SUN TECH
With e-commerce becoming more popular in this part of the world, the latest Broll Shopper Segmentation Report 2016 Volume 1, says experienced Nigerian consumers are ahead of the curve when online shopping is compared to consumers in Kenya and South Africa.
The Broll Shopper Segmentation Report 2016 is a comparison of how consumers shop in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Online shopping is mostly dominated by a growing young internet savvy generation, who are price conscious and can easily do their research online to compare prices and deals.
Divisional Director for Research, Broll Property Group, Elaine Wilson, noted that 64 is the percentage that shows that Nigerians purchase products online more often with another 83 per cent regularly using the shopping centre app for specials and product searches, “Online shopping is advantageous.
“Although 58 per cent of those surveyed prefer traditional shopping, 78 per cent believe they will shop more online in future. Generally, Nigerian consumers are experienced shoppers who are organised and shop from a list as well as compare prices.” She said that Abuja shoppers are described as window shoppers who look for bargains and always buy the same brands while those in Lagos are experienced shoppers who plan their shopping trips and they also regard themselves as smart shoppers.
On his part, Broll Nigeria CEO, Bolaji Edu, said “Nigerian consumers are very sophisticated and are used to shopping internationally particularly in the UK, US, South Africa and Dubai and they regularly compare product ranges and prices for the best deals both locally and internationally. Compared to Kenya and South Africa, Nigeria as a whole has a very limited number of leisure opportunities that the whole family can enjoy. Visiting a secure shopping centre where consumers can shop, eat, socialise and watch a movie is a good option, especially during the rainy season.”
The report maintained that of those surveyed, 92 per cent said trading hours are inadequate and would ideally like to see shopping centres trade from 7am to 10pm. And that many consumers work long hours and by the time they finish work and sit through traffic trying to get to the shops, many will be closed for trade for the day, therefore with current opening hours (9am to 9pm), it is often difficult for many shoppers.
“It is possible that the inadequate shopping centre trading hours have helped the growth in e-commerce and the need for shoppers to plan their shopping trips and what they would spend on each of these trips. Over the last 10 years, the retail sector in Nigeria has grown and now there is approximately 290,000m2 of retail space centred in the main commercial cities of Abuja and Lagos. Despite this growth and coupled with new mall developments, retail remains under provided for in Nigeria compared to other African countries with similar GDP per capita.”
Lagos has largest concentration of SMEs –Ambode
Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said that the state has the largest concentration of over 3,000,000 micro enterprises and over 11,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
The governor, who was speaking during the first SMEs Exclusive Fair in collaboration with Nigeria’s online mall, Konga.com, noted that funding is a major challenge facing small businesses, which also necessitated the state’s disbursement of N6.25 billion out of the N25 billion Employment Trust Fund established by it.
The governor also expressed the government’s appreciation for the support that Konga brings in supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. He acknowledged the importance of MSMEs to the Nigerian economy with over 3,000,000 micro enterprises and over 11,000 SMEs in Lagos accounting for the largest concentration of micro and small-scale enterprises in Nigeria.
CEO of Konga Online Shopping Limited, Shola Adekoya, said “the world is changing and will keep evolving as humans have moved over the years from subsistence farming to trade by barter and now we are in the age of technology, which is moving very fast. This fair is in line with Konga’s mission to be the engine of trade and commerce in Africa by empowering indigenous MSMEs to reach a wider market across the nation.
“Konga is poised to help MSMEs match with the fast changing technology by providing platforms that showcase their products to the entire world with just a click. Konga is providing a platform for MSMEs to sell, a payment solution that their business needs and logistics solution that moves their goods all over the country.”
Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, lauded the support of Konga stating that, “the partnership with Konga will see to the listing of exhibitors on Konga platform for market access and global visibility as the fair would also foster quality comparison and innovative improvements among participating exhibitors for local and international competitiveness.
The MSME Exclusive Fair is to reiterate the buynaija mentality as it promotes small scale production for economic growth and employment generation for all Nigerians.”
E-PPAN, NITDA for e-govt summit
The Electronic Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), in partnership with National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for the 5th annual E-Government Summit themed, “Attaining Increased IGR: Efficiency and Accountability in Government through Smart Innovation” slated to hold from July 12 – 13, 2016 in Abuja.
The E-Government Summit 2016 is designed to explore the use of IT and Smart Solutions in resolving core developmental issues mitigating the effective implementation of e-government and the holistic application of ICT as a panacea for corruption, wastages and lack of efficiency in the public sector. The principal aim of the summit is to provide a platform for high-level dialogue among development partners, policy makers, top government executives, decision makers and executives in the industry.
“The annual E-Government Summit is an initiative of E-PPAN that opens countless opportunities on active participation by the private sector and capability and capacity building for the public sector on a global level. The 2016 E-Government Summit is put together by a Local Organising Committee (LOC) made up of representatives from CBN, Galaxy Backbone, E-Payment Review magazine, FSS2020, NITDA, PENCOM, FSS 2020 and E-PPAN members.”
The summit intends to highlight core developmental issues mitigating the effective implementation of e-government and the holistic application of ICT as a panacea for corruption, wastages and lack of efficiency in the public sector. The objectives of the summit is therefore designed to address these issues and proffer solutions, framework and model structures that can be adopted on national scale for increased IGR, accountability and self-reliant national economy.
The summit will endeavour to demonstrate the effectiveness of smart solutions/ICT and their capacity to increase and generate IGR; set agenda for the deliberate use of ICT to enhance security, drive productivity in agriculture and attain quality education; explore the opportunities for shared infrastructure and interoperability in the public sector to enable reduction of cost of government and reinforce the need for synergy between the public and private sector for sustainable growth and economic development.
…Etisalat too
Nigeria’s most innovative telecommunications company, Etisalat, has extended its ownership of the innovation sphere with the launch of the revamped and easy-to-use EasyMobile App.
Among its several unique features, the new EasyMobile App enables customers on the Etisalat network to get things done in a simpler, easier and faster way by eliminating the trouble of having to remember, text or dial certain codes before they can access services from their devices on the Etisalat network.
Commenting on the app, the Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye, explained that with the new EasyMobile App, customers can further optimise the innovative value offerings that are available to them on the Etisalat network.
“The new EasyMobile App further demonstrates Etisalat’s unflinching commitment to continuously offer innovative services that help Nigerians to solve problems with the least effort as most things can be done on the app with just a tap. We are delighted at this latest product; it underlines how we leverage innovation to make life a lot better for our customers.”
MTN offers more value to subscribers via StartPack
MTN Nigeria has introduced a special tariff plan for new subscribers, the MTN StartPack. The MTN StartPack is designed to welcome new customers with great and exciting voice and data offers. The offers are automatically activated as soon as a customer successfully registers a new MTN number.
According to MTN Executive, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, “the introduction of MTN StartPack is in line with MTN’s commitment to giving more value to our customers from the very beginning. This is why new subscribers will immediately enjoy six times the value of any recharge 10MB on every recharge of N200 and above as well as free data on the MTN Deal Zone. The new value proposition also aligns with MTN’s quest of deepening internet penetration in Nigeria. ”
Speaking on the new proposition, Richard Iweanoge, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, stated that the new data and voice service pack is designed to excite new subscribers on the network. “Our new MTN StartPack has been specially created to give new subscribers a unique experience both on MTN’s voice and data servicing. MTN as a company is passionate about providing world-class services to our esteemed customers and positively impacting their lives. This is just one of the ways through which we do that,” he said.
On how to enjoy the new offer, Iweanoge stated that new subscribers should purchase a new MTN SIM and register at authorised outlets. “They can then proceed to enjoy the service offering by recharging the line to get six times the value of the original recharge and make calls, send SMS or browse within 48 hours of purchase to remain active on the network,” he said.