Some years back, made in Nigeria bags were often associated as unsocial or low class, but at the moment, it is a different story as, even the well-to-do also patronize them as these vendors makes high sales from the business ADEOLA AKINBOBOLA writes.
The current economic recession in the country has driven Nigerians to patronise made in Nigeria bags even during the yuletide.
Many households, especially women, now go for these bags for themselves and their children due to the high cost of foreign ones.
Nigerians opinions on made in Nigeria bags
A resident at Kubwa market where she was seen buying these bags, Ngozi John, said that it was cheaper and very durable.
“I decided to buy these ones because I can use them for many years . When it gets old I wash it with warm water, they will turn to new bags .
“Things are just too expensive. One cannot understand the kind of change we are going through,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs Vera Ekpenyong-Ita said that she took time to select good home-made bags and traveling bags for herself and the children at Garki market, as she could not afford to buy foreign ones.
“Imagine a baby bag for my three months old baby and they were saying N8,000; and I have five children, so where will I get money to buy school bags for each of them in this hard economic situation.
“So many people, especially young girls like me cannot even afford fairly used wares talk less of ready-made.
“I am a graduate and there is no work, so where do you want me to get money to buy foreign bags, no way,” she said.
Also, a civil servant, Mrs Animashaun Victoria, said, “As a person, I don’t like foreign fairly used bags because I always feel strangers who I don’t know their medical history have carried them. But now I have no other option than mixing it with other brands. I don’t do the buying from the shops but online. I just have to buy them to cut down expenses.”
For Stella Olola a trader on home-made bags told Business Starter that the business is booming now more than ever before.
She said the business , which she started two years ago has been able to put food on her table and also cater for other needs .
FG on made in Nigeria products
The federal government has launched an aggressive campaign for the patronage and use of made in Nigeria products and services.
According to reports the launch of a dedicated campaign for the patronage and use of made-in-Nigeria products and services was unveiled at the 13th National Council of Industry, Trade and Investment and meant to reposition the nation’s economy, in addition, to already established Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) as well as the Strategy and National Economic Sustainability Programme (NESP).
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital at the flag-off of sensitization campaign for patronage and support for made in Nigeria products and services recently, Adeniyi Adebayo, former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, noted that patronage of locally -made products and services would create more jobs, promote indigenous product, reduce poverty and also boost Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) across the country.
He stated that several policies and programmes had been put in place by the government through the Federal Ministry, ” to reposition MSMEs as the engine room for wealth creation, economic transformation and development in the country.”
Adebayo added, “The development of MSMEs is critical to us as a government because of its place in the economy and we will not relent in our efforts towards the growth of MSMEs.
“I am flagging off the use, support and patronize for Made-in Nigeria products and services by the people for us to grow the economy and generate more employment opportunities for the people.”
According to the Chairperson, National Council of Women Committee, Mrs. Amagu Oluchi, most classy women are now managing their lean resources by mixing a few brand new bags they can afford with made-in Nigeria bags .
For classy women who cannot afford many designers at a time, they resign to foreign fairly used bags .”
Meanwhile, the prices of bags were cheap enough for the poor to afford.
But the state of the economy has beaten that history to death. The ‘second hand’ bags, ‘bend down select’ have also become expensive and unaffordable for the poor since the rich started patronising them.
Sales of foreign fairly used bags online
The roadside picking of bags has improved and now they are sold online.
The price of first grade bags now ranges from N25, 000 upwards which was even twice its price as at 2015.
Also, the price of bags which was as low as N3000 as at 2015 has risen to N25,000 and above.
Testifying to this fact, Madam Charity, a trader, said, “ The depreciation of the naira has seriously affected our business. The price of grade 1 female bags now goes for N200,000 and above as against N50, 000 before. Depending on your luck, a bale may contain few clean. Bags that can help you recover your money.
“We look at the transportation cost and other levies before putting a price on each piece”.
It has been discovered that most classy women now go for first grade used bags , instead of their usual all round UK bags , due to the consistent rise in the prices of those brands.
How to start bags business
The bags market is always open to those who want go start a new business like the okrika business. Those who sell fairly used bags then in bale and sell retail.
Learning bags trade
Attaching yourself to already established bags business is no exception. Apprenticeship in the business for 3-6 months is usually the best option of learning intricacies ,rules and tricks in the business .
Get a location
A good location increases the chances of buyers locating your business.You can rent a shop in the market or around the street where there are alot of passersby and commuters .
Decide where to buy bale
The following market are negotiable place to try such as Yaba market,Balogun market,Idumota market . You can also go to Cotonu nearby market outside Nigeria.
