31 Jul 2017
From Santa Maria da Feira to the world
Those visiting Santa Maria da Feira can now take home a souvenir of the city. During the Medieval Journey there is a physical store in Casa do Moinho, but the sale of merchandising continues throughout year on the online platform launched last Wednesday.
"From Santa Maria da Feira to the world", said the director general of Feira Viva, Paulo Sérgio Pais, at the start of the presentation of the municipality's new online 'Saint Mary Store', launched last Wednesday, at the Interactive Tourism Store. The store is an investment in " internationalization dynamics" and is the result of a "significant growth in sales of merchandising products". "We have exceeded 50 thousand euros in sales in our physical stores at events," said Paulo Sérgio Pais, who wants people to "take Feira with them and spread the word."
"The new platform begins today [Wednesday] with more than 300 products available that can be bought anywhere in the world," said the director of Feira Viva, which does not intend to have a physical store open 365 days per year. "The online store is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and has a low operating cost," he explained. In addition to the products, the organization also wants to provide services, such as "scripts or experiences".
Their main objective is to further increase the dynamics of the products so that they can "send the heart of Feira across the world". All the already existing physical stores during the events will now be called 'Saint Mary Store'. In addition to these, there is the possibility of opening pop-up stores in spaces such as the Europarque. "There is the possibility of opening a store there during any event, but also in other activities, within or outside the municipality, in order to leverage the brand," he said.
The designer of the Saint Mary Store project, Vânia Costa, guided us through the platform, available in Portuguese and English and segmented by the main brands (big events like Imaginarius, Perlim or Medieval Journey). Products can be delivered to people's homes, by mail, or picked up at the Europarque or the Interactive Store. In addition to the products already being marketed, it is meant to be an "open platform" to the community. "We want the local crafts to be included here, the aim is to increase the number of products because together we are stronger," said Paulo Sérgio Pais, warning that applications are always subject to evaluation. "This is a project that will imply the involvement of all," declared the councillor for Culture, Gil Ferreira, stressing the importance of "placing Feira in the world of homesickness and the diaspora." "2016 was a very good year, we increased overnight stays by 30.3% and visitors to the attractions (excluding events with ticket office) by 33%. We are living extraordinary times in tourism," he said. The numbers are "motivating." 42% more visitors in the Interactive Tourism Store and 134% more merchandising sales. "With this platform, we will place many more pieces of Feira in the world," he said.
"Earlier, we launched GoodMakers, now we are introducing the Saint Mary Store," Mayor Emídio Sousa told us. Internationalization is no longer an objective and has become a reality. "We have to make the most of what we have, and we are already reaping the benefits of this investment. This is another step in this process," he said, adding that "they have already crossed the borders of Feira." "Our border is the universe," he said. Now that they are in the world, they want, through the Saint Mary Store, "that the world comes here to do business". "They ask me why "Saint Mary Store", in English. The universal language is English, and the platform is part of our strategy to promote international territory", he told us
"From Santa Maria da Feira to the world", said the director general of Feira Viva, Paulo Sérgio Pais, at the start of the presentation of the municipality's new online 'Saint Mary Store', launched last Wednesday, at the Interactive Tourism Store. The store is an investment in " internationalization dynamics" and is the result of a "significant growth in sales of merchandising products". "We have exceeded 50 thousand euros in sales in our physical stores at events," said Paulo Sérgio Pais, who wants people to "take Feira with them and spread the word."
"The new platform begins today [Wednesday] with more than 300 products available that can be bought anywhere in the world," said the director of Feira Viva, which does not intend to have a physical store open 365 days per year. "The online store is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and has a low operating cost," he explained. In addition to the products, the organization also wants to provide services, such as "scripts or experiences".
Their main objective is to further increase the dynamics of the products so that they can "send the heart of Feira across the world". All the already existing physical stores during the events will now be called 'Saint Mary Store'. In addition to these, there is the possibility of opening pop-up stores in spaces such as the Europarque. "There is the possibility of opening a store there during any event, but also in other activities, within or outside the municipality, in order to leverage the brand," he said.
The designer of the Saint Mary Store project, Vânia Costa, guided us through the platform, available in Portuguese and English and segmented by the main brands (big events like Imaginarius, Perlim or Medieval Journey). Products can be delivered to people's homes, by mail, or picked up at the Europarque or the Interactive Store. In addition to the products already being marketed, it is meant to be an "open platform" to the community. "We want the local crafts to be included here, the aim is to increase the number of products because together we are stronger," said Paulo Sérgio Pais, warning that applications are always subject to evaluation. "This is a project that will imply the involvement of all," declared the councillor for Culture, Gil Ferreira, stressing the importance of "placing Feira in the world of homesickness and the diaspora." "2016 was a very good year, we increased overnight stays by 30.3% and visitors to the attractions (excluding events with ticket office) by 33%. We are living extraordinary times in tourism," he said. The numbers are "motivating." 42% more visitors in the Interactive Tourism Store and 134% more merchandising sales. "With this platform, we will place many more pieces of Feira in the world," he said.
"Earlier, we launched GoodMakers, now we are introducing the Saint Mary Store," Mayor Emídio Sousa told us. Internationalization is no longer an objective and has become a reality. "We have to make the most of what we have, and we are already reaping the benefits of this investment. This is another step in this process," he said, adding that "they have already crossed the borders of Feira." "Our border is the universe," he said. Now that they are in the world, they want, through the Saint Mary Store, "that the world comes here to do business". "They ask me why "Saint Mary Store", in English. The universal language is English, and the platform is part of our strategy to promote international territory", he told us
Source:
In, Correio da Feira