Top 5 places to shop in Abuja

Sahad Stores Amina AlhassanSahad Stores is located on Uke Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way in Area 11 and is a proudly-Nigerian store, which makes it distinct from other stores in the capital. It’s also well-known for low prices and what many a housewife would call an “an irresistible bargain”. This is so much so that […]

Sahad Stores

Amina Alhassan
Sahad Stores is located on Uke Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way in Area 11 and is a proudly-Nigerian store, which makes it distinct from other stores in the capital. It’s also well-known for low prices and what many a housewife would call an “an irresistible bargain”. This is so much so that patrons consist of people from all walks of life.
The store is housed in  a spacious four-storey building loaded with local and foreign goods ranging from fabrics, household and kitchen items, children’s wears, jewellery, foodstuff, toiletries, groceries, gift items, a grill for a quick snack after or before shopping and even an ATM.
Accessibility is fair, but could be chaotic during rush hour. Even with an underground lot, parking can sometimes be problematic, due to long queues. There is no security check even in the wake of the security challenges. Also, there are no signs in the store to show which section is which, leaving a first-timer to ask around.
Sahad is a shopper’s delight because of its variety of products. It also helps that their prices appear to be among the lowest in Abuja.

Shoprite

Adie Vanessa Offiong
Shoprite Supermarkets is a retailers’ cooperative (co-op) chain of supermarkets with two branches in Abuja located in the Apo District and at the Silverbird Galleria. It is the immediate choice for many Abuja residents because for a lot of them it is the most reasonably priced shopping destination in the FCT and even contends with prices of goods in the regular markets while still offering quality items.  
With a variety of commodities from fresh foods, to household and even industrial materials, Shoprite has wooed their fast growing clientele base by the uniqueness of a lot of their items including things like their wooden clothes hanger and ironing board. 
Initially with only one branch in Apo, the traffic jam caused by faithful clientele who daily made the trip there to purchase or simply window-shop was a harrowing experience. Many believe this is what led to the opening of its second branch at the Silverbird Galleria.
With aisles well-spaced and organised, several buyers can conveniently navigate through the shelves while drawing their shopping carts. Items on shelves are colourfully aligned in a way that draws the eyes to them and then thoughts of filling the stomach with the fruits which are the first things that say welcome as one goes through the door. 
With a lot of talk about fresh and healthy foods, customers can clearly see expiry dates on all food items displayed. Supervisors regularly make rounds checking on staff and their attentiveness to customers’ needs.

Next Cash & Carry

Tina A. Hassan

For commuters plying the express road linking Gwarimpa axis to Banex Junction in Abuja, Next Cash & Carry is one shopping mall you are sure not to miss. Situated in Jahi (not to be confused with similar-sounding Jabi nearby), it has gained popularity since it opened last year. The mall stocks both food and non-food items and offers customers access to virtually all they need to shop with at least four ATMs.
A first-timer is sure to be welcomed visible security. Attendants direct incoming and outgoing traffic, preventing gridlock. For a mall its size, the parking space is a delight and drivers hardly inconvenience each other.
Inside, one is greeted with welcoming warmth. The floors are clean and the shelves dust-free. Items are arranged in an easy-to-find manner. Another plus is the aroma of freshly baked goods and others.
Customer care is top-notch, too and there’s even a ‘Lost & Found’ attendant.

Grand Square

Amarachi Hannah Ogbu

Grand Square to an extent is the eclectic superstore in Abuja, when it comes to the range available for shoppers. Strategically located within the Central Business District, it can easily be accessed. It has a good-sized car park and security is very good. Open from 8:00am to 10:00pm, it’s convenient for shoppers with varying free time. It comes across as a bona fide one-stop-shop and there’s always a sale or discount going on.
The interior is sizeable, housing grocery, dairy, household items, utensil.s and almost everything else, really. Their ice cream is also famous in Abuja, as is their Grand Loaf and many customers throng for those, too.
Some of their prices, however, are steep compared with other shops. But they do have a lot of bargains. It’s quite an impressive store even if their cashiers are a bit stern and seem distant and unfriendly.

Exclusive Stores

Prisca Ekokuje

Exclusive Stores is located on Ademola  Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse 2. The store is central and can be located with ease, but its car park is small. The three-storey building has in its halls various goods ranging from food and beverages, pastry and coffee shop, a sports shop, boutique, electronics, jewellery, pharmacy, furniture and fittings. From the entrance, the setting in the shop is aesthetically well-placed with different signs to give you directions to where various goods are displayed.
The prices are, however, on the pricey side. But in case you run low on cash, there is a bank with an automated teller machine (ATM) nearby.
The store is noisy, but sees more customers downstairs than upstairs with the cashiers who are a bit uptight. But Customer Care staff, on the other hand, are accommodating. Security-wise, it can be said to be fair. The convenience is also clean and conducive, which is a good thing for shoppers whom are pressed. A good, hassle-free shopping experience.