Hawke's Bay Virtual Mall operator Phil Coutts says the online shopping centre is about giving people in the Bay an opportunity to buy from the Bay. Photo / Supplied
Hawke's Bay Virtual Mall operator Phil Coutts says the online shopping centre is about giving people in the Bay an opportunity to buy from the Bay. Photo / Supplied
A brand new shopping experience is coming to Hawke's Bay, where supporting and buying local is the aim.
Opening to shoppers in March 2021, the Hawke's Bay Virtual Mall will be showcasing and selling the region's goods to locals exclusively online.
Hawke's Bay Virtual Mall operator and business advisor PhilCoutts said the region doesn't have anything like this yet in terms of concept and design.
"This isn't about global domination; it's about giving people in the Bay an opportunity to buy from the Bay," he said.
"The mall utilises a level of technology and know-how which makes setting up online easy and affordable for any sized business."
A virtual mall is a centralised platform for businesses to sell their goods and services - the idea is that all businesses will have a store in their region's mall.
The platform has already been successfully implemented in Whakatāne and Tauranga, with several more locations around the country ready to launch the concept, including Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and Rotorua.
"It's delivered from a guy in Nelson called Ben Jepson from Mall Planet," Coutts said.
"He's got the concept, the plan and the software already worked out and has been in business for the last nine years."
Coutts, originally from Auckland, has been a resident in Hawke's Bay for 11 years.
He said he's been feverishly working away on the mall in recent months, tailoring it to suit the region's people and economy.
With more and more shoppers online and with Covid-19's impact on the world, the business adviser said it makes sense for businesses and producers to go virtual.
"Sellers can be anyone and everyone, even if you're an electrical business or retail business," Coutts said.
He added that even small stall sellers can get online and sell.
Mall operator Phil Coutts said even small stall sellers can be part of the Virtual Mall; stalls on the streets of Dannevirke. Photo / File
"I don't know how many business owners I spoke to over the years who have actually struggled to bridge that digital divide gap – because technology just gets beyond them," he said.
Only in its infancy in Hawke's Bay, Coutts launched the concept on social media on January 21 and is looking for local businesses to join and set up e-stores.
"It's low entry cost - we want to get the punters in and people buying," he said.
The mall operator said it's the right time for regional businesses to be hitting the Bay's virtual streets.
"Hawke's bay has gone through a huge transformation, although through Covid we had a little hiccup - most businesses that I've engaged with and have been working with are thriving," he said.
Hawke's Bay businesses can visit www.hawkesbaymall.co.nz to find out more and secure an e-store.
