15/12/2024
This weekend we had a most unfortunate experience and suffered losses small businesses simply can’t bear. As you know it is peak season and a time when we make most of our income. We put most of our focus on Christmas markets to help us generate revenue.
This weekend we had a Christmas Market booked at Clearwater Mall. Needless to say it was an absolute disaster. Here are the facts of what happened this weekend:
1. We were charged R2000 for 3 days for a 2x5m space. This excludes the cost of others things it takes to set up a stall.
2. We were placed in a dark, remote area of the upper car park far away from any of the entrances, which meant nobody could see us and as a result we had no foot traffic to the market.
3. The intial marketing for this event which was supposed to be done by the organisers, was minimal. There were a few posters in the toilets of the mall but other than that, nothing else. Only after the vendors confronted the organisers, boards were put up to show customers that there was a festive market going on in the mall parking lot.
4. Initially, the market was supposed to be held at Entrance 1, which has good visibility, however this changed in the weeks leading up to the event.
5. The area we were placed in was dark and dull. There were no decorations and nothing attractive to reflect the Christmas spirit.
6. Clearwater Mall and the organiser did commit to giving us a 50% refund and space in the mall next year to compensate us. However, what they fail to realise is the income we have lost out on this weekend. We passed up on other good opportunities to do the Clearwater Festive market, since Clearwater Mall is well known and has good foot traffic.
7. I have tried to suggest to Clearwater Mall to accommodate us in the Mall sometime before Christmas, I do believe there is ample space in the mall, they have however refused stating that there is no space until next year and that it is a public liability risk. I believe that public liability insurance was taken for this market by the organiser and Clearwater ( I have not seen proof of this, so I am unsure of the details).
8. There were approximately 50 vendors, who all paid a minimum of R2000 for their space. Clearwater and the organisers made approximately R100k from this event. They defended themselves saying that there were many expenses, we have not seen any proof of these expenses despite asking for receipts and other proof.
9. Most of the vendors packed up yesterday at around 3pm. The market was supposed to go on till 7pm. It was also scheduled to run today until 4pm. However, the organiser cancelled the market today stating that most vendors will not be attending. He then sent a message after this saying whoever wanted to still trade could do so but the market would be empty as most vendors will not be there.
I am writing this post to highlight that we as small business owners are dependant on making most of our income during peak periods such as Christmas. Losing out on 1 peak weekend is a big loss to us. It goes beyond the money we paid for expenses.
We choose very carefully the locations that we have pop up stalls in. We do our homework prior to an event to make sure that we make the most out of an opportunity. When I pay a stall fee of R2000 and over, I trust that the organisers will work very hard on the advertising and making sure the set up is not only in the proper location but also that the area looks inviting to the public.
For most of the events I have done, I have not been disappointed. But myself and other traders who were at Clearwater this weekend were extremely disappointed with the event, not only for the lack of advertising and asthetics but also for the loss of income.
I am writing this post, not only to highlight what happened with what is supposed to be a reputable institution but also to ask that you please support the small businesses that are tagged in the comments and also if there are by any chance any viable pop up markets (that have space left) before Christmas that you please bring it to our attention.
We will be pursuing further action in this regard, however, we also need to try and salvage what is left of the festive period.
I have asked the vendors to tag themselves in the comments of this post so that you will be able to find them easily.
Thanking you in advance
Terri Singh
