Amidst low turnout, vendors express mixed feelings at Abuja’s 20th trade fair

For the past 20 years, residents of Abuja have had the opportunity to patronize businesses from across the country and the world through the Abuja International Trade Fair (AITR). The fair has been an avenue to purchase a variety of products at a cheaper price as well as expose businesses to potential customers from outside […]

For the past 20 years, residents of Abuja have had the opportunity to patronize businesses from across the country and the world through the Abuja International Trade Fair (AITR).

The fair has been an avenue to purchase a variety of products at a cheaper price as well as expose businesses to potential customers from outside of their base.

Even though the economic downturn in the country has affected the purchasing powers of Nigerians, this has not discouraged many residents to buy and feast their eyes with many products on display in open stalls at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, where the fair often takes place.

From big brands like Dangote to petty traders hawking sachet water, the fair has been a colosseum for entertainment and trade.

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A boisterous atmosphere greeted our reporter who visited the fair ground as local music blaring from huge speakers to attract customers filled the air.

To attract more visitors, the organisers made entry to be free against previous years of paying entrance fee.

Vendors were provided with the option of open and indoor stalls to display their wares with products like local perfumes, Adire, kitchen wares, solar devices, dairy products, cosmetics among a host of other products available for purchase.

Government agencies were not left out as their stalls were prominent for visitors to enquire about their services.

Also, states like Plateau and Nasarawa had space to advertise products peculiar to their domain. Nasarawa had its ‘Day’ yesterday and a cultural troupe performed local dances to endear visitors.

Residents also used the holiday to bring their children to the venue with many seen escorting their parents with excitement glaring on their faces.

The high commission of Ghana was also allocated a stall where fabrics and other adornments worn in Ghana sold.

Vendors seek more publicity

Sally Ameh, who sells hair products from the stall, said it would be her first visit to Nigeria to sell her products at the fair.

Sally, while stating that that patronage at the fair is not forthcoming, was optimistic that sales would pick up before the end of the fair on October 6.

“It is my first time in Nigeria and I am still looking around to understand the system. I will be willing to come back next year.”

She added that the organisers need to do more on the visibility of the fair for more people to get aware of it, saying “what they did for me is not enough as I expected people would be trooping in to buy our products.”

Another Ghanaian, Mary Otoo, recalled that the Abuja trade fair used to be booming unlike recent years where few people visit to purchase goods.

Mary, who said she has had over 10 years’ experience bringing fabrics to be sold in the fair although, few people are coming to the fair, she is expecting larger patronage at the last minute.

“People believe that when they come on the last day, they will get cheap things to buy but now it is not going to be all that cheap because of the exchange rate, still we have unique things here that will be relatively cheap but the truth is that it is not booming like before.”

She urged the organisers to bring down the price of the stalls as they are expensive, adding that more publicity needs to be done as a lot of people do not know the fair is going on.

“They should do more advertising for people to know we are around. This time around they tried as they are not collecting entrance fees which is also very good.”

Samuel Ayew said sales have been picking up since the slow start of the fair.

“Today we expect a lot of people due to the independence holiday. It has been a wonderful experience and the organisers have done a good job and I think there is room for improvement. What I feel they can do is to make sure the first day things pick up faster than they usually do as most times, on the first day people are still constructing their space.”

Also, Joseph Terry who came from Lagos and operates Sunny Kitchen Made in Japan, also confirmed that sales are a bit slow, attributing it to the situation of the country. He said the company has been using advertisements through TV stations and social media to make its customers in Abuja know they are in the fair.

He also urged the organisers to do more advertising because a lot of people don’t know that the trade fair is ongoing.

“Also, they should cut down the prices of stands because we understand that this land was given to them for free. The rate we are paying is expensive, for instance, 72 square meters costs close to N2m so our advice is for them to look into the price.” He lauded the initiative for free entrance, stating it has been encouraging for customers to come free and buy.

On whether the kitchen wares he is selling are cheaper, he said there is a 30 per cent discount on them as the purpose of the trade fair is to sell at lower price.

A food vendor, Tolu Williams, said she chose to participate in the trade fair because it brings together different people and goods.

“If you walk around, you will see different companies that bring a variety of different businesses into one place where you can view. It also serves as a place to make long term connections as your products are exposed to people you might not meet on a regular basis.”

 

Okechuwu Christian, who sells solar powered devices, however said he has experienced large sales since the fair started.

While disclosing that he has participated in the fair for over six years, he praised the organisers for fixing the event at the month where visitors still have their salary to purchase goods for their families.

Eme Paul, a civil servant who came to the fair with her family, said it provided her the time to have fun and explore the products available.

“My excitement about the trade fair is that it gives us an opportunity to encourage locally made products. So, I came here to patronize Nigerian made products and create jobs for Nigerians. Also, people can negotiate great deals and it is a great way to stimulate economic activities.”

On his part, Chris Akamiran said he used the opportunity of the holiday to see if he could get some products he needed.

He said the fair is a good initiative to bring hard to reach products nearer, he, however, said the high cost of living is bringing it to a halt with fewer vendors in the fair.