Not only during the current holiday season, but overall business at Frischezentrum Frankfurt: has been below average in recent months. "So far, 2024 has been very quiet compared to previous years. During the pandemic, wholesale markets, and therefore the Frischezentrum, as well, attracted more attention. Even in the first year of the war in Ukraine, business continued at a good level. This year, however, the consequences of inflation are extremely noticeable. People are extremely cautious and price-conscious in their purchases," reports the management of Farooq Ltd, a family business based in the central market hall of Frischezentrum Frankfurt.
Over the past two decades, the company has developed into a full-range supplier of fruit and vegetables and offers its customers the full range of products from near and far. Sales Manager Khurram Ayub outlines the declining sales with reference to the two seasonal items: asparagus and cherries. "In other years, we were able to sell around two pallets of asparagus every day, but this year there were weeks when we only sold two pallets in the entire week. The same applied to regional cherries: In terms of quality, it wasn't the best season we've had, but even the quality fruit was hard to sell."
Mrs Farooq at the colourful stall in Frankfurt's wholesale market hall. The Farooq family has been at the helm of the successful company for 20 years now and operates both a pick-up market and a delivery service for restaurateurs, communal catering and retailers.
Speciality retailers are frequented less
Inflation is also having an impact on consumer buying behaviour, continues the management of Farooq Ltd. Competition from food retailers has increased, which is clearly due to the pricing policy. "For certain items, our purchase prices are similar to the sales prices in the shops. In short, the price gap is widening too far, which in turn means that consumers are far less likely to visit speciality shops and weekly markets. If this continues, I am extremely sceptical about the future of wholesale markets."
For more information:
Khurram Ayub
Farooq GmbH
Frischezentrum Frankfurt
Phone: +4969432805
Fax: +491774062981
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.farooqfruits.de