A new virtual marketplace in support of Perth retail and community services is a beacon of light amid all this COVID chaos…
If all this pending retail shutdown has got you anxious about where you can go for necessary goods and services, a new virtual marketplace and digital one-stop-shop of sorts ought to brighten the mood.
A Perth online virtual hub – the Perth Online Marketplace – has just been launched in response to the COVID-19 retail drop-off and current events shut-down so as to help Perth and West Australian small businesses.
The marketplace has been established to allow local businesses remain virtually connected with customers and the community at large.
Established by Perth online guide Perth Happenings in response to local business demand, the online market features only Perth and WA owned and operated vendors.
“Our local community always has, and always will be the focus of Perth Happenings, and we’re very excited to provide this virtual shopfront to assist local businesses at this challenging time,” says creator Pieta Sharpe.
“We had 6000 customers visit the site on launch day last week, and it’s been really well received with a flood of local vendors signing up. The general response from businesses is that this is giving them hope.”
Local vendors who apply are able to list as many products as they like across the categories of Health and Beauty, Fashion, Food, Home and Garden, Kids and Toys, Party and Gifts, Local Services and – yes fur-baby parents – Pets.
The product range currently online is vast including services such as online courses and mechanics to local artisans work, fashion, flowers, fresh cakes, beauty products and even a local butcher.
Heck, there’s even a local guide specific-tailored to Christmas shopping, in case you’re getting in early and wanting to stockpile Chrissy gifts, too.
Perth and WA businesses can apply online to sell their goods on the site at www.perthhappenings.com.au/perth-online-market/ with a small administration fee of $39 payable to join as a vendor, and 100% of profits kept by the seller.
Now that’s a decent community and consumer service, helping to keep things local and alive.
Antonino Tati
CREAM MAGAZINE 
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