The Nation Newspaper

Category: Shopping

  • Retail Council makes debut

    The contribution of the retail market to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to increase, with the launch of the Retail Council of Nigeria (RCN). TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

    In developed economies the composition of organised retail is much larger than the unorganised. Therefore, it would be safe to presume that economic growth has a direct correlation to increase in organised retail.

    Everyone in business has challenges, and are to seek solutions. Therefore, it is time for retail businesses in Nigeria to fight their battle or have their platform to find solutions to certain issues through a  global initiative – the Retail Council of Nigeria.

    The council seeks to make the retail business nore organised in line with global best practices – making the market place organised. The idea is to formalise the market and create a boost in the sector, impact positively on the growth of the economy. The strategy will promote modern retailing in Nigeria, such that it can contribute its share to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and facilitate the development of associated/allied sectors of the economy; provide a platform for networking and disseminating useful information and knowledge to members and the public. It will also create a database of members and encourage members to adopt the right values, imbibe international best practices, wholesome practices, and good corporate governance in the conduct of their business.

    The  Retail Council  would encourage informal retailers move to the next level and become formal . It  will operate an open membership system where issues would be collectively tabled to the Government and to various policy makers. The council also has an objective to create employment and bring in Government standard. Above all, it has the responsibility to be accountable to the consumer.

    This is a rarely policy that should drive everyone. It is a journey that needs an enabling environment, policy and infrastructural support, where the young aspiring trader is encouraged to become an advance retailer. Nigerians still aspire experience, desire human contact, desire smile and ‘the come and buy something from me attitude’.

    The Banks are not left out in all of these, they are also interested in supporting the retail business, but they cannot do so if it is not organised. There are some banks that do not have enough capital and structure to do business, but are excited to be part of this movement. Such banks have promised to encourage their customers to become members of the council and have their businesses organised.

    The initiators of the council are legacy minded people who are ready to show their knowledge to the young and upcoming. There is a saying that goes; ‘the young shall grow.’ But how will the young grow when the elders are folding their hands?

    Akin Onifade is a retailer at the Balogun Market on Lagos Island. He doesn’t know much about organised retailing even after 12 years in the business. All he does is to refill his shop whenever his stock runs out.

    He was told recently of how he can expand his business and be organised. He is, however, skeptical that he might not make as much sales as he used to in the open market. He is also afraid that he might lose his customers.

    For Akin, the open market is the best place for him to make a living and relate well with customers.

    “How can I benefit from this initiative?” he asked.

    Retail market is not about shops only, but every company that has relationship with consumers, including banks, telecommunications, manufacturing, tourism and consultancy firms. The council has an objective to improve the efficiencies of the value chain, reduce wastage, and increase revenue, thereby lowering inflation.

    The boom in the retail market would give an impetus to the Information Technology (IT) industry, tourism and banking.

    Across the globe, retail employs 17.1 per cent of the workable population and in the United States, it accounts for 14 per cent.

    Organised retailing supports the development of various sectors  and assists to conserve foreign exchange.

    In Nigeria, it would increase the revenue base for the government, ensure compliance with international standards, and generate employment.

    In the past, governments at the Federal and states levels  had challenges collecting taxes from the unorganised retail market, but with the organised retail market this would not be a problem.

    According to Asiwaju Onafowokan, a member of trustees of the Retail Council of Nigeria, the body has the target to formulate, facilitate, and propagate practices and processes in line with international best practices. This, he believes, would lead to increased consumption, a boost in production, employment generation, and, ultimately, the growth of the economy.

    Haresh Keswani, a member of Board of Trustees of the Retail Council of Nigeria, said organised retail is  related to economic growth. He said the United States and Britain have organised retail which contributes over 80 per cent each to economic growth. In Japan and India, the organised retail market contributes about 66 per cent and 10 per cent to economic growth but Nigeria receives only three per cent due to unorganised retail market.

     

  • For traders, pedestrian bridges are means of livelihood

    Pedestrian bridges are built on some major highways to make crossing the roads easy and save lives. They are solely used by pedestrians but not so for the one at Ojuwoye Market, Mushin Lagos. Traders have converted this particular bridge to a market place.

    The bridge has been abandoned for five years. Traders and buyers cashed in on this to transact their business.

    Mrs. Bunmi Enitan, a road side seller in the market, said traders were forced to sell at the entrance of the bridge because it was abandoned.

    “The bridge has really helped us as a means of living because we get the attention of our customers. Immediately, they cross the road they come to our side and this has really boosted our sales,’’ she said.

    Another trader, Mrs. Ganiyat Ogunlana, said though they have been selling on the bridge for long, it has not stopped law enforcement agencies from disturbing them, especially the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI). Whenever they try to chase us away, we run in order for them not to seize our goods.

    ‘’Most of us depend on this place to sell our goods because that’s the only means to feed our children and send them to school,’’ he said.

    A shopper at the market, Mrs Chinenye Asukwo, said the pedestrian bridge is useless since Mushin road is not an expressway, adding that it is easy to cross.

    ‘’Places such as Ijaiye and Abule Egba are where we need a pedestrian bridge not this place,“ she said.

    But Mr. Johnson Olaleye said crossing the busy Mushin Road without using the bridge is risky. He called on the security agencies to arrest and prosecute not only offenders, but also those selling beside the bridge.

    He called on the Lagos State Government to enlighten residents on the importance of pedestrian bridges and the hazards of crossing the expressway without using the them.

    Mrs Kemi Ojo said the traders were not at fault, that they only used the opportunity they had to earn a living.

    ‘”I think the government should reconstruct the bridge. Governor Babatunde Fashola has been building pedestrian bridges and this is important in this area,” he added.

  • Shoppers embrace ‘Before Christmas sales offer’

    More shoppers are visiting retail stores, supermarkets and malls – thanks to the seasonal price slash. This month, the rush has become intense as many go for the ‘Before- Christmas sales offer’.  TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

    Shoppers in Lagos are taking advantage of the ‘Before-Christmas sales offer’ at malls, supermarkets, retail and even online stores. They are seen more in these places at weekends and after working hours during week days.

    Last Saturday, while stores were yet to open by 8.45am, shoppers in large numbers were already hanging around the Ikeja City Mall. Immediately, it opened for business, they thronged into the mall.

    At a houseware store, Mrs Romoke Adebayo, a marriage counsellor, bought a 12-piece Martha Stewart silver cooking set at 20 per cent less the price. “I’ve been planning to get something like this for a long time. But I just couldn’t afford it because, it wass very expensive. But with the ongoing offer, I finally have it!. Coming here early was definitely worth it; someone else would have picked it before my arrival. The sales person said it is the only one left.”

    While sales appeared brisk in malls, retail stores, supermarkets and online, household and electronics outlets which are either stand-alone stores or tenants in complexes and plazas, are not left out. They all have something to give away.

    However, it’s been observed that there more sales this year since the advent of shopping malls in 2006, when The Palms in Lekki opened shop. Same with online stores, which have been thriving for close to two years.

    Some retailers told The Nation Shopping that sales of electronics, clothing, jewellery and house hold items in the last two months, have increased following the offers which have been on since September.

    According to them, this year is witnessing the strongest sales not only of clothes and electronics, but also food and building supplies.

    The crowd at the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos was was a testimony.

    “It is, indeed, really crowded; the queue is discouraging and making payment after shopping is hell. People are already shopping for Christmas and prices heve been slashed everywhere,” a teacher, Mr Folorunsho Bashorun, said.

    Mrs Cordelia and her husband, Mr Caleb Otoide, both military personnels, took their daughters for shopping at The Palms in Lekki last weekend. “There are some combat/military-style boots that I’ve been wanting to buy,”Mrs Cordelia said.”

    We knew the crowd would be crazy, so we decided to visit the mall this early when there would be fewer people. But we were wrong, you know! We could hardly find a parking space,” she added.

    Ms Helen Thompson, South African-trained nurse, was among the early shoppers, took advantage of the discounts they would get on whatever they buy at The Omisson Emporium, a new mall in Lekki, Lagos. She went home with a 20-piece glassware set for N25,000 and a foot-long Santa Claus ornament she bought for her son  at 15 per cent discount.

    “Some of these items, such as the ornaments, are not cheap, when it is not sales period,” she said.

    Her sister, Ms Natasha, bought two large bags of goodies, paper holders, a few children’s bake sets and other house wares. “I’ve been able to save about N15,200 after my shopping, it is definitely worth being here at this time,” she said.

    Also, last Saturday, vehicular and pedestrian traffic at Alade Market, and other high street stores on Allen Avenue, in Ikeja, were high by mid-day.

    The market is the second destination for one of its residents, Mr Wale Bankole, who had stopped by the Ikeja City Mall to buy a Swatch wrist watch, a Daniel Ray handbag and a Nine West pair of shoes for his wife, Mrs Gloria Bankole. He testified of how he was able to save some money. “It seems to be a general offer. I have saved N38,000 altogether; ordinarily, I would have spent N38,000 more buying these many items from different places,“ he said.

    The Centre Manager, Ikeja City Mall, Mr Sander Norman, said sales increased in the last two months and customers have been very patient getting their vehicles into the mall. “We have experienced very massive sales because of the number of people who visit the mall daily. We meet very understanding customers who agree to work with the space we have.

    “Over the past week, stores have stocked more styles that were flying off the shelves quickly, said Mrs Modupe Shopeju of Delightsome Gifts Concepts. Alhaja Ganiyat Rilwan, who was shoe shopping at the store  with her six-year-old daughter Mila, said she decided to take advantage of the ‘Before Christmas sales offer’ to meet her immediate needs. “The fact that I am a Muslim and don’t celebrate Christmas doesn’t mean I can’t partake of the offer. I am only making use of the opportunity available to everyone,” she added.

    While Mila got the blue sneakers and a wedge sandal she wanted, her mother bought a pair of sandals and a black office shoe for herself. “The sales will continue till the end of December.’’ Said Mr Samuel Ejeh, managing director, Grocery Bazaar, Lagos.

    Jumia is also unwraping christmas early with the launch of the biggest online christmas store.

    The store is giving shoppers sale promotion of up to 70% off on specific items.

  • Universal Furniture opens showroom

    Universal Furniture Limited is set to introduce its international standard furniture into market with the opening of its showroom tomorrow in Lagos. TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

    Universal Furniture Ltd is opening its remodelled showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    It aims to showcase various designs and collections every six months. These include indigenous designs.

    Though the firm’s designs are grounded on weaving international experience with African talent, its key aim is, overtime, to have Nigeria’s talents with the know-how designing and producing their collection of furniture for the African market with little or no input from experts.

    Ninety-five per cent of the company’s workforce, which has grown from 30 in 1987, when it began operations, to 550 this year is Nigerian and majority have been with the company for more than 10 years. In its strive for continuous development, the company applied and attained ISO9001-2008 certification in 2010, thereby grounding its ethos of “the customer is king”.

    One of the key benefits of the certification has been a significant improvement in its after service care. The loading has improved significantly with less than two per cent complaints on all its delivery and where there are issues – the company promises 48-hour turnaround to address the issue on site or at its factory.

    In 2009, it  bought a new set of machines which spurred its exploration of mass retail production. Prior to this date, the brand was mainly available for large multinational and government establishments.

    Having developed the technical know-how over almost 30 years in Nigeria, the brand has also brought in new management to drive a new strategy and the retail market development. To add to its core focus of multinational and government establishments, it looks to offer locally made high end furniture. The designer was born in Nigeria but trained in the United Kingdom and France, has furnished iconic houses in London and Paris with a key focus on setting the right mood with a unique ambience that plays on the mind of each client.

    In producing the “Heritage” collection, she worked very closely with Nigerian talents at the Universal Funiture Limited factory to achieve a blend of international class with African attitude – offering both comfort and contemporary styles.

    However, the company has experienced several challenges over the years.

    The challenge of finding qualified staff and the issue of infrastructure causing damages from factory to client’s location, were the two major challenges. But, both have been addressed head-on over the years – with regular training for all staff and improved packing/ loading approach to withstand the jolt of bumpy roads.

    The firm is set to engage in talent partnerships with universities across Nigeria to give back to the country, which has supported its growth over the last 25 years. The partnership will involve identifying talents from university, giving them work experience and permanent jobs upon completion of their studies.

    Showcasing at the opening tomorrow in Victoria Island, will be the designer’s Heritage Collection, which offers the latest in international luxurious styles, with an international flavour to the mood creation design. It offers various styles, colours and texture – using the same high-quality raw materials as leading brand-name manufacturers in the UK, Italy, France and Turkey. The brand  aims to wow and appeal to all strata of the society.

    The opening  will offer office and home furniture designed by a United Kingdom acclaimed interior designer – Danielle Moudaber.

    That of Abuja will follow in June next year. The prime location, with excellent parking facilities, in Victoria Island promises top design, timely quality delivery with first class after service care where required.

  • Hello Food celebrates first anniversary

    Top food delivery outfit Hellofood.com has celebrated one year anniversary in Lagos. Twelve months after taking its first order, the company has revolutionised the take-away industry in Lagos and Abuja and has expanded to six African countries. TONIA ‘DIYAN reports. 

    Hellofood.com.ng, with its affiliated brand Foodpanda, is the leading group of online food ordering platforms which is active in 30 countries and four continents. Available on computer or laptops, BlackBerry, iPhone and Android applications, it offers the fastest and easiest way to order food, and provides the greatest number of cuisines anywhere.

    Users can order food from any of the restaurants in their city, to be delivered to them in 45 minutes. Operating in seven African countries, Hellofood.co.ke has over 130 partner-restaurants in Nairobi, with virtually all types of cuisine, from Pizza to Sushi, from traditional African food to continental  and everything in between.

    Whether hungry at work or too tired to cook and clean up the kitchen. Or travelling to a new city for the first time or even organising an event like a conference or wedding ceremony, Hellofood delivers food anywhere and everywhere in Africa. And recently, the Android phone  was crowned the top application for food globally with most customers subscribing through it.

    Some of its achievements in the last one year are; Tens of thousands of customers patronise the store. Over 300 restaurant partner in Lagos and Abuja .The Best customer on the website has ordered over 170 times. The online store boasts of 70 employees in seven African countries. And 500,000 miles is being driven by riders who deliver Hellofood orders .

    Listing its achievements and showing optimism, the  Chief Executive Officer, Joe Falter said: “In the midst of the turbo growth we’ve achieved in the last year, we never really took a step back to appreciate how far we’ve come. Starting from nothing 12 months ago, we have made a complex market incredibly easy and fast to negotiate, making food ordering fast, easy and fun in Nigeria and in Africa . The customers’ response has been phenomenal, and together with our outstanding team in Lagos, I’m incredibly excited about what’s to come.”

    As part of the celebration, the store is giving away special discounts via its website, www.Hellofood.com.ng. The offer includes mouthwatering deals across a range of cuisines.

    However,  Hellofood has some partner-restaurants who are also stepping up their games. And  with the addition of ‘trusted’ labels on the site to signify the most reliable restaurants with great food and service, there are  reviews features, where customers are flocking to give feedback to the restaurants they ordered from, also to earn them a star ranking.

    In April, this year, the company launched its mobile app that allows people order for food on the go, in line with its promise to be the most powerful online tool for food delivery services in Nigeria. The app rapidly has become the most popular food app in Africa, and thousands have used it to order food on the move.

  • Ikeja City Mall reward customers

    Connecting with shoppers goes beyond the sales- point care offer. That is why Ikeja City Mall is providing in-mall purchase driven-reward promotions for loyal customers.

    And at it’s just-concluded one month shoppers’ promo, which commenced October 1 and climaxed with a raffle draw on November 13, three lucky winners emerged with cash prizes and shopping vouchers.

    The grand prize was $1000 worth of shopping voucher and an all-expense paid trip to Obudu cattle ranch for a couple; second prize was $900 shopping voucher and the third,  $600 shopping voucher.

    The promotion was for shoppers who purchased a minimum of N25, 000 worth of items in any of the stores within the mall and handed over their receipts to the Hemingway’s Safari promo members who were stationed at all the mall entrances during the promo with drop-boxes. In exchange for the receipts , shoppers were given raffle ticket for the draws.

    Held in the presence of the management, staff and some journalists, the selection of the winners was done through a lucky dip. Winners were contacted via phone calls as soon as they were picked to inform them of their selection and confirm availability for the reward.

    Mr Emmanuel Fariogun, the Outdoor Marketing Manager, Harmingham Safari, sponsors of the promo, said the brand wants to give back in their little way to the mall.

    “It is a way of giving back to the mall and to help our marketing as well.

    “From its inception, we have been supporting promos and are willing to sponsor more whenever we are called upon,” he said.

  • Firm undercores commitment to local content

    Fumman Agricultural Ltd, producers of Fumman fruit juice has underscored its commitment to manufacturing products that meets the yearnings and aspirations of consumers.

    The brand, according to Mr Layi Adeyemi, the Managing Director, is poised to meet the taste of consumers and that is why the naturalness of Fumman juice appeals to the consumers.

    Adeyemi said that it is as a result of this that the company pursues a research and innovation policy to ensure that Fumman juice brands retain their natural taste pedigree. The company has not deviated from its pure natural taste and is continuously working assiduously to embark on several innovative strategies to remain the fruit juice brand of choice in the country.

    The resultant effects of quality brands have also resulted in the production out -put which is designed to enhance consumers’ satisfaction. The feedback from consumers reveals preference for natural taste. “Fumman is set out to produce mainly Nigerian Fruits and we have occupied the No. 1 position in the processing of fruits in Nigeria.” Mr Layi Adeyemi, the Managing Director, said.

    The company is strongly focuses on meeting the desired taste of consumers through pure natural fruit juice. The brand from the onset believes in the production of quality natural fruit juice to meet the health lifestyle of consumers.

    Fumman brands according to Mr Layi, remain the preferred choice of consumers due to its taste quality and undiluted natural goodness. The brand believes in utmost consumer satisfaction and hence its desire to ensure a process that is quality centric.

    He also added that the brand has adopted strategies to continuously engage the consumers and meet their yearnings and aspirations. He further said, It is the desire of Fumman to make the consumers experience the innovation, combined value and top class quality. Fumman offerings are dictated by the needs of the consumers’. It is the desire of consumers to have a natural feel of juice without preservatives.

    Our continuous insight generation have revealed that consumers want a perfect blend of juice that reflects originality and natural taste.

    “The quality of our brands manifest in the emotional connection that translates into a unique experience for our consumers. Our brands have appealing taste and they align with the yearnings of the consumers for natural taste in fruit juice. Quality has indeed become a compelling proposition that drives us as a brand to enhance consumers’ satisfaction,” he said.

  • Online retailer Revive device makes debut

    A leading mobile device retail outlet in Nigeria, Revive Technologies Ltd, is commencing online retailing of mobile devices and other Information Technology products starting from this month.

    The company said the move is aimed at providing a more convenient and flexible alternative purchase channel for its growing customers, adding that it also in line with the company’s policy of driving the cashless economy policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from retail side.

    Speaking on the online retailing initiative, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Wale Thomas, said the online purchase option does not rule out the physical option, through which consumers have to buy mobile and other Information Technology devices from its retail outlet scattered across the country. Rather the online purchase will further help the firm’s customers pick their devices at much more affordable prices and at a more convenient method.

    He reiterated that Revive will be adding value to their teeming and prospective customers through delivering promptly and efficiently to any part of the country with little or no additional cost. Saying, the company is unique with its round the clock online customer care services.

    With experience in this line of business, spanning over 19 years, Thomas said; “Our online purchase option is introduced to create flexibility, choices and convenience for our numerous customers. It’s in addition to the existing opportunity they have to walk into our physical retail outlets and make their purchases. From wherever you are, you can log on to the internet, browse the various products on display and make purchases with your preferred payment option and the products will be delivered to you.”

  • Grocery store for Iba residents

    RESIDENTS of Iba and its environs are not left out of the intense shopping activities this sales period as the only stand alone high street store in the area, Grocery Bazaar is offering a wide range of discounted offers on all items.

    Located on the LASU-Isheri Expressway, Lagos, it stocks both grocery and non-grocery items, which its customers said, are sold at affordable prices.

    It is owned by Mr Samuel Ejeh, who hails from Benue State. He spoke on why the store is unique.

    He said: “We sell affordable items and people are sure of getting unit commodities at wholesale price. It a rare offer in some places.

    “A special feature of our store is the fact that it is a blend of the local market and today’s modern supermarket where both the elite and the non – elite can actually come to shop with convenience.”

    The store has its second outlet on the Ejigbo-Isolo Road, also in Lagos. One of its ongoing offers is the ‘buy two items and get one free offer’.

    Ejeh explained what customers stand to gain from the promo. “Customers are sure of fresh food items. Because of our location, we have access to fresh farm produce; as a result we are able to stock a large quantity for our customers. We source for most items locally. We hardly import, trying to showcase our great African culture,” he added.

    Besides the building is a mini-pastry shop for snacks and soft drinks. Some customers spoke with The Nation Shopping. Ms Precious Ibu, who was at the store to buy beverages, said: “The items are affordable and come to think of it, for convenience, I will hardly visit Oke Arin market in Lagos Island. I have compared both prices and found out that they are same. And it is very unlike some retail stores who will rather trade convenience for more money, that is, adding more money to the prices of their wares because of the convenient environment offered.

    Another shopper, Mrs. Tricia Bright, said she hardly visits the market since she knew about Grocery Bazaar.

    “For all my foodstuffs except for a few perishable items, I get them here in Grocery Bazaar, because their items are reliable and affordable. Also, I buy bags of rice here. Because they do not re-bag like they do in the market, yet they sell for same price.”

    Mr Andy Anayo owns a retail shop where he resells items he buys at Grocery Bazaar. He said it was much more favourable for him, unlike when he had to buy from major markets without warranty.

    “I get warranty on every item I buy and that has been my attraction to this place. I buy mainly perfumes, cosmetics and hair products. And I can return any that gets damaged during packing.

    For Mr Lekan Olusanya, the attraction is the way the sales attendants show reception to customers. He said they have a good sense of customer relations.

    “Sales attendants at the Grocery Bazaar offer self-services to customers. They help in carrying customers’ baskets and trolleys,” he said.

  • Hello Food celebrates first anniversary

    Top food delivery outfit Hellofood.com has celebrated one year anniversary in Lagos. Twelve months after taking its first order, the company has revolutionised the take-away industry in Lagos and Abuja and has expanded to six African countries. TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

    Hellofood.com.ng, with its affiliated brand Foodpanda, is the leading group of online food ordering platforms which is active in 30 countries and four continents. Available on computer or laptops, BlackBerry, iPhone and Android applications, it offers the fastest and easiest way to order food, and provides the greatest number of cuisines anywhere.

    Users can order food from any of the restaurants in their city, to be delivered to them in 45 minutes. Operating in seven African countries, Hellofood.co.ke has over 130 partner-restaurants in Nairobi, with virtually all types of cuisine, from Pizza to Sushi, from traditional African food to continental  and everything in between.

    Whether hungry at work or too tired to cook and clean up the kitchen. Or travelling to a new city for the first time or even organising an event like a conference or wedding ceremony, Hellofood delivers food anywhere and everywhere in Africa. And recently, the Android phone  was crowned the top application for food globally with most customers subscribing through it.

    Some of its achievements in the last one year are; Tens of thousands of customers patronise the store. Over 300 restaurant partner in Lagos and Abuja .The Best customer on the website has ordered over 170 times. The online store boasts of 70 employees in seven African countries. And 500,000 miles is being driven by riders who deliver Hellofood orders .

    Listing its achievements and showing optimism, the  Chief Executive Officer, Joe Falter said: “In the midst of the turbo growth we’ve achieved in the last year, we never really took a step back to appreciate how far we’ve come. Starting from nothing 12 months ago, we have made a complex market incredibly easy and fast to negotiate, making food ordering fast, easy and fun in Nigeria and in Africa . The customers’ response has been phenomenal, and together with our outstanding team in Lagos, I’m incredibly excited about what’s to come.”

    As part of the celebration, the store is giving away special discounts via its website, www.Hellofood.com.ng. The offer includes mouthwatering deals across a range of cuisines.

    However,  Hellofood has some partner-restaurants who are also stepping up their games. And  with the addition of ‘trusted’ labels on the site to signify the most reliable restaurants with great food and service, there are  reviews features, where customers are flocking to give feedback to the restaurants they ordered from, also to earn them a star ranking.

    In April, this year, the company launched its mobile app that allows people order for food on the go, in line with its promise to be the most powerful online tool for food delivery services in Nigeria. The app rapidly has become the most popular food app in Africa, and thousands have used it to order food on the move.