Vendors at the Garden City market Day have increased over the years, says organiser Kameel Deo.
Ms Deo said the Garden City Market Day in Raiwai started in 2019 with 47 vendors.
“So now we are having about 90 to 97 vendors,” she said.
“We are grateful to our landlord Mr and Mrs Wah Sing and our partners Communications Fiji Ltd in making the Garden City market day a success.
“This is basically helping small medium enterprises (SMEs) especially those who are unemployed.
“We have had vendors since it started in 2019. “They look to this market to make their sales.”
She said the turnout from members of the public had been overwhelming.
“A lot of people find it comfortable because of the under cover and there is not an issue with the weather. There are a few markets we have held where it can be very slow in sales but most of the time products have been sold out.
“We use to operate the Garden City market day from 9am to 3pm but because of public demand we had to increase it by an hour.”
Ms Deo said the Garden City Market Day was hosted on a monthly basis.
“Our market day is hosted on every second Sunday of each month.
“There are other markets happening as well so we have chosen a day not to coincide with other market day.”
Another organiser Shalvin chand said the market day location provided a safe and convenient parking space for members of the public.
“Police officers are always on patrol and we also have our securities” he said. Mr Chand said the Garden City market day was inclusive of other vendors.
“There is no exclusivity for any vendor and if they want to join depending on the space available and the products they sell, we accommodate them.”
Mr Chand said post COVID-19 there was an influx of SMEs.
“The Garden City Market day is a stepping stone for new SMEs to use this platform to venture out as a form of marketing scheme on increasing their clientele.
“We have provided SMEs that resource to project themselves and help youths that got laid off during COVID-19 to realise their potential and make a better life for themselves.”
