Retailers offer discounts as Black Friday kicks off

Retailers in Nigerian ecommerce space have rolled out special offers as they pile on heavy discounts on wide selection of goods to woo consumers during this year’s Black Friday which kicks off tomorrow.
Introduced into Nigeria in 2013 by Jumia, Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day in the United States, when shops reduce the price of goods in order to attract customers who want to start their Christmas shopping.
Some of the retailers that are participating in this year’s Black Friday sales include: Jumia, Supermart.ng, Konga.com, SLOT Nigeria and Yudala, amongst others.
Items to be discounted this year include groceries, fashion, electronics, phones, laptops, gaming consoles, home and kitchen appliances, baby, health and beauty among others.
Jumia recorded impressive volumes of orders during the 2015 Black Friday sales with 2.3 million customer visits and this year, they are promising shoppers discounts of regular prices up to 70 percent on all category as they kick off their 12days sales from the 14th of November.
‘‘This year’s Jumia Black Friday is designed to offer customers more days, more deals and more convenience,’’ said Juliet Anammah, CEO, Jumia Nigeria.
Jumia’s Black Friday features an online giveaway for every customer who spends N10, 000 and above. Customers could also win an iPhone 7, a PS4 console, two economy class Etihad tickets and two business class tickets.
‘‘Jumia Black Friday is an exciting time for everyone in the Jumia Market community. Our sellers can reach up to 15times their daily volumes in sales and our buyers will have incredible bargains to enjoy,’’ said Sefik Bagdadioglu, CEO, Jumia Market.
Supermart.ng, an online grocery store is offering consumers discounts of 30 percent on grocery and everyday essentials purchased from 14th up to 21st of November and all these will be delivered directly same day to customers doors all across Lagos.
‘‘The biggest discounts will be on the items that  customers and corporates will be buying this Christmas such as rice, oil, hampers and other such. Brands have also promised us lots of gifts and paraphernalia to give out to our customers,’’ Raphael Afadeor, CEO of Supermart.ng told BusinessDay.
Konga promises buyers huge discounts from the 18th up to the 21st of November: ‘‘we are giving customers up to 70percent discount on selected items but we cannot provide the particular products at the moment,’’ said Oluwayemisi Mafe, manager, public relations and communication at Konga.
Also, SLOT Nigeria promises shoppers undisclosed discounts on selected products all on the 25th of November.
Some consumers who spoke with BusinessDay say they are looking forward to Black Friday sales to make all their purchases.
“I am going to get a fridge and a generating set. These two items are my worries and any discount is fine,’’ said Nnamdi Obiabunmo, an Engineer in Port Harcourt.
Mary James, who resides in Lagos state, says she will be doing all her Christmas shopping during this sales season.
‘‘I have been saving for this Black Friday. I will be buying everything I need for Christmas from food items to clothing and some presents for my loved ones,’’ James said.
However, some consumers have little or no plans of shopping this season owing to the present economic downturn that has shrunk their disposal income.
‘‘There is no money for shopping now or else I get something from heaven’s supply. The money I have at hand is not even enough to meet pressing needs,” said Adebambo Akeem, an Abuja- based civil servant.