John Cant’s idea to sell online from local shops to local customers is a simple one, but also one full of operational complexity. Something that was reflected in his initial enquiry:
“I’ve been looking at the various e-commerce options that are available but understand that this local delivery model is a bit different to the standard thing that most platforms provide so am very interested to find your product.”
Marumarket is based in Beverley in Yorkshire and works with a number of local shops including a butcher, a green grocer, a patisserie, a fishmonger and a specialist coffee roasting company. On delivery days each one is sent a ready-made report to tell them what is required for each order. John then picks up the orders later in the day for evening delivery to the customers.
Being able to “adjust the final order value by small amounts based on what is actually delivered i.e. a customer orders 500g of pork but we deliver 475g” was another essential for John and again we had the answer.
John’s understanding of how his online business would need to work if it was to be successful was obvious from the outset. His marketing has been very impressive with emails going out every week, blogs, social media and great publicity in the local papers and radio when he first started. All of which is reflected in the number of orders he regularly receives each week. If you need any advice on marketing your own online business why not check out our marketing articles.










