E-Business
Unveiling 2023 Holiday Shopping Trends in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Overview
By Reuben Kalu
The holiday season is not only a time for celebration and festivities but also a peak period for shopping, both online and offline.
Reuben Kalu, Marketing and Business Development Expert
In Nigeria, the dynamics of holiday shopping have evolved over the years, influenced by changing consumer behavior, technological advancements, and economic factors.
As we delve into the trends that will shape the 2023 holiday shopping season in Nigeria, it becomes evident that the landscape is evolving, presenting new opportunities and challenges for both retailers and consumers.
- Rise of E-Commerce:
The past few years have witnessed a significant surge in online shopping, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023.
With the proliferation of smartphones and improved internet connectivity, more Nigerians are opting for the convenience of shopping from the comfort of their homes. E-commerce platforms are likely to experience a spike in traffic as consumers seek a hassle-free shopping experience during the holiday season.
- Increased Mobile Shopping:
Mobile commerce is set to play a pivotal role in holiday shopping trends. As smartphone penetration continues to grow, consumers are increasingly turning to mobile apps and websites to browse and make purchases.
Retailers are responding by optimizing their online platforms for mobile users, offering seamless navigation and user-friendly interfaces.
- Influencer Marketing in E-Commerce:
Influencer marketing has become a powerful tool for brands to connect with their target audience. In 2023, we can expect to see an upsurge in influencer collaborations, especially in the context of holiday shopping. Social media influencers are likely to partner with e-commerce brands to create engaging content, share reviews, and promote exclusive deals, driving consumer interest and trust.
- Personalized Shopping Experiences:
Consumers in Nigeria are becoming increasingly discerning, seeking personalized shopping experiences that cater to their individual preferences.
In 2023, retailers are expected to leverage technology to gather and analyze customer data, providing tailored recommendations and personalized promotions.
This trend not only enhances customer satisfaction but also contributes to increased sales and brand loyalty.
- AI-Powered Recommendations:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize the holiday shopping experience in Nigeria.
AI algorithms will analyze customer behavior, past purchases, and preferences to generate accurate product recommendations.
This not only saves time for consumers but also enhances the likelihood of successful purchases, contributing to a more satisfying shopping journey.
- Virtual Try-Ons and Augmented Reality:
In the quest to bridge the gap between online and offline shopping experiences, retailers may incorporate virtual try-ons and augmented reality features.
This allows consumers to virtually ‘try on’ clothing, accessories, or even test home décor items before making a purchase. Such innovations enhance the overall shopping experience and reduce the uncertainty associated with online purchases.
III. Sustainable and Ethical Shopping:
As global awareness of environmental issues grows, consumers are increasingly making conscious choices in favor of sustainable and ethically produced goods.
This trend is expected to extend to holiday shopping in Nigeria, with consumers seeking eco-friendly products and supporting brands with transparent and ethical practices.
- Eco-Friendly Packaging:
Retailers are likely to adopt eco-friendly packaging options as part of their commitment to sustainability.
From recycled materials to biodegradable packaging, the emphasis on reducing environmental impact will be a key consideration for both online and brick-and-mortar stores.
- Support for Local Artisans and Businesses:
In 2023, there may be a surge in support for local artisans and businesses.
Consumers are likely to appreciate and seek out products that are handmade or produced locally, contributing to the growth of small businesses and fostering a sense of community.
- Payment Innovations and Financial Inclusion:
The evolution of payment methods has been a significant driver in shaping the shopping landscape, especially in emerging markets like Nigeria.
In 2023, we can expect continued innovations in payment options, making it easier for consumers to make purchases, even in regions with limited access to traditional banking services.
- Rise of Digital Wallets:
Digital wallets are gaining popularity in Nigeria, offering a convenient and secure way for consumers to make payments.
As the use of digital wallets becomes more widespread, retailers are likely to integrate multiple payment options to accommodate diverse consumer preferences.
- Installment Payment Plans:
To enhance affordability and cater to a broader consumer base, retailers may introduce installment payment plans.
This allows shoppers to spread the cost of their purchases over several months, making high-value items more accessible and promoting financial inclusion.
- Cybersecurity Concerns:
While the digitalization of holiday shopping brings numerous benefits, it also raises concerns about cybersecurity.
With the increase in online transactions, there is a growing need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect consumers’ sensitive information and ensure a secure shopping environment.
- Secure Payment Gateways:
E-commerce platforms will prioritize the implementation of secure payment gateways to safeguard customer data.
Encryption technologies and two-factor authentication will be integral to ensuring the confidentiality of online transactions.
- Consumer Education on Cybersecurity:
Retailers may take proactive measures to educate consumers about online security practices.
This includes tips on creating strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and using secure networks for online transactions.
- Socially Driven Shopping:
The influence of social media on consumer behavior continues to grow, and this trend is expected to be amplified during the 2023 holiday season.
Social commerce, where consumers can make purchases directly through social media platforms, is likely to gain traction.
- Shoppable Social Media Posts:
Retailers may leverage shoppable posts on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, allowing users to explore and purchase products without leaving the app.
This seamless integration of social media and e-commerce enhances the overall shopping experience.
- User-Generated Content and Reviews:
User-generated content, including reviews and testimonials, will play a crucial role in shaping purchasing decisions.
Retailers may actively encourage customers to share their experiences, creating a sense of community and authenticity around their brand.
As we anticipate the 2023 holiday shopping season in Nigeria, it is evident that the landscape is evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and a growing emphasis on sustainability.
Retailers who embrace these trends and adapt their strategies accordingly are likely to thrive in this dynamic market.
From the rise of e-commerce and personalized shopping experiences to the emphasis on sustainability and socially driven shopping, the holiday season presents a myriad of opportunities for both consumers and businesses alike.
As we embark on this festive season, let us celebrate the spirit of giving and innovation that defines the holiday shopping trends in Nigeria.
Reuben Kalu is a Marketing and Business Development Expert
China’s Huawei Technologies unveiled an AI computing system on Saturday that an industry expert said rivals Nvidia’s most advanced product, as the company aims to expand its footprint in the country’s booming AI sector.
The CloudMatrix 384 system made its public debut at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), a three-day event in Shanghai, attracting a large crowd to Huawei’s booth with its showcase of cutting-edge AI innovations.
The system has attracted significant interest from the global AI community since Huawei (HWT.UL) first introduced it in April. Industry analysts see it as a direct challenger to Nvidia’s GB200 NVL72, the most advanced system-level offering currently available from the U.S. chipmaker.
In an April article, Dylan Patel, founder of semiconductor research firm SemiAnalysis, stated that Huawei now possesses AI system capabilities that could surpass those of Nvidia.
Huawei staff at its WAIC booth declined to comment when asked to introduce the CloudMatrix 384 system.
A spokesperson for Huawei did not respond to questions.
Huawei has become widely regarded as China’s most promising domestic supplier of chips essential for AI development, even though the company faces U.S. export restrictions.
Nvidia CEO, Jensen Huang told Bloomberg in May that Huawei had been “moving quite fast” and named the CloudMatrix as an example.
The CloudMatrix 384 system features 384 of Huawei’s latest 910C chips and, according to SemiAnalysis, surpasses Nvidia’s GB200 NVL72 in certain performance metrics, despite the latter using 72 B200 chips.
SemiAnalysis attributes this performance advantage to Huawei’s strong system design, which offsets the lower power of individual chips by leveraging a greater number of them and incorporating system-level innovations.
Huawei describes the system as utilizing a “supernode” architecture that enables ultra-high-speed interconnectivity between chips.
In June, Zhang Pingan, CEO, Huawei Cloud confirmed that the CloudMatrix 384 was already operational on Huawei’s cloud platform.
Transcorp Hotels Plc has delivered a stellar performance in the first half of 2025, recording a 60% year-on-year surge in revenue to ₦47.57 billion, up from ₦29.72 billion in H1 2024. Gross profit climbed 71% to ₦36.21 billion, maintaining a strong 76% margin despite inflation and operational headwinds.
The hospitality giant, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc, also announced an interim dividend payout of ₦1.024 billion — offering ₦0.10 per 50 kobo ordinary share to shareholders.
In a bold move, the company unveiled Nigeria’s largest corporate venue — the 5,000-seat Transcorp Centre — staking its claim as the new leader in event hospitality. Chairman Emmanuel Nnorom described the results as proof of Transcorp Hotels’ transformative strategies and unwavering investor commitment. MD/CEO Uzo Oshogwe attributed the success to relentless execution and a resilient business model.
Transcorp Hotels, renowned for iconic assets like Transcorp Hilton Abuja and its digital platform Aura, says it isn’t just leading Nigeria’s hospitality sector — it’s redefining excellence across Africa.
Chinese “threat actors” have hacked Microsoft’s SharePoint document software servers and targeted the data of the businesses using it, the firm has said.
China state-backed Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon as well as China-based Storm-2603 were said to have “exploited vulnerabilities” in on-premises SharePoint servers, the kind used by firms, but not in its cloud-based service.
The US tech giant has released security updates in response and has advised all on-premises SharePoint server customers to install them.
“Investigations into other actors also using these exploits are still ongoing,” Microsoft said in a statement.
The firm said it had “high confidence” the hackers would continue to target systems which have not installed its security updates.
It added that it would update its website blog with more information as its investigation continues.
Microsoft said it had observed attacks in which hackers had sent a request to a SharePoint server “enabling the theft of the key material by threat actors”.
Charles Carmakal, chief technology officer at Mandiant Consulting firm, a division of Google Cloud, told reporter, it was “aware of several victims in several different sectors across a number of global geographies”.
Carmakal said it appeared that governments and businesses that use SharePoint on their sites were the primary target.
A number of adversaries who stole material encoded by cryptography were then able to regain ongoing access to the victims’ SharePoint data, he said.
“This was exploited in a very broad way, very opportunistically before a patch was made available. That’s why this is significant,” Carmakal said.
Carmakal said the “China-nexus actor” was deploying techniques similar to previous campaigns associated with Beijing.
Microsoft said Linen Typhoon had “focused on stealing intellectual property, primarily targeting organizations related to government, defence, strategic planning, and human rights” for 13 years.
It added that Violet Typhoon had been “dedicated to espionage”, primarily targeting former government and military staff, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, higher education, the media, the financial sector and the health sector in the US, Europe, and East Asia.
Meanwhile, Storm-2603 was “assessed with medium confidence to be a China-based threat actor”.
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