The Nation Newspaper

Category: Shopping

  • Konga launches software engineering centre

    Konga launches software engineering centre

    Nigeria’s largest online mall, Konga.com, has opened a new engineering centre in Yaba, Lagos.

    The opening of the new office, the firm said, was necessitated by the growth of Konga’s massive engineering team.

    Konga.com has one of the most remarkable teams of software engineers in Nigeria comprising over 100 engineers. Most of these engineers are in the new Lagos office with a smaller hub opening soon in Cape Town, South Africa.

    Konga’s team of highly self-motivated and driven tech staff work on developing the cutting-edge software and applications which Konga.com runs on. With focus on innovation, some impressive software developed by the tech team range from the actual Konga.com website, to other platforms such as the ‘SellerHQ’– a trading platform which allows sellers to upload pictures of their merchandise, manage stores and trade on the Konga.com.

    Konga.com’s engineering team also created the Konga Shopping App, which runs on Android and iOS, Konga’s Konga’s SellerHQ App on Android as well as several Logistics Applications and internal operational tools.

    The firm’s Director of Products and Enterprises-Technology, Mr. Olatokunbo Fagbamigbe, praised  the engineering team. He said: “Konga hires the finest multidisciplinary engineers in Nigeria to design and develop the core systems for our online customer experience today; ranging from the actual e-retailer site to other back-end systems. Our team is driven by the challenge to engineer world class systems to help Konga be the engine of trade and commerce in Africa.”

    The company’s founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sim Shagaya, spoke on the role of technology in establishing e-commerce as a major industry in Nigeria, saying: “The growth potential for e-commerce in Nigeria is astronomical.We recognise that to be successful in this industry, every point in the consumer’s online shopping experience on Konga must be first-rate. From providing ease when placing orders, to the moment the consumer holds the product in his hands, our proprietary technology follows through to ensure that the experience is as satisfying as possible.”

    The amazing thing about Nigeria is that we have millions of vibrant youth, providing a large pool of great technical talent to choose from for the development of this technology. As a company founded in the country, we believe that we must play our part in developing the country. We firmly believe in building capability and this is one of the reasons we recently launched a peer training programme for our engineers called the Konga Tech University. In addition to this, we will establish a knowledge exchange programme with the experts from our South-Africa hub.

  • Good, ugly faces of Lagos International Trade Fair

    Good, ugly faces of Lagos International Trade Fair

    As the Lagos international Trade Fair gradually winds up on Sunday, TONIA ‘DIYAN in this report captures the highpoint and low moments of the week-long event.

    IT is no longer news that human and vehicular traffic is, as usual, at its peak at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair. But the news is that among shoppers, the growing concern this year is that items which usually sell at rock-bottom prices are not just expensive but have been priced away from the reach of the common man – quite uncharacteristic of a fair.

    The foregoing narrative is what characterised the Lagos International Trade Fair, which began a fortnight ago with the theme: ‘Promoting the Nigerian economy as a preferred investment destination.’

    As it has been over the years, the atmosphere at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos Island, venue of the Fair, thronged with busy shoppers and exhibitors, either striking good bargains or showcasing their wares.

    The unusual human and vehicular traffic from the entrance readily announced the Fair. From Tafawa Balewa Square bus terminal and farther down to Broad Street, on Lagos Island, cars literally formed a crisscross on the roads and kerbs, just as the unfriendly car park and gate fee of N1, 500 and N2, 000 respectively caused serious arguments at the entrance with shoppers anxious to get in.

    Perhaps, the anticipation that the Fair would attract about 500,000 visitors from within and outside the country since Nigeria is seen as a viable market because of its vast population appeared to be a reality when The Nation shopping visited the Fair. There was noticeable presence of exhibitors from Kenya, Japan, China and other foreign nationals.

    Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, who is also the Vice-President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, expressed assurance that the event would ensure a better business environment for Lagos in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

    While praising corporate organisations that had extended their support for the hosting of this year’s trade fair, he also assured all and sundry that the ambassadors and corporate organisations would team up with the chamber to promote Nigeria as the preferred investment destination.

    The main objectives of the fair include the revitalisation and diversification of the Nigerian economy as well as Nigeria’s non-oil exports. It also seeks to accelerate the development of commerce and industry while promoting made-in-Nigeria products, agriculture and agro-based industry.

    On the other hand, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry described the fair as a veritable tourist centre for all, saying, it will boost the nation’s economy. LCCI said this idea is gradually puncturing the country’s lingering problem of unemployment among youths, apart from the fact that it is growing the economy.

    The Fair stocks all kinds of products and services. From edibles to household items, toiletries, clothing, financial houses, electrical appliances, fashion and hair accessories, health products and what have you. Companies offering good shopping experiences in sundry items include: Multichoice, Lo’lavita hair, Whispering Palms, Organo- sells herbal items made with Ganoderma Lucidum, Tyre Armour, Bliss- an outfit that sells women artificial hair, Tropical naturals and Trevo. Others include: Panasonic, CFAO motors, Isuzu, Suzuki, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Ajinomoto, Koncept Autocentre Limited, etc.

    Besides, foreigners from different countries also had their stands. Some of the products on display were cars, electronics, household appliances, furniture, arts and crafts, clothing, babies’ wears and accessories, fabrics, generators, inverters, solar lights among other nondescript items.

    Sharing his experience with The Nation Shopping, Stanley Agbator, a shopper, said before he got to the arena the day he visited the fair, he was ushered in by people showcasing different products and he said to himself that if you are not patient enough to get to the main pavilion, you might end up outside as many sellers would pester you to buy their products. But those outside are nothing compared to the huge exhibition of goods inside.

    “Perhaps the only item you won’t find on sale at the ongoing Lagos International Trade fair is a human being. No doubts, it’s an ideal place for shoppers to prepare for the festivities. Everything seems to be on display and both human and vehicular traffic cannot be overemphasised, but the challenge of buying at twice or sometimes three times a regular price of an item is a great concern to the shopper,” said Tunde Olawale, somewhat jocularly.

    But while narrating her experience at the fair, a first-time shopper, who simply gave her name as Angela was emphatic about the poor showing of the fair in a snappy encounter with The Nation Shopping. Wiping sweat from her brow as she packed her purchased items into her waiting car in preparation for a journey to only God knows where, her countenance was obviously one of disappointment as she cursed the organisers under her breathe while finding her way out of the sprawling Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos Island, venue of the exhibition.

    “This Fair is just hype. In fact, I regret coming here at all. If this is how fairs are, I would be the last person to come here. From what I have seen here, all the media hype about the fair were empty promises,” said Angela, as she zoomed off in her car, happy to keep a distance between her and the venue.

    Unlike Angela, who probably didn’t get her money’s worth, to another shopper, who simply gave his name as Mr. Bankole, a teacher, “This is more of a tourist centre than a typical fair. From my observations, it lacks the sales promotion characteristic of an exhibition which I think is the most important to the masses, I mean the end-users,” he said.

    Bankole, however, suggested that exhibitors at the Fair should imbibe the sales promotion strategy and do less of massive stage-set and presentation of their products.

    According to him, sales promotions include; free gifts, discounted prices, joint promotions, free samples, free vouchers, competitions and prize draws, as well as finance deals.

    No doubt, both Angela and Bankole are right with their observations and views. Right from the two gates leading to the straddling construction, legs and cars competed for space and the first two stalls visited by our reporter, showed that items are indeed more expensive than they are in the regular market.

    Like every other year, lively atmosphere; people in their multitude, inviting lightings, colourful costumes, music, dances and all kinds of entertainment are attributes easily ascribed to the yearly Lagos International trade fair.

    This year, the case was not different as concerted efforts at enticing prospective shoppers, was accentuated by music and other forms of entertainment.

    A stroll through either of the two entrances leading into the fair and a stand-by parking kiosk brings a shopper to the pavilion and tent in the structure’s belly.

    Besides security agents, managers of the commodious car park were on hand for serious business. “You can pay N1, 500 for the ten days the Fair will hold,” one of them told The Nation Shopping.

    From the exterior of the imposing setting, various sizes of signposts welcome prospective customers into both the fair and its compartments. Strategically placed within the neat premises were mascots and large speakers for music.

    It is a sight to behold as many visited for genuine shopping, some others stood transfixed to behold the delight. However, while many window-shopped, others were busy with genuine transactions with impressive attention from polite sales persons of various companies and brands.

    Parading neatly dressed, sprightly-looking attendants, all the exhibitors transacting business there appeared to have keyed into the seemingly inviolate culture of cleanliness.

    Shoppers need not burden themselves with loads of cash from their homes as banks made available functioning ATM services within the fair.

    Asked from a sales representative of a beauty company why one should patronise their shop rather than elsewhere, she said: “Our products are affordable to the commoner. If you buy anything from us, and it does not suit your taste, maybe by reason of colour or texture, so far it is in good form, we take it back and either refund your money or get you your preferred item. Essentially, with us here, our customer is king.”

    An exhibitor who identified simply as Mr Chuks, a dealer on security gadgets and close circuit television, said: “The trade fair is a major opportunity to advertise our products and that is what we are doing. So, we believe it will go well.”

    The China stand was booming as people went back and forth. This seems normal, judging from the influx of many Chinese traders in different markets, many of who have essentially conformed to the Nigerian system of trading. Many of them speak the popular Pidgin English, which makes it easy for them to make headway. The Lebanese were also visible in their acts.

    The Fair, according to LCCI, is the biggest discount fair and Exhibition in Nigeria and, indeed, Africa. It continues to live up to its billing of the biggest trade fair in Nigeria and the Lagos Chamber has been organising the premier Lagos International Trade Fair in Nigeria since 1986 when it took over from the Federal Government of Nigeria which started it in 1981. It offers a unique exposition for manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and users of a wide range of goods and services as well as opportunities for investment and trade promotion.

    A household exhibitor simply called Charles said his outing is impressive as visitors to his stand and patronage in terms of sales and prospective investors are encouraging.

    A Kenyan exhibitor who gave his name as Roy, whose company manufactures local beverages, said visitors had been enlightened on the efficacy of herbal products from the entrance by his team of sales representatives and are patronizsing his products. “Our products are made with Ganoderma Lucidium which is good for regulating blood level in the body.”

    He added that the population in the country attracted him to the fair. “Nigerian is highly populated and some of them who live in my country are sophisticated. I am privileged today to be here seeing them in their home town and transacting business with them. Indeed, Nigeria is number one in Africa’s economy.’’

    Some exhibitors, however, complained of small spaces given to them to exhibit their goods; some said their stalls were not constructed until the second day and while their colleagues were busy making money, they were waiting to set up their stands.

    At the Japanese pavilion, there was a beehive of activities with visitors and prospective investors trooping in and out.

    An upbeat Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria Ryuichi Shoji said he was experiencing patronage from individuals and establishments who know good products.

  • Lower Trade and Higher Poverty Rate Are Cousins

    The relationship between trade and poverty is inverted. Countries with higher proportions of global trade tend to have less of poverty. Conversely, countries which contribute the least to global trade have higher poverty rates. This shows the importance of good trade policies in reducing poverty rates and increasing prosperity. Also, this shows why there is intense competition for export markets even by countries that already control significant share of global trade. Little wonder trade facilitation has become an economic policy of great importance.

    Development experts can’t agree more. Jim Yong Kim, the World Bank president, said in a recent statement that, “Trade is a critical component to ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity.” The foregoing therefore suggests that developing countries have to trade their way out of poverty. For African countries to reduce poverty, they must increase their share of global trade. But how to bring this about is anything but easy.

     

    Trade Challenge

    Sub Saharan Africa is reputed to be the least developed region of the world. The SSA region is also the least integrated into the global economy through trade. Since the 1960s, the share of sub Saharan Africa in international trade has become progressively smaller: less than 5% for all merchandise and 3% for agricultural products in 2010 (World Foundation for Agriculture and Rurality 2012). Trade within the SSA region is also dismal. Tariff and non-tariff barriers have been obstacles to intra-regional trade. Although the higher hurdles are non-tariff barriers, the ECOWAS goal of free movement of person and goods across member countries remains more of a wish than reality.

    Exports from Africa are mainly mineral resources and agricultural produce. With very low industrial base, the commodities are exported to other regions of the world and returned later to the continent as costlier finished products. This trade pattern results in “jobless growth” in the exporting countries when the prices of the commodities are high in the international market. The jobs that are created and sustained during commodity boom are mainly in the countries that “refine” and turn the commodities to finished products through industrial activities.

    But when prices of commodities are depressed, fiscal shocks are transmitted through the trade channel to the exporting countries, with severe human and economic implications. Apart from being pro-cyclical, trade in commodities is generally noted for volatility of current account positions and exertion of pressure on the exchange rate. The persistence of weak or negative growth in Europe and slower growth in China has dented economic growth in countries that depend very much on the export markets including Germany. But this does not build a case against active play in the export markets; it probably asserts the importance of domestic consumption as a cushion during a period of weaker exports.

     

    Export Diversification

    Having established the role of trade in reducing poverty on the one hand, and the deleterious effects of export of mainly primary products on the other, it therefore means that the way to reduce poverty in developing countries is through export diversification by boosting industrial activities. Gaining a mileage in export diversification does entail formalisation of informal trade. To achieve this, empowerment of small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) is of utmost importance, both in itself and in gaining more share of global trade.

    The key problem with informal trade is that it deprives policymakers of the major tool of policymaking, which is data. Informal trade usually takes place off the radar, making data gathering and processing virtually impossible. But policymakers need to know areas where it is important to scale up positive results in trade activities. Understanding the obstacles that confront informal sector operators will aid intervention and will eventually prepare the operators toward making due contribution to fiscal policy by coming under the tax net.

     

    SME Incubation

    Evidently, the Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has identified the SME sector as critical for boosting economic growth and job creation. On its part, the Nigerian Export – Import Bank (NEXIM Bank) is aware of the potentials of Nigerian SMEs. They can leverage domestic consumption, using access to over 170 million population to harness opportunities in foreign markets. Accordingly, our interventions are now geared towards such firms that we believe are relatively well-structured to be able to stabilize their operations and then foray into external markets.

    Several programmes under this Administration are incubating the SME segment for a major turnaround. In the traditional areas of providing infrastructure and electricity power, the country is seen to have made big leaps in policy formulation and execution, notwithstanding the milestones that are yet to be reached. Most recent perhaps is the launch of the N220 billion SME fund by the President in August, under the auspices of Central Bank of Nigeria.

    Specific programmes under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, infrastructural development for ICT utilization, local content development in oil and gas, the programme of industrialization as encapsulated in the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) and the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Programme (NIRP) all speak of the resolve of President Jonathan to use the instrumentality of state policy to mediate market performance and SME growth. On-going implementation of the programmes is concomitant with job creation, which is vital for eradication of extreme poverty.

     

    Unmasking Poverty

    Poverty eradication has once again climbed to the top of global development policy agenda. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have announced twin programmes of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity by 2030. Feelers from post-2015 policy debates suggest that global development goals will focus on eradication of extreme poverty, going forward from next year. In the meantime, reports from some global institutions are making some important prescriptions on poverty reduction.

    A recent publication by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) – Trade Policies, Household Welfare and Poverty Alleviation: Case Studies from the Virtual Institute Academic Network – strongly associates trade and poverty, offering policymakers insights on what it called “pro-poor trade policies.” Another new literature which focuses on economic growth – a sine qua non for poverty reduction – reaffirms what we already know: that export diversification is the “gateway” to higher growth. To achieve export diversification however, Chris Papageorgiou, Lisa Kolovich and Sean Nolan, all of the IMF, identify manufacturing of high quality products as a necessity. They suggest therefore that the world has gone past the Chinese industrialization model of producing cheap and low quality products to unleash price competition in the export market. Accordingly, Chris and his colleagues listed human capital, infrastructure, institutional quality, financial deepening and proximity to markets as drivers of export diversification. These are very important recommendations which are familiar but which cannot be overemphasized. I will therefore run commentaries on them in the context of the Nigerian policy environment and readiness for trade as I conclude this piece.

    Quality products: The Nigerian middle class and wealthy Nigerians are noted to be pretty sophisticated. As such, an industrial development model that manufactures cheap and inferior products would be mistargeted at Nigerians with means. Nowhere is this recognized more than in the cable manufacturing industry where Nigerian cables are noted for higher quality than some imported brands. Once known for exporting inferior products, China has been reforming its industrial policy to emphasize the manufacturing of high quality products. This is the direction Nigeria should go to ensure we can trade in the global market of today and not of yesterday.

    Human capital: Within a practical framework, multi-level support for human capital development has been a key goal of this Administration. School enrolment has improved generally. Specific programmes have targeted areas that had lagged behind due to past neglect. Tertiary education is being strengthened to be able to absorb more university candidates. Another area that has benefited from government’s programme of industrial development is vocational education. For example, there are ongoing efforts to develop skills that will support growth in the power sector and automobile production and assembly plants. Also, the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) embeds training for skill acquisitions in the areas of public works, including road construction and maintenance, railway rehabilitation and dredging.

    Infrastructure: The foregoing already highlights the fact that the country is moving in the right direction with infrastructure development. The pace may be slow, but there is no doubt that we will attain a tipping point sooner than later. At that point, it will become more obvious to global investors that so-called infrastructure deficiency in Nigeria represents investment opportunities which are being harnessed. This is a key lesson we have taken from the implementation of the power sector reform.

    Institutional quality:  The truth is evident that Nigeria is building and strengthening its institutions again. As a constitutional democracy, the governance framework is stable and predictable. Market regulators do their jobs without the fear of any political backlash. This is what has helped to put in place a sustainable path for the turn-around of our financial market, since the introduction of reforms in 2004. NEXIM Bank itself is an institution that has been revamped as part of government decision to strengthen public sector institutions and support private sector actors.

    Financial deepening: There is perhaps no other country or jurisdiction that has introduced more far-reaching reforms in its financial market than Nigeria over the past ten years. The proliferation of marginal banks has given way to stronger and sounder private sector financial institutions including “mega” banks. A poorly organized and unfunded pension system has given way for the contributory system that has exceeded N4.5 trillion ($24 billion) in pension asset. Yet regulation and innovation have continued to characterize the Nigerian financial system, including the capital market.

    Proximity to markets: Nigeria is not just a place to set up a business. The country is a big and growing market. Investing in Nigeria is tantamount to connecting to a big market. Nevertheless, the country is also well-linked to the sub-regional markets by all popular means – road, sea and air – except by rail.

    As the country continues to develop capacity for trade through economic diversification, it is expected that the poverty rate will continue to fall.

     

    •Roberts Orya is Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export – Import Bank.

  • Social media boosting online retail marketing

    Social media boosting online retail marketing

    Social media has become a veritable platform for firms to showcase their goods and services. It has also become channel for consumers to make informed choices in their relationships with market, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN

    In this modern age of information communications technology (ICT), business is supposed to be transacted at the speed of lightning. The information revolution is being accentuated by the social media. Curiously, everybody particularly in the retail industry has caught the bug from shoppers, manufactures, corporate bodies, entrepreneurs, name it.

    Today, retailers are becoming more aware of what is called the “social mobile consumers,” or in other words, the increasing number of people spending time on their smartphones browsing social media, helping an array of consumers from grocery to clothing to electronics – reach products on their devices.

    A keen examination of the trend in marketing initiatives will easily reveal that social media is developing as an important avenue for companies to build products and services. The rise of social media rests on three fundamental human values which are: the self-expression it engenders through product education, its ability to share information with friends and the attention it generates through the spoken word. More importantly, social media enables companies connect with customers in a way never possible.

    The impact social media has on brand is huge and Ebay’s estimates that in the next two years, the value of social media for retail will be more than double £1.5billion to reach around £3.3billion.

    Social media, in the last one decade has evolved into one of Nigeria’s strongest platforms through which infopreneurs showcase products and services and provide an avenue for consumers to make choices.

    Instant messaging platforms such as yahoo messenger and many others are gradually being replaced by social media platforms such as Palmchat, and the likes that are more engaging, more customer friendly, more beneficial to the users, more personal and definitely more interesting. Palmchat owned by Afmobil Group has since recognised the endless possibilities of the social media in terms of its sphere of influence among others.

    The current reach of Palmchat across the country is estimated to be an average of five million users in Nigeria alone and over 39 million users worldwide.

    With over 80,000 new users signing up daily from different mobile devices, Palmchat is fast becoming the choice social mobile platform for users around the world.

    Speaking with The Nation Shopping on the potentials of the app for startup retail businesses, Blessing Joe, who has responsibility for the company’s Brand Management said there is immense potential for retail businesses with Palmchat, particularly for startup businesses.

    Joe said: “As a startup, the social media is a veritable tool for networking generally, especially with little or no cost.

    ”You can stay really social on Palmchat even with as little as 30MB data using the Palmchat voice messaging function. Just hold down the ‘Voice’ button, record your message following the prompt and send your voice recording to your friend or group of friends using the broadcast function.

    “You can also share your cool pictures, music and recordings with your friends, getting in touch with them in private messaging. Yep, clever incentives are good motivators and in this age of social media frenzy; with loads of social platforms literally sprouting out from nowhere, cool incentives play a key role in building that reason-why-I-love-this-platform kind of loyalty.

    ”Palmchat is an amazing innovative mobile social app that is compactable with all mobile operating system and downloadable from all mobile app stores:  Java, Windows store, Apple store, Google play, Blackberry world-among others. It has interactive and fun features: Shake-Shake and Look around with other functional capabilities like the file share, instant messaging and voice recording.

    “Palmchat is a unique instant messenger which is targeted at the Nigerian youths to bring everything they need to their doorsteps, at their convenience. With its unique interface, trendy and hilarious smileys and emoticons, engaging chatrooms, Palmchat is indeed the “happening instant messaging,” she said.

    “One of the most exciting and unique things about Palmchat is the “shake shake” feature. Now all you have to do to find friends around is shake your phone to select who thrills your fancy and get chatting. You might just strike a business deal or find a business proposal for your startup as an entrepreneur.”

    She further said the company has a working partnership and brand affiliation with Tecno Nigeria and Tecno International, which enables perfect user interface for potential customers with smart phones.

    “With its wide reach, startups are assured of improved social networking at a pocket-friendly cost unlike other product offerings out there,” she said.

    Joe who said her company has been giving incentives to drive traffic towards the brand, said: “This time, Palmchat is offering a car. It works like a referral thing; after downloading Palmchat, the applicant is expected to visit the palmchat.hotreferralinc.com site and register with his/her unique Palmchat I.D. After which a referral link to invite friends to download Palmchat will be obtained, and with this link unique to a person’s ID alone, such person will earn reward points for every person referred. And even earn extra points, maybe even double points if it’s a girl referred. The person with the highest points at the end date automatically wins the car!”

    Palmchat as a social networking app is also a matchmaker of some sorts with happy-ever-after stories being told by users who met online using the Look-Around feature to connect with one another on their first date. As a business networking apps, it connects people with common business interests who along the line, benefit from each other in diverse ways.

    According to experts, a unique feature of Palmchat is the look-around feature that gives the users the power to avoid all the queer chatties and connect with that special one just over their shoulders. “Citing the story of Mrs. BimpeAjayi, a Human Resource Manager with a multinational company in Lagos, who met her hubby, Frederick on Palmchat, Joe recalled the couple’s love story thus: “It was a very pleasant night; the first night of our honeymoon. Frederick is such a loveable person; he always has something amusing to say, quite an accommodating gentle man and slow to anger. Some people find it hard to believe me when I tell them that I met this amazing man on Palmchat.”

    “I didn’t just bump into him on Palmchat-no. I wanted him, I dreamt of that special one but I just didn’t know how, where and when I will meet him until a friend introduced me to Palmchat,” Joe recounted the lovey-dovey tale of the Ajayis.

    Mr. Mounir Boukali, who manages a team of public relations specialists, managers and several high level agencies who handle TRANSSION Holdings’ brands, believes that social apps such as Palmchats have limitless possibilities when it comes to user-engagements.

    He said:  ”Now you wish social platforms don’t consume your data all-too-quickly.  You are probably not on Palmchat-yep, you’re not a Palmchatter. On the Palmchat platform you will chat more for less…I mean 30MB data on your mobile device is just good enough.

    “Nigerian ladies can join the world of hi-tech beauties on Palmchat; check out whose story is the most inspiring and whose selfie is making the buzz as Nigeria’s premiere beauty contest gets social as well as join the growing community of Palmchatters; sign up on Nigeria’s most trending mobile social platform with over 30000 daily sign ups. Be a Palmchatter.”

    Rating Palmchat high, experts have said thousands of visitors to the Palmchat site engage in lively discussions on their daily experience with products and businesses. For retailers, this Platform serves as a means of reaching out to consumers.

    Mrs. Folashade Randle of The Home Store in Surulere, Lagos said Palmchat provides consumers with access to content to be able to choose from. From Romance to business, from shopping to discount offers and the list goes on.

    Mrs. Randle said Palmchat makes consumer awareness easier and helps with decisions consumers make on a daily basis concerning products and their personal lives.

    She said: “Communication is key and Palmchat helps bridge the gap between the two opposite sex and between products and consumers.”

    Richard Ugoahor, a follower of the Palmchat page, had this to say about the platform: He said: “I have tasted all the apps on Palmchat. The experiences are incomparable with others in the same category.”

  • Lagos International Trade fair opens today

    The yearly Lagos International trade fair begins today. The venue is the Main Arena, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.  With a total exhibition space of over 40,000m2, the fair will end on  Sunday,November 16. It is organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry, with over 100,000 business visitors over a 10-day period.

  • Shopping mall for Aba residents

    A new shopping mall is on the way for Aba residents, the commercial hub of Abia State. Situated at Osisioma  Ngwa Local Government Area, the mega mall built on a 28-hectares of land and has about 100,000 square metres leasable space. The mall is said to become an Ultra Modern Mega Trade and Distribution Centre with e-commerce facility.

    The mall upon completion will have: fire station, cinema automated warehouse, gas station, continuous power supply, parking space for both shoppers and sellers among other facilities.

  • Cool World Electrical gives discount

    The Cool World Electrical Retail Stores, a subsidiary of PZ Cussons has officially opened one of its retail outlets for prospective customers with attractive discounts and other customer friendly packages.The outlet houses all sorts of electrical and home appliances.

    Speaking at the official opening of the branch store, the Commercial Director, Cool World Electrical Retail Stores, Mr. Olugbenga Kolawole who took journalists round the outlet to display the products, expressed confidence that the outlet will survive the congested Port Harcourt market.

    He said with the branch in Port Harcourt, it has become the seventh outlet owned by stores across the country with six other branches in Ghana.

    “For the next three days, we will offer five percent discount on all sales, we have fliers going round Port Harcourt. It is five percent discount on all your purchases. Next week we will launch another promotion that will run until the end of Christmas and that is going to be a mega bonanza.

    “We guarantee the delivery of your product 48 hours nationwide and that is because we can effectively use PZ depots across the country to deliver your products, which is not available to anybody else who sells PZ products.” he said.

    He added: “We also have in all our locations on-site after -sales service, so if you purchase from us, bring the product back to us and we will service it. We offer on-site services on generators and all kinds of products; we offer free installations on air conditioners too.”

    Also speaking, the General Manager for retails operations, Folakemi Olusa, described the products as durable and of high quality. She maintained that the warranties on each of the products are assured.

    Her words: “We have been doing this for over 40 years; we have proven over the time that we are a brand that is here to stay. Our name is important to us so we do not carry inferior products. In our stores, you will find out that we have people dedicated to customer service.

    “If we had something to hide and we could not be trusted, we would not have brought our face to Port Harcourt, we would have worked under the cover of light but we have refused to do that. If you want to talk about our heritage of trust, PZ Cussons guarantees that,” she said.

  • Julian’s luxury opens outlet

    Julian’s Luxury, Nigeria’s premier high end luxury and lifestyle brand has opened a distinctive and elegant vitrine at the prestigious, luxury boutique hotel, The Wheatbaker, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Julian’s Luxury, the nation’s first private sale and “by appointment only” luxury brand offers the most exclusive luxury products from the world’s most renown and prestigious luxury brands to a decidedly affluent and savvy clientele.

     

  • Kubechi’s closet fair holds tomorrow

    The 9th edition of Kubechi’s Closet Fair will hold at the City Mall, Onikan Lagos, tomorrow.

    It will be another opportunity to shop for variety of items.The Fair is a networking platform and can be described as miniature couture that attracts lot of ladies and young men.

    Rare collections are common sight with amazing deals at the bi-monthly event. From tastefully designed jewelries to attention grabbing perfumes, unisex clothings, hair and beauty products, foot wears, kiddies wear and more, the fair is a meeting ground for retailers and entertainers to transact business. Other side attractions will be singing and karaoke.

    Organisers of the fair have said there would be massive clearance sales on most items on display; lots of music; networking; Food; Saycheese Cakes and Cocktails. The first five shoppers to visit the ‘skin swap’ stand, the organisers said, would get their phones pimped  up.

  • Shoppers’ dilemma in fruits juice choice

    Shoppers’ dilemma in fruits juice choice

    The array of fruits juice drinks on the shelves may throw consumers into confusion. This becomes more difficult when children are the target market for such products.  In making a choice under this condition, parents and guardians should consider products’ aesthetics and the health of their children. TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

    In the fruit juice drink market, several brands targeted at the children compete for leadership through various offerings. Drinks, such as Bobo, Viju Milk, Ribena, Happy-Hour, Lucozade Boost and Capri-Sonne, lead the pack in the rat race to capture the hearts of children and their parents. Maltina from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc has also joined the fray.

    However, some of these brand owners are likely to face the challenge of ensuring that their products are accepted by their target market. And if they are to agree with the position of Jack Trout and Al Ries in The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, then marketing is not truly a battle of products, but a battle of perceptions. The implication of this is that even if a product is of the highest attainable quality, brand owners must still work on the perception from consumers.

    Today, genetically modified or synthetic consumers goods are being widely promoted despite the protests against their use. This should give natural products an edge in the minds of parents, who want the best for their children.

    The business landscape in Nigeria is undoubtedly attractive to investors because of the size of the population. Consequently, consumers may be confused in making choice from the array of brands they find in the market. Nowhere is this dilemma more evident than in the foods and beverages category of the fast moving consumer goods sector.

    Understandably, competition for patronage by operators in the sector is fierce. But in an increasingly health conscious world, consumers will only choose to buy the best. The brands that will ultimately survive the contest for consumer loyalty will be the ones with quality products manufactured locally, using world-class technology.

    Nevertheless, there are significant differences in their offerings, which define the competition and their respective performance in the marketplace. Many of the brands mentioned are a mixture of synthetic materials and natural ingredients.

    Nutritionists say some beverage drinks contains 100 per cent fruit ingredients that add to vitality and healthy growth of the child. This quality has naturally endeared such brands to discerning mothers.

    In today’s world, healthy living is uppermost in the minds of the people. And mothers, in particular, tend to be extra careful with what they give to their children. It is obvious that many people, including children, do not drink enough. They tend to eat too much, but not drinking enough! This is why parents use simple tricks such as buying fruit juice drinks to encourage their children to drink enough. But in the long run, the children are only going to drink more if they like and enjoy the taste of the beverage. When children turn fussy about eating, parents turn to buying healthy and nourishing products that suit the children taste buds and in almost all cases, the children take the drink with a smile. This is where some universally recognisable drinks, that are perhaps most well known for their stand-up pouch packaging, beat other beverages on offer.

    Mrs Allero Ike, a housewife, who wants the best for her children, said her children’s school bags are not complete without their daily intake of Capri-Sonne. “My children know what they want, if they want the best, they know what it is and I cannot give them what is close to the best. Nobody can fool them, they always ask for their favourite drink,” she said.

    The excitement of Gbemi, Mrs. Oladele’s four-year-old daughter, sighting her mother picking her favourite drink from the shelf in a supermarket recently, was a sight to behold. She confessed that the little girl will give her no rest if she failed to include the fruit drink among her purchases. “She loves the drink and I enjoy buying it for her because of its natural taste and as a supplement to her for her healthy development,” she said.

    According to a fruit drink retailer at Ikeja in Lagos, Mr Ikechukwu Ukomadu, the demand for the product is unparalleled.

    He said: I stock some drinks more than others because, they are preferred drinks for kids worldwide and they control more than 80 per cent of the fruit drink market for kids in the country. Some contain 100 per cent natural ingredients and it is estimated that five billion pouches are sold every year in approximately 100 countries. A particular one is made with the best juice of sun ripened fruits available and contains no artificial flavours and colours or preservative,” he said.

    Mr Ukomadu added: “The silver pouch used to pack some of these fruit drinks have made some more popular than the others, particularly among parents and children, as their designs make them easily portable. Most pouches are sturdy, hermetically sealed and tamper proof. They can withstand many tumbles and pass the hardness test in a freezer without bursting. This means that they can also be enjoyed as a tasty ice treat.”

    Some primary school pupils shared their  experiences from their favourite fruit juice drink.  Inioluwa Badmus, a basic 4 pupil of Gladys International Nursery and Primary School, Ketu-Lagos, told The Nation Shopping why his choice of fruit juice drink is determined by the consistent promotional offer a particular brand gives to children.

    He said Capri-Sonne fruit juice as a brand has been consistent in giving promotional offers to children, likewise Bobo, which is why they have become his choice fruit drinks.” One of Capri-Sonne’s recent offer from which I benefited is the Capri-Sonne School Surprise Offer aimed at providing rewards for kids who patronise the brand. Bobo would insert exercise books and stationeries into their packs before selling them out,” he said.

    Inioluwa said most offers come with several other exciting gifts such as wrist watches, flash lights, pouches, colour pencil cases and many more that will be useful for him at school. “There was also an extra bonanza option, where children would submit Capri-Sonne flaps or Bobo cap and stand the chance of getting free Jumbo Crayons and Water Colour Boxes and sometimes trips to Disney land,” he said.

    For another kid, Taiwo Bankole, the story is not different. Taiwo, the headgirl of Unique Laurel International School, Ojota, Lagos, said she  found free gifts inside a carton of Capri-Sonne her father bought for her nine years birthday. “I was able to gather different kinds of gifts for everyone in my class. I opted for Capri-Sonne because of its promotional offers. It saved my daddy some money for additional gifts and the stress,” she said.

    Fisayo Bakre, a basic five pulpil of Hogas International School, Ketu, Lagos said: “I like Bobo and Ribenna, but prefer Capri-Sonne because of its unique taste. But my sister Fiyin , will go for any brand because she loves drinking a lot instead of eating. She doesn’t have a favourite drink, for her everything and anything goes,” he said.