E-Business
How e-Commerce Improves Health and Safety Of Informal Retailers
As Nigeria pushes towards a virile digital economy, the informal retail sector, with billions of dollars investment, holds a crucial role in attaining this goal.
However, a huge chunk of the market still operates the old-fashioned inventory model, and the rigour in this process of restocking takes a huge toll on them.
To understand the unique health and safety implications of stocking an informal retail store, it’s important to highlight processes which occur on a typical market day for informal retailers.
For a retailer in a city like Lagos, the struggle for transportation could be a bigger job than the shopping activities at the market. And after expending physical and mental energy in the hunt for the best stock prices at different distributor outlets, they are faced with the challenge of transporting the goods back to their retail stores. This usually comes with another load of trouble.
Majority of markets, especially in Lagos, attract exit fees. While trying to sort this out, a retailer is looking for a carrier to convey the goods to the bus stop, and in doing so, must also be as vigilant as possible to ensure a thief or market hoodlum is not approaching in the form of a “carrier’.
“Retailers have recounted their pain points caused from the drudgery of market visits and haggling to attribute to their status as regulars at health centres and pharmacies. For them, most of their medical issues pointed to immense stress in their daily life,” said Alerzo CEO, Adewale Opaleye.
The last three years have seen the rise of B2B e-commerce platforms like Alerzo, TradeDepot, Omnibiz and others springing up to bridge the online service gap for the informal retail market. Opaleye created Alerzo, after seeing the challenges his mother, an informal retailer, went through. He said Alerzo in the last two years is alleviating health and safety issues for retailers on the platform.
“70% of our retailers previously restocked 2-3 times a week while 14% restocked more than 4 times per week. The market trips, as expounded, reasonably attributes to emotional, mental and physical strain.
“Digging deeper into their stressors, our findings show a combination of fatigue associated with the rigours of stocking their shops and taking care of their growing families,” he said.
With their activities, B2B platforms are eliminating the need for retailers to make frequent trips to central markets; the need to haggle incessantly; the need to pay fees to carriers and market authorities, and the need to foot transportation bills (within N500 to over N5,000).
Currently, the market is dominated by the tedious visit to the physical market. Bringing these informal retailers to the online shipping platform will no doubt go a long way in the drive for a robust digital economy and also be a major boost to the economy of the country. And e-commerce platforms appear ready to be the required connector and facilitator for thousands of retailers still outside the digital net.
By Fabian Tarpael, Abuja
Hisense electronics unveiled a flagship showroom in Abuja over the weekend. Speaking at the event, Mr. Mustapha Khries, the Abuja Branch Manager of the Fouani Group, highlighted the significance of the flagship store, describing it as the first of its kind in the entire West African region.
He also addressed the challenges facing businesses in Nigeria, particularly the high exchange rates and transportation costs.
“The Fouani Group remains resilient and ready to overcome challenges, unlike others who often exit the market when faced with similar issues.”
Ms. Haifa Du, Senior Sales Manager for Hisense Electronics, emphasized the brand’s commitment to affordability and innovation, stating that Hisense offers the most cost-effective and advanced solutions in the market.
The event underscored Hisense’s dedication to technological innovation and sustainability while reaffirming its leadership position in the consumer electronics market.
Mr. Robbin Wei, Senior Sales Manager of Hisense Group, supported by Mr. Greg and Ms. Haifa Du, showcased various innovative products from the new flagship store.
Among the standout products showcased include; The Hisense 110″ Smart Ultra AMOLED TV, featuring unique capabilities such as a solar-powered remote control and a “locate remote” function to find misplaced remotes easily.
PalmPay, Africa-focused fintech operating Nigeria’s most used mobile wallet, and Jumia, Africa’s e-commerce giant, today announce a strategic partnership to enhance the digital payment ecosystem on the continent, starting with payment integrations and co-marketing efforts in Nigeria.
This partnership underscores both parties’ commitment to developing the digital payment ecosystem in Nigeria and grow the use of the cashless economy.
WIth PalmPay now available as a payment method, shoppers on Jumia will now be able to pay for their purchases with the option to check out with their PalmPay wallet, ensuring a seamless user experience and transaction reliability through the direct integration.
“We are proud to partner with Jumia as we bring together the best of fintech and e-commerce to redefine the online shopping experience,” said Sofia Zab, Chief Marketing Officer, PalmPay. “This strategic alliance aligns perfectly with our shared commitment to delivering a superior user experience and exceptional value to our customers.”
Speaking on the partnership, Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria added: “At Jumia, we are dedicated to creating value for our customers by ensuring a convenient, reliable, and secure shopping experience.
“This partnership with PalmPay strengthens our commitment to enhancing the digital payments within our platform. By integrating PalmPay, we are providing more options for customers to access affordable and quality goods with the convenience of cashless transactions.”
This alliance marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between two industry giants, aiming to drive innovation, increase convenience for consumers, and foster the adoption of digital payments across Africa.
To celebrate the launch of the partnership, PalmPay and Jumia are launching a special Christmas campaign, running from December 11th to 30th. During this period, customers who make purchases on Jumia using the PalmPay payment method will stand a chance to win exciting cash rewards. More details can be found on the brands’ respective social media pages. @palmpay_ng and @JumiaNigeria.
Aero Contractors is thrilled to announce the launch of its “12 Days of Christmas” campaign, a festive and engaging social media initiative designed to spread holiday cheer and reward loyal customers.
Running from December 13 to December 24, 2024, this exciting campaign underscores Aero Contractors’ commitment to connecting families, friends, and communities during the holidays.
The “12 Days of Christmas” campaign invites travel enthusiasts, loyal customers, and holiday travelers to participate in fun and interactive activities on Aero Contractors’ social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Each day will feature engaging posts such as trivia, puzzles, and challenges designed to ignite the festive spirit and encourage community participation.
Participants are encouraged to follow Aero Contractors’ social media pages, engage with the daily posts by liking, commenting, or sharing, and follow the specific instructions for each day’s activity.
Winners will be selected daily and announced on the respective platforms. Exciting prizes await participants, with the grand reward of a free return economy class ticket—a perfect gift for reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new destinations this holiday season.
“At Aero Contractors, we believe in the power of togetherness, especially during the holidays,” said Capt. Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors.
“Our ‘12 Days of Christmas’ campaign is our way of giving back to the community that has supported us throughout the year. It’s an opportunity to engage, celebrate, and reward our customers while spreading joy and festive cheer.”
This campaign targets travel enthusiasts, loyal Aero Contractors customers, and families looking to make the most of the holiday season. Through this initiative, Aero Contractors reaffirms its dedication to safe, reliable, and efficient air travel, bringing people closer when it matters most.
Follow Aero Contractors on Instagram, Facebook, and X to join the “12 Days of Christmas” campaign. Engage daily for a chance to win a free return economy class ticket and other exciting offers.
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