The Nation Newspaper

Tag: shoppers’

  • Shoppers in Valentine frenzy

    Shoppers in Valentine frenzy

    Most Nigerians had concluded that February 14, commemorated worldwide as St. Valentine’s Day or Lovers’ Day would be uneventful because of the presidential election. But the last-minute decision to shift the election will see Nigerians joining the world to mark the day tomorrow–amidst mixed feelings, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN.

    The retail atmosphere around the Lagos metropolis has become more intense and inviting, with shopping malls busier. It is the Valentine shopping rush. A day set aside to share love amongst people, the lovers’ day would have fallen on the presidential election day, but the election has been shifted to March 28.

    If there is anything that has caused an unprecedented rush in this year’s Valentine shopping, it  is the postponment of the presidential election to March 28th. The postponement has given room for sales of love items  to thrive.

    The initial gloom of  non-participation in the festivities that attend the lovers’ day, has transformed into excitement as retailers of love items and shoppers are having a field day.

    Before now, traders of Valentine items had lamented poor sales, complaining of low patronage as people were unprepared for valentine in view of the initial arrangement to hold elections on that day.

    As it is the tradition for majority of retailers to see the need for early stocking from early January, this year’s case wasn’t an exception notwithstanding.

    When The Nation Shopping visited a cross-section of shopping malls and supermarkets last week, some of them had very few items for lovers’ day because they had thought after February 14th, they would be needed by shoppers as they are seasonal.

    A supervisor in one of the upscale shopping malls, Addide, who asked not to be named, told The Nation Shopping that in the last three weeks, he wasn’t keen on stocking his store with associated Valentine items for fear that they won’t be bought off the shelves as all their shops will be shutout to prospective customers due to the presidential elections now postponed.

    He stated that the store is not expecting as much sales as its yearly experience during Valentine period. “We are not expecting much this year. It is true that our Valentine sales started early because we thought elections will hold. We planned to sell all we have for Valentine before the Deal day, to be a compensation for the Valentine day sales which is the attraction for this season.”

    Mrs. Modupe Shopeju, who sells gifts items at Gbagada, also in Lagos, stated that the essence of Valentine sales is to experience huge patronage on Valentine’s Day, not necessarily before or after the day.

    “As a retailer, if you make sales before Valentine’s day it is okay. But the rush is on Valentine’s day itself.  That is when lovers walk into the store together and the lady is asked to pick her choice of gift. gifts ideas can also be suggested to the man to buy for himself and he wouldn’t hesitate to spend money, which is our interest as retailers. “

    “This is why most of us felt bad  when we found that the election would obstruct our businesses,” she said.

    For Chukwuemeka Ejiofor, a retailer at Mushin market, the elections would have been a barrier to his business if it was still scheduled to hold tomorrow being Valentine’s Day. “I am pleased with the election date’s postponment. It would have been a big disaster to my business. I sell seasonal items and Valentine is one season I look forward to for bountiful sales. And I am optimistic that I will make sales as usual because I have stocks of very colourful and attractive items. I have also started welcoming customers, I hope for the very best this Valentine,” he added.

    On the other hand, online stores across the country said they have not and would not have been affected by the earlier election plans for 14th as most of them have opened their valentine stores since December last year, immediately after the Christmas celebration.

    Jumia came up with its clearance fashion sale with items of 80 percent discount sales mainly on display. They also recently came up with their last minute gifts instant delivery.

    Like Jumia, DealDey, online shopping portal, specifically stocked up wares for the Valentine season just as it offered all-kinds of freebies for prospective customers.

    But why the frenzy for Valentine sales?

    Norman Sander, Centre Manager, Ikeja City Mall, offers plausible explanation.

    According to him, “Valentine’s Day is a memorable event all over the world where old and young people are expected to storm shopping places around them to pick one unique item or the other for their loved ones.”

    He said while some shoppers will make purchases online, others will visit the big shopping malls to unwind.  Assuring people of cheap bargains, Norman said, retailers have stocked their stores with wares and have promised good pricing as well.

  • 2014: Shoppers’ year of bumper harvest

    2014: Shoppers’ year of bumper harvest

    The outgoing year was a beehive of activities as trends and innovations made by different brands and manufacturers made 2014 very fulfilling for shoppers, reports TONIA ’DIYAN

    The outgoing year was ‘a promise-kept’ as advertisers would say. Reason: Top brands made inroads into the market just as consumers had a surfeit of choices to make in the long run.

    The past year, like every other year, saw more sophisticated platforms for conducting business on both  national and international scale through trade fairs and exhibitions organised at different times across the country. The experience was more than just a marketing tool, because each time these exhibitions were held, the entire market place was at the shopper’s fingertips and as a source of market information the shopper’s need was met in a centralised way.

     

    Attraction

    According to a centre manger in a Leisure Mall, Feyi Shoyinka, the attraction to shopping in the mall last year was the low pricing regime embraced by retail outlets in the mall. “Pricing is the main attraction here and I think the mall’s retailers or tenants have keyed into this,” he said, adding that retailers, especially the foreign ones, know the market and the right competitive price- a factor that ensured their continued survival in the market place.

    In 2014, the mall was able to prove that it has advantage over the open\ traditional market, stand alone and high street stores; hence, the volume of business transactions that go on there and the improved revenue enjoyed by the space owners in the malls.

    Providing excellent opportunity to assess opinions from clients and determine market potential, in 2014, trade fairs and exhibitions conducted research and evaluated competitions, they were able to develop commercial structures by identifying new agents and distributors, as well as initiate joint ventures and project partnerships. In all, they rendered world class shopping experiences to individuals and businesses.

    As the year wrapped up in November and the Christmas sale was ushered in, a new trade exhibition was introduced to shoppers in a big form. It was the Kubechi’s Closet Fair at the City Mall, Onikan Lagos. The fair was a networking platform and a miniature couture that attracted lots of ladies and young men at the same time offering rare collections together with amazing deals.

    In December, churches joined the shopping frenzy, particularly Christmas shopping. Some of them organised trade exhibitions using their premises and auditorium, and making huge sales. A good example is the Fountain of Life Bible Church.

    At Christmas, the church organised a fair tagged ‘The Annual Market Place and Family Fun Fair’, combining trade and fun. Its aim was to empower the church and the small businesses in its environs. It recorded attractive response as people turned out for the programme.

     

    Growth and achievements

    In August, the potentials and opportunities in the Nigerian business space attracted investments from all climes. Modernisation of business arena came; more businesses were conducted in very conducive atmosphere. Shopping malls also became big social network avenues going beyond being just a business complex. They become platforms for social networking, especially among the upwardly mobile and fun seeking youths.

    Shopping malls brought about more socialising or bringing people together to benefit from themselves and the stores. Besides, the ultra modern shopping facilities built with unique and distinctive features fitted with innovative benefits to shoppers. For the youth, the presence of top international brands, which took spaces at such malls, also contributed to the modernisation of the mall concept.

    The malls have been able to pass for a tourist attraction centres, boosting the country’s revenue generation, especially on the side of value added tax (VAT).

     

    Improving customer experience

    Retail shopping is about convenience, comfort, security and providing a delightful experience for shoppers. Shopping places generally said they were able to offer unique experiences in the sense that they were more like community centers with a large variety of business merchandise. From time to time, they looked at what they could improve on; what they should change or add. For instance, the management of the some of these places conducted surveys to sample the expectations of customers. The surveys covered areas such as the type of goods expected to be seen and their choice of products.

    According to operators, shopping places grew about 80 per cent last year. They say this is a good development. People stayed longer in these places, particularly the malls. More people visited these places on a daily basis, a lot more cars came in too. Retailers did better depending on how much marketing and advertising they could do for themselves.

    In August, Ladipo motor spare part market went online. The international motor spare parts market opened its online portal because of clients who are too busy to come to the market to purchase their genuine motor spare parts.

    Chairman, Aguiyi Ironsi International Trade Center, Mr. Ajibade Olajoku said the activities of fraudulent middle men necessitated the new move. According to him,  www.youseeam.com will link prospective buyers with sellers in the market.

    Also in November, Infinix launched its zero smart phone devices and partnered Konga. Speaking on the smartphone, its Managing Director Mr Benjamin Jiang said  it is available and affordable in the market.

     

    Christmas sales made waves

    Majority of sales outlets across the cities gave all forms of bonanzas and freebies to woo prospective buyers. They however made brisk sales bringing forward their clearance sales.

    Last year, sale of Xmas decorations started making waves in markets and stores early around the first week of the festive month with prices varying according to designs.

    However, the year saw low sale of Xmas hampers as against the usual boom expected at such occasions.

     

    Innovations that gained a foothold

    At the first quarter of the year, e-payments made slow, steady acceptance by shops when they saw the need for a world beyond cash where cashless transaction assisted in growing their businesses, improving the lives of their customers and removing risks associated with carrying, using and handling cash.

    At the end of the year, pessimistic retailers about the whole idea of a cashless economy in the country were those who encouraged their customers to pay using the ATM cards and the point of sales (PoS) machine at the point of payment.

    Observations by The Nation Shopping in 2014 had it that 60 per cent of retail shops in the Lagos metropolis owned a PoS machine. On the other hand, few still had ample reasons to hold on to their conventional ways, not because the policy is not good, but because they gave room for doubts on its workability for their kind of business or location.

    Most shoppers avoided carrying cash last year; kudos to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that had been doing a lot in terms of awareness for a cashless society. The aim to  shop with e-payment solutions to enable people keep within the CBN daily cash limits, thereby saving money instead of spending cash uncontrollably was achieve in the Nigerian retail industry last year.

    In November, Nigerian’s foremost, indigenous quick service restaurant Mr Biggs birthed a new outlet at the E-wing of the departure lounge, close to the British Airways counter, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

    The all-new-look eatery was positioned to serve the increasing needs of international travelers at the MMIA availed travelers the opportunity to grab a fast meal before boarding their flights without hassles. The challenge of getting affordable hygienic meal to cater for the needs of travelers was taken care of by the entrant of Mr Biggs at the airport.

    Managing Executive for UAC Restaurants, Mr Derrick Van Houten, said “the beehive of activities at yuletide prompted this outlet in November 2014, in order to relieved travelers the stress of having to plan their meals before arriving at the airport.”

    The brand also went ahead to make available the Mr Biggs @ School Fest package where schools enjoyed the presence of the brand at their end of year parties with a token of N1000 per school. Also in 2014, the brand emerged the 2014 Most Trusted Brand in the quick service restaurant category; it was a brand health award.

    Also in November, Mr Chef gave out a Hyundai Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), N1.5 million cash, a LED television set and a double-door refrigerator. It was at its first lady reality show held at the Shell Hall of the Muson Centre- Onikan, Lagos.

    According to the Executive Director of Bayswaters Industries Limited, makers of Mr Chef Products, Mr Piyush Nair, “last year, we were able to demonstrate our commitment to women empowerment, we contributed to the sustenance of a family-oriented society and the building of a strong Nigeria at large using our reality TV shows,” Nair said.

    The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) renewed its efforts to protect the Nigerian consumer from unwholesome practices of manufacturing concerns, both multi-nationals and locals, the council succeeded in putting various big companies in its watch list in 2014.

    For instance, it ordered the producers of the most consumed soft drinks in the world to subject their manufacturing processes to the council’s inspection for a period of 12 months to ensure compliance with laid down safety standards and regulations, having been found to have dropped the ball lately.

    Its  Director-General,  Mrs. Dupe Atoki, confirmed the development during a media briefing on the ‘Investigation into Violation of Product Quality Standards by the NBC and Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited’, in Lagos.

    In September, PZ offered 2,000 Ibadan traders free medical check-up to activate one of its premier products, Hot Robb, at the famous Gbagi Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital where traders were massaged on the joints and other parts of the body with Robb, there was blood pressure (BP) check, free consultations and enlightenment on health-related issues .

     

    Online shopping

    In Febuary, Konga redefined e-commerce in Africa, a revolutionary offering which gave select Nigerian businesses the opportunity to make their products and businesses available online to millions of Nigerian shoppers

    In June, Jumia celebrated its best month of performance and highest sales since inception. This, according to the company, was the result of unrelenting hard work and dedication from the team.To compensate members of the team for their efforts, there was an award ceremony to recognize, motivate and empower team members. To continue the celebration of the team’s achievement, a team bonding event was also held to further enhance a team spirit within the Jumia sales force.

    Also in June, Hellofood.com gave Port Harcourt residentsthe opportunity to order food online from their favourite restaurants in Port Harcourt.

  • Home made goods yet to attract shoppers

    Home made goods yet to attract shoppers

    Despite efforts to promote made-in-Nigeria goods, most shoppers with eclectic taste, still appear to have insatiable appetite for foreign-made ones, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN

    It is anybody’s guess why most  shoppers prefer foreign-made goods to the ones produced locally. But Femi Akins, an integrated marketing communication expert, offers an explanation.

    According to him, a constellation of factors really do influence consumer buying behaviour for the most part, chief among which is taste.

    Waxing philosophical, Akins said faced with a Hobson’s choice; any shopper would go for what assuage his taste and nothing more.

    Beyond taste, what other factors dictate buying? For the avoidance of doubt and confusion, a short anecdote suffices.

    Placed closely on a supermarket shelf are Mamador, Chrisco and Wesson vegetable oil, My My and Golgate toothpaste, Weetabix, Cabin and Okin biscuit but a shopper like Chiamaka is faced with the dilemma of making choices between our indigenous products and foreign/imported products .

    She, however, wants to know what should inform her choice of grocery when she visits a supermarket. She met a grocery expert and owner of a renowned outfit, the Chief Executive Officer of Delightsome stores in Gbagada Lagos, Mrs. Modupe Shopeju, who educated her on the various factors she should consider whenever she visits a grocery store and need to make choices between local and foreign goods.

    Hear Shopeju’s idea of a good product irrespective of origin. “When an item is well-packed, when it is of a good quality, when it has a good taste, and generally if it can give a consumer value for his/her money such product can pass for a preferred choice always,” she says matter-of-factly.

    Shopeju however, admits that there are some consumers who would choose indigenous products anytime, even if they fall within the same price range with foreign ones, just as she also thinks more people patronise foreign products even if they are three times more expensive than the local ones.

    Having listened to the expert, Chiamaka’s ability to be able to make preferred choices between indigenous goods and foreign goods has improved as she only buys foreign cereals which she believes is of a better quality.

    “Kellogg’s cornflakes taste better than the Milo cornflakes, Nasco flakes and Good Morning flakes. Though more expensive, it gives good value for the money I use in buying it.”

    In his opinion, George Ukwunna, Branch Manager of Apapa Shoprite, believes price is considered as one of the most important factors affecting the consumers’ perception of a product.

    “Once a consumer perceives a price difference between items whether it is local or foreign, price differentials begin to affect their preference for local goods. In other words, if they notice that local items are more expensive than foreign ones, they go for the foreign ones.”

    He added that a high-priced item may be perceived high in quality because of the image created by manufacturers through advertising. Similarly, a global product may be perceived to be of superior quality as quality is believed to be a prerequisite for international acceptance.

    Findings have it that some consumers purchasing pattern depicts their social status. It is believed that people, especially the young ones, consider current fashions and trends while buying a product. And through television, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the fashions and trends in other parts of the world. Hence, the fashions and trends dictate the preference of some individuals.

    But most people go for international brands rather than local ones. They feel proud when they buy imported items because, to them, it depicts class.

    Apart from just focusing on where the product is from, people consider other factors when buying. It has been noted that consumers are reluctant to buy goods made-in- less-developed countries as they perceive them to be low in quality.

    If a brand is perceived as globally available, consumers are likely to attribute a superior quality to it, because its international acceptance is seen as a sign o f its high quality.

    On one hand, consumers seem to value foreign brands and regard them as a status symbol. But they are often criticised for threatening the local differences leading to a loss of cultural identity.

    Some consumers believe that purchasing local goods promotes patriotism; they, therefore, accuse foreign brands of being a potential threat to a country’s economy and employment level.

    However, it is important to note also that a good item should have some unique proposition to satisfy a consumer needs.

    The attitudes and perceptions of consumers toward their choice of goods sometimes depends on categories, for example, electronic goods from Italy may be perceived as a poor quality but Italian clothing would be perceive as fashionable and high quality. And the Japanese electronic goods would be perceived with positive attitudes while their clothing will be negatively perceived.

    However, patriotic consumers believe that our local companies have a competitive edge over their foreign competitors because they are closer to consumers here and have a better understanding of what people want. They fear that buying foreign products may hinder the growth of local companies in the country.

    The Nation Shopping spoke with some shoppers to find out which product they patronise more and their experience of indigenous products.

    Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Samson Shoile, said: “The problem with patronising indigenous products is that they are usually over-priced and of inferior quality. For example, furniture makers sell a set of living room chairs for about N250, 000 and above. It’s not as if they are of the best quality, and the finishing is likely to be shabby. If you check a foreign magazine on furniture, you will realise that what they offer for the same price or less is of a better quality. I don’t find this encouraging.”

    Sharing his experience with The Nation Shopping, Mr Alex Ndigwe who resides at Mowe Ibafo, in Ogun State, recalled how a purchase of a local brand item failed to meet his expectation and the lessons therein.

    “I bought a Zinox laptop sometime ago for N80, 000 with very low specifications just because I wanted to buy a made-in-Nigeria product and it didn’t last a year. I could have bought HP or Acer at the same amount with higher specifications. Same with Hitv that is supposed to give Dstv a run for their money; instead it is more expensive with all their crappy stations. It is the same issue with Globacom Nigeria and MTN South Africa,” he said.

    Mrs Esther Aghelibe  said: “If we want our local products to pick up in sales we need to force the issue; ultimately, it falls to the government to set trade tariffs to force the price of imported goods to go up so that buying locally made goods becomes attractive to people. For example, if there is a Nigerian car manufacturer that is not getting patronage, put tariff on importation of cars or parts so that people get to buy these cars.

    “The United States did something like that back in the days when the Japanese manufacturers were dominating the electrical appliances market in the US. Most of our goods are better than all these Chinese products seen in every corner of the country.  It’s just that we already have the mentality of buying imported goods even if it’s not worth it.”

    Mary Obire thinks a good quality product should be durable, reliable and should have good features.

    Each product claims high quality, nutritive content, innovative packaging, value for money, world-class standards and certified by relevant regulatory authorities. So, people have reasons for patronizing a particular brand. For some, it has to do with the taste and flavour if it is something edible, or it could be as a result of the low price attributed to an item. For others, it is the preference for a particular brand as matter of tradition.

    Some traders also spoke with The Nation Shopping. A dealer at Mile 12 Market, Lagos, Mr Musa Danjuma, said: “You know, we traders, are interested in whatever is moving in the market. I sell edibles that are fast moving products regardless of where they are from. I prefer to buy cheap items to sell cheap to my customers. It is a matter of choice.”

  • 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.

     

     

  • Jumia takes shoppers to London

    Jumia takes shoppers to London

    Jumia is giving shoppers, who purchase the latest LG’ Smartphone on its website, a trip to London. The LG G3 is exclusive online to Jumia.com.ng and the firm has also promised to give free accessories with the phone. The LG G3 has proved itself making sure it surpasses rival Smartphone brands with the enormous 5.5inch quad HD display screen, which is one of the big selling points for the LG G3 phone. The new Smartphone also comes in 4.4.2 android OS, 16gb Inbuilt storage space, Removable 3000 mAH battery & a quad-core snapdragon processor. The killer feature for the LG G3 is its 13-megapixel camera with auto-focus laser than can take fast pictures and capture great moments, also with the selfie camera for social experience. The LG G3 has been compared to other Smartphone launched this year from Samsung and other brands and still stands out with high ratings and reviews.

  • Jumia takes shoppers to London

    Jumia is giving shoppers, who purchase the latest LG’ Smartphone on its website, a trip to London. The LG G3 is exclusive online to Jumia.com.ng and the firm has also promised to give free accessories with the phone. The LG G3 has proved itself making sure it surpasses rival Smartphone brands with the enormous 5.5inch quad HD display screen, which is one of the big selling points for the LG G3 phone.

    The new Smartphone also comes in 4.4.2 android OS, 16gb Inbuilt storage space, Removable 3000 mAH battery & a quad-core snapdragon processor. The killer feature for the LG G3 is its 13-megapixel camera with auto-focus laser than can take fast pictures and capture great moments, also with the selfie camera for social experience.

    The LG G3 has been compared to other Smartphone launched this year from Samsung and other brands and still stands out with high ratings and reviews.

  • Traders,shoppers upbeat over Eid-El –Fitri celebrations

    Traders,shoppers upbeat over Eid-El –Fitri celebrations

    As the Muslim fasting draws to a close tomorrow or Sunday, signalling the end of Ramadan and heralding the beginning of Eid-El–Fitri celebrations, traders in major markets and operators of shopping centres across the Lagos metropolis are upbeat over prospects of increased patronage, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN.

    For the supervisor of a footwear store in one of the upscale shopping malls in Lagos, who identified himself simply as Peter, better days are here.

    Having experienced reduced sales because of a lull in customer patronage occasioned by the Ramadan fast, Peter is hopeful of a turnaround in the fortunes of his business following the increased tempo of activities in preparation for Eid-El –Fitri celebrations, which comes at the end of the Muslim fast.

    “People generally come to shop on days when they are more relaxed and this period, Eid-El –Fitri is the best time to stock our shops with varieties, so that people  would come and patronise us. We are ready to host our customers,” Peter, whose shop specialises in casuals and fashionable foot wears, said.

    Apart from dangling cheaper prices for his wears to attract prospective customers, Peter says the car park of the mall where his shop is located, has also been expanded to accommodate more vehicles. Similarly, Femi, a manager at a restaurant located in Palmgrove area of Lagos, says he cannot wait for the Eid-El –Fitri celebrations to give his business a boost, especially after the low sales that hit him while the Muslim fast lasted. According to him, food sales have been cut below half since the Ramadan fasting began; he couldn’t cook the quantity of the food he used to since he does not want any waste.

    “In the past three weeks, we have been counting our losses daily,” he lamented, saying that most of his customers eat once a day and they do that at home.

    However, like Peter, Femi is optimistic that the end of the Muslim fast, which heralds the Eid-El –Fitri, would breathe fresh air to his business, which is why he has since stocked his restaurant with assorted food stuff to cater for the needs of his customers who would be needing the restaurant to chill out. He is counting on the usual human traffic that builds up in and around his shop during such celebrations to increase sales and make more profit.

    Traders in major markets across the metropolis are also hopeful. For instance, Nkechi who sells soup ingredients at Mile 12 Market told The Nation Shopping that she wants to make up for the low sales she recorded during the Ramadan fast. “I have waited long enough for this period when the Muslims will be celebrating. I have realised that I make more sales when they are celebrating one event or the other.  I sell a fast moving item, but since they began their fast a month ago, I haven’t been making sales. This is my breakthrough period, I want to utilise it well and make money,” she declared.

    Nkechi expressed optimism that as the Muslim fast comes to an end, with Muslim fateful gearing up to celebrate few days from today, the Eid-El –Fitri celebration would push up sales for her and her colleagues who sell staple food items because such items are most needed for the season. Olufunke, who operates a local canteen, popularly called ‘MamaPut’, also said she hopes to smile again in a few days after a lull induced by the Ramadan fast. “Most of my customers are Hausa people and since the fasting began, they only eat once and that is in the evening. They always break with their family so my business has been greatly affected,” she said, adding that she has made adequate arrangements to take advantage of the Eid-El –Fitri celebration to increase sales.

    Indeed, across the metropolis, the usual upsurge in human traffic in major markets and shopping places when the yearly Muslim fast ends, can hardly go unnoticed. Such increased tempo of activities resurface to prepare Muslims for their yearly Eid-El –Fitri celebration,which comes upin three days time. Major markets are becoming busier and traders at these markets say patronage are increasing by the day as the end of fasting draws near. The Nation Shopping also observed that sales are picking up with more crowds and more items on display.

    At these markets, traders are pleased with what they call “the Eid-El –Fitri rush” as they get helping hands from their children and relatives so as to cope with the rush. A trader, Mutiat said her daughter helps with packing the items she sells while she bargains and collects money from customers. In some of the malls and markets visited, Muslim kids dressed in their smart mufti wears were seen catching fun and moving around and pointing at what they need; their parents were granting some offers and turning down others.

    The mall being a multipurpose place, accommodates people for different motives. While some go there to shop for their personal items, others usually go there to purchase gift items , they hope to offer to their loved ones. Others visit such malls to unwind. And there are various sections to chose from: the food section, the clothing section, the shoes section, and the bicycle section, among others.

    During Eid-El –Fitri, Muslims are expected to distribute gift items to the needy in line with the Islamic injunction on Zakat ul-fitri, that is  gift to the less privileged. This is why major shopping malls and markets are stocking up food and related items in preparation for the celebration. Findings also show that some traders hoard non-perishable food items for the last week of Ramadan so as to sell at high prices and maximize profit.

    According to a market leader in Badagry, Fatai Akojenu, farmers in the North ensure that these non-perishable items are made available in all major markets, bearing in mind that many of them are Muslims and may have low supplies now because of their involvement in the Ramadan fast. An Islamic cleric, Mallam Abubakar Saliu said it is so because Muslims cook a lot after the Ramadan so that they could distribute food to the less privileged, friends and neighbours in line with Muslim injunction.

    Saliu said: “This is the time to sell in large quantity as we haven’t sold well in the last three weeks.” He added that at this time, Muslims buy more than they did to prepare for the fast when it was going to start because most of them loose appetite for food after fasting the whole day. He said he hopes to make huge sales from the non-perishable food items he has been keeping all through the fasting period.

    Rukayat Eruobodo, a Muslim, who couldn’t stock perishable items before the fast began, said she decided to wait for this last week to buy food items for Eid- El- fitri celebration despite the hike in the prices of these items.

  • Retailers swallow online food cost to lock in shoppers

    Big retailers are taking a calculated hit to margins to invest in online grocery operations, with the hope they can persuade consumers to add more profitable items like clothes and computers to their orders of fruit and vegetables.

    According to Reuters, food has been one of the last things to move online because complex logistics for fresh, chilled and frozen products make it an expensive business. Retailers are also reluctant to lose the potential for the lucrative impulse buys that occur in-store.

    However, retailers in Europe and North America are now ramping up their online food offer to compete with Amazon.com, which is expected to expand its sale of fresh produce beyond a few trial areas with the aim of complementing its non-food sales – and eating other retailers’ lunch.

    “They are trying to hook customers up to brands for their grocery shop and hope they will spend on non-food which is lower headache and higher margin, which will drive profitability,” said Sophie Albizua of retail consultancy eNova Partnership.

    “It is notoriously difficult to make money selling groceries online. The reason why people do it and need to do it have nothing to do with profit and nothing to do with groceries.”

    Britain has led the way in selling groceries online, with e-commerce already accounting for some five per cent of food sales. Other countries like France are now catching up and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) predicts the global market will grow to $100 billion by 2018 from $36 billion last year.

  • Why shoppers, retailers are turning to e-payment

    Why shoppers, retailers are turning to e-payment

    The e-payment system is catching on fast, as most shoppers and retailers ride on the platform to make buying and selling easy and also eliminate the inconvenience of carrying cash for deposits and withdrawals, TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

    It took quite some time for Rachel Udenmma to fully come to terms with the cashless payment initiative introduced into the country by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) about two years ago. Having savoured the convenience of the cashless or e-payment system, Udenmma has now developed trust for the initiative.

    Today, she easily makes use of any of the e-payment systems available. Rachel pays with her Automated Teller Machine (ATM)card whenever she goes shopping. She now transfers money from her ATM card to someone’s account instead of withdrawing cash. She also prefers to transfer money into people’s account using the money transfer system from one bank account directly to another.

    Indeed, these and many other e-payment methods, which Udenmma now uses are proves that she has fully embraced the e-payment system cards or any other means of payment other than cash for her daily transactions. While sharing her experience of the enormous benefits the e-payment system offers her, she said, “People do not want to risk their lives carrying cash around, but they still do not know what the initiative entails even after two years of its existence.”

    She advised that more should be done in the area of awareness particularly at the grassroots level particularly by the Nigeria Interbank Settlement Scheme (NISS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other stakeholders saddled with implementing the policy.

    Her advice appears to be late in coming, as not a few retailers now encourage their customers to embrace the e-payment system. “Retailers are now always willing to accept cards and other means of payment, discouraging their customers and clients from carrying cash, most times because of the stress they have to go through trying to give their customers change after they have made purchases.” Udenmma said.

    Checks by The Nation Shopping show that many shoppers and retailers who were originally pessimistic about cashless economy have abandoned their conventional ways of transacting business and embraced e-payment. This was after they realised the enormous benefits of the cashless initiative. Some people now shop with e-payment solutions to enable them keep within the CBN daily cash limits and avoid paying huge cash while transacting businesses, among other benefits.

    The e-payment system has indeed, come to stay. Today, Nigerians walk along Broad Street, Marina, and other commercial centres in Lagos and its outskirts with various electronic cards comparable in weight to ordinary call cards. Some e- payment platforms include the ATM, Point of Sale (POS) terminals, and mobile payments.

    For shoppers and retailers, the e-payment option is highly convenient, safe, efficient, and fast. For instance, shoppers can make instant payment through mobile devices such as mobile phones, laptops, desktops, notebooks, tablets (i-Pads, etc) and even through Internet banking and from any bank branch, with beneficiaries receiving instant value. This removes the attendant risk of being trailed by fraudsters and criminal minded people as a result of being in possession of huge cash.

    Apart from speedy conclusion of transactions, electronic payments lower the cost of doing business and saves time. It also reduces cases of corruption.

    It is no longer news that Nigeria has joined the league of countries who have embraced the electronic payment system. The news is that stakeholders have said there are numerous benefits accruable from the adoption of e-payment platforms, therefore; they enjoin more Nigerians, especially those who are involved in buying and selling business to fully embrace the commendable initiative. They have also provided infrastructure upgrade that would strengthen electronic payment platforms, including the Automated Teller Machines, Point of Sales’ terminals and mobile payments in the country.

    A statement by NISS in conjunction with the Association of Heads of e-channel of banks urges Nigerians to adapt their lifestyle to embrace this quick and convenient payment mode.

    These e-payment platforms have become a globally acceptable means for financial transactions and Nigerians cannot be excluded. They are described as highly convenient, safe and efficient. The improved efficiency of the e-payment platforms enhances greater penetration and accessibility to financial services by the people said Nigeria Interbank Settlement Scheme (NIBBS)

    According to the company’s head of public sector, Osamuede Odiase, an upgraded infrastructure would go a long way to give cash-less economy a boost in the country.

    Disclosing that a joint technical committee from the financial and telecommunications sectors, with other stakeholders, would look at the possible ways of mitigating the growing network challenges threatening the growth of e-payment transactions in the country Odiase said; He however acknowledge that there had been ‘quantum leaps’ in the volume of e-payment transactions in Nigeria.”You are better off transacting your business through Point of Sale (POS) and Instant Payment platforms.”

    Also, looking at the security challenge angle, Nigerians have been advised to adopt the global practice of using e-payment platforms to conduct their business transactions, particularly in the face of prevailing security challenges in the country.

  • 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.