Fair to boost $125b retail industry

Organizers of the 2017 Home, Décor and Giftware (HD&G) trade and exhibition fair, Clarion Events West Africa, have stated that this year’s expo is targeted at opening up new channels and opportunities for trade between Nigerian retail buyers and interior designers with local and international suppliers and manufacturers.

The Commercial Director, Clarion Events West Africa, Russell Hughes, explained that over the past half decade, Nigeria’s retail sector has continued to record impressive growth which he said has been driven by increasing consumer buying power and rise of the middle class.

According to him, Nigeria’s retail sector is worth over $125 billion, pointing out that it is against this backdrop that his company partnered with stakeholders in the industry to organize this year’s trade and exhibition fair to expose the sector to the world.

“One of our strongest portfolios within our global groups is our retail and homeware portfolio which is made up of 14 high quality, annual trade events. These events support over 3000 exhibitors and sponsors giving them the opportunities to meet and do business with more than 60,000 discerning retailers and professionals,” he said.

Hughes during the opening ceremony of (HD&G) in Lagos, said featured in the exhibition is a vast array of Made-in- Nigeria items as well as some of the most sought after and newly discovered international brands.

In his words, “We will be hosting free to attend seminars throughout the 3 days with case studies shared on accessing finance to help future growth, how to develop customer loyalty, building brand identity, improving your-in-store experience, logistics, standards competing in the global market and how to leverage on the e-commerce boom.”

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, Adam and Eve, Modupe Ogunlesi, said despite the impressive results recorded by the nation’s retail sector, the federal government must continue to provide the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country.

She noted that businesses and entrepreneurs are still faced with myriad of challenges ranging from poor access to finance for business start ups, multiplicity of taxes and inadequate infrastructure.

He however called on the government to as a matter of urgency remove barriers hindering the growth and development of businesses in the country, saying that lots of businesses are collapsing as a result of the harsh business environment.He commended the group for organizing this year’s fair, saying that it would go a long way to expose Nigeria’s retail industry to the world.