PENARTH launched its own mini-Amazon marketplace last month - here's what some of the traders had to say about it so far.
Thirteen traders have signed up to the ShopAppy site, where independent shops and businesses can advertise products and services they have for sale in their town.
Customers can either click and collect from each shop or pick up all their shopping from one place, and Penarth is the first town in Wales to do this.
The idea came about after Angelina Hall, co-owner with Cathy O’Doherty of Glass By Design, was racking her brain on how to help businesses in the area during the early days of the pandemic.
Traders are exicted about what the site has to offer, especially when it is officially launched in the coming weeks.
Kirsty Bousie, manager of Allen Sadler Hair Salon, said: "We were very excited about having the opportunity to be part of the shop local community.
"It’s another opportunity for us to keep advertising through lockdown.
"As we are a service based industry it is slightly different for us as we do not depending on our product sales.
"However we wanted to offer the chance to our clients to still be able to get the salon look at home, by purchasing our professional products. Sadly as of yet we are still waiting for sales.
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"But love to be part of this as we think it’s great for the business of Penarth to be able to collaborate, especially when our customers are not able to shop in the usual ways."
Others believe that the marketplace is a way for traders to survive during the pandemic.
“I think being in lockdown has been tough for a lot of independents in Penarth," said Crag Parker, owner of Apothecary64.
"We have all had to adapt where we can to keep our businesses going as well as to continue to offer services and products to the people of Penarth.
"I think that being given the opportunity for Penarth Traders to join ShopAppy’s virtual high street is great and particularly for those businesses without a website at current, and also puts businesses in front of new customers.”
John Davies, of Candid Creative Studio, says it's a great tool for freelancers to promote their work during lockdown.
“I’ve been a freelance designer in Penarth for over six years, and many of my small business customers are based in the town," he added.
"I was instantly taken by the concept of ShopAppy as a way to highlight the fact that I am locally-based and that spending locally means supporting the local economy.
“I’m very excited for Penarth’s virtual marketplace to launch fully, and for it to be a way for Penarth residents to shop online with convenience, whilst also supporting their local town centre."
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