Queen Victoria Market online provides welcome boost for traders

Despite the challenges and evolving landscape presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Queen Victoria Market (QVM) has defied challenges being faced by other markets with the success of its online delivery service.

In response to the pandemic, QVM Pty Ltd said it sought to implement a number of creative initiatives to help build “a stronger, more resilient market for our traders and community.”

QVM Online service was one such initiative, allowing customers to shop for fresh and specialty food from multiple market traders in one online checkout. 

Considered “an important step” for the market to maintain a competitive advantage in the current retail and e-commerce environments, QVM Online has fulfilled more than 15,000 individual online orders since launching in November 2020.

As the only service of its kind remaining in operation today, the success of QVM’s online produce delivery service has gone against the wave of other major Melbourne markets which launched online services during the pandemic, which have all now closed.

And the service continues to go from strength to strength. Beginning with 2000 unique products, it now offers more than 3500 products across fresh meat, fish, poultry, fruit and vegetables, bread, eggs, deli, nuts, ready-made meals, organics, coffee, tea, wine, craft beer and gin, flowers, vitamins and more.

With more than 50 of the market’s traders operating on the one platform, it has proven to be a resounding success and much-needed boost amid ongoing challenges many small businesses have faced during the pandemic.

Having originally delivered within 15 kilometres of the market in December 2020, it now delivers to 220 postcodes within 30 kilometres around Melbourne, with the CBD, North Melbourne, Flemington, Fitzroy and Carlton making up the top five suburbs.

QVM Pty Ltd said there was also a strong customer base in the western suburbs across Werribee and the Point Cook area. 

Customers can collect their goods from the designated click and collect zone in the market car park or have their shopping delivered directly to their home or office, with two delivery windows available every market day (1pm to 5pm or 4pm to 8pm).  

Delivery is $15 per order and customers can order by 10am on a market day for same-day service. Orders are delivered in cardboard boxes with minimal to no plastic packaging.  •

For more information: qvm.com.au/shop