The market landscape is rapidly evolving. Every day, we are bombarded with novel concepts and cutting-edge technologies that render the previously used tactics obsolete.
Nevertheless, monitoring each emerging trend in the industry and determining whether to embrace it or not poses a challenging endeavor. Furthermore, the present era of the technology revolution is supported by artificial intelligence and its related technologies, resulting in a complete transformation of the marketing landscape.
During this period of uncertainty, the traditional marketing sector has experienced a substantial and irreversible decline. As per the World Bank, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) account for 90% of worldwide businesses and 50% of the global job market. However, many such businesses are being discontinued since giant competitors are implementing advanced marketing strategies, attracting consumers using AI technologies and similar methods.
This blog post will examine Emporia, a mobile app solution designed specifically to support the advancement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially street vendors. By the end of this, you will be able to learn how to list your business online and navigate through the app.
WHAT IS EMPORIA?
Emporia is a mobile application that brings the local businesses of a city together and helps them showcase their products and services to the final consumers. The primary goal of this online platform is to prioritize in-town shops against the big shopping malls and marketplaces where a consumer tends to shop more and spend more irrationally. The vendors also have the opportunity to promote their products or services through online marketing strategies like coupons, SEO, SMO, etc. The shop owners can frame their unique selling points and devise methods to advertise them effectively.
Moreover, Emporia offers outstanding functionalities such as seamless connection with social media platforms, efficient browsing for business purposes, convenient appointment scheduling, and location-based services for locating local suppliers. Furthermore, machine learning uses predictive analytics patterns to optimize the user experience by presenting a user interface tailored to their previous searches and relevance.
HOW DOES EMPORIA WORK?
The Emporia app is available on Play Store and Apple Store and can be downloaded free of cost. However, in-app purchases or other advertisement methods that can be used by vendors are chargeable.
There are three distinct target demographics – vendors, purchasers, and freelancers. The application allows for charging the first and third groups, but the second group is exempt from paying the app directly but must pay vendors for any purchases made.
An essential feature of Emporia is its ability to establish a connection between sellers and freelancers. The sellers in question are mostly regional businesses that could not outperform the intense competition. However, freelancers encompass other roles such as digital marketers, brand managers, content developers, and graphic designers.
Emporia operates on a format identified as Emporia.city. For instance – emporia.dubai, emporia.london, emporia.washington, and so on. Users’ geographical choices determine the selection of themes, colors, and user interface (UI).
CONTEMPORARY MARKETPLACE: TRADITIONAL VS MODERN
The current market landscape has undergone significant transformation. Across all domains, there are notable and substantial changes occurring in both the purchasing and selling processes. Undoubtedly, capitalism has fundamentally transformed the market over the past three to four decades. What is the process of purchasing? What will individuals buy? When will individuals make a purchase? These question marks are consistently elucidated by the market pioneers.
The subjects of liberalization, privatization, and globalization are widely discussed and disputed worldwide. While most countries worldwide have long since embraced it, a few have only recently given their approval. Markets have become liberal and therefore a large variety can be witnessed across various industries.
Now, purchasing patterns have shifted to spending more and saving time. Hence, the idea of shopping malls has materialized successfully. People are ready to spend more on the same product they could have gotten at a local shop for lower rates. But the priority is saving time.
Moreover, in the last decade, the emergence of e-commerce has severely impacted the marketing segment. In the midst of all these, the local shop owners have lost their relevance. Now, people are struggling to gain visibility. For what’s seen is sold. While SMEs that contribute largely to an economy are being sidelined dramatically.
Furthermore, over the past ten years, the rise of e-commerce has had a significant impact on the marketing industry. Amidst these circumstances, the local shop proprietors have become nonessential. Currently, individuals are facing challenges in attaining prominence. For what’s seen is sold. At the same time, SMEs that contribute largely to an economy are being sidelined dramatically.
FUTURE AND EMPORIA
To summarize, the issue of visibility for street vendors and market traders is complex and has multiple aspects. It is not just about promoting their enterprises, but also about facilitating their connection with a broader consumer base, gaining a deeper understanding of their customers, improving their products and services, and eventually expanding their businesses. The objective is to nurture thriving local economies and promote social solidarity within the community.
By utilizing cutting-edge digital platforms such as Emporia, we can guarantee that street merchants receive the recognition they are entitled to. These platforms enable vendors by providing a virtual marketplace for their products and services, as well as enabling tools for marketing, collaboration, and data analysis. By utilizing the capabilities of these platforms, street sellers can flourish, thus enhancing the resilience and liveliness of our local economies. Local business advertising helps even consumers find shops in their local areas if not discovered already, and get them to find products at cheaper prices.
Given adequate visibility and assistance, street vendors have the potential to thrive, enhancing their ability to withstand challenges and become an essential component of our urban environments and regional economy. Their liveliness and energy can further enhance the vibrancy and variety of our communities, propelling us toward a more diverse, inclusive, and environmentally friendly urban future.
CONCLUSION
Are you a street vendor or seeking to enhance your presence within your local community? We want to provide you with a dynamic platform inside your city. Emporia not only showcases your business on the site but also assists in promoting it and expanding the customer base through diverse marketing strategies. Boost your local business by starting a business in Emporia.
Get in touch with us soon to buy and sell in Emporia. We will be happy to assist you in case of any queries!