The Nation Newspaper

Category: Shopping

  • Beauty West Africa exhibition comes to Lagos

    FROM November 7 to 9, an exhibition organiser B to B Events, which has the largest beauty exhibition and a portfolio of eight yearly additional events on the African continent across the medical, food and beauty sectors, will be bringing the Beauty West Africa exhibition to Lagos.

    The exhibition, which promises to host leading brands and products from across the beauty and cosmetics industry, will act as the platform for companies from around the world to meet, and do business, with the largest distributors, suppliers and importers from across West Africa as well as consumers. The venue is the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Research has it that the Nigerian beauty and cosmetics industry has huge potential with a growing level of importance and value placed on looking good. The country’s population is close to 200 million . With an increasing middle-class demographic, connectnigerian.com states that the growing demand for products in the field has grown by 11percent yearly.

    At the exhibition, 120 exhibitors will be on ground from across the world covering 1200sqm of exhibition space. Over 100 international and local companies are being expected. From cosmetics, skin care and makeup to hair, nails and salon supplies to personal care and hygiene to machinery, packaging, chemicals, ingredients and manufacturing to professional equipment and spa, perfume and  fragrance, aesthetics surgery, business solutions.

    Also there will be over 3,000 attendees from the West Africa Beauty Industry.

    Buyers and decision makers from the traditional market, shopping malls and retail outlets will be hosted. Others will be salon owners, makeup artists, distributors importers and resellers, retail stores, aesthetic clinics, business owners and product users.

    The organiser of the event and conference partner, Tokunbo Chiedu said: “It’s a gateway into the Nigerian market and as you are aware, we are partnering with an international brand that is looking to work with Nigerians to build.”

    B to B Events, Chief Executive Officer,  Jamie Hill said: “It is an opportunity to come and see from an educational platform. There will be a conference room where people will come and learn from experts who have been there, ask them questions and see decisions they took that made them a success.”

    A dermatologist and brand trainer, Dr Vivian Oputa, said: “We are creating an exhibition where stakeholders locally and internationally will come together, also help to propagate Nigeria and put us on the map.”

    She added the event is a conference as well as an exhibition that will showcase the  beauty industry.

    There will be business fora, make up master classes, spa trearments, fashion shows. VIP tons and pre-scheduled meetings.

    Other panelists are Pamela Olatunji of  BNatural SPA,  Kemi Lewis, KLS Naturals Chain Salon owner.

     

  • Binatone marks 60th anniversary

    Binatone International is giving out free gifts to it numerous customers across the world in continuation of its 60th anniversary celebration.

    Managing Director of Global Appliances (Nigeria) Limited, the sole distributors of Binatone in Nigeria, Mr. Prasun Banerjee said in a statement that the special free gift known as “Binatone Magi-cloth” is meant to say “Thank you” to all its loyal customers.

    “It is commonly known that any pressing iron can damage clothes if used incorrectly. Too much heat on the wrong type of cloth can spoil your beautiful clothes, especially dark coloured garments where a burnt shine can be clearly visible as a result of overheating.

    “Binatone has developed the Binatone Magi-cloth which they are giving away free to anyone who buys an iron (steam iron or dry iron) this year. The Binatone Magi-cloth has been specially designed to absorb the extra heat that would otherwise spoil an expensive, dress, shirt or suit, prolonging its life,” he said.

    According to Banerjee, Binatone currently offers its customers 11 iron models to select from.

    ”With two-year Warranty and the limited period exclusive 10 per cent discount Nigerian consumers could not have a better time to buy a Binatone iron.”

    A generous 10 per cent discount on almost the entire range of Binatone products being enjoyed by customers via leading retailers such as Game, Shoprite, Spar, Cash & Carry and others,” he said.

  • Ibadan supermarkets woo customers

    Shopping is getting more structured in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital as supermarkets increase, offering superior services to roadside shops. Southwest Bureau Chief, BISI OLADELE, writes on four of the topmost supermarkets in the city, using price to guide shoppers into getting the best value.

    Billboard, radio and television advertisements are gradually becoming the norm for the few top supermarkets in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital as they grow in size and number. The competition is forcing them to also offer mouth-watering promotions, loyalty programmes and other incentives to woo customers.

    In all of these, quality of service, availability of varieties and price play a huge role in gaining a larger percentage of the market. Also among the above factors, price advantage ranks high in determining patronage as shoppers struggle to achieve more with little funds.

    For this reason, the big stores pitch “low prices” as their unique selling propositions. Yet, many shoppers are unable to zero down on which is best for what product in terms of price.

    An online newspaper, newspeakonline.com, in its recent price survey on four leading supermarkets in the city, showed Feedwell as the overall best in terms of prices.

    Other supermarkets considered in the price survey are Foodco, Shoprite and Grandex. The four supermarkets have branches across the city but prices of their wares vary. The survey focused on popular daily beverages, food items, drinks and baby products.

    According to the medium, the items shoppers mostly visit stores for, on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, include Johnnie walker red label wine700 (ml), Hennessy cognac vs 700(ml), Baileys Irish ice cream, Chamdor Non- Alcoholic wine, J&W premium Non-alcoholic wine, Molfix baby diapers (small), Pampers baby diapers (small), Nestle Cerelac baby food, Sunlight detergent 900g, Bounty Chocolate, Snickers chocolate, Mars Chocolate, Lipton tea bag, Nestle milo (500g) refill, Golden Morn 500g, Tom-tom all flavours , Heinz tomato ketchup 300g, Heinz salad cream 285g, Titus sardine, Ola-ola Poundo yam flour(1kg ), Golden penny Semovita (1kg), Close-up deep action toothpaste, Nivea roll on, Pringles big all flavours, Easy on spray starch, Jacobs cream crackers, Mcvities short bread, Nasco cornflakes 500(g).

    Judging by the above table, Feedwell offers lowest prices in the candies and items such as chocolates, biscuits, wine and liquors. The table shows that the store has lower prices for products like the small packs of Molfix and Pampers baby diapers as well as Nestle Cerelac baby food.

    For those wanting beverages, Feedwell and Shoprite look cool considering the fact that Nestle Milo and Peak milk are at their lowest prices at these stores. The price of Hienz salad cream is even too attractive to ignore at N625 compared with the price others offer.

    Though prices of items may be a bit higher in other supermarkets, they have their strengths in other areas which include proximity, ambience of the stores and parking advantage.

    While Shoprite has an ambience that attracts shoppers, a walk into Grandex Supermarket offers some other rich experience which some shoppers may enjoy, and which they may not find in other stores. Foodco’s restaurant is well liked by shoppers while it also offers regular promotions.

    As we start another weekend, shoppers in Ibadan would be happy to make informed decisions with our guide.

     

     

  • Ramadan affects shopping habits, boosts online sales

    Online sales and traffic increase during Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, but decline during Eid el-Fitr (Eid), the religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN.

    Thousands of online transactions  are said to have been recorded from retailers online and in store.

    This week, being the third week of Ramadan, presents the biggest opportunity for retailers to engage consumers who are actively browsing and buying items for the upcoming celebrations. Online merchants said it would see up to 57 per cent jump in online retail sales and 14 per cent uplift in online travel sales.

    Online behaviour is also influenced by Ramadan traditions, says Afam Anyika, former Yudala Online Retail Platform marketing manager. With ecommerce, transactions in the day went down to 61 per cent compared to 66 per cent they recorded before Ramadan.

    “There is usually an increase in ecommerce sales after breaking fast at 29 per cent compared to 26 per cent pre-Ramadan, presenting an opportunity for retailers to reach out to shoppers,’’ he said.

    Mobile represents an important factor as well, with 37 per cent of onsite retail conversions happening on mobile app, retailers are advised to move beyond a mobile-friendly site to investing into an app, Anyika claimed.

    Fashion-related items are said to be the most popular during this period, followed by living products and electronics.

    “Ramadan is an important festive season. Rapidly rising disposable incomes, a growing appetite for modest fashion, a period when retailers should enlist smart solutions to engage shoppers across all touch points and deliver the most impactful content at every point in the customer journey. As shoppers spend time with their friends and families after sundown and on Eid, they are less likely to browse and shop online. Retailers are advise to pick the right time of the week and time of day to increase their digital marketing efforts, so they can achieve an uptick in online transactions,” said Buyology boss, Yeye Arogundade.

    Other findings include website traffic and ecommerce sales increasing from three weeks before Ramadan, and spiking during week three and four, with increases of 85percent and 67percent respectively. A decline in online sales and web traffic is expected at the start of Eid by 34percent and 20percent with online sales rebounding in the week post-Eid with an increase of 35 percent

    Week three and four of Ramadan will see online merchants becoming the biggest growth drivers, with an increase of 77percent and 52 percent. Shoppers too are expected to undertake the cross-device journey, with 46 per cent viewing products across multiple devices and one in four shoppers switching devices at least 3 times during their purchasing journey.

     

     

  • Rite Foods holds first consumer forum

    Rite Foods Limited has held its first National Consumer Forum.

    The event was a platform for the company, which started production in 2007, to appreciate its loyal customers for their patronage, over the last 10 years.

    Its Managing Director, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, said the company prides itself as a Nigerian, with world-class facilities, adding that the forum was an avenue to celebrate the beverage brand which is 20 months old.

    One of the major highlights of the event was the presentation of gifts to outstanding distributors.

    They were in three categories: the first came from the distributors promo held between last December – March. This was followed by Zonal Award given to the top three customers, as well as the National Awards for the beverage segment (CSD & Energy drinks).

    Gifts worth N67million were presented. They included an Isuzu QKR 5.2 tons truck worth N11 million, which was presented to the National Award winner,  N1 million to the second place winner and, N500,000 to the third place winner.

    Others were fridges, generator sets, and washing machines.

    The company announced that it has opened a beverage and sausage roll factory in Ososa, Ogun State.

  • Keke-Ads gets award

    A transit media platform Keke-Ads has emerged the Best Mobile Advertising Agency in the Brandwise Best of the Brands Awards.

    The award was conferred on Keke-Ads by Nigeria’s leading premium brands and business magazine, BRANDWISE.

    In an award letter signed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of BRANDWISE, Mr Wale Alabi and presented to Mr Esona Onuoha, founder / CEO of Smate&Smate International owner of the Keke-Ads platform, the award was conferred on Keke-Ads for its empowerment in the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) sector, professionalism in its service delivery and for promoting creative excellence in the mobile and out-of-home media.

    Alabi said: “Your organisation, Keke-Ads has been selected as one of the best corporate brands in Nigeria. These are the brands that are thriving and continually contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s economy in spite of the prevailing challenging operating environment.’’

    Receiving the awards on behalf of Smate&Smate International at his Lagos Regional office, Onuoha thanked the publishers of BRANDWISE magazine for finding Keke-Ads worthy of recognition and celebration.

    “This award is one of the most needed tonic and impetus that will make us to do more for start-ups, small and medium scale enterprises and even multinationals who do not have big budget… to promote and advertise their products and services. It will also help us to do more in our economic empowerment platform especially amongst the Keke riders and owners across the country,”Onuoha said, adding: “KekeAds is not just a strategic choice for effective public enlightenment and communication, it has become a tool for social transformation, reformation and empowerment.”

    According to him, as the motor tricycles are engaged for sensitisation  and cause-related matters, the operators are registered, verified and signed up to the KekeAds code of conduct. This makes the tracking of the operators of the KekeAds system possible hence allows an additional layer of security to ensure any perpetrators of crime using the motor tricycles are apprehended.

    The platform is also expected to be an invaluable source of financial empowerment; as the daily revenue per vehicle can further be optimised by allowing their tricycles to be used as an alternative media outlet for a commuting, urban, and captive audience.

    Several brands, such as Emzor, Airtel, Nasco, Bannergas, Gamezone, Priceless Stores, Everyday Supermarket and Gala from UAC Foods, have benefited from the promotions used on many Keke outdoor advertising campaigns. The use of the KekeAds Automated Audio System effectively increases consumer recall rates and brand recognition for the campaigns.

    Other notable brands are expected to grace the system from the fast-moving consumer goods, financial services, telecommunications, and SME sectors. NGOs and government agencies are also targeted since the medium is most effective for reaching the grass roots and the hard-to-reach audiences that are the socio-economic focus of many public sensitisation messages.

     

  • Top E-commerce firms, Konga, Yudala merge

    Largest Nigerian Online mall, Konga and Yudala, have officially announced a merger of their operations to significantly alter Nigeria’s online retailing space in terms of size of operations and customers base.

    From May 1, both companies will now operate as ‘Konga.’

    The strategic decision will see both companies leverage the combined strengths of their platforms and further broaden the scope of organized retail and e-commerce in Nigeria, as well as deliver more value to customers and merchants.

    In a official statement, Olusiji Ijogun, Konga chairman said:

    “Combining forces to power the new Konga will enable us effectively achieve our goals of platform expansion and accelerated growth, as we embark on an ambitious journey to redefine the retail ecosystem with the industry’s most advanced technology.

    “Effective from May 1st, Yudala will now operate under the name Konga, with dual CEOs in the persons of Nick Imudia who will be in charge of online among others and Prince Nnamdi Ekeh who will be responsible for offline. This merger will further strengthen our position in the Nigerian retail market as we creatively position Konga as the first profitable e-commerce company in Africa.”

    Also Read: Why we acquired Konga, by Zinox

    “The efficiency of Konga’s cutting-edge online platform, access to thousands of merchants and Yudala’s expansive network of fully stocked offline stores is poised to give our customers the best shopping experience imaginable. We will be working closely with all our combined clients, customers, merchants and employees to make the integration process as seamless as possible and thereafter make public our road map to sustain our leadership on the continent,” Ijogun stated.

    One of the exciting benefits of this merger is the possibility it offers prospective shoppers to order online, pay and pick-up the product(s) at the nearest Konga offline store. There are also increasing business opportunities for merchants nationwide.

    The  ‘re-born’ Konga will bring services closer to consumers and widen depth of options with which merchants may engage the eCommerce company across Nigeria.

    “We are very excited about the operational merger between Yudala and Konga into the new Konga,” noted Prince Ekeh.

    “A merger of this magnitude has never been experienced in Africa. We will be leveraging on Konga’s strong technology backbone and online experience as well as Yudala’s offline experience, network of retail stores and operational efficiency. In the near future, we plan to have a Konga store in every local government area in Nigeria. While this is ambitious, we believe that every Nigerian deserves the right to have access to the full range of genuine products offered by Konga,” Prince Ekeh declared.

    Plans are also underway to showcase the full power of the merger with expanded access to thousands of products in Konga online and offline stores for all categories of shoppers.

    According to Imudia, “We believe this operational merger between Konga and Yudala will bring immense opportunities for consumers in the e-commerce space. We urge all shoppers, consumers, merchants and clients to stay tuned as we unveil the massive ambitious contents we have to offer.”

    Widely applauded by industry watchers as a masterstroke, the merger will broaden the range of products and solutions on offer within the Konga/Yudala stable, while giving the customers and merchants more options and access to an expanded variety of guaranteed quality offerings and payment methods.

    The Konga Business platform will now include two distinct but fully integrated aspects including Konga Online, the e-commerce/marketplace platform and Konga Retail, the offline arm of the business.

    Both will be supported by Konga Pay, a CBN-licensed mobile money platform and Konga Express, a world-class logistics company with advanced delivery capabilities for internal and external customers.

     

  • Sabrina promotes culture in Ibadan

    For makers of Sabrina, premium extra dry gin from the stable of Euro Global Foods and Distilleries Limited, consumer satisfaction is not just at the core of their business, they also do alot of corporate social responsibility.

    Which is why they promote the rich cultural heritage of Ibadan through the sponsorship of Oke’badan Festival.

    Euro Global Foods and Distillers, Managing Director, Manish Uniyal said sponsorship is part of the company’s commitment to the market and its rich cultural heritage and values.

    Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Aboke of Ibadanland, the Chief Custodian of the festival, Devanshu Seth, Head of Marketing, Euro Global Foods and Distilleries, said: “Sabrina represents quality life, happiness and fun. That is why we identified with the Oke’badan Festival this year.

    “We also realised that the festival is a yearly celebration rooted in the rich culture and ancestry of Ibadanland, particularly spearheaded by the Aboke family. This is why we have come to join the Ibadan people in  celebrating Oke’badan to help the people sustain their own heritage.”

    Chief Ifamapowa, who spoke on behalf of his chiefs, family of Aboke and people of Ibadanland, welcomed the Euro Global team to Ibadan and thanked them for sponsoring the festival.

    He, therefore, urged the company to ensure that Sabrina is the number one dry gin of the Ibadan people and its neighbouring communities.

    “We thank your company for partnering us this year. We want you to partner us again in a more befitting way because our people love Sabrina a lot. In fact, most people have asked me since we started the Fuji music concert that, where have your products been all this while? They have not seen Sabrina for a long time. That shows that, the people love Sabrina due to its quality and I was glad when Mr. Seth said 95 per cent of the raw materials you use in producing your drinks are all sourced locally here in Nigeria.”

     

  • Chi launches Hollandia Evaporated milk

    For a brand that has positioned itself in the minds of consumers as the benchmark for quality in the evaporated milk category, Hollandia Evaporated Milk needs little introduction to consumers conscious of taking a highly nutritious milk for its health benefits.

    Given the taste, quality, and numerous nutritional benefits, Hollandia Evaporated Milk is an “all-rounder milk”, which can ideally be used for traditional and non-traditional purposes.

    Hollandia Evaporated Milk provides excellent nourishment for the body.

    It also brings out the taste when added to one’s favourite tapioca meal or milkshake, and offers added nutrition and taste when used in mixes for cakes, chin-chin, puff-puff and small chops batter.

    Hollandia Evaporated Milk is rich in calcium and vitamins, and is packaged in handy pack sizes of 60g and 190g.

    The 60g “Pop-Pour-Throw”pack size allows consumers to avoid waste as the content is well within what can be consumed in one go, thereby eliminating the need for refrigeration.

    The re-sealable 190g “Pour-Cap-Keep”pack size provides the consumers with the opportunity to store and re-use.

    Ishola Oyedokun, a Marketing Executive with Shalom Enterprises, said his early morning routine involved a stop at a local mai shai (tea seller)to enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee. He said most of the mai shai shops he visited in Agege, Lagos, Hollandia Evaporated Milk was used.

    “Upon enquiry, I was told by Alhaji Isa, the tea seller on my street, that Hollandia Evaporated Milk was used because it tasted fresh and creamier when added to tea or coffee.

    ‘’It is also cost effective when compared with other brands in its category and offers convenient packaging ideal for individual consumption and storage,” he stated.

    Nkechi Agu, a confectionary consultant with Bake Mix Limited, said milk is a key ingredient for baking, and preparing desserts to achieve a great-tasting product.

    “Hollandia Evaporated Milk is comparatively tastier than other milk brands I have come across, and creamier too. It is easily my favourite, as it is a perfect addition to enhance taste and quality whenever I have to prepare milkshakes, desserts and some snacks for my clients. The difference is impressive as there is a noticeably improved taste, texture and mouth feel whenever I put Hollandia Evaporated Milk in the mix,” she added.

    Chi Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, said Hollandia Evaporated Milk is a highly nutritious and that it provides the essential nutrients needed by the body for healthy development.

    “Its premium quality, unique convenient packaging and affordability makes it irresistible to consumers. Hollandia Evaporated Milk is an all-rounder milk with a great taste and creamy goodness. Through innovation, Hollandia Evaporated Milk has achieved consumer preference by consistently inventing and adding more value,” he said.

    Hollandia Evaporated Milk is available in Chi Shoppe, departmental stores, markets and neighbourhood kiosks.

     

  • Cadbury launches programmes for children, families

    Cadbury Nigeria Plc has announced the launch of a healthy lifestyle programme aimed at bringing nutrition education, active play and fresh foods to at-risk children and their families in Nigeria.

    The company joins nine other countries in the Mondelez International family in this initiative, which will involve a $50million multi-year commitment to promote healthy lifestyles and address obesity.

    In a release, Cadbury West Africa Managing Director, Mr. Amir Shamsi, said “this is the first-ever Mondelez International Foundation-funded effort in Nigeria. The programme, which will run over a three-year period, is targeted at nearly 6,000 children and families in nine schools. It will operate in Cadbury Nigeria (Ikeja and Ondo) and focus on nutrition and healthy lifestyle”.

    Shamsi further said the Foundation will partner Helen Keller International to teach about 6,000 children the importance of proper nutrition, physical activity and gardening through in-school and after-school activities.

    “Making a positive impact on the people and the planet is at the core of who we are,” added Sarah Delea, President of the Mondelez International Foundation, in a statement, adding:“Since 2012, our partners and their programmes have been transforming the lives of more than a million children around the globe by increasing their nutrition knowledge, physical activity and access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The addition of seven new programmes further builds on our commitment to help communities thrive and improve the well-being of school-age children and their families.”

    Helen Keller International President and CEO, Kathy Spahn, who spoke on the partnership, said: “We’re proud to partner again with the Mondelez International Foundation to implement nutrition education and healthy lifestyle projects in Nigeria.

    “We came together in Indonesia to improve the well-being of children and their families. We’re excited to now bring our combined expertise to Nigeria to encourage and instill healthy habits in children from an early age.”

    Cadbury Nigeria has a rich heritage of robust corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, and has, for decades, been supplying potable water to its immediate host community in Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, among other initiatives.