With Nationwide Auctioning, Royal FloraHolland is concentrating the supply and demand of flowers and plants on a nationwide digital clock. "By doing so, we will be optimising pricing. In the future, there will also be auctioning independent of location. We are harmonising the various auctioning methods in preparation for this national, digital clock. Entering quantities will become the norm after the 2021 peak period."
Since the merger in 2008, different auctioning methods have been used at Royal FloraHolland's export locations. This means you can still purchase through audio or by entering quantities in Aalsmeer and Rijnsburg, while in Naaldwijk only purchasing by entering quantities is possible. These different auctioning methods are being equalised in the run-up to the digital, national clock. Entering quantities becomes the norm. This means buyers are no longer able to state their purchase intention on the Royal FloraHolland auction clock by audio (speech). This applies to all auction groups.
Entering quantities
When entering quantities, buyers state their purchase intentions by entering a number. Entering quantities reduces the number of disruptions during the auction process. Background noise, queries or comments can no longer interfere with the auction's rhythm. Entering quantities also ties in better with an international marketplace: purchasers (international or otherwise) are regularly unable to understand the Auctioneer properly. By entering quantities, this problem is avoided.
Entering quantities also provides new opportunities for the future, such as multi-transaction auctioning or automatic offers. Two-step purchasing, with the price first being established and then the number of packaging units is selected, will soon no longer be possible.
Following the peak period
At the suggestion of the work group with Auctioneers, and following advice from the Nationwide Auctioning Supervisory Team, it was decided to introduce entering quantities after the 2021 peak period. Although an exact (start) date has not yet been set, this will be announced early next year. "In the intervening period, we are developing alternatives to options that are to expire once audio is no longer possible. Think of possible solutions for customer-specific numbers, possibly a special button for error reports or how we can support retail clock buyers. More information on this will follow later. We will also offer purchasers support in their transition to entering quantities."
However, this is now already possible at all export locations. "If you are still using audio (speech) for your purchases on the clock, this will no longer be possible in a number of months. Be well prepared and start switching to entering quantities now."