A greater range of fresh fruit and vegetables; cheaper prices and more jobs per square metre of retail space are cited as being advantages that the markets offer over supermarkets.

Goods purchased from the street market at Upton Park in London were, on average, 53% cheaper than the local Asda. The report from NEF challenges the traditionally held view that supermarkets are first choice regenerators of urban areas. Also, unlike supermarkets, the income generated tends to remain in the local area and the reduced requirement for transport of goods is more sustainable.