High turnout, low sale at Kano trade fair

Despite the large turnout at the ongoing trade fair in Kano, sales are still low, according to traders. Weekly Trust was at the trade fair ground and reports

THE ongoing Kano International trade fair has attracted so many traders from both Nigeria and abroad. Over 18 countries are attending the trade fair in addition to those from across the country. Participants that displayed their wares at the fair have all commended this year’s arrangement which gave them shelter from the sun and freed them from dust and other inconveniences that were experienced in previous Kano trade fairs.

On the part of the customers, the turnout is also large because as one approaches the trade fair complex, he is met with a traffic gridlock of vehicles heading to the site.

However, despite the excellent arrangement and the high turnout of participants from within and abroad, as well as the high turnout of customers, the fair is witnessing low sales as revealed by the traders. Apart from one company that boasted of making overwhelming sales, most other traders interviewed said the sale was not very good as anticipated.

Investigation by Weekly Trust revealed that the problem of low sales may not be unconnected to the fact that salaries of many prospective customers were not paid.

Mr Henry Ongu, who sells kitchen utensils at the fair, said the sales compared to previous years that he attended Kano trade fair was low. “People will just come and see the items and then go. I don’t know why they are not buying, some said they were not paid salary, that if they receive it, they will come next week to buy things,” said Henry.

The customer relations manager of the Northern Nigeria Flour Mills Company, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali Gwarzo, corroborated what Henry said of lack of high sales. He, however, expressed his delight over the way the fair was arranged with the pavilions fully secured from sun and dust. He acknowledged the fact that so many companies were participating in the fair more than the previous ones.

But the Public Relations officer of BUA, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwas said to them the fair was a lucrative one. He said though that was their first trade fair in Kano, the sales they were making was tremendous, “We are overwhelmed by the sales we are making. People come in droves to buy our wares which include sugar, flour and Spaghetti. We go back to bring more of it because of the sales we are making,” he said. He added that BUA was one of the sponsors of the 34th International trade fair.

Another trader from Niger, Hajiya Fatima Maradi, who is selling traditional medicine at the fair, said the sitting arrangement was excellent because now they don’t have to sit under the sun to display their wares. “The pavilions created is good, before, you can only see this kind in Lagos or Kaduna trade fair but this year Kano has also answered its name as the centre of commerce by creating this wonderful hall,” said the Niger woman.

Weekly Trust also observed that for each local government council in Kano, a special pavilion is provided where agricultural and cultural materials peculiar to the area are displayed.

In Rogo local government for example, sample of cassava, sugar cane and weaving materials were on display. In Makoda local government area, items on displayed include designed weaving material, sand used in making glass, some stones used for architectural design among others.

Some states that were at the fair have also exhibited their cultural heritage. For example in Taraba state, tubers of yams, fish and other agricultural crops and fruits were displayed in addition to traditional attires such as the adire clothing material used by the Jukun tribe in Taraba state.

As for the customers visiting the site, the fair was a good one because of the subsidy they are getting and the new things that are displayed which is not found in the market. A customer accosted moving round pavilions; Hajiya Mariya Hassan said she was happy because she bought things at subsidized prices at the fair.

However, even in the pricing, Weekly Trust observed that unless a customer knows how to bargain well, he might end up buying an item at a higher price compared to the market. For example a woman who bought a bangle at the cost of N500 said at the initial stage she was asked to pay N1500; but after bargaining, they agreed at N500.

There are cultural displays, drama and music all over the complex. Those selling traditional medicines take over the place advertising their drugs over the loudspeakers.

Assorted materials such as clothes, kitchen utensils, mattresses, agro allied equipments, electrical appliances, herbal medicines and other wares too numerous to mention are all showcased for customers.

Commenting on the ongoing trade fair and those things that made this year’s fair to be unique, the Chairman protocol, 34th Kano International Trade Fair, Babangida Lamido said the effort was as a result of privilege given to them by the President of the Kano State Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Industry and Agriculture, Alhaji Umar Rabiu Dansilkeka. He said it took them six months to plan the fair, adding that they had even expected higher attendance compared to what was on ground, “First and foremost I must commend the president of KACCIMA for giving us the chance and privilege to do things in order. Over 18 countries are attending the trade fair and there are other countries like Poland, Netherlands among others who came and displayed their products for one day and left. Other countries in attendance include, Egypt, Niger, Sudan, China and Korea among others,” he said.

On the low sales, Lamido said it was as a result of nonpayment of salaries, adding that they were optimistic that at the end of it all, it will be a tremendous success. He appealed to government to pay its workers salaries so that the remaining four days of the fair would be used by the workers to buy what they want.