The Nation Newspaper

Category: Shopping

  • Is retail the next growth frontier?

    Notwithstanding the lull in the economy, there is an increase in shopping malls across the country. This trend is fuelling an unprecedented momentum in the retail sector, thus, positioning it as a significant economic booster. JANE CHIJIOKE writes.

    After successfully completing her national service, Amaka Okpara, a fresh graduate, was all airs about securing a white collar job. But two years of endless search soon led to anxiety. She opted for trading, and set out to rent a shop or space.

    For three weeks, Amaka’s search was in futility as virtually all shops she saw were occupied. Even the shop spaces in uncompleted buildings she inquired about were already fully paid for. Efforts at a prominent mall housing multinational brands gave no joy; hence, she had to settle to make use of her parent’s living room as a start-up shop.

    Indeed, from a relatively obscure beginning in 2005, development of shopping malls in the country, especially in major cities of Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, among others, have been on the upscale.  With its wholesome offerings that have redefined consumer shopping, it has continued to provide access to market for retailers. It is now a common sight to see traders jostling for space in malls regardless of the cost.

    For instance, in 2017, the retail space recorded massive expansion, and is still growing in size and content.  Hundreds of shopping malls have been established since 2005, across states such as Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, Abia, Port Harcourt, Kano, Cross River, Ondo and Anambra, among others.

    The malls cost a fortune to establish.  They are the source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).  For instance, The Palms Shopping Mall in Lekki, Lagos  cost an estimated N50.1 billion.  Also, Novare Real Estate Africa said its Novare Lekki Mall and Novare Central Mall, Abuja cost N31.5 billion and $54 million.

    As at 2017, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) said investment in the shopping malls hit  $4.7 billion. Investment in the retail sector has continued to grow providing sophisticated shopping environments for shoppers

    A real estate firm, Broll Nigeria, noted that some retail space projects were nearing completion while a good number of developers were at the conceptualisation phase of more projects.

    In its “Retail market viewpoint” report for the first half of the year,  Broll said more tenants were recorded in malls.

    “During the first half of 2019, there were notable tenant activities in the formal retail space. Enquiries have increased moderately in key malls within the core areas (Lagos and Abuja) and secondary (other growth regions: Southeast, Southwest, Southsouth and Northwest) markets. Approximately 25,000m2 of retail stock is set to enter the market by year end. This is in addition to the existing 350,000m2,” the report said.

    While it is still regarded as an evolving area, the retail sector has grown to offer economic value to the country. A global management firm, Mckinsey and Company, said the sector accounted for 16 per cent of the  Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and holds a $40 billion growth opportunity in food and consumer goods by 2020.

    Experts say the growth of the sector is anchored on the growing population of an estimated 200 million; increase in rural-urban migration; technology advancement and, most especially, the growing middle class estimated at 23 percent of the overall population. Their desire for convenient shopping centres or venues contributed greatly to the development of the retail sector.

    Also, in the e-commerce (online) space, retailing is gradually gaining momentum. More businesses are springing up in that space, breaking physical barriers and accessing larger customer base, with emphasis on fast and convenient shopping experience.

    According to the President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Adetokunbo Kayode, the e-commerce market is valued at $13 billion (N4.01 trillion). This figure is indicative of the growing acceptance of the online marketplace.

    The International Labour Organisation (ILO) argues that, in developing countries, at least 142 million people work in the retail sector. On the average, retail employment accounts for 10 to 15 per cent of the job market as postulated by the ILO.

    The Secretary of the Retail Council of Nigeria (RCN), Kunle Hamzat, said the sector employed a good number of youths. He described the sector as a prime mover of developed and developing economy, stating that it is a sector to which other sectors like agriculture, telecommunications, banking, ICT, airlines and others are connected.

    However, he noted that the retail sector was yet to attain its potential because of  lack of favorable policies and investments.

    “Nigerians clamour for good shopping experiences that is why they still travel out for that purpose. The retail sector is still evolving in Nigeria. Investment in this sector is still minimal.  We need more investment to provide organised, world-class retail markets. The government needs to provide friendly policies that would enable Direct Foreign Investments and conducive business environment void of exorbitant tax rate to promote this sector.  This sector is a booster for the economy but it is unfortunate that the required importance has not been given,” Hamzat said.

    In similar vein, the Assistant Secretary, Faculty of Agency & Marketing of the Nigeria Institutions of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Bayo Adesola, explained that the sector was greatly affected by recession and recorded low interest of foreign investment as at that time.  The market, he said, is yet to record much growth and some tenants are existing malls because they can no longer meet up with their rents.

    “The economy is not favorable, FDI is not stable, the purchasing power of consumers have reduced. These are some of the issues that need to be addressed in the sector.”  He added.

    For Benson Adegoke, a consumer analyst,  real estate developers and retailers need to have deep understanding of consumers to know how best to meet their needs. This he said would help deliver good returns on their investments.

  • Coca – Cola rebrands 5Alive

    Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited has rebranded its fruit drink, 5Alive, from its tetra pack to a handy bottle. The two variants of 5Alive; Citrus Burst and Berry Blast now come in handy bottles.

    The Franchise Marketing Manager, Gbolahan Sanni, said “5ALive remains a nature inspired and nutritious fruit drink. Our new handy bottle, made in Nigeria for Nigerians, is created for consumers to enjoy the refreshing goodness of 5Alive with convenience.”

    He noted that the handy plastic bottles are recyclable, including the caps and labels. “We believe every package has value and life beyond its initial use and should be collected and recycled into either a new package or another beneficial use.

  • Online mall hits cyberspace

    By Olatunde Odebiyi

    Coined after the popular Lagos market called Jankara Market, jankaramall, an online shopping mall, has promised shoppers a new level of convenience and the best approach to easy online shopping and stress-free timely delivery.

    According to its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Enitan Igwe, jankaramall is not just the everyday online shopping platform, but a one-stop arena where virtually everything, ranging from household essentials, electronics, health and beauty care products, foods and beverages ready-made meals, home appliances, groceries and office supplies, among others, can be bought at the snap of the fingers or a click.

  • How Lendtech makes banking easy for consumers

    By Rarzack Olaegbe

    The quantum of information banking consumers can access is unbelievable. But the amount of data each human produces is even more startling. That is why, according to a research, in the last two years alone, 90 per cent of the data in the world was generated.

    This data is created through searches, social media interactions, communication such as email, texts, etc. By 2020, it is estimated that for every person on earth, 1.7 MB of data will be created every second. That is incredible.

    Nevertheless, banking consumers and others can also access information within seconds on an increasing array of devices, such as tablet, smartphone, desktop, laptop etc. As a result, consumer trends are being influenced by people’s ever-growing relationship with their smartphones and the internet, and the impact these devices and data have on their lives.

    Yes, these consumers are aware of this data overload and the pace of change that has occurred. In response, consumers are looking for ways to sort and consume the inputs (and outputs) that are most likely to impact their daily lives. The Lendtech such as Renmoney, Branch, Paylater, Kwikcash, Kiakia and other micro-lending platforms have full understanding of this and have used it to their advantage.

    These firms have democratised lending to the extent that an applicant does not need to visit their physical offices before getting a loan. There is no paperwork. There is no collateral. There is no guesswork. Loans are approved in seconds, on the mobile phone, in traffic, in the office, at home, at parties, anywhere.

    This is so because they understand the need for speed. Banking consumers have an insatiable need for speed. Artificial intelligence and machine learning make possible the ability to process data and deliver solutions in real-time, on the go. The consumer knows these technologies and capabilities and craves an experience. This is what Lendtech firms provide.

    Lendtech firms relate with the applicants. The banks do not relate with their customers. Lendtech firms are like a flower garden. The banks are like a garden full of plastic flowers: They are artificial. Your bank account officer may not interact with you, as long as your account does not pose a threat to the wellbeing of the institution.

    But the person on your case in a Lendtech firm engages you regularly. The Lendtech firms are always in your face. Not intrusive, engaging; not shouting but offering you a soft loan without collateral in minutes!

    The Lendtech firms are using available data to build a 360-degree view of each individual customer. They engage your real-time, all the time. According to media reports, in 2018, Paylater provided over 300,000 loans to Nigerians. The firm has over 90,000 active monthly users.

    Adia Sowho, Managing Director of Mines, owner of Kwikcash said in a media report that the “absence of a lending infrastructure” is what fuels the plethora of micro-lending platforms and as such, each platform has customised its services to suit the users and their behaviour.

    On the flip side, Lendtech are uncovering the bigger problem of under-banking in Nigeria. The banks will not provide loans (may be they will now that the CBN has compelled them to do so) to small and medium-scale enterprises. Even if the banks do, the banks do not have the skills to make banking relatable because they are eyeing the bottom line.

    With the micro-lending platforms, interaction is easy and free, unrestricted and constant. This is not so with the banks. The camel would have gone through the eye of the needle before you get a microloan in a bank. The banks do not have an attractive perception for providing credit. The process is exhausting. The loan is unattractive. But you would get a loan within a twinkle of an eye from a Lendtech without stress.

    According to Jim Marous, co-publisher of The Financial Brand and publisher of the Digital Banking Report, a subscription-based publication that provides deep insights into the digitisation of banking, the Lendtech firms really understand that the key to “humanising the customer experience” is authenticity, and using data and advanced analytics to create a customer-focused engagement platform in which all interactions are personalised.

  • United … they cry out!

    For shoppers and traders, Nigeria @ 59 should bring massive turnaround, especially in food security and affordability, for the people. From the mundane to the ordinary, JANE CHIJIOKE reports that the position taken by this category of Nigerians sums up the yearnings of the retail sector.

    Nigeria’s 59th independence celebration last Tuesday turned out to be the worst for most traders and shoppers. But while some have tales of woes, others agree that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has made some achievements.

    They lauded the administration for introducing the trader moni which they claimed has boosted their business. They, however, lamented the closure of the borders, which according to them has led to the high cost of food staples such as rice and others.

    Most of them who spoke to this reporter said since the year began,  prices of many food items  have been on the increase. For instance, they said a 10-kilogramme of Semovita now sells for N3,000 against its former price of N2,700 in the first quarter of the year; a kilo of chicken sells for between N1,500 and N1,700 against its former price of N1,000;  a bag of rice now sells between N17 and N23,000; five-litre of Kings Oil costs N3,000.

    Though the price of a basket of tomatoes has reduced from its initial price of N14,000 to between N8,000 and N10,000, shoppers complained that it was still expensive. Thier reason being that it was sold at N4,000  in April.

    Both shoppers and traders were united in their call for food security.

    The convener of Rice Revolution, Mr Aladejebi Gbenga, said efforts by successive governments to encourage local food production is the right step at ensuring that the country attains food sufficiency. However, he noted that affordability of food items still remained a major concern.

    Similarly, the Managing Director, ATMBeautyMpire, Asabe Moses, said the issue of food security in the country has to do with infrastructure availability. She explained that if there were good roads between farms and cities, food stuff would be affordable.

    “The roads are bad, before farm produce gets to the city it would have spoilt. Farmers pay heavity to transport their produce; so the government should look into this and food will be cheaper,” Moses added.

    For a shopper at the Ikeja Shopping Mall, Lagos, Mrs Helen Iselobhor, said there is nothing to celebrate as the country is facing hardship. Her position is based on the volume of trading in the past.

    “The economy has been bad for the masses; we have to deal with high exchange rates, inflation, hunger, recession, poverty all the time.  When the president came on board in 2015, it was really a tough time for the masses. There was hardship to contend. Till date, we are still feeling the brunt in all areas. The cost of food stuff is outrageous.  We cannot even afford basic foods. We are at the receiving end of unfavourable policies of the government and nobody listens to our cries. What have we achieved so far since independence?” she asked.

    She may be right. A look into the streets prior to the independence celebration confronts one with the stark reality. For instance, the country’s national flags, which were sold in traffic during festivals like this were a scarce item. It is the display of the national flag on vehicles and other areas that an average Nigerian associates with the independence celebration.

    For Mr. David Godwin, who owns a clothing outfit at Marina, Lagos, N500 worth of food can no longer satisfy him, owing to the increase of food items. He noted that if the planned increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) is implemented, it would put more pressure on his home.

    “This will affect the price of food items. At present, it has not been easy taking care of the home as prices of food and other basic necessities keep escalating.  If such tax is implemented, it will also affect my business because it will further affect the already dwindling customers’ purchasing power.”

    A consultant to the Mile 12 Market, Femi Odusanya, said the country has not achieved much to celebrate. He lamented that successive governments had not done much to make food available for the average Nigerian. Likewise, the government has not made the food production value chain attractive for investment, neither have state governments lived up to their billing in supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance cultivation of food production.

    “So, in reality, food supply is a challenge for which citizens are pay more for less. In addition, a significant percentage of cultivation and other animal production is still peasant in nature. Ninety per cent of the country’s population is still facing the challenge of meeting the basic needs of food, housing and shelter.”

  • Why innovation hub fails

    Nothing lasts forever. That is why several innovation hubs have been birthed and died after the demise of the Information Technology Developers Entrepreneurship Accelerator (iDEA) Nigeria, established in March 2013 by former Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson, in collaboration with the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    Founded as technology incubation for tech startups and entrepreneurs, iDEA Nigeria was a deal between the government and entrepreneurs and it was positioned to empower them.

    iDEA was an initiative headed by Helen Anatogu. It incubated over 50 startups, raised over $800,000 in funds for these startups and accommodated over 1,500 people for seminars, workshops and training.

    In an interview, Anatogu said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with NITDA in 2013 to provide grant funding to groom the startups. She pointed out that NITDA has provided only about 30 per cent of the agreed funding thereby reneging on its contractual promises.

    Many tech entrepreneurs and stakeholders in Nigeria have a justified sentimental link with iDEA Nigeria as I do. As it is at home, so it is abroad. Starbucks, Wal-Mart, Mount Sinai and Emory Healthcare have launched lavish accelerators, incubators and research centers.

    Research has shown that up to 90 per cent of these hubs failed before achieving any real transformation. In search of answers, I found a news article from the Harvard Business Review [HBR]. The article outlines why innovation labs are so prone to failure and what organizations can do to ensure their success. First, why they fail:

    Lack of alignment with business – All too often, organisations launch innovation centers just for the show without establishing a clear-cut strategy for the centre. HBR writes, “The curtain comes down quickly either because ideas from these labs are disconnected from real customer needs or because no one is on the hook to carry the ideas through to implementation.”

    Lack of metrics to track the success – Staffing a lab with only internal industry stalwarts can prevent forward-thinking transformation, while a team comprised solely of external entrepreneurs and innovation experts are often unable to navigate an industry’s traditions and quirks. A successful hub, therefore, is staffed by a combination of experts from both groups.

    To prevent this failure, beyond ensuring a hub’s strategy aligns with that of the organisation, implementing specific metrics to track success and building a team wboth industry and entrepreneurial pros, HBR suggests a handful of other tips:

    Lack of balance on the team – Staffing a lab with only internal industry stalwarts can prevent forward-thinking transformation, while a team comprised solely of external entrepreneurs and innovation experts are often unable to navigate an industry’s traditions and quirks. A successful hub, therefore, is staffed by a combination of experts from both groups.

    To prevent this failure, beyond ensuring a hub’s strategy aligns with that of the organisation, implementing specific metrics to track success and building a team of both industry and entrepreneurial pros, HBR suggests a handful of other tips:

    Establish a clear vision for the team – The article explains that it is preferable to use “from/to” statements that demonstrate progress, such as “We want to go from placing big innovation bets to trying many small experiments and rapid prototyping.”

    To encourage further growth, the article advises determining where ideas born in the innovation hub will go as they continue to expand. “Potentially”, it read, “disruptive innovations may go somewhere outside of the core the organisation, where they can be further developed while being protected from corporate antibodies and business-as-usual fingerprints.”

    Above all, the article asks that the hub should “prioritize the people involved” at every stage of innovation, from the “entrepreneurs, brainstorming” and “executing transformative new ideas” to the “individuals whose ideas are designed to help”.

    However, history is not written for the dead. It is written so that the living can learn from the dead, Generation comes. Generation goes. As such, the operators of the plethora of new generation hubs should note that nothing lasts forever because no one will be around to carry the iDEA through.

  • Build retail around consumers, says expert

    Brand builders and communicators should build retail around consumers instead of   products.

    Chief Operating Officer, Leo Burnett, Lekan Lawal, gave the advice at  the Global Africa Forum on Communications (GAFCOMM) in Kigali, Rwanda.

    The Forum had its theme as “Speak for Africa: New frontiers for Africa’s global growth story.”

    Lawal, who spoke on the topic: “The Leo Burnett Way” at a panel session titled: “The future of retail in Africa,” said retail marketing should be designed  around consumers and also in the context of multichannel shopping.

    This, he explained, would ensure that practitioners in the field deliver a relevant message that meets clients’ needs at every channel along her path to purchase.

    He further  explained that while Africa is one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world, there is stiff competition in the global retail space. He said household consumption has increased even faster than the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in recent years, notwithstanding that average yearly GDP growth has consistently outpaced the global average.

    For Lawal, consumers are savvy and confronted with numerous options or choices given that they are better connected and well informed.

    Lawal said the African consumer is driven by hope and fear, hence, the need to understand them gives a deeper understanding of the African  as a consumer and a shopper, which are crucial to winning in retail market.

    “So, then, how can brands connect with these consumers in a manner that is resonant and relevant to build stronger relationships in their quest to push the growth agenda?” he asked.

  • Maltina holds NickFest

    Thousands of children swarmed around Nickelodeon characters at the third Nickfest and Maltina Family outdoor show, held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Lagos.

    The two-day event featured singing, face-painting, slime-making and role-playing.

    Nickelodeon characters, such as Happy the Mascot, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Rise of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol, and Shimmer and Shine, welcomed the children.

    Nickelodeon, in partnership with Maltina, launched Nickfest in 2017. Since then, it has served as an avenue for children to share in the happiness that Maltina and Nickelodeon provides.

    Three years after, Nickfest has become a cultural staple for children and their families in Lagos, courtesy of Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN) and Maltina.

    Portfolio Manager, Non-alcoholic Brands, Nigerian Breweries, Ngozi Nkwoji, extolled the attributes of Maltina, explaining why it was important for them to partner Nickelodeon.

    “With Maltina, a brand that celebrates and shares happiness, this awesome family-oriented experience is very gratifying. In a busy city like Lagos, spending quality time with family can be challenging.

    ‘’But we appreciate this partnership with Nickelodeon which gives over 4,000 families that special opportunity to bond as they enjoy the wonderful sights of their Nick characters in a relaxing atmosphere with popular celebrities who love sharing happiness,” she said.

  • Up, up goes price of rice

    Consumers have expressed concern as the price of rice has continued to increase, a development, which has left vendors and consumers bitter, JANE CHIJIOKE writes

    Early this year, former Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Audu Ogbeh said the country had attained 90 per cent of rice production.

    He said the country had moved from being a major importer of rice to being self-reliant in its production. He said it did not only have the capacity to feed itself, but had also become a major player in agricultural export to other countries.

    Like Ogbeh, the Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN) said the country had attained a yearly production of eight million metric tonnes of rice, with a target of 18 million metric tonnes by 2023.

    The contrast

    These indices seemed to be farfetched from what was obtained in some markets visited. Rice vendors lamented the shortage. Since the border closure, they claimed that manufacturers and distributors had distributed short supply and the goods were rationed to get an even distribution in various markets across the country.

    They said sometimes they were  out of goods because the manufacturers did not have rice to sell.  The shortfall they noted has been the major cause for the constant increase in price as manufacturers cannot meet up with the demand.

    Barely three weeks after the closure of the border, the price of Nigerian rice skyrocketed from N12,000 – N13,300 to N15,000. At the moment, it is being sold for between N17, 000 and N19,000, depending on the brand. Brands, such as Famous, Lake Rice, Bigbull, Al-hamzad, Humza, and Olams Labana fall in this category.  A  derica of rice sells for N350 to N400. It is believed that, in few days, the price would go beyond N20,000.

    Following the disappearance of foreign rice from the market, some rice vendors refill empty foreign rice bags with the local rice, branding it as ‘foreign’.  Such rice is sold for N21,000 and N23,000.

    At various markets visited, traders and consumers lamented the increase. They said it had become difficult to eat rice, adding that the food item was going out of their reach. They appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to reopen the borders as the country was yet to attain self-sufficiency in food production.

    For a consumer, Mrs. Gift Maduka, the increasing price of rice is a nightmare to cope with in her family of six.

    Traders lamented that rice had become a scarce commodity.

    A trader at Iddo Rice Market, Mr. Yemi Jelil said: “I requested for 25 bags of one brand of rice, they refused to sell to me. I only got 10 bags at N17,800 per bag. There is no rice. What they have is not sufficient. They ration the ones they have. It is not just about the popular brands, the scarcity affects all brands. When you request for a particular quantity, you get something lesser or, at worst, they tell you they don’t have.

    “On our part the sellers, we make do with the little we have pending when we are able to get some to sell. So the scarcity inflates the price and this is greatly affecting us. Our customers are complaining. They buy at a particular price, by the time they come again, the price would have increased. There is no regulation on the price. Going by the way the price is rising, it will surely exceed N20, 000 in few days,” he said.

    Another wholesale trader at the market, Mrs. Suliat said she had not been able to buy rice since last week.

    “I have booked for supply since last week, but no response yet.  At the moment, I don’t have rice to sell. I am a wholesaler that supplies to other traders in the market. So, imagine me unable to get rice, so how much more for  traders who buy in little quantity from me to resell in the market?” When it eventually becomes available, the price will skyrocket.”

    A trader at Orile Market, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, who refused to mention his name, said the government ‘s initiative to force Nigerians to consume homegrown rice was not  realistic given that there is shortage of supply and production  nationwide.

    Though a good initiative, he said the escalation of price was a testament to the short fall of basic requirements needed in the rice value chain.

    “How many rice farmers or millers do we have? How much of rice is produced on a daily basis.  In   what ways is government making agriculture attractive for the young one to venture into?  Are there seed or soft loans for them? Do we have enough mills in the country? Is the government subsiding rice paddy or regulating  price? he asked.

    He lamented that  a state with large  population, such as Lagos, depended on rice produced in the North. Also, the infrastructural deficit makes it difficult  to ferry  goods cheaply to their destinations.

    He advised the government not to depend on data from rice farmers, millers and distributors but also monitor the markets to get feedbacks from sellers and even consumers.

    This will help them to get robust information to use to boost rice production, he added.

    There is no scarcity of rice

    The Iyaloja of Daleko Rice Market, Mrs Jumlar Solaja, said there was no shortage of rice. She said new rice paddy would soon be out. She remarked that the market always received trailers of rice.

    Asked why the price is constantly on the increase she said: “The issue is that many people are not on the farm. We need more hands in the farm because there is market for it. When we have enough hands producing rice, there would be enough rice paddies and the price will crash. This is our reality.”

    On his part, the National Vice President of Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN), Mr Segun Atho, explained that there was no scarcity of rice as farmers were growing rice almost four times yearly.

    He noted that there was surplus rice paddy. Asked why the price is high, he said: “I will not speak on that. What I am sure of is that there is rice in the country. Let us be patient with ourselves.”

  • Hollandia Evap Milk unveils new pack

    To connect to consumers, Hollandia Evap Milk, has unveiled a new attractive pack design. The new packaging displays the nutritious benefits of the milk as well as other features to connect with consumers.

    In the new pack design are the brand’s royal blue background signifying its modern and trendy values, and its gold logo depicting its premium positioning.The vibrant rising sun symbolises a new beginning and also breakfast which the brand is associated with.

    Chi Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, said the new pack was designed  to connect more with consumers, assuring of the same great taste, quality and other nutritious value.

    “The new pack design was done to connect evolving active consumer lifestyle and the benefits of Hollandia Evap Milk. Hollandia Evap Milk is an all-rounder, creamier, tastier, and nutritious milk for consumers desirous of a daily healthy boost of mental, physical energy for an active day,” he stated.