth St. directly across from the old market office. These meetings will involve up to 20 invited traders who are split into groups to discuss various aspects of the market including “What do traders love about the market?” “What needs to be retained, and what needs to change?” and “What opportunities exist for the future?”.

This first session involved Deli Hall and Shop traders and produced some very creative thinking. Traders seemed to enjoy the opportunity to talk in more positive terms about the market and what it means to traders and customers. The second meeting on Tuesday 12th November will involve Meat & Fish and Fruit & Vege traders. General Merchandise traders will hold their consultation session on Tuesday 19th. November.

Have Your Say - click here.