Cape Town hosts first online market to support local businesses 

The City of Cape Town (COCT) has launched an online market that sells items from informal traders, vendors, and crafters.  

The City of Cape Town’s first online market is supporting informal traders and SMEs

Grant Twigg, the COCT’s Mayco Member for Urban Management provides insight into what led to the creation of the new online market. 

“I am excited to see the City pilot this online market initiative. Reason being, last year July, when the City engaged with the leadership of all informal traders’ associations under the theme, ‘Trading and living amid Covid-19’, we made a commitment to finding innovative ways of doing business and assisting the informal sector with increased economic opportunities to minimise the negative economic impact caused by the pandemic. Today’s launch is that commitment in action, and so we call on the public to support these small businesses by browsing and shopping at the Cape Town Online Market.”

The online market

Taking place from 27 May until 9 June 2021, the online market will showcase over 400 products from 110 informal traders, crafters, and vendors. 

Shoppable items include baby clothes, pet goods, home décor, beauty items, kitchenware, and more. 

The newly launched online market is a pilot eCommerce platform that aims to showcase and support local small businesses as it provides access to a wider range of consumers. 

Individuals who have registered for the online market were provided online product display assistance in the form of product styling, photography, and more. In addition, vendors will be provided insight into how they can improve their offering through data analytics and customer feedback.

The online platform provides a delivery option for all items purchased.

My Cape Town Market

In addition to launching the online platform, the COCT has organised a three-day physical market in Green Point Urban Park. The market will take place from 28 May until 30 May 2021. 

The COCT has assured locals that all Covid-19 protocols will be adhered to for the event. 

Twigg points out that the COCT is committed to supporting local entrepreneurs and SMEs. 

”Through such initiatives as the pilot online market and the My Cape Town physical market, we hope to provide an economic opportunity for traders to supplement their income in these trying economic times and hopefully contribute towards sustained livelihoods. We also hope that the online market will present an opportunity for our traders to be recognised and supported by a much broader audience and buyers beyond the borders of Cape Town and South Africa. This market is also a tool that will introduce traders to the online market space and hopefully give them the confidence to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and explore online opportunities beyond the 9th of June 2021.”

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Featured image: The City of Cape Town (Supplied)