How retail stores can promote SMEs

The profile of Nigeria’s retailers is rising fast. Findings show that the key factor driving retailing in the country is demography, which comprises about 30 percent of the middle-class and over 50 percent of the under-30.
According to an intelligence report by Euromonitor International, retailing in Nigeria has steadily become more organised.
“With a growing urban population, seeking greater convenience and comfort while shopping, and with many state governments keen to modernise trading standards, modern grocery retailers and non-grocery retailing in addition to internet retailing have posted strong growth rates,” Euromonitor says.
From Shoprite to Spar, down to Konga and Jumia, retailing in Nigeria is becoming more intense in terms of competition, prompting players to devise strategies to woo consumers.
Is there any role these retail stores can play to promote Nigerian micro, small and medium businesses (MSMEs) estimated at 37 million?
Afolabi Oluwaseun, chief executive of a small-scale shoe-maker Marv.G Designs answered in affirmative.
Oluwaseun said retail stores can promote SMEs involved in manufacturing important products in the country.
He said online stores, particularly, have supported his business, giving it a wider reach.
“We started with Jumia, then Konga and Payporte. They are always communicating with us. We are always having meetings with them on how we can better our products. We have been on Jumia and Konga since they started. For us to still be there now shows there is something we are getting right. Though we sometimes discuss issues, but not quality, because we have our quality assessment team that ensures that every product we send out match international quality. Today, we are on other online platforms,” he said.
Ike Ibeabuchi, who runs a medium-scale chemical plant in Enugu, said retail stores should pay more attention to locally made products, rather than import over 50 percent of their products.
“When you buy from retail stores, you find out that imported products are expensive. But these products have local alternatives, which I expect retail stores to showcase. I know they sometimes have issues with quality and packaging, but what I expect them to do is to buy and repackage the products the way they want,” Ibeabuchi said.
He, however, urged SMEs to take the issue of quality seriously to make their products and services competitive.

Elemuo Chidimma