Steemit Engagement Challenge S4-W1|Traditional Retail Shopping : Saffron Spice Box by @patjewell
Saffron Spice Box
When I started my first restaurant in my hometown there were only two other restaurants. I was very excited and told my husband that it is amazing that we “share the cake” between the three of us.
A few years later the slices of the cake got smaller and smaller and smaller. We now had to compete with coffee shops, sports bars, take-away outlets and even the local supermarket who was now also selling food.
This is the story of so many businesses.
The slice of the cake is getting smaller. Unfortunately that is not where it ends. There are numerous other factors which makes it difficult for businesses to keep their heads above water.
- Pandemics like COVID-19
- Technology, online shopping
- High overheads
- Continuous power cuts
- Social media platforms where disappointments are published
- Unemployment which in the end all adds up to...
- The economy
Poor economy is blamed for so many things in South Africa.
Despite these blames there is a clear indication that retail shopping is on an upward trend.
Transactions in South Africa are traditionally very “cash heavy” and given that a significant ‘digital divide’ (meaning regular access to internet-enabled technologies) still exists, brick-and-mortar retail stores will continue to play a crucial role. This according to Mr. John Jack, CEO of Galetti Corporate Real Estate.
What are brick-and-mortar retail stores?
They are those “traditional retail stores” which offers face to face services.
Let’s take a closer look at “Traditional Retail” compare to “Modern Retail”;
| Definition | Traditional Retail | Modern Retail |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Family business, entrepreneurs, the typical mom-and-pop shops | Chain groups, supermarkets etc. |
| Location | Anywhere but mainly in open markets and streets | Strategic placements with high volume of traffic like shopping malls |
| Customer base | Service to the local community | Shopping by the masses |
| Relationship with customers | Focused on having a relationship customer | Limited direct relationship with customers |
| Product range | Restricted | Wide variety |
Deloitte Africa (professional services firms) together with BrandsEye recently analysed 1.7 million social media posts to establish what consumers are looking for when it comes to shopping in South Africa.
In the end 5 things stood out;
This is the slogan of my favorite traditional retail shop in my town, Ballito, South Africa.
Name of business: Saffron Spice Box
Located in: Ballito Junction Regional Mall
Address: Ballito Junction Shopping Center, Lenora, Drive, Umhlali Beach, Dolphin Coast, 4420
Shopping Hours: Opens 9AM close 7PM
Saffron Spice Box is for sure the right shop to spice up your life. They sell a variety of freshly ground spices.
Just by entering the shop the smells makes you feel at home.
This is however not what made us stopped at Saffron Spice Box in the first place.
The supermarket and butcher from who we buy our groceries and meat is situated right by this shop. It was on a day shopping for our daily needs that my stepson saw the glass cabinet at their door filled with samosas, spring rolls and chilly bites.
KwaZulu Natal, the province we now live in is well known for the Indian population and their delicious food.
We were hooked from the time we stepped into the shop. The friendliness of the staff and of course the magnificent sales skills of the owner made us leave not only with fresh baked samosas but also with a carry bag filled with traditional Indian biscuits, spice and frozen savories. If there is something they don’t stock they will go the extra mile to get it for you.
Saffron Spice Box is now part of our shopping routine. We have to leave the shopping center with a samosa in the hand and on the days that we don’t shop I have to bake some of the frozen savories for my family.
I spoke to the owner yesterday about COVID-19 and the impact it had on their business as well as the recovery. Although they are based in a shopping center there were weeks in which they were not allowed to operate. As regulations improved it helped them that they are located in the right spot, next to a supermarket.
Business is better but times are still tough and they have to work hard in marketing their products.
Saffron Spice Box ticks all the boxes which makes the South African consumer and myself more than happy to shop at a traditional retail shop.
Price and value ✔
Customer experience ✔
Convenience ✔
Sustainability ✔
Control ✔
My latest purchase from this shop;
• A pack of 12 frozen chicken spring rolls
• 1 x packets of 12 frozen samosas (spicy mutton)
• 1 x packets of 12 frozen samosas (corn and cheese)
Price in SA rand: R 245.00
Price in STEEM: 13.34
It is my believe that the most important sale in the till is the relationship with the customer and only traditional retail shopping can offer this.
In invite:
@morpheussa
@chopper46
@gracyakan
Well done dear.
Beautiful work you dane it today.
Thank you for sharing with us .
Good luck to you.
Thank you!
I now await a post from you 😊
There are so many type of cake in the shop we can choose what ever we want.. 😅😅👍
Those are traditional Indian biscuits and they are super yummy. You will find most of them served at functions like weddings.
You are right, a huge variety 😊
Thank you for stopping by!
Hello friend, great that little store, obligatory stop haha and is near the meat store.Hey sorry you've gone through so much with your business, the pandemic has affected so much.That good that small business is getting ahead despite everything, so it is here on the island.Although we have an inconsistency of prices, our currency is the boliovar and everything is marked in dollars, ironic but true, crazy.A pleasure to greet you, good day
Oh wow! What a nice visit to my post!
I've never heard about your island and first had to go and read more about it. It is a beautiful island. Looks like a little place in heaven.
It is indeed crazy to mark the price of goods in dollar but I presume it is more to accommodate tourists as I can see that the island has a huge tourist attraction.
Thank you! I appreciate your visit.
You always write something different and inspiring others. Best of luck for you..
I hope you can visit my post too. Greetings😊
Thanks for the visit! I visited your post and I see you have already replied on my comment.
You are one of the quickest Steemians when it comes to replies (•ิ‿•ิ)
Thanks! I appreciate your visit!
With all my pleasure..
Do you know dear modm' @patjewell , that I want to always be near you and I can see how you are able to do all things well,
I really like it when you say that the most important thing in a business is that there is a direct relationship and interaction between the seller and the buyer which will provide additional satisfaction and comfort when buying. Moreover, they are retail sellers who sell items that we have never seen and tried before. , this is one of the reasons why I also like being and shopping at traditional retail, lots of goods, lots of choices which are certainly cheap.
And I see that the retail store at your place is still very comfortable, clean and tidy, and that is very important
Good luck always for you mod'm
👍
What a good reply! Thank you!! 🎕
We can all learn from you.
What I enjoyed most of your reply is the remark regarding the comfort, cleanliness and tidiness. These 3 things is what makes our shopping experience memorable.
You are welcome...
You are right mod'm...
🤗👍
Great post, resteemed and upvoted on @southernafrica
Ma'am I see your posts all the time. I like it very much that you always present us with different religious posts. You have shared with us a nice presentation about retail business transactions.
Thank you so much for reading my post.
It is wonderful to know that you take an interest in my posts. It is appreciated 🌼
Thank you very much ma'am.
Wow this is quite interesting and I like the spice box. Thanks for the invitation and I wish you success
Thanks my friend.
I’m looking forward to reading yor post.
Nigeria has great traditional retailers you guys shop from.
Once again you give me motivation in this very interesting post, success is always for you mom @patjewell
Thank you for reading my friend!
It is always nice to see your reply.
Just know it is appreciated! ☕
With pleasure, the knowledge must be learned not come alone, may you always be healthy and successful for you
Thank you for the beautiful wishes!!
May the same goes for you.
🙏🙏🙏