Melbourne Markets provides significant support to a range of groups to deliver seasonal promotions and to support sales throughout Victoria. This work includes co-ordination of the delivery of point of sales materials through the markets state-wide retail networks, co-ordination of product tastings and promotions at major food events, provision of in-store demonstrations, handling and storage tips for retailers and development of seasonal recipes for the public.
Retail Development Program
There are 700 fruit and vegetable retail outlets registered with this program. Retailers receive point for sale materials promoting seasonal product and product handling tips to assist sales. Shops are also mystery shopped and provided with confidential feedback as to their performance compared to the industry average. This business feedback which covers customer service, product quality, variety and a range of merchandising issues is highly valued by retailefinalists and winners in the prestigious Retailer of the Year Awards.rs and, based on average scores for the past 10 years, has assisted retailers to improve retailing standards across Victoria. As part of the program, monthly awards are made, based on performance. Results are also used to select finalists and winners in the prestigious Retailer of the Year Awards.
New Business and marketing initiatives
Orientation Service for new Businesses. Customised conducted tours are offered to assist new businesses to become familiar with the Melbourne Markets site layout, operations and services of the Market. These one to one tours assists new businesses to quickly adapt and operate within the Market environment.
The Flower Market Business Support
The Melbourne Markets supports traders with targeted promotional campaigns for major trading days. Evaluations from these campaigns indicate that the point of sale and media promotions play a key role in supporting sales for the industry. Promotional campaigns include:
Spring racing Carnival
Valentines Day
Mothers Day
Flower Export Council
The Australian Flower Export Council (AFEC) has its offices in the NFC. The Melbourne Markets works closely with AFEC to support the promotion of flower export and domestic sales of Australian natives.
Apprenticeship Training
The Melbourne Markets provides ongoing support to floristry students and apprentice flowers growers. This includes regular formal lectures at training institutes as part of the curriculum, training visits to the Market and provision of information to assist trainees to understand the operation of the NFC.
