Prices everywhere are skyrocketing as the cost of living crisis continues to impact consumers and sellers across the UK, with many businesses buckling under the pressure.
Independent greengrocer Bardan Pradhan, known as Bee, is delicately walking the line of keeping products affordable without losing the business to electricity bills.
He believes the pressure is "immense" on small businesses to stay afloat but the love of his job keeps him determined to succeed.
The 40-year-old told The Mirror: "For a small shop like ours, we don't function like a big corporation or big supermarkets whereby the whole concept is derived around profit and the margin. With us there's so many roles we play not just as a business - it's more than a business."
After taking over The Village Green Grocers in 2017, Bee took time to gain the trust of the local customers through sourcing reliable and affordable produce. The south-east London based store has become a hub for the community and provided crucial services during the pandemic.
Bee told the Mirror: "It's almost been like a landmark. There was one of the local schools and they wanted the class to draw a landmark in that area and one of the students drew the greengrocer's!
"Sometimes you didn't know what inspires kids in that way, but I'm quite proud of what we've achieved so far."
Bee started his career in street food, working with meats and cheeses before shifting gear into what he sees as "more sustainable" and "more ethical". The Village sources their stock from local producers where possible which he believes has helped them keep costs down for consumers.
He said. "It's been very challenging let's put it that way. I saw a gradual trend towards what we are facing at this moment from last year in September because I'm so close to the nodes of the shop and the consumer habits."
Luckily for Bee's customers, the shop will wait until the absolute last moment to increase prices and are only doing so when absolutely necessary.
"We don't tend to pass on the cost to the consumer," the award winning green grocer added. "We don't function in that manner. So we try to keep the costs down as much as possible."
Essentials have been kept at their pre-cost of living prices and using local producers has even allowed The Village Green Grocers to avoid some other crises like the egg shortage.
But he admitted that margins are tighter than he would like so he is doing everything possible to minimise his costs so customers don't see a price rise.
Sadly he has had to let some staff members go to keep their overheads down, which means he is in the store more and unable to spend time with his young family. He says his daughter is so proud of him for the store but "that's time away from the family"
The family's yearly trip to Turkey to see his partner's relatives has been scrapped while their post-Christmas week off will also be spent at home.
Bee said: "We used to go away - there was a span between Christmas and New Year's, so that's when you close the shop and then it's a family time. We are trying to not go away, not spend, but then also be prepared going into next year."
One big worry on the dad's mind is energy bills for his shop - which he says have risen from £400 to £1,600 per month. He said: "I always feel small businesses are resilient in terms of managing the margin and footfall.
"We've seen that and we've done that, but then this year is a bit unique because there's a large chunk of what you're earning on a very small margin that's going on your energy bills."
He also noted that the footfall itself has reduced, although they do have loyal regulars who keep the business afloat. The 40-year-old added: "I think there's quite a lot of unrest and consumers are not sure of where to shop, especially this year.
"It's customers not knowing where the best place to shop is - where the best place is to give your business to so that it helps not just your pocket, but then also the economy around it."
The Village Green Grocers was boosted when it won the Greenwich Retailer of the Year in 2020 but Bee thinks their ability to stay open as an essential store during lockdown gave them "gas in the thank" for this crisis. However, he added: "We are trying from all different aspects to keep [costs] down as much as possible and then to adapt to it."
Store deliveries are done using Bee's bike and electric vehicle, which helped negate any fuel costs and the partnerships with schools and other ventures to keep him busy. All this has helped the dad stay on top of rising costs and not increase prices in store for customers.
Other businesses have not been so lucky, he shared: "At least for us for essential shops, we sort of had a bit of gas in the tank because we were open in lockdown and we played a vital role. I have few of my friends who just restarted now after Covid so it's a big impact for them."
Looking ahead, the green grocer is aware that things are going to be "challenging" as the crisis continues to develop. Although this time they "know what we're dealing with" so can prepare better for the rising prices.
Despite the hard times ahead, Bee adores his job and has a passion for the local community, he said: "There's quite a lot that just puts a smile on my face. The shop has never let me down.
"Once you put your heart into it, once you put your soul into it and the passion into it these things can be achieved."
Bardan Pradhan, owner of Village Green Grocers in London helps celebrate the American Express Shop Small campaign – now running for ten years in the UK, which encourages the nation to support their high street and enjoy the benefits of shopping small. American Express incentivises its Cardmembers to support their local small businesses through its Shop Small Offer, which gives American Express Cardmembers a £5 statement credit when they save the Offer to their Card and spend £15 or more at participating small businesses between 3-12 December 2022. Search Amex Shop Small. amexshopsmall.co.uk
