Recently, the Naija Brand Chic (NBC), held its annual trade fair for online vendors at the Rainbow Event Marquee, Abuja.
The trade fair was a gathering of online vendors who had their goods both edibles and non-edibles colourfully displayed for customers as they excitedly sauntered into the premises to make purchases.
The organiser of the trade fair, Mrs Agbogu Nelly who spoke to the Guardian disclosed that the trade fair is an intentional move toward bringing online vendors and their customers under the same roof.
According to her, the trade fair seeks to give more visibility to small-scale businesses in Nigeria that are currently battling with the limitations of owning and running their businesses.
“This is the final trade fair for the year and it is exciting to see small-scale businesses flourishing. The idea of the trade fair is to bring online vendors and their customers together.
“Online vendors are always perceived as scammers, but a trade fair such as this erases that scare. We picked 200 online vendors out of the 5000 that applied. Thank God they have recorded huge sales since yesterday the trade fair started.”
Adding: “We intend to extend this to the other states. Wema Bank has been doing great with sponsorship. We’re calling on sponsors to come and let’s improve our economy by creating more visibility for online vendors.”
A renowned business coach, who is also a participant, Mrs Folake Akanni showered encomium on the organizers of the event.
She also stressed the need for organizing trade fairs like this to create visibility for small-scale businesses like it’s done in developed climes.
She said: “This is a laudable initiative. As an online vendor, I have gained more visibility through this trade fair, and made extra profits and it has helped to motivate me to do more in marketing my business.
“This trade fair will further boost the economy of the country. I am just returning from China and almost everyone who has a 9 to 5 job also has a business of production or selling. Government and other private sector should come and sponsor trade fairs like this.”
Also, An excited customer and the Chief Executive Officer of Swift Fit Wears, Aniekan Ben said the goods she purchased were very satisfactory and the experience at the trade fair was rewarding.
“I am here at the trade fair as a buyer, to support and patronize SME owners like myself. Naija Brand Chick’s trade fair has been here for a while and this is my first time being physically present for it. The goods I purchased are so satisfying. The trade fair gives online vendors credibility, at this time were the online space is full of fraudsters. I certainly will be part of this as a vendor come 2024.” She said.
