The Nation Newspaper

Category: Shopping

  • Hijab: Marriage of faith and fashion

    Hijab: Marriage of faith and fashion

    In Islam, the word ‘Hijab’ literally means a screen or curtain. However, by semantic extension, Hijab suggests a veil for covering the head and chest, particularly by Muslim females who have attained puberty. It is also a symbol of modesty, privacy and morality. Historically, women in the Islamic culture wore veils to cover themselves.

    Interestingly, in modern times, learning about the different kinds of Hijab can help a Muslim woman enjoy a fulfilling shopping experience. It affords the user the opportunity to adhere to her cultural standards, while expressing her individuality through her choice of colour, style and fabric.

    Just as there are different types of Hijab, there are many options for purchasing these garments. For instance, there are retail Islamic stores that specifically deal in these items. An example is Arabel, an upscale Islamic store, where items, ranging from the simple to the avant-garde, are sold. It also offers online trading to show buyers an opportunity to learn how to differentiate between the styles of Hijab as well as where to purchase specific garments that are worn comfortably and securely.

    However, while some prefer to visit some of these ‘elitist’ Islamic stores, others prefer to patronise individuals in some markets across the country with the belief that they can enjoy the luxury of haggling over the prices.

    Hijab usually comes in different shapes and sizes. They can sometimes be small or large, but it solely depends on the taste of the buyer. It may also be square, triangular and rectangular, depending on how it is used.

    Hijab comes in silk, chiffon, cotton, polyester and rayon or a combination of fabrics and sells for between N500 and N15, 000 per one. At times, it comes in patterned or flowery designs. Buyers may also consider wearing under- scarves, which are accessories worn to keep a woman’s hair from slipping out of the Hijab.

    Over the years, Hijab has changed in appearance and is now available in different varieties. People have come to like Jacquard veils, which come in various designs and colour because they suit different occasions and fit their personalities.

  • Chivita Active gets new packaging

    Chivita Active, a refreshing and nourishing fruit juice from the stable of Chi Limited, now wears a new look following a strategic makeover to reposition and convey tangible and intangible attributes of the brand to the consumer.

    According to the Managing Director of Chi Limited, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, the new pack is a fresh and entirely new design aimed at effectively communicating the core value of Chivita Active as an “active healthy lifestyle” brand to consumers.

    He added that the new pack parades a bold new logo that is refreshingly modern while exuding the core essence of active health. “With rounded contemporary edges and the forward pointing red triangle, the logo emphasises on advancement, achievement and success,” he said.

    Roy continued: “The design is cutting edge. The rich fruit and juice visuals combine perfectly with the simplistic design and colour pallet to reveal a truly sophisticated pack. It is a pack that exudes confidence and fitness and will resonate with those who lead an active lifestyle and are primed to achieve more.”

    The pack also features a nutritional information panel on the six citrus fruits mixed together to form the juice while “Fortified with Vitamin C” is strategically positioned on the pack to further identify with the health conscious consumer. Further examination of the pack reveals active images on the side panels that urge consumers to embrace the active lifestyle and an inviting motif of fruits and juice splash.

    Chivita Active fruit juice contains six citric fruit juices and added vitamin C. The citric fruit juices are Orange, Grapefruit, Lime, Tangerine, Lemon and Mandarine.

  • Jumia Launches Fathers Day store

    Jumia Launches Fathers Day store

    • gives priority to male items

    To make this year’s Fathers Day a memorable one, Jumia has launched a Fathers Day store. The store parades the best array of gifts ranging from an exquisite collection of cufflinks for those whose fathers are more formal in their dressing to latest technology tablets.

    Trendy ties, belts and timeless wrist watches are also available in the store. There is also a selection of premium polo shirts, which the firm believes is a must have for all fathers this season.

    The online firm also did not leave out those signature drinks some men hold in high esteem. There is also 60 per cent discount  off all items in the Jumia fashion store in this month’s fashion clearance sale specially for men and some for women.

    “To give back to those father figures in your lives, giving them gifts is one of the best ways to say a big thank you to the best dad,” the firm said.

  • Group holds maiden pre-Ramadan trade fair, conference 

    An Islamic organization, Sofasal-El-Asal Society of Nigeria (Sofasal) has completed arrangement to hold a ten-day pre-Ramadan Trade Fair and Business Conference, to herald the 2014 Ramadan season.

    The programme, which will hold at the National Stadium from Friday 13th to Sunday 22nd June is designed as a platform for all Nigerians, particularly the Muslims to source for items that are frequently in high demand during the Ramadan fasting period at affordable cost.

    A statement by the group said it becomes imperative to reduce the increased level of spending during Ramadan period as Muslims will always ensure that they have adequate stock of food for early morning and the evening meals as well as those they will share with friends, family and the needy.

    According to the organizers, the fair which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and indeed Africa, would create opportunities for organisations (manufacturers, distributors, dealers and retailers) to develop a unique and enduring relationship with a key segment of the Nigerian consumers’ population.

    More importantly, it is a forum for examining the meeting point between religion and commerce in line with the dictates of God and his provisions.

    The exercise will involve government agencies, foreign missions, market men and women, multinationals, service providers food/beverages (Non-Alcoholic), financial institutions, healthcare, textiles/fashion, fast moving consumer goods, household/kitchen appliances, travel and tourism (particularly operators who provide Hajj Services) etc.

  • Gift galore for Dads on Father’s Day

    Gift galore for Dads on Father’s Day

    This year’s Father’s Day is here again! And as usual, not a few Nigerians are warming up to  appreciate fathers with  memorable gift items such as tech gifts to keep long lasting memories. Father’s Day, which is celebrated on different days in different parts of the world, is celebrated in Nigeria on June 15 every year.

    Father’s Day celebration is a reflection of the contribution of fathers to the development of the individual members of the family, especially the children. It is a time to honour fathers and celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds, and a time to tell the influence of fathers in the  society. The day was created to complement Mother’s Day, a celebration that honours mothers and motherhood.

    Ahead of this year’s celebration, which is two days from now, neighbourhood stores, supermarkets, and online stores have come alive, as most of them stock a number of affordable gifts items for Dad’s. Shoppers are already trouping to such places to buy memorable gifts this period.

    For instance, at the Arena Complex, yesterday, a shopper identified as Oluwaseyifunmi Okuwa was seen buying motivational and inspirational books because they are his father’s favourite. For master Ayomikun Adeniji, a primary school pupil, frames and cards to express his love to his father, are more to it.

    Another shopper, Oluwafemi Adesayo said his father is the type that has craving for wrist watches, which is why he would not hesitate buying him one.

  • Why shoppers are useful for brand building

    Why shoppers are useful for brand building

    Most brands are becoming increasingly conscious of the place of shoppers in building brand equity. Most of them have resolved to using insights –driven marketing and merchandising initiatives to satisfy targeted customer needs to achieve growth. TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.

    Experts say that successful retail campaigns go beyond delivering increased sales; they improve relationship between the brand, the shopper and the retailer. This explains why companies spend a large chunk of their budget driving awareness amongst consumers. It is also the reason why, over the years, brands use shoppers as strategic approach to enhance in-store experiences in order to increase sales, ensure brand equity as well as create brand appeal.

    Today, retailers have resolved to using insights –driven marketing and merchandising initiatives to satisfy targeted customer needs, enhance the shopping experience, and optimize business results for themselves and their suppliers.

    To build brand, the shopper is engaged more meaningfully at the point of purchase so as to increase sales and loyalty even when he isn’t the one to consume the product.

    Companies that have integrated the shopper into their workflow have not forsaken him at all; instead, they have integrated him as they know there is a place and need for him in building their brands successfully.

    The Center Manager for Ikeja City Mall, Sander Norman, describes a shopper as “One who passively develops a relationship with a brand and actively seeks out that brand. He focuses on overall messages and aspiration and looks for convenient solutions that will provide more value and differentiation while he is in front of the shelf.”

    Experts say that considering the fact that 76 per cent of buying decisions are made inside stores, more attention should be paid to what happens in this context.

    Sometimes, majority of grocery purchases are unplanned but, luckily, this brings retailers and brands closer, as they are both interested in the shopper. Retailers are constantly looking for shopper solutions that will set their stores apart, which is why brands focus on shopper-centric merchandising ideas.

    For instance, Belinda Inuanne, a regular shopper at Ceddi Plaza, one of the shopping malls in Abuja, finds it difficult to remember the particular brand to buy once inside a store. She has problem making choices most of the time. She is also easily attracted to the competition either by price or impulse.

    Indeed, as retailers come up with more innovations, number of products and brands increase simultaneously and new rules are also set up to push sales and satisfy consumers. That is why the Chief Executive Officer, Delightsome Gifts Concepts, Gbagada-Lagos, Modupe Shopeju has demanded more brand participation as well as in-store promotional vehicles, saying it has become one of her major sources of income over the years.

    Also, Internet shopping has contributed to creating more deal-conscious shoppers who have no problem in substituting brands or changing shopping habits.

    In short, it is useless to spend too much energy in building brands that shoppers cannot find or are overwhelmed by the competition at the moment of purchase inside the store.

  • Kaymu.com.ng unveils new delivery initiative

    Kaymu.com.ng unveils new delivery initiative

    Online marketplace leader, Kaymu.com.ng has introduced a stress free delivery initiative for sellers on the platform known as the Kaymu ‘No Wahala Seller Drop-Off’ Initiative.’ According to the company, the initiative was introduced out of the need to solve the delivery challenges faced by business owners in the country.

    At its inception, the firm  operated as a platform that provided the opportunity for buyers and sellers to meet and make the best deals for products by aiding and encouraging sellers to be proactive with delivery and customer service. As the venture grew, it became imperative for additional delivery options to ensure prompt delivery of goods and services. This necessitated the birth of the Kaymu ‘No Wahala Seller Drop-Off’ Initiative.

    According to Evangeline Wiles, the Deputy Managing Director and Head of Sales of Kaymu, “Many small scale online retailers deliver to buyers within their immediate locality but are constrained by delivery challenges from expanding nationally. With the Kaymu ‘No Wahala Seller Drop-Off Initiative’ sellers are empowered to reach a wider client base across Nigeria.”

    The Kaymu ‘No Wahala Seller Drop-Off’ Initiative’ operates by providing sellers on the platform a central location to drop off items for inter state or intercity delivery at designated Kaymu drop-off centres. The items, which must contain accurate order details will be picked up from the drop off centres and delivered to buyers by a centralized structured delivery system achieved through partnership with reliable delivery companies in Nigeria.

    Through this system, sellers are provided with a stress free means of expanding their customer base and providing a more effective customer service to buyers.

  • Delhi Mall ranked 21st in shopping centre development

    Delhi Mall ranked 21st in shopping centre development

    Delhi-NCR ranks 21st in the global list of cities with maximum shopping centre space under construction in 2014, according to property consultant CBRE.

    India continues to see a wave of new shopping mall development despite some developers pushing back completion dates due to financing issues, CBRE said in a statement.

    “New Delhi is ranked 21, Hyderabad 23, and Bangalore 31, among global cities with maximum shopping centre space under construction in 2014,” the consultant said, quoting from CBRE Research’s latest report ‘Global Viewpoint’.

    It said 39 million square metres of shopping space is under construction across the world’s major cities, and out of that, India accounts for nearly 1.5 million square metres.

    Around 5,00,000 square metres of new retail space is under construction in New Delhi. The largest two projects – DLF Mall of India (204,385 sq. metre) and Logix City Centre Mall (1,11,483 sq. metre) – are both located in Noida.

    Among tier-II cities, Hyderabad is the most active market with a current supply pipeline (4,83,000 sq. metre), which is three times greater than its existing stock.

    Chennai was ranked 15th in the global list of most active shopping centre development markets in 2013.

    “Globally, a total of 39 million sq meter of shopping centre space is currently under construction across the world’s major cities, representing a three million sq metre increase from 2013,” CBRE said.

    “Most of this development activity for shopping centre space around the world is focused in China.”

    According to the report, more than half of the shopping centre space under construction in the 180 countries surveyed is taking place within China’s borders.

    Shanghai takes the first position with 3.3 million sq. metres of space under construction, which is more than the combined space under construction in the total 86 European cities, excluding those in Russia and Turkey.

    Just behind Shanghai is Chengdu with 3.2 million sq. metres, followed by Shenzhen and Tianjin with 2.7 million sq. metres and 2.5 million sq. metres under construction, respectively.

    “Strong economic growth in many Asian markets has been attracting an increasing number of cross-border retailers. Even though China remains by far the most active market for shopping centre development, the tier I and II cities of India are also among the most active globally,” CBRE South Asia CMD Anshuman Magazine said.

    “Unfortunately, however, there continues to exist a dearth of quality shopping space in many of our market places. Along with the large-scale urbanisation of our leading cities and a burgeoning middle class population, it is this that has been driving shopping center development forward,” he added.

    This is the third year that CBRE has measured the level of shopping centre development in the world’s 180 major cities.

    The survey was based on new centres of over 20,000 sq. metres and excluded retail warehousing and factory outlet centres.

    – Source: Google

  • ‘I don’t waste time when shopping’

    ‘I don’t waste time when shopping’

    Pastor Ituah Ighodalo is the Founder/Senior Pastor, Trinity House Church, Victoria Island, Lagos. He is also the Managing Partner of SIAO Accounting. He spoke with NNEKA NWANERI on his shopping style, where he buys from and his promptness when shopping.

    How do you shop for items?

    I don’t waste time when shopping or window-shopping. Before I go shopping, I make a list of what to buy, walk into the store, pick the items on my shopping list and I leave the place.

    Where and what do you buy?

    I shop mainly abroad. I take a day or two off to buy few things like shoes and ties. For clothing, I have a few tailors based locally that know my style and what I am comfortable in.

    I am an extremely stylish man because my parents were stylish and am not going to give up that their legacy for anything. But at my age and stage, what is expected of me is to dress comfortably in whatever I wear, to be self respecting without being flamboyant with a sense of style.

    Do you buy spontaneously?

    These days, I never buy things spontaneously. I buy only what I think I need, a few things and mainly to replace what is old or worn out. When some things stop being needed or useful or I haven’t worn in six months or so I give them out, no point accumulating and wasting when there are so many people out there who need and can make better use of them. I do this regularly. Last year, someone close to me gave out almost six suit cases of clothes they hadn’t used in ages. It gives great joy to give.

    Any favourite shopping place?

    I have just a few shops I visit depending on what I have been shopping at those places /labels for ages.

    What do you think of Nigerian Shopping malls?

    Shopping has improved a lot in Nigeria and its growing; its much better in all areas. You can get almost everything you need/want here now with the coming of big malls. We need to encourage more of our own and patronise them. I try to do that. I don’t think Nigerians should be importing anything, we have enough talent here.

    Do you buy items in vogue, especially fashion items?

    I have long ago stopped buying seasonal fashion items. I am too old for that now and they soon get out of style and become a waste of money. There are a few basic and time tested things that never fail. At my age, I don’t need much anyway.

  • Tradestable.com.ng launches portal

    Tradestable.com.ng launches portal

    Nigeria’s leading classifieds ads platform, Tradestable.com.ng, has launched a platform to aid the growth of commerce and trade in Nigeria.

    The platform, which offers users the opportunity to buy and sell almost everything online, was unveiled after the firm undertook some tests to determine what truly serves the needs of interested buyers and sellers.

    The test was one of the first to be carried out by any online company in Nigeria. The test, which covered at Yaba College of Technology, Alaba International Market, and other key areas in Nigeria, helped in the development of an intuitive platform which embodies feedback received from the different test subjects.

    Users were asked many questions relating to the layout, navigation and overall feel of the website. They were also given several tasks to complete, such as posting a free ad, all the while giving feedback for improvements.

    The firm’s Country Ambassador, Mr. Onyeka Akumah, said: “We wanted to make the site more intuitive and feel more modern. We listened to our users, so we decided to base this redesign on their feedback. We want to provide the easiest way for anyone to buy and sell any kind of item.”

    He added: “We set out to create a platform that is social, easy to use, with a wide range of products, and we are happy and proud to say that with the launch of this new and improved look for our website, we have taken another step to truly achieving this goal. We want to invite everyone to join the journey, as we create a truly amazing product that will not just serve the use of the urban class but also of the rural class.”

    Akumah explained that Nigerians are natural lovers of trade and commerce, adding that his firm wants to support and set the pace for this drive through its easy to use platform, price comparison opportunity, convenient shopping experience and wide range of products.

    He said to experience the ‘tradestable’ joy, users should  visit the firm’s website at www.tradestable.com.ng, list their products and enjoy rewards from the numerous buyers who visit the site daily.