SRV man Jan: ‘We are actually the predecessor of Albert and Picnic’

The SRV man, who doesn’t know him from the past? The mobile supermarket that announced its arrival in the street by ringing the bell so that you sprinted to get candy from your last pocket money. Jan Vermeulen, the SRV man in Zoetermeer, still drives his rounds through a few neighborhoods in the city. “This is my lust and my life.”

“There used to be nine to ten SRV vehicles in Zoetermeer,” says Jan Vermeulen. “I was able to take over the Molenstraat from my father and my career has been going on for 45 years now,” he says proudly. “Did you know that SRV Together means Rational Selling?”

Older target group

Who actually still buys from the SRV man? “These are mainly older people and I deliver products to companies,” explains Jan. I stop in front of various nursing homes and I ring the doorbells at all residential addresses. In the Village I come into the streets honking so residents know I’m back. At the Morgenster I have to be ready at 10.30 sharp because the old people are already waiting for me there. A 98-year-old lady there still does her shopping with me every week.”

Company canteen

Zoetermeer companies know how to make good use of the service of the SRV man. “They email or call their orders for the next day and I take care of that. I deliver the groceries and even put them in the fridge.”

Product Range

In the mini-supermarket you can find everything you need for daily shopping: dairy products, bread, drinks, fruit and vegetables, meat, chicken, canned goods and tobacco products. At the front of the store, Jan has a collection of cheese that is cut by weight on the cheese board. “In recent years, for example, ready-made meals have been added to my range. I notice that there is more demand for it.”

Albert

People are amazed that Jan and his SRV car still exist. Because the SRV man is a bit old-fashioned, isn’t it? “I just like to interact with people. I have a chat, it’s more personal than in a supermarket. And by the way, maybe I’m Albert of Picnic’s predecessor. I also almost deliver the groceries at home.”

Jan is not planning to stop his mobile supermarket for the time being. “But if the car no longer passes the inspection, then I have to stop. Investing in a new car is no longer an option.”

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