An Epic Tale of Adventure from the Enchanted Markets of Chattanooga
Hello? Is this thing on? Test, test…
Hello! My name is Chris, and I’m happy to be here today to share with you the past weekend, the upcoming weekend and even 2012. Thanks for reading my article.
With November comes a seasonal decline in sales, which fortunately has started much later over the last few years (the trend began in September just a few years ago). But the distractions of school, holidays and weather can’t be ignored forever, and as our fresh produce availability declines so goes our sales.
This weekend posted a sales average of $263/vendor, which is officially the low-mark of the 2011 Sunday Market season. Gross market sales also were a season low, which is not unexpected.
That’s the bad news; the good news is that when compared to 2010, the sales were actually up 26% — a healthy bump by any measure. And just around the corner are our Holiday Market(s), which I expect may generate sales of nearly 20% of our overall vendor sales — massive events by any measure.
Which brings me to a potential 2012 change I’ve been pondering for several months, and I would like to hear your feedback on. Specifically, I’m considering:
- ending the First Tennessee Pavilion season with a two-day Thanksgiving Market finale on November 17-18, 2012
- taking a one-week break over Thanksgiving so that our vendors & staff can spend quality time with family and friends
- launching into our indoor Holiday Markets the following week (beginning in December) to capture as much holiday Local is Better shopping
The shift away from an outdoor Holiday Market is a bit unsettling to me, but after hearing for the last three years how chilly it is I’m starting to consider alternatives.
Along those same lines, I’m also debating the times we’re open during Holiday Market 2012 — Fri/Sat, Sat/Sun or Fri/Sat/Sun? And what weekends? Traditionally, sales increase the closer we get to Christmas… and there are four weekends in December where we can attract shoppers.
Lot’s of ideas, no certainty in anything — just open brainstorming. As only a portion of our vendors read these emails every week (the smarter, better-looking portion!), I would like to hear from you your thoughts on these proposed changes. Email me at chris.thomas at chattanoogamarket dot org and let me know your thoughts.
Have a great week!
Chris
