Positive third quarter at Veiling Rhein-Maas

In the third quarter of 2020, Veiling Rhein-Maas was able to build on the good results of the second quarter and achieved a significant increase in product sales compared to the previous year. Overall, Veiling Rhein-Maas achieved product sales that were around 13% higher than in the same period of the last year after the first nine months of 2020.

Developments during the third quarter
In July, good weather conditions and consumers who stayed at home led to a very high demand at cut flowers and potted plants, especially when comparing previous year’s potted plants sales. In August, partially very high temperatures as well as regional heavy rains and thunderstorms resulted in lower quantities and lower prices compared to the last year. Sales at Veiling Rhein-Maas however recovered in September. Nonetheless, the previous year's volume at the cut flower segment could unfortunately not be reached particularly due to reduced availability of imported cut flowers. At potted plants, especially garden plants were in great demand. Overall, mainly open field products and summer cut flowers, such as Dahlias, were popular products at the marketplace in Straelen-Herongen during the third quarter of 2020. Furthermore, there has been a high demand for autumn products since the end of August.

Digital sales channels continue to grow
Remote Buying, Clock pre sales and the Webshop continue to develop positively and are increasingly used by customers and suppliers of Veiling Rhein-Maas. The cumulative share of Remote Buying transactions in the total turnover of the auction was over 36% at the end of September 2020. In addition, record sales have been achieved at Clock pre sales during the first nine months of 2020. The Veiling Rhein-Maas Webshop has also received positive response and is constantly optimised. Various technical requirements have already been implemented this year. As well as the digital sales channels, Clock Service also achieved a clear increase in product sales.

Fairtrade Roses
In the middle of September, Veiling Rhein-Maas has started to auction Fairtrade certified roses. The different varieties available are a welcome addition to the cut flower assortment and meet the wishes of the marketplace's customers for more sustainably produced and certified products.

Technical conversion of the auction clock front completed
The conversion works started at the end of June 2020 and were finished on 26 August 2020, successfully completing the technical conversion of the auction clock front to modern LED technology. In order to make the best possible use of the new system, there will still be some minor changes to the layout and design of the auction clock front during a final modernisation phase. These adjustments will be conducted in consultation with the customer representation of Veiling Rhein-Maas.

Masks are compulsory in all public areas
At Veiling Rhein-Maas, the safety and health of all customers, suppliers and employees is very important. Therefore, further hygiene and protective measures were put in place at the marketplace in Straelen-Herongen in the third quarter of 2020, such as a general mask obligation from 1 October 2020 in all public areas of the auction. Veiling Rhein-Maas would like to thank all partners once again for their support regarding the different measures.