The new Chief Operating Officer of Konga.com, Alex Kamara has described the online store as the biggest in Africa. Speaking at the unveiling of its 120,000 sq feet Fulfillment Centre in Lagos, he said the online store is the biggest of any single online retailer in Africa.
The online retailer, which was launched in July 2012 is gradually becoming “the everything store” with its wide selection of products via its marketplace and fulfillment by its platforms, giving Nigerian businesses the opportunity to come online and consumers the opportunity to shop online.
In a year, Konga.com has laid solid foundations of a retail, technology and logistics company, building a system by which buyers and sellers can find each other, providing unprecedented levels of retail convenience, choice and customer satisfaction.
The new distribution centre is another critical step towards the company’s vision of building a world class online retail business in Nigeria. The facility offers the infrastructure ýrequired for Konga to make this happen.
According to a top member of the team,“This is all about our customers as they are the reason why we are number one in Nigeria today. Logistics is the bedrock of any successful retailer, and today marks a turning point in our business and for Nigeria as a whole. With this new distribution centre we are demonstrating our commitment ýto powering retail in Nigeria by building a company that Nigerians will be proud to use and associate with around the world. We are also creating new jobs, introducing new skill sets and exposing Nigerians to a new way of life.
“We continue to create jobs, with staff strength growing from just seven to over 400, in a short period further demonstrating the level of growth within the company.
The new warehouse has been operational since September 24, this year meeting immediate needs and providing ample scope for expansion as Konga grows. This setup allows the store optimizes efficient operation for its current size but offers the scope and flexibility for very rapid expansion of the operations as needed. Four times the space can be utilized by introducing a second level above the first.
The fulfillment centre therefore provides a durable platform for the physical operations of the business. Aligned with our strong technology base and rapidly growing logistics /fulfillment operation, the Konga team is reinforcing the solid foundations of their eCommerce company. This is all about their customers; the fulfillment centre is another critical step towards world-class selection and service for customers.
Specifically, the new fulfillment centre allows the store offer a broader and deeper selection of wares, it allows retail partners offer a wider selection through their Marketplace and fulfillment by channels, customers are sure to benefit from the increased selection, improved service delivery and competitive prices that have always been part of the appeal.
“The store has promised to upgrade its facility, as well as improve service delivery saying the fulfillment centre is a future-proof site. “The products and services we have been able to deliver to our customers, is an affirmation of our belief that the African consumer has unmet retail needs and that African business can and should be able to discern those needs and provide locally sourced high quality solutions for our consumers. It is the result of a driving vision and belief that a technologically driven e commerce platform [developed in Nigeria] is a possibility in Nigeria ,”said Mr Alex Kamara.