Flash Market, which has recently launched, is offering one-hour delivery service to small businesses in Australia.

The clicks and mortar marketplace will expedite its Shop Local movement and transport small retailers into the digital world as they work alongside self-employed local drivers.

Flash Market says businesses will not be slugged by huge fees associated with food delivery apps, and claims its commissions are one-third the cost of providing a similar service.

“Flash Market is a cross between eBay and Uber Eats, and we believe it will completely change the way we shop locally,” explains Flash Market founder and CEO Matty Gee.

“We want to see small businesses thrive. Furthermore, they have our word we will never gouge them unfairly like the food delivery apps. Small businesses are the bedrock to all communities, and we are giving them the tools to pivot to online and offer fast delivery so they can compete against the big players,” Gee adds.

Gee explains how Flash Market works. “When you open Flash Market, all participating local shops in your area will pop up and showcase their goods. Simply choose the type of delivery service you need: hand delivered, posted, or pick up in store, and we will look after the rest.”

“The driver then delivers the items within 60 minutes or 24 hours, and you can track your purchase to your door in real time. Delivery average $5-$10.”

The best part? “And if we fail to deliver on time, you won’t have to pay for the delivery,” Gee says.

Flash Market, over the past two months, has seen 30,000 consumers sign up to use its services, and more retailers are being onboarded every day.

With a fast consumer growth, Flash Market expects keen interest from Australian investors who are being given the opportunity to own shares in the company.

Equity funding platform Birchal will manage the share offer. Flash Market’s mission is to be the largest online marketplace in Australia by 2025. It wants to make local shopping easy while supporting local family-owned retailers.

Gee says Flash Perfect is perfect as people shop online to be COVID safe. When people need a last-minute birthday gift, Flash Market allows fast purchases from a gift store. And it is guaranteed that a local driver will deliver it in an hour.

Retailers can also capitalise on the Flash Market platform to showcase their products to millions of potential customers while protecting their profit margins with a low fee payment model.

Unlike food delivery platforms that charge as much as 35% commission on every sale, Flash Market charges only a small 10% commission. They also don’t have to shoulder delivery fees as it is the customer’s expense.

They will be able to post deals, just like in stores, where they will show up in Flash Market's Deal feed. Those deals can also be converted into flash sales to make it a limited time offer for added excitement.

Unlike other platforms that charge drivers ridiculous fees to deliver food, Flash Market’s fee is only 10% per delivery, which is about one-third that of food apps. The company also boasts competitive driver rates per kilometre, and the ability to maximise their earning potential by delivering up to 10 orders at a time.

With a maximum target of $5 million in shares up for grabs, Flash Market will use its capital raise to bolster its sales and marketing to ensure its marketplace bustles with activity that will benefit consumers, retailers, and drivers.