The Nation Newspaper

Tag: online-shopping

  • Reasons Nigerians ‘prefer’ Paypal

    Reasons Nigerians ‘prefer’ Paypal

    Since mid-2014 when PayPal, an online payments system was launched in Nigeria, online money transfer service has undeniably improved – a study proves.

    The study has it that the launch of PayPal introduced a more secured way of transacting businesses in a simpler and more flexible manner across borders; opening up a world of shopping possibilities for Nigerian consumers.

    According to the study, PayPal gives people better ways to connect to their money and to each other, helping them pay online bills without sharing financial information with sellers.

    The study conducted in Nigeria by Ipsos – a global market research company, shows an expectation by Nigerian consumers to conduct more shopping online.

    “Out of the approximately 50 million internet users in Nigeria, 65% of users already shop online and another 24% of users expect to do so in the nearest future.

    These numbers clearly demonstrate that Nigerians have a big and growing appetite for E-commerce,” the study observed.

    It further highlighted 5 reasons Nigerian consumers choose PayPal and use it for online shopping to include:

    1. It is a more secured way to pay online

    When you make a payment with PayPal your financial details are not shared with the seller. This gives you more control over your financial information and provides you with an extra layer of security.

    2. The benefit of PayPal Buyer protection

    The online payment platform also protects eligible purchases with PayPal Buyer Protection. If an eligible item doesn’t show up, or turns out to be different from what was described, PayPal can help sort things out with the seller. It is included in its Terms and Conditions.

    3. Shop on thousands of website around the globe

    PayPal, established in 1998 in California has proven to be a truly global payment platform that is available in about 203 countries and markets.

    You no longer need to book a flight ticket to shop worldwide as PayPal is an accepted form of payment on thousands of websites around the globe and countries you do not necessarily need to go.

    4. Online shopping made easier

    Online payments using PayPal makes your life easier because when checking out with your PayPal account, you do not need to type in all your credit card details and shipping information for each transaction- everything is already stored in your PayPal account and kept secured.

    All that is needed is a PayPal account’s email address and password and the shopper will get through the checkout in no time.

    5. Free to sign up

    Interestingly, signing up for PayPal is free and it is a breeze. All that a shopper needs to do is follow the steps on the website which are to sign-up, choose country, enter identification details, enter card details then click continue. Lastly, go your email to confirm the mail from PayPal.

    The online payment system serves as electronic alternatives to traditional paper methods like checks and money orders, which is currently one of the world’s largest internet payment companies.

    The company operates as an acquirer, performing payment processing for online vendors, auction sites and other commercial users, for which it charges a fee.

  • Online shopping: What Nigerians say

    Online shopping: What Nigerians say

    There is a gradual shift from the traditional market shopping to online shopping. And most Nigerians are cashing in on this. To meet the demands of the daily increase of online shoppers a number of companies have sprung up. They include; Jumia, Konga, Kaymu, DealDey, among others.

    But what is really the attraction of Nigerians to online shopping? The Nation spoke to a cross section of Nigerians on their preference for online shopping and quality of service;

    Victoria Onuoha, Student

    “I use Jumia; I like it because it offers a variety of goods which are quite affordable too. They also deliver their goods to customers on time. They provide an avenue for you to return stuff you have issues with.”

    Oluwaseun Owolabi, Student

    “I use online shopping malls but I have don’t have any preference. I use anyone as long as they have what I want.”

    Michael Bamidele, Student

    “I like Jumia because they deliver products fast and they are efficient.”

    Paul Akerele, Graphic Designer

    “I use online shopping malls like Jumia, I do window shopping most times, though. The last time I wanted to get something from them, they didn’t have what I wanted.”

    Faith Olisa, Teacher

    “I’ve used Kong and DealDey. I prefer Konga because they always deliver the exact product I want and in good time, too. Some other online shopping malls merely apologise for the inconvenience caused by delivering substandard products.”

    Tunde, Professional Artist

    “I’ve used Jumia and Konga. I also use a variety of foreign online malls. I prefer Jumia because I feel it is more reliable. I have never had a cause to regret, return or complain about any of their products.”

    Joseph Ode, Student

    “I use online shopping malls very well. I use Konga and Jumia especially. Between the two, I think I prefer Konga because they have categories where you can either buy used or new products. You have to buy new stuff on Jumia. Konga gives me the opportunity to buy from a seller that has already used the product that wants to resell. Especially, when I don’t have money to buy new product. I also think the prices on Konga are cheaper than those on Jumia which are more expensive.”

    Chukwuemeka Joseph, Student

    “I use online markets and I prefer Konga because it is user friendly. It has a very easy interface. Products are also affordable. On Jumia, you have to buy strictly new products and the prices are not always accommodating. I think Konga is better. Also, the user interface is very easy to use, even a layman can use it. But Jumia’s website is complicated if you look at the graphics.”

    Muiz Oreore, Student

    “I prefer Jumia because they have quality products even if they are quite expensive, than other online shopping malls that sell less quality at cheaper rates. I like Jumia.”

    Oboh Ann, Student

    “I like Jumia. It’s popular and their goods are cheap.”

    Onyeka Victoria Okorie, Student

    “Well, I like V-connect deals. It’s an online shopping mall where you can get a lot of things. You can get kitchen wares, provisions, appliances, toiletries, you can get a number of things from them. They don’t deal in wears though. But you can get phones at cheaper rates. For everything you buy, there is a 10-20 per cent discount. You don’t purchase things at the normal price, but at a lower price. That’s a reason why I like them. They are also very efficient, they deliver quickly depending on what you buy. The delivery fee is also not expensive, if it’s not free. It’s usually between N200-400. You can also buy in bulk. Instead of leaving your house, you can purchase stuff from the convenience of your room with the tap of a few buttons.”

    Simi Adeniji, Student

    “I love shopping on Jumia. It’s a very good website for shopping for clothes, shoes, accessories and basically anything you need. They give you a list of prices and most times they have discounts.”

    Gift Maduka, Student

    “Jumia is a good place to shop. Their goods are very affordable and there are nice and durable stuffs to buy. Konga also sells nice stuffs. It all depends on what you really want. I’ll say they both serve the same purpose and they are both effective.”

    Peter Ogunojemite, Student

    “I like Jumia. It’s the only online shopping market I have used and I am satisfied with their services.”

    Irene Nwachukwu, Student

    “I use Jumia and DealDey. I prefer DealDey because there is always a discount on everything they sell. Their delivery is also fast.”

    Anisiba Chisom, Student

    “I like Jumia and Konga. I prefer Jumia because that’s where we buy most things we use at home (TV, Dispenser, Sound System).”

    Peter Adewoye, Student

    “I like Jumia, because of their advert. All of their adverts look very nice and interesting.”

    Wale, Graduate

    “I haven’t had any contact with any online shopping mall, this is because my younger sister recently had an experience which was painful. She wanted a tablet and she decided to get it from Konga. On the site, she saw details and all the accessories were complete. She booked for it and the process took a long time. They didn’t deliver it when she needed it. When they finally did, the accessories were not complete. That was when I decided that online marketing is nonsense. I don’t believe in it and I won’t do it.”

    Okechukwu Stine Amadike, Student

    “I prefer Konga. Their delivery is fast. They have good price rate.”

    Abigail Essien, Student

    “I love Kaymu. It’s very reliable.”

    Yemi Boye

    “I’ve used Jumia. I see a couple of things on Konga too. I like Jumia because the website is interactive and friendly. Konga is somehow cumbersome.”

  • Pleasures, hiccups of online shopping

    Pleasures, hiccups of online shopping

    Online shopping in Nigeria has become a fad as many Nigerians not only buy and sell just products but services. But as with most sophisticated businesses that rely on hi-tech, some patrons have hard awful experiences, report Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf and Bukola Afolabi

    SHOPPING is a lot more pleasurable these days as you don’t really have to broke a sweat really; it’s all thanks to the internet!

    To say that there has been a bourgeoning trade in online transaction and shopping by Nigerians is not in doubt and this is simply because the entrant of different online portals has rendered businesses a lot easier as top Nigeria online merchants showcase their wares using virtual technology.

    Before the big bang

    For the select Nigerians who wished to shop online, websites like Amazon and eBAY used to be in the in-thing.

    Although few people were still able to shop online at US and UK stores from Nigeria, it was one in a million. But thankfully, the situation is changing now with the growth of online stores in large numbers.

    Nowadays, customers in Nigeria who want to shop online no longer need to make payments with Paypal, have a US shipping address or make use of a US credit card before their orders are executed. No, they could simply order online and even pay on delivery afterwards.

    The local players

    Mr. Felix Okoli, a staff of KoliTech Nigeria, which has complied yellow pages for online shopping marts, has listed some of the top players in the online shopping landscape.

    Some of those listed on the yellow pages include: Jumia Nigeria, Konga.com, Kaymu Nigeria, Taafoo.com, Sunglasses.com.ng, DealDey, Kara.com.ng, MyStore, Shopaholic Nigeria, Walahi, hellofood.com.ng, to mention just a few.

    Investigation by The Nation shows that Jumia Nigeria is in clear lead when it comes to online shopping websites in Nigeria. They have a website located at jumia.com.ng and an office at Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. Jumia has got a great platform that allows users to register for free, order for items they want and even pay on delivery.

    Interestingly, one man who knows all about the unique challenges of the Nigerian market, as far as online marts, are concerned is Sim Shagaya, founder and CEO of online retailer Konga.com, which set up shop in July 2012.

    Shagaya believes this human contact is essential in such a young e-commerce market. “You want to build a connection with people. They still want to feel that there are human beings behind the system.” He, however, believes that as the industry develops, the need for such human contact will diminish.

    Shagaya was born in Nigeria, but received most of his education in the US. After he completed his MBA at Harvard Business School in the early 2000s, he had an urge to return to Africa. At the time Nigeria was still just finding its feet in democracy, and Shagaya opted for the more stable South Africa where he joined Rand Merchant Bank.

    Following a stint at the investment bank, Shagaya moved to Nigeria where he became Google’s head for Africa, developing the search giant’s strategy for the entire continent, excluding South Africa. He then started a billboard advertising business, which is today one of the top players in the industry. After six years of running the billboard company, Shagaya was itching to get back into the online space.

    He then convinced the board of the billboard company to invest in DealDey. Launched in March 2011, DealDey is a daily deals website, loosely based on the Groupon model that offers products at highly discounted rates. Shagaya says that DealDey provides a good platform for companies to clear their inventories.

    The success of DealDey confirmed that there is a market for online shopping in Nigeria, so Shagaya started to focus all his attention on Konga.com. (He still serves as a board member of DealDey).

    Two months into Konga’s existence, it received capital from Swedish investment firm Kinnevik. Barely a few months after that, South African-based emerging markets media giant, Naspers, also announced a major investment. According to Shagaya, Naspers CEO Koos Bekker, the man who basically introduced pay-TV in South Africa, has taken a personal interest in Konga. Interestingly, in 2011 Naspers pulled its own e-commerce offering, Kalahari, from the Nigerian market. In a statement at the time, Naspers said that “the performance of the service has been below expectation since the launch and reaching profitability was not a reasonable near-term prospect”.

    Beginning with five staff members about a year ago, Jumia now has 500 people on its payroll and has swiftly risen to become the number one online retail shopping business in Nigeria.

    Launched in 2013 as Jumia.com, the site kicked off with only five workers as an e-commerce startup, dreaming of organising and cashing in on the huge potentials in Nigeria’s retail market.

    The rapid growth of Jumia.com has seen it emerge as arguably the country’s number one online shopping portal, with over 500 members of staff after just one year in operation.

    With over $70 million investment funding available to its founders, Tunde Kehinde and Raphael Afaedor, Jumia is poised to maintain leadership in Nigeria’s online retail market.

    Advantages of online shopping

    Kaymu Nigeria, like Jumia, has an office address at Lekki Lagos Nigeria. Kaymu sells general items such as mobile phones, computers, home accessories, electronics, jewelry, health and beauty products and currently boast of over 24,000 pages of content indexed by Google as at this time.

    Taafoo, with an office address at Oregun Lagos and a website at Taafoo.com, is into selling items relating to fashion and gadgets. Taafoo has over 280,000 pages of content indexed by Google currently.

    Sunglasses has its website located at Sunglasses.com.ng. It is a niche shopping website that is focused on jus sunglasses. The website has over 1.9 million pages of content indexed by Google presently.

    DealDey, with a website located at dealdey.com and office address at Ikoyi Lagos, is basically a different website from others as its focus is on selling practically any product or service on wholesale. Since the items are offered to group buyers, one of the advantages of shopping for items at DealDey is that they offer one of the lowest prices.

    Dealdey offers one of the best deals in town when it comes to pricing for various items and services in high demand.

    This website offers buyers the ability to tap into the power of group buying and save on shopping costs. Dealdey has over 15600 pages of content indexed by Google at the moment.

    Kara, located at Kara.com.ng and with an office at Ikeja, Lagos, sells products and services in categories such as visa, power systems, home appliances, phones and computers. Kara has over 3400 pages of content indexed by Google as at this time.

    MyStore, located at mystore.com.ng and an office at Idimu-Egbeda Road, Nigeria, this website allows people to buy products ranging from mobile phones, fashion, electronics, office supplies and home accessories. They offer deals which include free delivery within Lagos and payment options accepted include gift cards, cards and cash on delivery.

    Shopaholic Nigeria, with a website address at shopaholicng.com and office address at Amuwo Odofin Lagos, offers fashion for men and women and this includes clothes, shoes, bags, beauty products and fragrances. Next time you want to go all out just to buy clothes, you should give Shopaholic Nigeria a try.

    Walahi, which official website is located at walahi.com and an office address at Ikeja Lagos, is a niche shopping webiste that is devoted to book lovers.

    HelloFood, with an office address at Lekki Lagos and a website at hellofood.com.ng, is also a favourite online shopping destination, which deals on fashion but as well as food. It’s main delight is selling local delicatessen.

    Whether it’s for a local dish like ofe Akwu, Fufu or other dish like cakes, spaghetti and Pizza, Hellofood is one of those few local websites where you can order for food and receive it same day.

    Besides, Hellofood has a wide chain of restaurants that they can link you with and all it basically takes is having a free account with them and then pay on delivery. You’ll be able to choose from the local restaurants in your area, order food and have it delivered to your while it’s still hot. Hellofood doesn’t really prepare the food themselves but delivery and packaging and collect the fee.

    Online shopping offers patrons the ability to pay in Naira, whether in cash or pay on delivery, pay with a debit or credit card as the case may be.

    Besides, it offers opportunity to get a free home delivery if living in the city.

    It saves you time and energy compared to going out for your own shopping, just as you can get items delivered to your home or office within 24 hrs.

    Ability to make special requests for products not yet available just as there is no need for bargaining price since prices are already listed.

    Value of online shopping

    The value of online shopping business in Nigeria has been put at several billions of dollars. Assessing the business, David Allison, CEO of Adibba Online Shopping Limited, a new entrant into the online shopping platform, said the e-commerce is being facilitated by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) cashless policy.

    “With the new cashless policy being gradually implemented in Nigeria, things are looking up. People are getting warmer towards the idea of doing transactions online with several platforms springing up,” he declared recently.

    According to Allison, Nigeria is over 50 percent ready for e-commerce, saying though there are scepticism about e-payment solutions but the business is growing and will grow as there are over 300 registered e-commerce sites presently, “as more people get enlightened on the business, it will reduce the burden of doubts.”

    Allison, who recognises that the e-commerce market in Nigeria is relatively new, says Adibba.com, which is a Nigerian-owned company launched in September 2013, is a platform borne out of the desire to satisfy the ever-growing needs of shoppers.

    While shedding light on the Adibba’s offering, Allison said its products are categorised from electricity solutions to fashion, phones, computer and electronics, food and drinks, games, toys and kids and Africana.

    “We are in the market to make everyday experience extraordinary. We go that extra steps to make the customer feel satisfied and it is working for us.”

    Allison assures that products purchased from Adibba are authentic; because it is in partnership with top manufacturers of different products, however, Adibba operates full money-back guarantee. If goods are delivered and the customer is not happy with it, it could be returned and the customer gets his/her money at no condition.

    Total investment in Nigeria’s online shopping market by both local and foreign investors is said to be worth over $15million (about N2.4bn), with analysts predicting that the figure will double in 2014, as more investors see opportunity in the new sector.

    With its population of over 160 million people, Nigeria recorded an estimated 25 percent growth in online shopping in 2011, valued at N62.4 billion, which is an increase growth of additional N12.5 billion to the N49.9 billion recorded in 2010, a survey by Euromonitor International, a global market research organisation, was reported to have said.

    “In the next two years, there will be active e-commerce eco-system,” Abasiama Indaresit, senior consultant at Wildfusion, an internet marketing agency, said that Abasiama, who is familiar with the industry, calculates that total investment in the sector is conservatively over $15 million.

    Analysts are optimistic that this upward growth trajectory in online sales will not recede. This they add is because online retailers are increasingly channeling their energies and resources towards providing locally-relevant solutions to Nigerian customers.

    One market research firm suggests that Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous country, will have almost tripled its online purchases in just three years to more than $1 billion by 2014. This compares with South Africa, whose e-commerce sales were just R4 billion ($409 million) last year, according to research firm World Wide Worx estimates.

    Online retailers are succeeding in luring shoppers like Olivia Oloketuyi, 26, away from brick-and-mortar stores due to its perceived convenience.

    “The last time I did an e-transaction was to buy my son’s football jersey,” says Oloketuyi, who adds that she shops online once or twice a month while spending an average of N16, 000.

    Hiccups of online shopping

    Online shopping has not been without its peculiar challenges.

    Some patrons like Okechukwu Ubani has a axe to grind with the online mart owners.

    “Their products are substandard. Most of their items especially clothing are really of low grade from china and damn expensive. Imagine getting a top for 4500 only to realize that that same cloth can go for 1200 in the open day market.”

    While analyzing the situation, Mr. Oni Dehinde, argued that the main areas most of these online portals fail woefully is in the area of inventory management.

    According to him, “It should be a simple matter to auto-update stock as orders are placed, so that you don’t tell somebody who has paid that you are out of stock. Imagine the resources involved in resolving tens if not hundreds of such situations.”

    Echoing similar sentiments, Bisi Adaranijo said, lack of organisation is at the centre of the problem.

    “In order processing; they promised delivery within five working days. But five days will come and go without delivery. Worse still, you don’t receive any information, even when you go out of your way to seek it either on the portal, or by calling them up. There are many other subtle ways you get the feeling that these guys can’t give you reliable services.”

    Going down memory lane, she said: “I have had many years experience ordering stuff all over the world, including of recent, China, both personal, commercial and industrial items, so I thought if some Nigerians have mustered the courage and resources to start a mail order business right here, why not give them a try. I guess I’ve been too optimistic and too quick to trust Nigeria quick.”

     

  • From offline to online shopping, the beat goes on

    Although the sector is young, more stores are springing up like mushrooms online.There is a shift from offline to online shopping ,  TONIA ‘DIYAN reports

    Online shopping is offering an opportunity in the retail industry, and people are fast embracing it.

    Today, virtually everything is bought online from clothing to food items to mobile phones, electronics, home appliance and even real estate.

    Since the advent of online stores in Nigeria less than two years ago, people seem to patronise them more often than before, thereby developing trust for the market. The stores include Kaymu, Lamudi, Carmudi, Hellofood, Jovago and Easy Taxi.

    Though some of them are would-be African Amazon, they intend to propel the continent’s rising middle class consumers out of the street markets and straight into their websites.

    Their key, they say, is the smart phone, which is already helping people brush aside the lack of reliable transport or fixed phone and Internet connections. In Lagos for instance, most people have phones, but there are few malls for the large number of inhabitants. People are hungry for consumption and they feel this is the right time to leapfrog over to ‘offline’.

    Though e-commerce is still in its infancy in most African countires, a market research firm has suggested that Nigeria would almost triple its online purchases in three years to more than $1 billion by 2014.

    These stores have promised to bring street market to e-market. To achieve that and get a head-start in the online market, they spend heavily, following Amazon’s model, to grab market share and establish brand.

    Developers are rushing to build more malls to serve Africa’s rapidly expanding middle class, and are struggling to keep pace with the demand for more consumption. Often, they are hampered by hefty costs and the difficulty of securing land titles, not to mention the kind of security issues highlighted by the deadly attack on a high-end Nairobi mall in September. Yet the online store  has succeeded in erasing the thought of “if it doesn’t work perfectly, it is a scam”. That is why the idea of paying cash on delivery or using credit cards when goods are delivered was introduced to build trust.

    They have also found solutions to logistics and payment problems, to create loyal and satisfied customers.

    For example, lamudi.com.ng is a real estate classified portal that enables realtors, landlords and sellers  reach the widest audience while making it easier for home buyers and renters search for homes, apartments, commercial properties, and land using their criteria and give them access to most listings. It launched operations in 13 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Now, the company has registered several million search requests worldwide.

    Last year, the global Internet users accounted for 2.4 billion people, with growth mainly being driven by emerging markets. With its service, Lamudi supports this ongoing shift from offline to online, saying it is a real game changer.

    In a market in Nigeria where the internet penetration is on the increase, already more than 5000 real-estate agents are registered on Lamudi.

    Searching and finding properties on the internet really has hit a nerve in emerging markets. The website hits an all-Lamudi websites increase by up about 97 per cent monthly.

    User behaviour on Lamudi shows that the peaks for searching are not in the morning, but between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. With Lamudi’s Alerts, people will never miss the latest news on any property again that meets their criteria and preferences.Checking newspapers every morning for properties is old fashioned and not needed anymore. People have the opportunity to save time and money marketing their properties themselves.

    Price transparency reduces the amount of time both parties spend haggling about price for properties. Sellers and realtors have a platform to market their properties, and customers know what they get for their money.

    This online store fulfils the needs of customers by making it possible for a steady growing middle class to find the perfect property online.

    jovago.com is a leading online hotel booking service that provides customers with the best hotel booking experience with fast, detailed, reliable and easy-to-use services.

    Carmido is the premium online car dealership portal in Nigeria that provides buyers with a large section of detailed vehicle models as well as car dealers, a platform to showcase their cars to a large homogeneous audience from the comfort of their homes.

    Easy Taxi connects drivers and passengers in a smooth, easy and safe way. It’s simply to download or open the Easy Taxi app, available for iOS, Android and the new BlackBerry devices from the the Google Play Store, App Store and Blackberry World, confirm  pickup point and order a  cab with the press of a button.  In seconds you’ll receive confirmation of the name, photo and car model/plate of your driver, and will be able to follow the vehicle’s location in real-time as it approaches you.

    Kaymu online is a market place where buyers and sellers can meet and make the best deals for used or new products, such as smart phones, computers, fashion and clothing, home appliances for the cheapest price. Thanks to the fixed or auction pricing system.

    Hellofood is an innovative online food delivery service that provides the best and easiest way to order takeaway food online from a variety of restaurants and fast foods at the same time proving restaurants with a platform to market their meals to a large and diverse consumer base.

  • Jumia marks first anniversary

    Jumia marks first anniversary

    In one year the number one online store in Nigeria Jumia become the fourth most visited website and has achieved a record breaking milestone on social media in also one year with over 500,000 friends on Face book.

    The largest Nigerian online company investment has moved to a warehouse in Ogba, Lagos which will house 500 employees and create the largest ecommerce campus in West Africa.

    The online store also started a Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign “delivering smiles” to support education, economic empowerment, and affordable healthcare programs in Nigeria

    June last year, the store kicked off with the largest ecommerce website in the country. Twelve months later, it has served over half a million customers – changing the way people shop in Nigeria.

    Recently, it secured with its affiliated companies a further $35million in funding from MILLICOM. This funding comes in addition to recent investments from J.P. Morgan and Summit Partners. The funding, which represents the largest investment in a Nigerian e-commerce startup, allows Jumia to continue its rapid growth and serve even more customers across Nigeria.

    According to Co-founder Raphael Afaedor: “In the beginning we were three employees dreaming of being the largest ecommerce retailer in Nigeria. Now, we have more than five hundred employees and offer Nigerian youth a unique opportunity to work in a fast-paced, world class start up. We focus every day on delivering a fantastic shopping experience for our customers, through the widest range of products in Nigeria and fast, secure and stress-free delivery. Our new warehouse allows us to even grow further.”

    The anniversary will be celebrated with a first anniversary e-commerce conference, various fashion events, special discounts, new partnerships, new changes to its website and the education campaign “delivering smiles”.

    Co-founder Tunde Kehinde appreciated shoppers saying: “After this tremendous one year run we want to say thank you to our employees, customers, partners and all Nigerians. Since our creation we have supported education programs to empower children and we want to use this anniversary to give back to the society.”

    In June, the store promises to give one book to a child for buying books from them. They will visit schools with the ‘1 Child 1 Book’ foundation and give out books to less privileged pupils.

    The store is planning to team up with ACE Africa Charity to sell its ACE wrist bands with all returns going to the charity.This will be promoted to their half a million social media followers.

    The store has also entered into partnership with Mastercard to use MasterCard’s Internet Gateway Service to make credit card payments safer and easier. They have also announced further exclusive partnerships with Dell, Intel and Nokia, among others offering special prices and exclusive products.