Connect with us

Ict/Telecom

‘E-Commerce Boom Can’t Phase Out Traditional Stores’

Published

on

An innovator, Mr Dayo Ayeni, yesterday said that traditional stores would remain relevant in spite of growth of e-commerce industry.
Ayeni, Chief Innovation Officer, BusinessPlus, said in Lagos that although e-commerce had made it easier for people to buy items from the comfort of their homes and offices, physical stores could not be phased out.
The chief innovation officer who spoke with newsmen, said that BusinessPlus is a digital business services agency.
Ayeni said that physical stores had the advantage of enabling buyers to feel items they would want to purchase.
“Even with the emergence of the e-commerce industry, thousands of consumers in Lagos, for example, still go to traditional stores at Isale-Eko, Computer Village and Balogun Market on a daily basis to purchase groceries, electronics and clothes, despite the stress involved.
“The fact remains that traditional stores allow consumers to interact with a range of products to make informed choices, aside from the advantage of being able to touch and see what they are buying.
“Online shopping is convenient in many ways, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its disadvantages.
“For instance, delivery charges and time spent waiting for the product to arrive are not pleasant to many consumers,’’ he said.
Ayeni said that online shoppers were mostly corporate workers, who hardly had the time to go to physical stores to shop.
According to him, many consumers usually complain that items they ordered for online looked different when delivered.
He said that since all citizens were not educated and had access to the internet, the society would always need traditional stores.
“Shopping online requires the use of internet, and not all Nigerians have access to it, hence, the need for physical stores which accommodate both the literate and the illiterate.
“I am not to trying to rule out the fact that the e- commerce industry is making it big globally, but the truth is even most of the online stores now have physical stores as a front to sell their markets.
“The reality is that physical stores can never go into extinction, there will always be the need for them,’’ he said.
Reports say that according to the Global Consumer Insights Survey 2018 brick-and-mortar (physical) stores’ weekly shoppers grew by four per cent from 2016 to 2018, an indication that e-commerce cannot phase out physical stores.
The survey also found out that shopping is not just about convenience but also about experience, which, at the moment, only a physical store can offer.
Niesel Global Survey also shows that one of the biggest barriers to online shopping in Nigeria is inability of customers to inspect goods.
The survey says 78 per cent of Nigerian respondents believe the factor is a deterrent.
The Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) says trust remains a major issue in online transactions as many Nigerians are in constant fear of online fraud and will do anything to avoid using their debit cards to process payments electronically.
According to data from NIBSS, year 2014 recorded 1,461 reported cases of electronic fraud, with actual losses grossing N6.216 billion.
In 2015, about 946 attempted e-fraud cases were also recorded by banks, other financial institutions and mobile payment operators, resulting in estimated N5 billion loss.

Continue Reading

Ict/Telecom

Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

Published

on

A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

Continue Reading

Ict/Telecom

AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

Published

on

The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

Continue Reading

Ict/Telecom

Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

Published

on

The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

Continue Reading

Trending