Can you tell us what the Next Cash and Carry is all about?
A: Next International Nigeria Limited with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Next International (UK) Limited, Next Foods (Nigeria) Limited, Next Direct Limited, Next Cash ‘N’ Carry Limited, is a first class brand market development and management company, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.
It is based on the successful Cash ‘n’ Carry operations/Warehouse Clubs/Hypermarkets in South Africa.
Our first store is located on the outskirts of Abuja, on the Ahmadu Bello Way, four kilometres from Abuja City Centre and five kilometres from Gwarimpa & Jayi. This is the most densely populated region in Nigeria today.
Our plan is to be the preferred outlet for our vendors/suppliers, 100 percent compliant with local laws and government department requirements; be the preferred employer for enthusiastic, qualified and professional people seeking a stimulating career; be considered unique by our customers in terms of the service we will provide, among many more.
Next Cash n Carry is an introduction of the Cash n Carry concept to Nigeria, focusing on high volume, low margin, low cost distribution of mainly branded consumer goods for cash, with our first store opening in Abuja.
The 10,000sq metre store will be the largest of its kind in Nigeria and will soon become the leading retailer of general merchandise, liquor and home improvement equipment and supplies, and the leading wholesaler of basic foods.
We are located on a total site area of 34,000sq metres, with a sales floor 10,000sq metres, 400 Parking bays, 1200sq metres of Goods Receiving areas, 600 Non-Food & 250 Food trolleys and three 810kva back-up generators.
Our stock include both food and non-food storage including edible groceries, non-edible groceries, health and beauty aids, soft drinks, commodities and bulk food for non food, we have, clothing, footwear, sports, housewares, kitchenware, small appliances, audio, cellular, outdoor and toys. Others are lighting, brush ware, large appliances, office and stationery, hi tech, multi-media, DIY, textiles, lighting, plastic ware and luggage.
Our other range of stocks is in the area of multi-media, audio and cellular products and services.
Yet others include liquor (beer, spirits and wine), butchery, bakery, deli/chilled area, coffee bar/restaurant, ice cream bar and pharmacy.
Our operation strategies aim at where we have a target of 75,000 customers for patronage; we also have full detail of customers’ information, categorization and eventual creation of customer shopping trends.
Our customer relationship programmes feature rebate schemes for selected customers, school/institutional programmes, dedicated marketers and potential for a franchise operation.
We are also into the area of promotional activity as concerns, fortnightly broadsheet promotions, selection across the board, weekly promotional activity, direct marketing activity, SMS/E-mail activity, in-store manager specials demonstrations and BOGOF activity.
We achieve superior customer service through pre-retailing, maximum productivity/night fill, staff scheduling, trained/skilled staff to assistants, telesales facility, bulk deliveries arranged world class merchandizing standards
How many customers do you have at moment?
A: We are ready at 10,000 and we are just coming in, just a couple of weeks and we really have not gone on recruitment drive yet. Our strategy was to open the store first because this is a big shop, we wanted to get every thing ready make sure everything is working well then before we go on recruitment drive. So the 75,000 is yet to come. Within that 75,000, we have identified 32 different market segments of customers and we are dealing with mainly small food independent market retailers who buy food for resale. We deal with caterers and hotels, clubs schools, doctors, dentists. Each one of them has different profiles of the products and services they are looking for.
Do you have plans to establish others of this kind elsewhere in Nigeria?
Yes. We are currently looking at second and third sites in Port Harcourt and Lagos. In Abuja, we have different service departments located under one roof.
How do you source your goods? Are they locally sourced or you import them?
A: We believe in supporting local industry, local farmers and we have already been working with local farmers on supply of poultry and for food and vegetables. So, everything you see in the store at the moment are sourced locally through agents. Our range offering at the moment is only 80 percent of wheel should be. These are the range we have struggled to get and we may have to import more to satisfy the 32 market segments. So, just 80 percent so there is still much to be done.
Do you also have plans to engage in backward integration to produce the products yourself?
No, I do not think so and I do not think my MD has that as well. I do not do something I know nothing about. I am a retailer and I want to be there for now.
What is your impression about the business environment in Nigeria?
I believe the opportunities in Nigeria is enormous and massive and I think he sooner the local Nigerian companies develop and grow, to take advantage of the opportunities, the better otherwise, companies from outside will come and take the lion share of what you have. So, it is in the interest of Nigerians to quickly realise that.
In terms of investment, what are we looking at here?
I do not have the exact amount, but it is in the region of over 200million South African Rand and I am not too sure what that is in Naira value. It is huge because the MD has a firm believe and commitment that he is in business for a long time so he invests a huge amount of money because he believes in the future of the business.
