Vendors at the monthly Okrika thrift market held at the open space of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ) Ogba have lauded the organizers for a job well done, noting that the initiative has boosted their businesses.
NIJinsight reports that the two-day thrift market which commenced in August 2023, is usually organized by Kuda Mobile Money Bank.
It normally holds every last weekend of every month, to bring quality thrift market to the Ogba/Ikeja axis.
Items on display by vendors during the sales include clothes, bags, shoes, jewelry natural fruit drinks, skin and hair products and food among others.
One of the vendors who deals in jewelries who prefers to be anonymous said that the thrift market was one of the good things that had happened to her small business, noting that it can only be better.
According to her, the reason behind the thrift market indeed met her expectations adding that she always looks out to the end of every month.
“I have been coming for this fair for like five months now. I have not missed anyone. it is not bad at all. The first month was massive. The second month being the month of September was not as rewarding as that of August because of course as you know, it is the month of resumption of school and people may not have enough to spare after paying school bills. Apart from that one, sales for the other months have been very satisfying, including that of this November,” she said.
Another vendor who deals in wears and also did not want her name in print said the organizers of the thrift were business-friendly. She added that coming up with such an idea must be commended as they ended up opening up more opportunities for their small businesses to grow.
“I would really like to commend the people that came up with this idea. I have been attending this fair which normally holds every last Saturday and Sunday of the month and I have every cause to say it has been rewarding. It has been a nice experience. It has been good. Having said this though, I will like to also say that we also contend with some challenges such as rain. Because our wares are usually displayed in the open, when it rains, we don’t find it funny as we normally will be scampering all over the place to find a means of protecting them from getting soaked or destroyed,” she stated.
She stated that the November Okrika fair was the last for the year, adding that she was looking forward to the Ogba fair, which comes up on Dec.15.
“This is the last Okrika fair, but the we are going to have another fair in December, which is the Ogba fair. It is going to last for five days, beginning from Dec. 15 to Dec. 20. I am anticipating a bumper sales. I want to do a total sell out. I want to clear my old stock,” she stated.
A vendor who simply identified herself as Dupe and in edibles, said it had been a mixed experience for her. She however said that the current economic situation in the country, could have affected the purchasing power of members of the public in some of the past editions.
“In August, which was the first outing, it was very interesting. We were happy being participants at the fair. But things took a different turn in September. Sales were somehow dull probably because of the current situation in the country.
“Probably too, maybe because as it was as during the end of the month, most people were yet to collect their salaries, coupled with the fact that the rains did not help. Sales were so dull in that September that even the organizers felt it. I felt discouraged and as a result, opted out of the October edition of the fair.
“Now, when I enquired from those that attended the October fair, they attested that sales were as massive as that of August. So, here I am today, although we have not sold much, but I am expectant. I sell natural fruit juice and pap. Carbonated drinks is not good for us, being healthy is both physical and mental, so I will advice people to try and embrace natural fruit juice, not only that, even food. We must endeavour to stay away from all junk food and go for natural ones and spices. Here on display, I have juice and pap for trimming, weight loss, even weight gain. I have them in different flavours. I have different paps in store here – white, yellow, brown. I have ordinary and spicy. They are all affordable. For example, this is Tropicana juice, a combination of pineapple, ginger and orange and it goes for N1,000. At this fair, our products are in the open for all to see. We meet and interact with various individuals and this gives us the opportunity to sell more. This is unlike when we are confined in our little stores.
On his part, Mr. Samuel Adeniyi, Media and Partnership Manager, Kuda Mobile Money Bank, organizers of the thrift market, said the aim of the market was to encourage small businesses to grow.
According to him, the organization embarked on a lot of publicity on Instagram (a social media platform) to sensitize its customers, using the Point of Sale (POS) for personal and business owners.
Reported by:
Enoh Bassey- PGD/23/PA/205 Chinyere Nwachukwu – PGD/23/PJ/204 Hannah Anthony – PGD/23/PA/215 Olutoye Akintola – PGD/22/PA/202 Chidinma Nnorom – PGD/23/PA/206 Tosin Adefimilola – PGD/23/PA/200 Tosin Ejalonibu – PGD/23/PA/207 Regina Ola Ushi – PGD/23/PA/214 Femi Christopher Ogunlusi – PGD/19/PA/211
