Some operators of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on Wednesday lauded Jumia, an indigenous e-commerce platform, for its commitment to connecting more than 10,000 businesses to millions of Nigerian consumers.
Head of Public Relations & Communications, Jumia, Mr Robert Awodu, gave the commendation in a statement in Lagos.
Mrs Onyinye Ejide, a phone and electronic device dealer, said hers was a story of tremendous growth with Jumia, as the platform helped expand her variety of merchandise.
According to Ejide, her business went from selling just two phone brands in 2012 to several electronic devices, thanks to access to easy and reliable online sales on the platform.
She added that the platform also ensured that every vendor could increase sales and profit.
“Starting a business is no easy feat as a lot of research, planning and capital go into it and it often feels like there are 1,000 things to do at the same time.
“New small business owners are often faced with this reality, but, over the years, Jumia, has helped several vendors get online, reduce and, in most cases, eliminate some of the costs associated with running their businesses.
“The platform has connected more than 10,000 SMEs and business owners to millions of consumers in Nigeria.
“Before the advent of Jumia, vendors relied on multiple stores and shops across the country to scale their businesses.
“Today, vendors can sell their products to consumers anywhere in the country and have them delivered conveniently,” she said.
Founder, Danami Fashion House, Mr Tunde Olaniyan, stated that more than 80 per cent of the sales from his business were from Jumia.
He said the visibility Jumia provided was the major prerequisite most businesses needed to grow and prosper.
According to him, vendors have benefited from Jumia because they now have more revenue to invest in their businesses.
“The platform has also helped vendors market their products to specific target markets, thereby saving vendors marketing costs while increasing their customer base.
“As a fashion house, we make different kinds of clothes for men and women.
“We started six years ago, and today we are bigger and better with 80 per cent of our sales coming from Jumia,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer, Purple Linings Ventures, Mrs Bukola Ogundijo, said she had been able to balance out her responsibilities as a business person, wife and mother from conveniently selling her products on Jumia.
She revealed that she had been selling home appliances and fashion items on Jumia since 2014, which had helped her provide more for her family.
Ogundijo added that the advent of the platform had really impacted on high operational cost.
She explained that vendors could now save on operating expenses such as staff salary since online sales required fewer hands to run.
“I can sell to people in Kaduna, Abuja, and Port-harcourt, and this has really increased my sales.
“Delivery of goods can also be one of the many headaches of running a business, but Jumia helps solve this with its fast and reliable logistics network, giving vendors one less thing to worry about.
“Jumia has been very helpful in managing my business because I don’t need to worry about warehousing or delivery.
“From my living room with my smartphone in hand, I can attend to customers while taking care of my family,” she said.
