Easter: Traders Worry Over Poor Sales

Some traders in Lagos have expressed worry over low sales just two days ahead of the Easter festivities.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the low sales were due to lack of funds and high inflation in the country.

Mrs. Toyin Awoniyi, a foodstuff seller at Marina, said that the recent increase in the price of petrol led to higher prices of foodstuff and other consumer items.

Awoniyi said that a bag of rice, which was formerly sold for N8, 500, was now N10, 500.

She advised government to provide employment opportunities for people to improve their standard of living.

Mrs. Margret Udoh, a dealer in children clothes on Broad Street, said that the high prices of goods were affecting her sales.

She said that she recorded higher sales during the Easter period in 2011.

“My expectation is to make more sales after borrowing money from my relations to put goods in my shop.

“But, the reverse seems to be the case now because of the inflationary rate in the country,” Udoh said.

She said that due to economic situation, people would first prefer to provide foods for their families before thinking of clothes for their wards.

Udoh said that the prices of children clothes had gone up in spite of complaints by Nigerians of lack of funds.

Mrs. Bolaji Adeleke, a trader at Balogun Market, said that the low turnout of customers was due to the high unemployment rate.

She said that many Nigerians were living below poverty level, adding that those who found it difficult to eat three meals a day could not talk of buying chicken.

Adeleke said that the prices of chicken, which were between N1,500 and N2,000 in March, had gone up to between N2,500 and N3,000.

“It is really unfortunate that sales do not turn out as expected, but I hope that as the time goes on, sales will get better,” she said.

Mrs. Funke Onasanya, a wine seller at Oshodi, also said that high prices had affected her sales negatively.

She said that the prices of wine had gone up in spite of the low patronage.

Onasanya said that people were very selective in the items they were buying due to scarcity of funds, adding that this had affected her sales.