Fresh Competition Hots Up

Danks St markets, Waterloo.  As mentioned in the previous post, our local area has seen the opening of a farmers-style market this past weekend.  Saturday was pretty quiet, but Sunday was very busy, drawing as it did on the 'ready-made' market from the large and very busy Hillsong church across the road (see pic), which has multiple services on a Sunday. The range of produce was reasonable, but disappointing for not having the promised wine.  The interior is very basic, and some operators were pleasant and outgoing, encouraging you to taste the food.  Another positive is the parking, which is a rarity in the area.

On the downside, the warehouse structure has very poor ventilation, and will suffer on the warm summer days.  The range is currently somewhat limited, and quality looked ok, but not as consistent as the more upmarket Fratelli Fresh around the corner. Some operators seemed more like producers than retailers - more smiles and service required, I think :))

Apart  from this market, which will be open Saturdays and Sundays, the area also has the aforementioned, and long-established Fratelli Fresh, a Macro Whole Foods organic store, and the brand new Coles supermarket (see below), in addition to the nearby competition in Surry Hills, including a wide variety of fresh food stores in the village shopping centre.  The competition is hotting up.

The Famous Fratelli Fresh

Fratelli Fresh, Danks St, Waterloo.  This fresh produce outlet is legendary in Sydney.  The fitout is basic, no more than a warehouse, parking is a pain, prices are not cheap, and it is often cramped and busy. However, the difference is the quality of  the produce - period.  Worth a visit.

Fresh-ness Sells

Oxfam, Nine West, Broadway mall. What do Oxfam and a shoe retailer have in common ? Well, they have both grasped the important point that shoppers look for 'new-ness' or 'fresh-ness', and that windows are the best way to sell new product. It is amazing how few retailers recognise this. Well done to them.

A FRESHER COLES

Coles, Chatswood Chase - recently refurbished store, operating in a very competitive fresh market environment - a good first impression. Can't wait for the Surry Hills one to be given the same treatment - (sigh).

A RELISH TO BEHOLD

Great gourmet food store, Leichardt.  Very tidy, this store shouts 'fresh', and has a neat colour scheme and finishes. Unusually quiet for a Saturday lunch-time in a very busy (and very competitive) food hall environment, Norton Plaza.