The Nation Newspaper

Category: Shopping

  • Chi shines at Top 50 brands Award

    CHI Limited, has won at the Top 50 Brands Nigeria Awards.

    Chivita and Hollandia shone at the event. The two products have become popular in the market.

    By using specific criteria including brand popularity, category leadership, innovation, national spread, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and online engagement to measure brands, the Top 50 Brands Nigeria Awards evaluate and celebrate top brands that have c maintained leadership positions in their categories, living up to their promises to become a part of the popular culture, owning properties and associations that evoke positive emotion from consumers.

    According to Taiwo Oluboyede, CEO of Top 50 Brands Nigeria, the top brands for this year are those that are fast growing in value and have succeeded in delivering their promise to the consumers. He noted that these brands have adopted a winning habit of delivering something special by often doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways.

    “Chivita and Hollandia from the stable of CHI Limited are two brands that have stoodout in their categories for their conscious effort to build equity by offering healthy products with superior value and insightful consumer engagements that shape how consumers experience the brands,” he said.

    For CHI Limited’s Marketing Director, Mr. Probal Bhattacharya, the recognition from the Top 50 Brands Awards is a welcome development for a brand that has prioritised consumers’ expectations and need for health, nutrition and refreshment with the best quality juices and value added dairy products.

    “We are delighted about the award because it is a reflection of our commitment in ensuringonly the best in juice and value added dairy products are made available by us to meet consumers’ expectations. Chivita and Hollandia will continue to deliver on the promise of superior value and innovation by identifying consumer needs and meeting them,” he said.

    This award joins a list of recognition awards for CHI Limited, which includes the Marketing Edge Award for Outstanding Juice Brand of the Year, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Award for Brand of the Year, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria’s (MAN) 50th AGM Awards.

  • Shoppers smiling home as prices crash

    Four days to Christmas, shoppers have continued to enjoy price incentives, among other freebies this Yuletide, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN

    Despite anticipated hike in prices of consumer goods, shoppers have a lot to be grateful for this Yuletide as fast-moving consumer goods and other essential items are cheap.

    When The Nation Shopping visited some markets and malls in the Lagos metropolis and its environs, the main point of discussion was Christmas.

    Indeed, across the metropolis, the  upsurge in human and vehicular traffic in major markets and shopping places hardly went unnoticed, considering the increased tempo of activities, which resurfaced in preparation for Christmas celebration, which comes up in a few days.

    The major markets were busy. Traders were upbeat about the uptick in sales.

    A lot of shoppers were taken aback as prices of foodstuff have continued to crash, especially  that of tomatoes and pepper, which were exorbitantly high in major markets across the country during the Yuletide sales.

    At Mile 12 market, a basket of tomatoes sold for N5,000, from its previous price of N10, 000 in November and N29, 000 in July, and ditto a basket of Tatashe (pepper) which fell from N14, 000 to N8, 000, and a basket of chilli pepper (rodo) dropped from N13, 000 to N8, 000.

    Mr Femi Odusanya, spokesperson of Mile 12 Market Perishable Foods Traders Association, said the government’s efforts in agriculture have started yielding fruits food.

    He said prices of the commodities  fell because of the increased supply from about 80 to 120 trucks daily to the market.

    Some of the traders also attributed the drop in the prices of food to the massive supply of food.

    However, price of a jute bag of onions increased from N28, 000 to N35, 000 while one kilogramme of frozen chicken and turkey goes for N1, 000 and N1, 100.

    Live chicken is sold for between N3, 500 and N6, 000, depending on their sizes.

    Also, a 50kg bag of rice ranges from N16, 500 to N22, 000, depending on the brand, a 25-litre palm oil goes for N11, 500, while a particular measurement of garri cost N380.

    Investigation by The Nation Shopping shows that these last weeks had seen shoppers take advantage of the Christmas celebration to partake in the yearly  year end smart deals’ taking place at shopping malls and major open markets.

    But not only are the malls’ popularity soaring, but their centre managers noted that sale of Christmas items was beginning to climb  as the festive season approaches.

    At Idumota market, men are looking for clothes for their women, the women are shopping for their men too. And mothers are busy shopping for their children, not forgetting gifts for extended family and friends.

    Also, people who have less disposable cash went to fairly used stalls, otherwise known as Akube markets, to pick hand-me-down, especially second-hand clothes, shoes, ladies hand bags and accessories for Christmas.

    For sellers, it is the time to make brisk business.

    A cross-section of retailers at Balogun market said sales of Christmas decorations, clothing, jewellery and household items in the last two weeks have increased tremendously, following the offers which have been ongoing for some time.

    Ayoade Arogundade said: “At this time of the year, it is one thing to buy items from a store, and another thing to make payment. But I am compensated with the price slash available everywhere to help people shop for Christmas.”

     

  • ‘Practitioners should be innovative, professional’

    Public Relations professionals in the country have been urged to be awakening to innovative ideas that could resolve issues relating to the profession and their clients in order to attain the needed growth required as well as respectable position among their counterparts.This was the submission of the Chief Consultant of TPT International, Adetokunbo Modupe, who was guest speaker at the December 2018 edition of the Lagos PR Clinic of the state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) under the theme: Ideapreneurship: The Nature of Our Trade.

    He postulated that PR practitioners are ideapreneurs who should be driven by intellectual ideas that are well tailored towards clients’ needs and their target publics for desired results, and not be inundated with business gains in the manner of entrepreneurs. Modupe, a Harvard-trained ideapreneur with over two decades experience in PR, affirmed that since the profession is dynamic, practitioners should re-examine their business modules as ideapreneurs, think and develop ideas that would invariably translate to income generation. “Don’t let the world drive you, drive the world with your ideas. This keeps us in a more respectable position before our clients who should not think that we are in the business just to make money. We should not see ourselves as entrepreneurs but there is nothing wrong in thinking about wealth” he explained.

    Modupe described ideapreneurs as deep thinkers who creates jobs, have a mind of their own; explore alternatives to the norms by fostering ideas and are not motivated by pedestrian or temporary success but enduring legacies.

     

  • Itel rewards communities

    IN the spirit of the Yuletide, Itel Mobile has launched its  Christmas train.

    The train has reached several communities across the country.

    The initiative tagged: ‘Love Alwayson’ saw the telecoms outfit traversing major cities across the six geopolitical zones. They Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, and Kogi.

    Santa Claus was on hand to help spread the love to families, who were showered with gifts and donation.

    The first port of call was the less privileged children, nursing mothers, widows and widowers in Oke – Eri community, Oworonshoki, Lagos State, where volunteers and  itel workers, in conjunction with Lagos Food Bank, put smiles on the people.

    For itel, the objective of the initiative was to provide infrastructural and basic amenities for the communities surrounding the brand.

    As a brand that aims to improve the educational and health system as well as fight hunger/poverty, the  campaign tackled some social issues, spreading love to families in various communities.

    The company donated over 500 pieces of pens, 500 pieces of school bags, book materials and water bottles, 400 pieces of pencil cases, 1000 pieces of tomato paste, over 80 cartons of noodles, clothes, foodstuffs, toiletries, among others.

    Oke Umurhohwo, itel’s Marketing Communications Manager, said: “At itel, we are proud to be a part of the communities we serve through our involvement in local charities, youth sports, and events that inspire the world. Giving back is an essential part of who we are. We don’t just aim to provide smartphones for everyone but also to grow deeper and wider in community outreach in the coming years, touching over a million lives in 2020.”

    Among the places, the train visited were the Nasarawa Orphanage Home, Kano State, the children at Christabel Kids British International School, Obosi, Anambra State, Our Lady of Fatima primary school, Ayingba in Kogi.

     

  • Capri-sonne launches beach ball promo

    Capri-Sonne, the fruit drink of children, has launched a new  consumer promo tagged the “Beach Ball Promo”.

    It includes a free Beach Ball in every carton of Capri-Sonne, and is expected to create more fun moments for kids by ensuring a stimulating moment and encouraging them to play some more.

    The promo will offer children one more reason to enjoy their favourite fruit drink, as nothing speaks to a child’s playfulness like a bouncing beach ball which can be used in all sorts of exciting games.

    For a brand associated with creating fun moments for children, the Capri-Sonne “Beach Ball Promo” will seek to enhance brand affinity and product consumption through activities that encourage active play for kids whilst having a taste of fun.

    The promo is being amplified nationwide with an effective media campaign running on major regional and national television channels and radio stations in the country. It will also be driven through advertisements on billboards, engagements on digital platforms, point of sales outlets and experiential consumer engagement platforms in various cities to connect with consumers.

    According to Chi Limited Managing Director Deepanjan Roy, the promo is another platform by the firm to reward fun-loving consumers across Nigeria.

    “The Capri-Sonne Beach Ball Promo is an opportunity to give more fun moments to millions of children, and reward them as they relish the delicious taste of fun and excitement in every carton of their favourite drink purchased within the promo period,” he stated.

    The Beach Balls can be found in all 200ml x 40 Capri-Sonne cartons, and are available in stores nationwide.

    Trusted by mothers for its health benefits and popular with children for its delicious taste, Capri-Sonne is made from natural ingredients, without artificial flavours, sugar and  colour.

    It is healthy, naturally tasty and filled with lots of energy and fun. It comes in fun pouches and is available in six variants of Orange, Pineapple, Apple, Strawberry, Multi-Vitamin and Tropical fruits.

  • Osinbajo to open Wells Carlton Hotel

    All roads lead to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) this weekend where Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is expected to unveil The Wells Carlton Hotel and Luxury Apartments.

    According to the management of the five-star luxury hotel located at the plush Asokoro district of Abuja,     customers will be offered “the grand experience of luxury”.

    A tour of the Wells Carlton Hotel and Luxury Apartments reveals a flamboyant display of pleasure with the sprawling facility featuring  wave of sophistication, style and glamour that would leave anyone breathless with longing.

    From walkways filled with iconic works of art, building fixtures of unparalleled craftsmanship, architectural finishings of aesthetic perfection, and a modern style that is second to none, the Wells Carlton Hotel and luxury apartments is an experience guaranteed to leave guests in the throes of lasting impression.

    The Wells Carlton Hotel and Luxury Apartments features 55 rooms and deluxe suites, as well as a conference center (and meeting rooms) which are perfect for private meetings and corporate events.

    The epitome of sheer luxury boasts an amazing roof-top terrace that offers an attractive view of the FCT, allowing guests an elevated experience and a secluded ambience of serenity.

    It also offers exotic bars and four world-class restaurants which serve both continental and local cuisines. In addition, the Wells Carlton Hotel and Luxury Apartments provide a world-class gym and enchanting state-of-the-art swimming pools. Among numerous other hospitality services and premium offerings, the Wells Carlton Hotel and Luxury Apartments offers guests the convenience of an international gift shop. The hotel spa, named Tirta Ayu, is an exotic haven where guests are treated to Japanese and Indonesian spa experiences: a blend of ancient therapeutic remedies and modern-day spa rituals for healthy living and well-being. It’s certainly an out-of-this-world experience.

    Wells Carlton Hotel and Luxury Apartments Chairman, Captain  Idahosa Wells Okunbo spent a fortune in creating this world-class hotel for those who demand only the  best.

    “This is a brand to which I have attached my name. It has taken me nine years to achieve. Not nine years because it couldn’t have been ready sooner; but nine years because, for me, only the word perfect will do! This brand stands for my character of tenacity, perfection, integrity and excellence,” Okunbo said.

     

  • DStv Premium customers to enjoy ShowMax

    MultiChoice will be rewarding all active DStv Premium customers in Nigeria and Kenya by giving access to ShowMax on their DStv Explora free.

    DStv customers with internet-connected DStv Exploras will now be able to access ShowMax, a subscription video on demand service which offers the biggest sets of the best international and local TV series in Africa.  While DStv offers the freshest local and international content directly from Hollywood, as well as alive sport and news, through live television and DStv Catch Up; ShowMax offers complete box sets of previous seasons of series so customers can watch from the very first episode.

    MultiChoice Nigeria Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John Ugbe said: “With the festive season upon us, we wanted to share in the festivities by giving access to our valued DStv Premium customers access to an even wider world of video entertainment through ShowMax on their Exploras at no extra charge.” The DStv Explora will now offer a richly-varied and comprehensive video-on-demand experience, comprising of a movie-rental service through DStv BoxOffice, which offers the freshest blockbuster movies; an extensive Catch Up service (further enhanced when the Explora is connected to the internet); and a library of box sets from the ShowMax service.

    This gives DStv customers the freedom to watch what they want, when they are ready.

    “Since the launch of ShowMax online, we have seen a growing demand for the service, now we are bringing it to our DStv Exploras, to give families a time to gather together and enjoy the best entertainment this festive season,” adds Ugbe. Some movies available on ShowMax include Robin Hood, The Croods, Now You See Me and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life.

  • SPAR unveils Christmas gift cards, others

    TO ease the challenge of buying the right gifts for friends, families

    and business associates during the Yuletide, SPAR Nigeria has unveiled  Christmas Gift Cards alongside other gift items ,  its Marketing Head, John Goldsmith, has said.

    Speaking in Lagos, Goldsmith  said research had shown that many people have challenges in choosing the perfect gift during festive seasons and special occasions like birthday, wedding, anniversary and others.

    ‘’We have created these gift cards as a means of helping people to give valuable and flexible gifts to celebrants in accordance to their choices. The SPAR Gift Cards are available at the cash counters of SPAR stores across the country’’.

    According to him, “SPAR Gift Cards are a gift of choice. The choice of over 10,000 products to choose from SPAR Hypermarket stores across the country. Apart from Choice, SPAR Gift Cards has multiple advantages; it can be loaded with any amount above N 5,000, it can be used to buy any products from the SPAR Stores, it can be used for multiple transaction, it can be used across all SPAR stores, it is convenient to carry, it can be bought at one location and delivered across the country and there is no extra charge for the card among other benefits.

    “Another important feature primarily targeted at large organisation is that SPAR gift cards can be co-Branded with logo, brand name or organisation name,” Goldsmith added.

    SPAR Nigeria is the leading hypermarket chain in Nigeria with outlets across major cities in Nigeria. The brand has always developed innovative products for discerning Nigerians who desire to have quality products, impeccable service and value addition.

    SPAR is a part of the global retail chain from Holland. SPAR International has given the master franchise of the SPAR brand to Artee Industries Limited.

     

    for its operations in Nigeria. The brand is one of the fastest growing hypermarket chain in Nigeria spread across Lagos; Abuja; Port Harcourt; Calabar and Enugu. SPAR caters for the various needs and aspirations of Nigerians consumers.

  • SPAR gets 14th store

    •Oba of Lagos opens largest outlet in Opebi

    SPAR Nigeria has consolidated on her expansion with the opening of an outlet in Opebi, Lagos.

    The new outlet, which is the largest in Lagos, has sections, such as food and grocery, butchery &bakery, wine & spirit, fresh farm foods, frozen foods, laptops, mobile phones, and electronics products.

    SPAR Managing Director,  Mr.  Haresh Keswani, said: “The newly commissioned store is the 14th in the country.’’

    With the opening, Keswani said SPAR now has eight stores in Lagos, two in Abuja and in Port Harcout, while one in Enugu and Calabar.

    Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who  inaugurated the outlet based at Adebola House, said with the opening of the store, SPAR Nigeria had further demonstrated its committed to the growth of Nigeria by making goods and services available to Lagos residents and other Nigerians.

    ”SPAR is promoting made-in- Nigeria goods and products, which is strategic to the economic development of any country such as ours. They are helping to promote our local contents, thereby helping the government in her economic development policy and through that, SPAR helps the government to solve various problems especially the problem of  high unemployment in Nigeria.

    “SPAR Nigeria remains one of the leading hypermarket stores in Nigeria and with this new outlet in Opebi, the residents of this area will now enjoy varieties of affordable consumer goods and products that SPAR offers to the public. I will want to thank the company for opening this store here in this strategic location, Opebi,” he said.

    Artee Industries Limited Chairman, Asiwaju Solomon Kayode Onafowokan, said the Opebi store remains the largest hypermarket store in the country and that it is strategic to the residents of the area.

    “We are opening the largest hypermarket here in Opebi because of the cravings of our ever growing customers especially from this community. The uniqueness of Opebi is that we have all our products here, electronics, food and grocery, wines, perfumes, frozen products just to mention a few. We have free parking space for our customers, most of our products are made in Nigeria, we equally ensure that Nigerians have access to quality products and also have goods and products for non-Nigerians to enjoy,” he said.

    He continued: “We have ensured that all our food and grocery products are approved by the regulatory authorities in Nigeria and our prices are affordable.”

    Artee Group Deputy Managing Director Mr. Prakesh Reswani said the Opebi outlet is not only the largest hypermarket store that the organisation has but the store remains one of the most strategic in its location.

    “This new store is very close to businesses, corporate organisations, residences, and common people. Besides, the seat of power, Alausa Secretariat is not too far from here. We have varieties too with affordable prices; we guarantee our customers quality products and services that will give value for their money.”

    Prakesh added: “ We know Nigerians want this type of store in such a strategic location like Opebi. We have many of this type of  hypermarket stores in South Africa, a country whose population is lesser than Nigeria. So, Nigeria should have more here – about 3,000 of this – we will help to bring that to reality. Patronages have been great, people know us with affordability and quality. Our competitive edge are our prices, varieties, credibility and guarantee for money spent.’’

    SPAR has grown from a very humble beginning to become one of the fastest growing business conglomerates in Nigeria with a wide portfolio of brands, such as Park n Shop, SPAR, Port Harcourt Mall, Calabar Mall, Enugu Mall.

    Other dignitaries at the event were: Chief Adegunwa Adebola, the owner of Adebola House; Mr. Gbolahan Toriola, Lagos State Chief  Vehicle Inspection Officer, and Alhaji ‘Kunle Hamzat, former Head of Corporate Services, SPAR Nigeria.