E-Business
B2B e-Commerce: Fostering Sales, Distribution with Data Analytics
The informal sector is a major source of economic growth and productivity globally. According to both the World Bank and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) statistics, more than 2 billion people representing 61% of the world’s employed population work in the informal sector.
Of the number, 93% are reportedly in emerging and developing countries. Around 86% of employment in Sub-Saharan Africa is in the informal sector, while 80% household retail distribution is said to be delivered via informal retailers.
Nigeria is reputed to have a huge informal sector that makes up 50% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and accounts for over 90% of employment. The informal retail market value is estimated at US$100bn out of which the food and consumer goods retail segment is worth over $40bn.
B2B e-Commerce firm Alerzo’s CEO, Adewale Opaleye, described the informal sector as a major source of economic growth, productivity and competitiveness.
Despite the importance of the sector, informal retailers face complex challenges that impede their business growth, financial and income stability and service quality. The challenges include limited inventory due to high demands, meaning the market is underserved; and limited access to funding which sometimes leads them to stock low-quality products.
The retail market is also clustered; products are often overpriced because prices are largely unregulated. Distance to market especially those in hard-to-reach locations; opportunity costs; dangers of travel; inadequate logistics such as transport to move purchased goods also impact informal retailers adversely. The unstructured nature of most retail businesses is another setback.
The challenges faced by consumers at the base of the pyramid also represent another key issue around the retail market. Often, lack of access to reliable product information, quality products and services, and low purchasing power deny consumers access to everyday essentials such as food, medicine, hygiene and household products.
The fallout of the challenges in the retail market segment is that manufacturers and distributors are often unable to track data on informal retail sales, regulate quality or access BoP customers for research, marketing or the delivery of social mission goals.
As a strategic pivot for national GDP growth, reforming Nigeria’s informal trade is a key to unlocking socio-economic prosperity for the citizens, and improving the lives of the retailers themselves including their families, and the communities in which they operate.
Hence, initiatives that remove barriers in the Factory-to-Retail distribution chain for consumer goods companies are most welcome. The role of e-Commerce, in particular tech-driven B2B e-Commerce platforms is pivotal in this regard.
“Our mission is to empower these informal retailers through our ecosystem of digital products, so they are equipped to run profitable and sustainable businesses.
“We strongly believe that technology has the potential to transform the way informal retailers conduct their businesses, by using it to facilitate – with just a click of a button – fast and easy access to a wide assortment of consumer products at zero delivery cost to the retailers,” Alerzo CEO, Opaleye said.
B2B e-Commerce platforms are beneficial to manufacturers and tier one distributors as enablers of data gathering and market intelligence. By utilising an array of digital technologies to gather market intelligence and analyse data, they arm goods producers with vital information on consumer behaviour to further help them in research and product development. Distributors also use such information to scale up operational efficiency.
The use of customer data significantly fosters sales growth and enhances customer relationships. According to Statista, a 2018 survey in the United States showed that 84% of industry-wide leading firms revealed that data analytics helped to bring greater accuracy to their decision-making.
That is, data utilisation and related analytics methods were reported to deliver the most value to firms by reducing expenses and creating new avenues for innovation and disruption.
Data analytics enable manufacturers and distributors to strengthen their business operations. For example, in supply chain management and customer relationship, data analytics can support the personalisation and customisation of sales and customer services to build stronger and more personal relationships with customers.
By deploying data technologies and tools, B2B e-Commerce platforms like Alerzo collect data and market intelligence to identify what customers actually expect from companies and to predict their future demands.
In other words, data analytics help to create business knowledge, that is, information and understanding related to business processes and business environment. It can additionally reveal hidden behavioural patterns.
Furthermore, B2B e-Commerce can provide manufacturers access to real-time data and instant information, creating real-time knowledge of markets, and when properly implemented, can increase sales.
McKinsey research suggests that a healthy data culture, that is, an organisational culture that accelerates the application of data analytics, is becoming increasingly important for leading and lagging companies. Also, the deployment of data helps to provide accurate and timely information within an organisation.
B2B e-Commerce platforms by utilising their digital solutions can make the collection of data more feasible and cost-effective for manufacturers and distributors. Data analytics as one of the emerging areas in the domain of B2B marketing can even support businesses with access to big data thereby increasing access to quantitative and qualitative information beyond just transaction data such as purchase quantities.
In a nutshell, B2B e-Commerce in so many ways offers solutions that are helping to address the needs in the Factory-to-Retail distribution value chain holistically – at the supply side (manufacturers, top-tier distributors and last-mile retailers), and the consumers (demand) side.
QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness-focused direct-selling company, in partnership with Transblue Nigeria Ltd, hosted a successful Product Expo at Anchor Events Place, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event showcased QNET’s diverse product line, addressing misconceptions and empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Mr. Akeem Ajisafe, Managing Director of Transblue Nigeria Ltd, emphasized the expo’s significance: “This is our opportunity to showcase our products, tackle misconceptions, and educate people about QNET’s direct-selling approach.”
QNET’s partnership with Transblue has yielded multiple workshops and exhibitions, promoting economic viability and youth empowerment.
Ajisafe highlighted the benefits: “QNET has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s tax revenue, and our programs teach entrepreneurship skills, enabling individuals to build their own businesses.”
Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju, Tincan Island Port Strategic Command, Lagos, praised QNET’s potential: “The product line is amazing, people-centric, and has great potential in Nigeria. It’s impressive, and I recommend it to young Nigerians.”
Ofoyeju emphasized QNET’s capacity-building opportunities: “This can generate wealth, increase productivity, and engage youth meaningfully, keeping them away from crime and illicit activities.”
The expo featured health products, luxury watches, jewelry, and educational materials, demonstrating QNET’s commitment to enhancing lives through innovative products.
As QNET continues to expand its presence in Nigeria, the partnership with Transblue is poised to empower entrepreneurs, promote economic growth, and foster a positive impact on Nigerian youth.
E-Business
ALX Nigeria Champions Innovation and Growth at Akwa Ibom Tech Expo and Ogun Digital Summit
ALX, Africa’s leading tech accelerator, recently demonstrated its commitment to tech skills acquisition and fostering inclusive growth across Nigeria by participating in two significant industry events: the Akwa Ibom Tech Week and the Ogun Digital Summit.
Ruby Igwe, Country General Manager for ALX Nigeria, attended the Akwa Ibom Tech Expo, where she participated in a panel session discussing the topic ‘Leveraging Innovation for Inclusive Growth’.
She emphasised the critical role of building an inclusive community encouraging freedom and innovation through tech skills empowerment.
“ALX is an organisation focused on development, providing opportunities for the millions of African and Nigerian youths that make up our community. We recognise the uniqueness of each member of our community and encourage them to be themselves.”
Ruby stated. “When we think about innovation we encourage our community members to come from a problem-solving approach. Focusing on the problem and interrogating it with the right data will only lead to coming up with the right solution.”
Nkechi Belinda Idinmachi, Fellowship Specialist at ALX Nigeria, spoke at the event and highlighted the global talent shortage driven by widespread digital transformation across organizations.
“There is a massive shortage of talent globally with a projected spike of 83 million by 2023. ALX is on a mission to create more opportunities for young Africans, and to date, we have trained over 200,000 young people across Africa. We have mastered training at scale with our infrastructure.” She stated.
Following the Akwa Ibom Tech Week, ALX also had a notable presence at the Ogun Digital Summit, which brought together innovators, industry leaders, and tech enthusiasts from across the country.
At both events, participants had the opportunity to engage with the award-winning tech career accelerator and learn about the world-class offerings available within the ALX ecosystem.
From state-of-the-art tech hubs to a vibrant community, and world-class tech programmes, ALX continues to reaffirm its commitment to nurturing the next generation of African leaders.
QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness-focused direct-selling company, in collaboration with its Nigerian partner Transblue Limited, hosted the Amezcua Product Workshop at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja GRA, on Friday.
L-R: Bernhard Gaksch, QNET’s Category Manager and Global Trainer, Mr. Akeem Ajisafe, Managing Director, Transblue Nigeria Ltd, Biram Fall, Regional General Manager of QNET for Sub-Saharan Africa and Prof.Abiodun Adebayo, Vice-Chancellor Covenant University at the Amezcua Product Workshop at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja GRA, on Friday.
Biram Fall, Regional General Manager of QNET for Sub-Saharan Africa, who delivered an insightful speech highlighting the company’s commitment to enhancing lives through innovative products.
In his address, Fall emphasized QNET’s dedication to ethical and legal standards, noting that the company has been operating in Nigeria for the past two years through various channels across over 25 countries.
He highlighted QNET’s unique business model, which combines direct selling with an e-commerce platform, enabling the company to serve a diverse customer base and provide entrepreneurial opportunities for financial independence.
“The global direct-selling industry is highly competitive, valued at approximately $167.7 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $204.9 billion by 2032,” Fall stated.
“These significant figures act as a catalyst for growth in Nigeria’s direct-selling market, which is expected to expand considerably, thereby supporting the country’s economic development.”
Fall also shared that several of QNET’s products, including EDG3, Prospark toothpaste, and Physioradiance face serum, have been certified by NAFDAC in Nigeria.
He reflected on last year’s product workshop in Lagos, which featured experts like Dr. Shafi Shaik and Professor Abiodun Adebayo, and set the stage for a successful product expo.
The workshop focused on the Amezcua line, including the Amezcua Chi-Pendant 4 and the Bio-Disc 3, designed to harmonize and energize the body.
Fall also discussed the Amezcua E-Guard X, which offers protection from electronic radiation.
Before concluding, Fall announced QNET’s second Product Expo in Lagos, scheduled to start on November 16th, 2024, at the Anchor Events Place in Ikeja.
The expo will showcase QNET’s lifestyle and wellness products and provide insights into the company’s business model and commitment to quality.
“We are dedicated to being a leading global lifestyle and wellness-focused direct-selling organization and look forward to welcoming our media partners to the event,” Fall concluded.
Mr. Akeem Ajisafe, Managing Director of Transblue Nigeria Ltd, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of the partnership in connecting Nigerians to QNET’s global network and empowering the youth.
He highlighted QNET’s “Say No” campaign launched in November 2023 to raise awareness about the dangers of fraudulent job offers used by scammers to lure victims into human trafficking in Nigeria, Senegal, and Burkina Faso.
This ongoing campaign underscores the urgent need to protect youth from falling prey to unscrupulous individuals and organizations.
Ajisafe noted that QNET has collaborated with government agencies like the Nigerian State Consumer Protection Agency on Consumer Rights Day to eradicate harmful market practices and champion fairness and accountability.
He also mentioned QNET’s participation in the Training Program for Nigerian Youth, a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, aimed at equipping young individuals with essential skills and knowledge to safely navigate the job market.
Ajisafe highlighted QNET’s impressive efforts to implement youth empowerment initiatives in Nigeria, including the Signature of Financial Literacy Program, which has equipped over 1,350 youths with employability and entrepreneurial skills to achieve financial independence.
These initiatives reflect QNET’s commitment to debunking misconceptions about the company in Nigeria, promoting transparency, and fostering innovation among youths through education and training.
Bernhard Gaksch, QNET’s Category Manager and Global Trainer, highlighted the importance of wellness solutions in today’s tech-driven world.
“Every electronic device, from smartphones to smart TVs, emits electromagnetic fields, which research suggests may contribute to issues like headaches, fatigue, and other serious health problems,” he explained.
QNET’s response includes products inspired by nature and backed by advanced science. Among them is the Bio-Disc 3, which restores water’s natural molecular structure, improving hydration, detoxification, and immune function.
“The best water comes from a stream, but as it travels, it loses energy. The Bio-Disc revitalizes this energy,” Gaksch stated, adding that its benefits extend to plants, pets, and food.
Complementing the Bio-Light 3, which uses sequenced light technology to accelerate healing, targeting chronic inflammation, muscle pain, and migraines. Gaksch noted its effectiveness in promoting faster recovery and nerve repair.
To combat harmful EMFs, QNET introduced the Chi-Pendant 4 and Amezcua eGuard X, which protect against 5G radiation and other electronic emissions.
The Chi-Pendant preserves the body’s natural biofield, shielding users from stress and fatigue, while the eGuard X transforms harmful EMFs into beneficial frequencies, creating a safer environment. “It’s like protecting yourself from tobacco, but for the wireless age,” Gaksch remarked.
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