The Nation Newspaper

Category: Shopping

  • Sweat shirts for the season

    Sweat shirts for the season

    This cold weather, one needs a sweat shirt. It helps to keep the body warm and protect it from illnesses. 

    The demand for sweat shirts has increased, during this rainy season. Wearing one over your cloth will protect it from getting dirty during your journey to the office, especially on a rainy day. It covers the pores of the skin and provides warmth.

    The sweat shirts are sold in boutiques and markets around you. There are various colours and sizes depending on your preference. If you have a good maintenance culture, you can go for the bright ones, but if it is the other way round, it is advisable to go for the dark ones – brown or black.

    Just like shopping for normal outfits, there are various ranges: the new and the fairly used ones. Even though the new ones are most advisable, no one will tell you to spend outside your budget, since the fairly used ones are cheaper. Pick your choice.

    The interesting thing about shopping is having a commodity, which will serve you better when compared to the money you have actually paid to have it. It is quite cheap, depending on where you are purchasing it.

    But when purchasing the fairly used ones, you should first give it a good look before paying for it, to avoid problems associated with fairly used clothes. You should ensure you reach a good bargain also.

    The price is not certain. But the area you are purchasing it is a determinant. In areas on the Island, their prices are known to be expensive than other places. But ensure you purchase the best of its kind.

    It may surprise you to know the sweat shirt produces heat on its own to keep the body warm.

    Even after getting it off, the body still feels warm for a short period before adjusting to the normal weather of the environment. Therefore, one can say that the sweat shirt has an after effect.

  • Beware of that massive discount

    Have you ever bought an item you do not really need simply because it is discounted? Many people do. Many stores keep reeling out discounts and promos to attract buyers.

    I have observed a few things shops do to make more sales.

    They sell the same product to the customer, but raise the price and even put a discount on it, so you are happy with the discount, while you are actually paying more. But discount is good isn’t it?

    Everyone likes a discount. On the other hand, stores sell more products through promotion, so the shoppers spend more and come back more often. Oh yes, discount are good but mind, no matter how big the discount, a store almost never sells at a loss.

    It is funny what luxury retailers do to get the attention of shoppers some times. I remember an Italian shoes store that was doing the ‘buy two get one free’ promo last year. A friend of mine was so excited that she ran off to go get the awoof, only to discover that the price of the two items could fetch her four of the same quality stuff from another shop she knew. Of course, she left the place and came back to tell me that she would have played the mugu if she had not known the other store.

    But one thing was certain. The offer made people rush to that store and they did make great profit.

    It reminded me of when the GSM first came out. So many promos were on. Calls were N50 per minute and people rushed at the great offer. The communication companies, in collaboration with handset companies ran similar promos. The spate of sales today explains how huge the profit they made at the time. Yet, they continue to make huge profits.

    But the method I love is the one where stores offer good services, thereby endearing customers to always come back. Sales and discounts, but then once they see all the products offered and the prices that are available everyday and the excellent customer service that they will receive, it is almost a sure bet that everyone will be coming back over and over whether there is a sale or not.

     

    Friendliness, good service, better

     

    I have been to many shops where all they are concerned about is for you to buy something. All they want to do is make sales. If you find yourself in such a shop, woe betides you if you are not sure of what you want. You would either be thrown into confusion or end up buying the wrong item.

    That’s why it is always advisable to go to a reputable shop where you can ask questions and receive good answers concerning your purchases. Such shops would care about maintaining their name and reputation, so they would most likely give you a good service.

    Shopping is about so much more than a sales transaction, so shops that haven’t yet got the message ought to get out of the game.

    Even if the shop is 20 years past its last refurbishment, it is amazing how well we would understand if the workers are knowledgeable and friendly and recognise us as individuals. The worst offenders are those who take your money without acknowledging your presence.

    For me, people who do not give a hoot about providing an exceptional customer experience ought not to be trading. If you are not being served, walk out.

    I went to a cosmetic store sometime ago. There was just a young man selling and customers were so many. He attended to each individual so well that the customers waited patiently until he could attend to them. All they said was that he should not be the only one attending to customers.

    In such a situation, some customers could have gotten angry and left but the young man’s disposition made them wait. That is what good service can do for you.

    For any store to grow, friendliness and good service cannot be over looked. All too often we hear complaints by word of mouth stating that an employee at a certain business was rude, callous, or uptight while servicing a customer. This creates a huge problem for the business. Word of mouth travels extremely fast and we all know that when we hear something, we take it to heart and usually stay clear of the business without even trying it out for ourselves, especially if it came through someone whose judgment you trust.

    Talk to your customers, smile, make suggestions but do not be overbearing at the same time.

    Keep in mind that once the consumer is in the store, your focus should be on merchandising. We have already established that the discounts could draw customers to your store but it does not guarantee that they will come back on days you are not offering discounts. So what do you do? Avoid filling racks with discounted products. It is better to move appealing products to the front and promote by using eye-catching displays.

    Maintain the value of your retail brand with a clean and well-presented store front. Regardless of the economy, consumers want to enjoy their shopping experience. Make sure your store front is warm and inviting get-away from the daily economic downturn.

    Yes, buyers may be looking for bargains, but they also value a fun and entertaining shopping experience. If you provide that, the customers will come.

  • Clutches to go with evening dresses

    Just as it is very important to look elegant in an evening dress, it is also essential to complement it with a purse to make you look more beautiful, 

    It is every woman’s dream to make a lasting impression, especially towards their beauty treats. Quite often, picking the right evening bag comes with much experience and knowledge of how to combine one’s outfit.

    It is essential for a woman to carry a purse that has the capacity to secure her essentials when going to formal events such as balls, dinner parties and cocktails. It is advisable for women to use clutches for formal events to complement their evening dresses.

    Clutches are used to hold a few necessities, such as driver’s licence, cell phone, credit cards and pen. They come in various shapes and styles, depending on the brand. They come as little square boxes, triangle, or heart shapes covered with satin beads or brocade.

    Clutches are quite affordable. You could get the ankara clutch bag at N6,000. The convertible clutch begins at N4,000, depending on the size and shape. The one sized clutch bag costs N2,500. A clutch bag makes a woman look elegant and beautiful. They fit perfectly with evening gowns and will never go out of style.

    Clutches can be bought at Ms Shonzz located at 2, Jacob Sonia Street, off Ajayi Road, Oke-Ira, Ogba Lagos. It can also be gotten at Morakz Boutique located at shop 4, Ditto plaza 33/35 Itire road (Oke-Iwu), Surulere, Lagos. They can also be found in the various markets and boutiques around you as well as the ultra modern shopping malls.

    There are different types of clutches: the convertible clutch is very common and can be converted from clutch to shoulder bag. There is also the hard case clutch, which gives sleek-like appearance; they are great and match with a formal or semi-formal attire. The silver clutch bag is also elegant and classic.

  • Helping mothers on kids’ clothes

    Helping mothers on kids’ clothes

    Kids never stop growing. As they grow, their clothes get more expensive, which means you need to keep shopping for them. Here are some tips to help out with the cost of clothing your children, SULIAT LAMID and OMOLARA MOFESOLA OMONIYI write.

     

    These days, many stores engage in sales since it is one of the major ways to attract buyers. A shopper seen at a kiddies store at Allen Avenue, Ikeja said: “I always watch out for the sales period of my favourite stores. There are many of them in major shopping malls and they stock quite a variety of items.”

    An economist, Dr Biodun Adedipe, advised that parents take their children along while shopping for them. “Make your shopping list with them and let them know their shopping limit. By this, I mean the highest amount they are permitted to spend. Let them understand why you cannot buy a particular item for them,” he said.

    Many stores reduce prices to make room for the next season, so you could even buy a season ahead. Try shopping online. It is often easier to make comparisons.

    For those teens and pre-teens who labels are important to, try buying the basics at discount stores. Teach your child to shop around and buy on sale. If they desire something more than what you have budgeted, offer to pay a portion and let them use their own allowance for the rest.

    According to a mother, Mrs Olusola Omoniyi, struggling parents shop right for their children because they have eyes for the future. Mostly, girls’ dresses have more variety of colours than boys’, and their clothes are relatively more expensive. We really need to buy good clothes for our kids to make them look good and presentable’.

    Moreover, the weather condition should be considered while buying clothes. People in the tropical regions of the world like Nigeria would feel more comfortable in cotton dresses than in silk or rayon. They should also be light and open ended in order to allow air into such a child’s body but it should not be too exposed so as to avoid health hazards. Body odour, rashes and extreme sweat are results of extreme heat from thick clothes.

    Clothes, if not carefully selected, can become a symbol of child abuse. Cotton and light clothes are discovered to absorb heat. During rainy season, clothes should be warm and thick.

    Another function of clothes apart from covering one’s nakedness is to beautify. Therefore, the colour of the clothes should be considered when blending them together. For example, buying dark coloured clothes alone for a dark child makes the child look moody, bright clothes should also be worn. Colourful clothes with flowered patterns will make a child look attractive and endearing.

    Even babies that are fair in complexion need colourful and bright coloured clothes to make them look more attractive. Generally, most baby clothes in the market are colourful. However, when suits are being bought for boys, black coloured ones are preferable. Most boys’ trousers come in dark colours like black, ash and navy blue but the shirts or tops should be bright and match the colours of the trousers. Wrong colour combination should be completely avoided.

    Some parents consider buying native clothes for their kids unnecessary. It is very good and advisable to buying native clothes for children. With this, they are indirectly being educated on culture. The introduction of native clothes for them will also make them stand out among their pairs.

    It is not a hidden fact that some parents who cannot afford expensive clothes step down to purchase all grades of ‘tokunbo’ clothes. Even though they are relatively cheap, they could pose health hazards to the children. If you have to get these clothes, make sure they are disinfected and washed clean before putting them on your kids.

    The female kids can jazz up their looks with trendy pieces including necklaces, wrist watches, bags, shoes, bracelets, hair bows, hats and belts to give them that exceptional look e ignored when shopping. Whilst the male ones can add wrist watches, shoes and other accessories to their outfit.

     

  • Creating a regular customer base

    Creating a regular customer base

    Retailers know that without shoppers they are doomed. No matter how good your products are, if there are no shoppers to patronise you, you might as well close shop. That is why proactive stores are always devising ways to attract customers and keep them coming back. To keep in line with the changing times, famous retailers keep on remodeling their stores to suit the taste of the numerous shoppers who call. Recently, Marks and Spencer, one of the respected retail brands around the world had to repackage its grocery section to meet the needs of its valued customers. The brand reasoned that it was necessary to remain appealing to shoppers; after all they are in business for them. No matter what area of business you are in, if you do not have customers, your business will eventually fail. That is why it is so important to present yourself and your product in a way that not only attracts the spenders you seek, but inspire them to come back.

    Since the coming of western styled shopping malls in Nigeria, shoppers have received a new lease of life and in return, consumer sophistication has increased, as many flock the malls for leisure and shopping. This is possible because of the comfort and convenience the malls offer.

    Yes, the appearance of your store matters a lot. If a good spender feels comfortable in your store, he can spend till he drops. I was in a cosmetic store inside Balogun market, Lagos one day. Compared to many of the shops there, it was exceptional. The store simply defined its class of customers just by its appearance. It was very neat and comfortable. I noticed that some of the people who came in were so relaxed that it was like a great relief for them, especially after having walked through the length and breadth of the market. Such people are contented to just sit down and have the items on their list brought to them. They will even offer you a drink if they feel you need one. Of course, all this come with good service delivery. Any time I find myself around there, I never hesitate to drop by and get something. I actually take time to think of the things I need that they might have.

     

    Appearance

    If you make your store inviting, you can bet that anyone who comes in will love to come back. The saying that first impression makes a lasting impression also comes true here. If someone walks into a department store that has great prices but garbage on the floor, a bad smell in the air and items thrown all over the shelves and on the floor, what are the chances that they will return just based on the low prices? Very slim unless the prices are almost 100 per cent discounted, which is highly unlikely.

     

    Pricing

    Pricing is also an important aspect of the retail world. While you want to make a profit to stay afloat in business, you also need to make sure you are still fairly competitive with other business of the same kind and maybe a little lower with more products to offer, which will offset the lower prices. Nothing is more appealing, knowing that if you drive down the road a mile you will find the same product for cheaper. This can be accomplished in many ways with sales and promos like ‘buy one get one at half off or free’. You can have lower prices but offer more products and more brands which should offset the lower prices and still bring in the amount of revenue you are looking for.

     

    Knowledge of products and

    services

    It is very crucial that all stores have complete knowledge in the products or services they offer. There is nothing worse than when you are asking questions regarding a product or service and the sales rep has to call someone to run and get another who knows more about it, or gives you wrong information or asks you to return on another day when someone with better knowledge will be there. Shoppers are always appreciative if they are well guided to get the items they need correctly. They are even happier if they are able to get a better substitute for what they were looking for, especially if it is not available. Only a well informed sales rep can fill that gap.

     

    Advertising

    It is extremely important to get your business advertised in all the right places. This can be accomplished in so many ways- newspapers; magazines; internet; radio, television, signs posts, word of mouth and more. Choose something like a two day sale; this will get the customers rolling in the door specifically for the sale. Moreso, once they see all the products offered and the prices that are available everyday and the excellent customer service that they will receive, it is almost a sure bet that they will be coming back over and over whether there is a sale or not. Shoprite and Game stores exploit this strategy a lot by advertising slashed prices of specific items to be sold within a specified period. This draws shoppers who reason that if they came after the specified period, the price might have gone up.

  • Tips for wedding gown

    Tips for wedding gown

    Here are guidelines on how to get it right when shopping for your wedding gown and accessories.

     

    Choosing your bridal gown should be fun and memorable. It is important that you remember to start shopping early for it. This will allow plenty of time for any alterations to be made. There’s always a chance that some alterations will need to be made so that your gown will fit you perfectly. Starting too late may make it more stressful.
    Choose a bridal shop that offers full service and has the right consultant who can help find a gown that best flatters your body type.
    Designer wedding gowns such as Maggie, Trudy Lee, Mori Lee, can be found in Ibadan and cost about N50,000 each. In Lagos, Angelic Bridals, located in Ikeja, stock different wedding gowns ranging from N20,000 to N45,000 each. Some people go as far as London to shop for a good wedding gown, ranging from designer bridal gowns to various wedding accessories, shoes and bouquet.
    One important wedding accessory is the undergarment. Wedding gowns won’t fit without the right undergarment, they complement each other. Some people go as far as London to shop for a good wedding gown, ranging from designer bridal gowns to various wedding accessories, shoes and bouquet.
    There are also a wide selection of veils, bridesmaid’s dresses, mother-of-the-bride dresses, flower girl dresses, accessories and jewellery.
    There are various wedding dresses. Among the top brands are those by Mori Lee and Forever Yours International, among others.

  • Right bag for weekend trip

    Right bag for weekend trip

    Buy a bag that works well in any weather instead of one with a thin fabric suede is ideal either. It is better to get a bag that is waterproof on the outside or has a waterproof lining in case you are caught in the rain.

    Check the bag to see that it is durable by pulling the handles, also check the part where they are attached to the bag to be sure they are secured. Move the zipper back and forth to see that it won’t stick or break.

    Buy a bag that has long as well as short handles attached. Depending on how much weight you will be carrying, the bag may be easier to carry either in your hand or slung around your shoulders. If you have both types of handles, you’ll have the choice of using one or the other instead of being forced to just use one.

    Pick a bag that is big enough to handle three days’ worth of clothes. A weekend is not always two days’ sometimes it is almost three. If the bag is small and only fits two days of clothing, you are going to end up having to shove the rest of the clothes in, which could get them wrinkled.

    Choose a bag that has inside and outside pockets. The outside pockets will be good for easy access to items that you need quickly while the inside pocket is good for small items that you want to keep separately from everything else in your bag.

    Opt for a bag that matches the majority of your wardrobe. If you will be frequently carrying around a travelling bag on weekends, it should fit what you are wearing. A bag that has a black base colour with some flowers or stripes of colour will go well with anything that you have in your wardrobe.

    These bags are mainly sold in gift item shops and shops in your neighbouhood. They range between N1, 500 and N25, 000 each, depending on your pocket.

  • Exciting places to shop in Enugu

    Exciting places to shop in Enugu

    Enugu, known as a civil service state, has many super stores and markets that excite shoppers. The super stores have comfortable environment; the markets offer good bargain depending on what a customer wants. But the evening market has found a place in the hearts of many shoppers. STANLEY EZEONYEASI and Ogechukwu EMEDIKE report.

     

    There are many places where one can shop in Enugu, the capital of the old Anambra State. It is a safe and tranquil city, highly developed with a good road network. There are lots of supermarkets, shopping malls and plazas, as well as open markets where one can make purchases at reasonable prices.

    The most popular market in Enugu is the Ogbete Main Market beside the Holy Ghost Catholic Church, on Market Road, Enugu.

    The market is central and attracts buyers from within and outside the state. The most attractive thing in Ogbete Market is that most shoppers enjoy the evening market that starts at 3pm daily, at the car park, at the entrance of the market.

    There, items are sold at very cheap prices. The evening market also known as uwa mgbede, in Igbo, meaning evening world, usually draws sellers and buyers from various places within the city.

    It is observed that the traders who sell in this evening market, most times sell more than those who have shops inside the market. This market makes shopping a pleasurable experience for students who are attracted by their cheap food stuff, bags, shoes and second hand clothing.

    It was gathered that traders in Ogbete make more sales on Mondays and Saturdays than other days. This is because Monday is a new week and new goods are brought into the market. On Saturdays, more families like to shop for the coming week. Besides, workers who did not have the time to shop during the week are free on Saturdays and could go to the market.

    The market has also gained a lot of patronage from travellers and passersby, as it is surrounded by several transport companies and motor parks.

    Many believe that Enugu is small, as it is mainly populated with good number of super stores. Most residents, especially civil servants, believe that items sold in super stores are more expensive than those sold in the market.

    The Nation Shopping found that this perception is not 100 per cent correct. However, prices of goods in the city are generally normal in the market, malls and super stores except for some female items like bags, shoes and clothing that are a little bit on the high side.

    The favourite super market, Erico Super Market, Paully -Pet super stores are some of the stores serving over five million people in Enugu.

    Some of the items in the super markets and stores range from cosmetics to beverages, clothing, shoes, wine, household equipment and lots more.

    However, the coming of the popular grocery and household goods store, Shoprite, at Polo Park, Ogui Road, has in no small measure given a boost to shopping in the city.

    Ogbete Market, New Market, Gariki Market, Afia Nine Market, New Haven Market, Abakpa Market are some in the Coal City for those who want to purchase within their means. Kenyetta Market also thrives in the evening.

    On food stuffs, meat, fish and condiments, Ogbete and New markets are the best to visit. When going for yam in large quantity, Gariki is the most suitable market.

    Looking for chicken, turkey, goat meat and fresh fish (point and kill)? Artisan Market is the place to make such purchases, though the market is referred to as ‘rich man’s market’ because things are said to be unnecessarily expensive.

    Odegba Market behind the New Market, is popular for fruits and vegetables.

    Traders who sell in Odegba Market are from the rural areas and their buyers are from the Enugu metropolis.

    Another good place to shop in Enugu is Stadium Complex, C to C plaza, Red Wrappings, Women’s World boutique, Front roll Boutique, Gossip, Pentagon Shopping Mall and Eastern Shop, an old mall that has existed for the past 20 years. It is a departmental store where you can buy general goods, clothing and cosmetics.

    The most outstanding shopping mall in the city is the Roban Stores. It is regarded as a shop for the elite. The beauty of the store is that you can get everything you want under a roof. This mall has saved a lot of people in Enugu the stress of going to the market. Prices of goods in Roban Stores are same or better than the markets.

    A shopper, Professor J.C. Igweh, spoke to The Nation Shopping in Enugu, saying: “The market is far, huge and oversized. Everything is concentrated in the market and you have a long distance to walk in the market. It is extremely stressful shopping in Ogbete Main Market. But if I must shop here, in Enugu, I shop at Favourite Shopping Centre or Roban Stores.”

  • The secret way to unlock shoppers’ purses

    The secret way to unlock shoppers’ purses

    For many shopping centres, it is the reality of life. To attract customers, they add something extra. That extra is entertainment, which has turned many shopping centres to fun spots, especially at weekends.

     

    These days, it is common for malls to indulge in several entertainment events to engage shoppers.

    True to its definition of being a one-stop shop for shopping and leisure, the modern day mall stands out as a theatre where people go not only to shop but also to be entertained. The reason is not farfetched. To get people to buy, you have to get them there, and the entertainment co-efficient in a mall is something that builds traffic – pure and simple. This is the logic behind many malls – something to lure people to the place, then, they can shop.

    The crowd at Ikeja City Mall during the weekends points to this fact. The presence of eateries and cafes also explains the affinity between shopping and leisure.

    The Palms Mall, Lekki, Lagos, became the preferred destination for people who not only want to shop but to get a dose of entertainment too. The mall became an instant hit with its music, lightings and appealing ambience which make people contented to just look around, window shop or simply relax.

    The Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Let’s go a bowling and eateries were among the side attractions that endeared many to the mall. Silverbird Galleria began to attract people with the cinemas long before it became popular as a shopping destination. The idea is to get people there and actual shopping could follow; and what could really lure people if not a conducive environment to unwind, and an inviting place to shop?

    Stand Up Nigeria, the monthly comedy show at the cinema at the City Mall, Onikan, draws a good number of people to the mall.

    Same goes with child care stores. Children’s clothiers, such as Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, would always provide bouncy castles, swing, mascots and toys for the kids to play while their parents shopped for them.

    Michael Chu’di Ejekam, director of Actis West Africa’s real estate division, lead developer of the Palms and Ikeja City Mall said: “We are trying to push a retail revolution; create a fun place where people can come in with their families to shop and have fun. It comprises the cinema, the textile shops, restaurants and a lot of other relaxation and shopping centres. That is what my company, Actis, is trying to lead – a destination centre where you have to come in the morning and don’t have to leave till evening; something different that we are proud of. “The whole family can go shopping together. Take the children along. They can spend like two hours at the cinema watching a good movie. You can go to the jewellery store, there are clothing stores, shoes stores, super market, computer electronics and other items you need. When you are done shopping, go pick your children and visit the restaurant or eatery. It is all encompassing”.

    Many people who spoke to The Nation Shopping at The Palms, Ikeja City Mall, Silverbird Galleria and E-Centre affirmed that they are mostly there to catch some fun. “Of course, I come here to shop but trust me, I also want to catch some fun”, said Miss Eunice Egwu, at the Palms.

    For Mr Johnson Ilechukwu, seen at the Ikeja City Mall, there is more to the mall than just shopping. “I am a retailer on the Mainland and I love to see what makes people rush to this place. I come here to catch inspiration for my business. For instance, I have added a lounge as an extension of my store; it even attracts more people who relax, wine, dine and eventually shop!”, he exclaimed.

    Like Mr Ilechukwu, many new shopping centres are incorporating dining and entertainment to their mix to make their centres recreational shopping destinations and to drive frequency of visits and length-of-stay. Indeed, the shopping centre is being reinvented for the age of the grounded consumer. “Today, we are moving to an experience economy where what consumers want are experiences-memorable experiences which engage them in an inherently personal way”. Joe Pine, noted in his book, ‘The Experience Economy’.

    “Some are devoting up to 35 per cent or more of their ‘store’ GLA to entertainment, restaurants and cinemas. When entertainment is incorporated into a shopping complex, it is sometimes referred to as a retail entertainment center (RECs), retail-tainment, shoppertainment or mall-tainment.

    “The end of conspicuous consumption and a decrease in shopper visits due to the Great Recession has made it even more important to generate traffic with other than shopping for stuff.

    With over 75 per cent of shopping trips and purchase decisions being made by women, it is important to meet a woman’s needs at shopping destinations. This often also means meeting the needs of children when they accompany their mother on a shopping trip. Experts are also rising up in shopping center design, development and management, market research, designing family-friendly facilities for entertainment, education and play,

    For instance, White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group (WHLLG) is an outfit which assists retailers and shopping centres to get the best strategies and designs to attract the essential family markets to their stores.

    What originally began as a method to keep children busy while their parents shopped has evolved into experiential retail – creating an environment that kids and their parents enjoy being in and that they won’t soon forget.

    According to him, Experiential retail is the concept of designing a store to be more than just a place selling goods and merchandise, but a fun place to visit-people come for the experience, often more so than just for shopping. Experiential retail differentiates a store from its competitors and gives the store a competitive advantage by repositioning its brand identity and raising the perceived value of the merchandise, sometimes even allowing a higher price to be charged. Components of experiential retail for a children’s-oriented merchandise store commonly include the décor and appearance of the store, interaction with knowledgeable and helpful staff, providing helpful services in addition to merchandise and the addition of things that can make it fun and enjoyable for both children and parents. “Fun and enjoyable” in this context includes things to keep children from becoming bored and to make them want to return, as well as secondary amenities for parents such as convenient places to sit and family- friendly restrooms.

    This is exemplified in The Walt Disney World Village where children are made to experience the fun of their lives. The Disney style entertainment offers shopping day and night in an atmosphere of entertainment and adventure.

  • From my mail box

    We greatly appreciate those of you who make it a point to read us and especially to those who respond by sending their comments. Indeed, we are poised to serve you more and give you every valuable pieces of information on our finger tips.

    In the spirit of independence celebration, some people sent comments congratulating Nigerians on their doggedness in the midst of challenges. They also commented on other pressing issues, such as the stalled printing of N5000 note. Their concern is understandable; after all, everyone would have to shop with the money, right? Here are some of them as space would enable us. Keep faith with us and please do not be offended if your remark is not published in this edition.

    Thanks a million,

    Janice.

    Dear Janice, Please help me congratulate Nigeria at 52. We have really come a long way. I always admire your presentations. Most of the time, I cannot shop as much as I would love to because the country is hard. You know what they say, cutting my coat according to my cloth. We need the government to provide a conducive economic environment for us so that we can shop right. I like the fact that State governments are supporting the establishment of malls. Governor Fashola’s assistance with the Ikeja City Mall is commendable. But I feel that it will bring greater development if these malls are built in remote places rather than already developed areas. I think shopping should be moved to different localities. That is what I call development.

    Benjamin Okeke, University of Benin

    I congratulate Naija at 52. But those who are aspiring to rule this nation should understand that we need a good product that can move the market. Many of them are busy shopping for votes instead of shopping for good legacy. Imagine, this is 2012 and rather than do what they have been voted into office to do, they are already counting down to 2015. All I am saying is that, with the commemoration of independence like this, incumbent leaders should emulate the examples of our political fathers such as the great Zik of Africa who sought the good of all; the Late Chief Obafefemi Awolowo who worked positively for the Yorubas and Ahmadu Bello. These men were true Nigerians. We should not let them lament in their graves, seeing that today’s politicians are only going into it for their greed. Thank you.

    Ebele Onuka, Kano.

    Janice, thanks for giving us the opportunity to speak our minds on this platform. For me, I consider my Independence gift to be the stalling of the printing of N5000 notes and the transformation of the smaller notes to coins. That would have been the worst thing to have happened to this country. Thank God for those who made sure the policy did not see the light of day. Muhammed Adamu, Ilorin.

    Janice, please help me thank the National Assembly for the debate that quashed the minting of coins. They proved their importance once again. Just before that relief came, I was already getting sick about the whole thing. Have you imagined what it would have been if those notes were turned to coins? I am happy that Nigerians spoke out because it would have been our doom if we had allowed it to happen. Otunne Ifediorah, Benin.

    Janice, I am angry at the way some of our leaders reason. Sometimes, people who occupy sensitive position affecting the lives of people directly, reason as if they are not living in the same country with us. How could Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi ever conceive changing those notes to coins? That was insensitive of him. What did he hope to achieve? Actually, you know this people would always find ways to do whatever they want to do. It is possible that they may still come up with the minting of the N5000, which is extremely unnecessary and definitely not what we need now. But please tell them; whatever they do, they must not tamper with those notes in the name of turning them to coins. I truly pray that people in power will begin to think reasonably. Just imagine the Central bank governor coming up with such an idea. That is really absurd. Thank you.

    Mr Yomi Akinyemi, Accountant, Abuja.

    Janice, your column, Shopping Right is apt. I wish our leaders will learn to shop right. If they do, they will understand that our market is different from those of other countries, including African countries. They should consider our market before bringing up any funny policy. I am only commenting on the issue of the new notes. Every policy should bring value to the people and not hardship.

    Chika Okoye, Enugu.

    When I first heard about the translation of some notes to coins, I started wondering what would happen at Shoprite where they love to tag prices by kobo kobo. We must understand that coins do not agree with us that way. Once the notes are changed to coins, they will automatically be reduced to the value of kobo. Please at no time should Nigerians ever accept that. Thanks,

    Yemi Oduyemi, Ajah, Lagos.