Steemit Engagement Challenge S4-W1|Traditional Retail Shopping : Saffron Spice Box by @patjewell

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”;

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

Google Maps:

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