Category: Shopping

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.