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Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 5:17am On Sep 11, 2012 |
On her twice-yearly visits to London from Nigeria, Victoria Appiah stocks up on everything she needs for the next six months. "I basically only do food shopping back home," she says, standing outside Marks & Spencer's flagship store in Marble Arch, central London. "It's not that you can't get these things in Lagos, but everything here is much more reasonably priced. 1 Like |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 5:20am On Sep 11, 2012 |
ringing up an average £500 in each shop where they make purchases – four times what the average UK shopper spends. ^^^^Hmmmmm... I thought the country was poor - but the average Nigerian shopper in the UK spends 4 times what the average UK shoppers spends... You lot have got your priorities backward...Keep taking the money you should keep in your country outside, and expect "the hand of God" to turn your fortunes around.. 3 Likes |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by AjanleKoko: 6:03am On Sep 11, 2012 |
The story puts a ridiculous spin on a bunch of otherwise innocuous events. Oyinbo media sha shymexx: On her twice-yearly visits to London from Nigeria, Victoria Appiah stocks up on everything she needs for the next six months. "I basically only do food shopping back home," she says, standing outside Marks & Spencer's flagship store in Marble Arch, central London. "It's not that you can't get these things in Lagos, but everything here is much more reasonably priced. One person's shopping habits are superimposed on millions of Nigerians. I suppose they spoke to 'thousands of Nigerians' who 'agreed'? What crap. Imagine mentioning the words 'UK' and 'bargain' in the same sentence shymexx: On a recent trip back from Europe, Marie Claire Lienou lugged 50kg of frozen meat in a freezer bag back to Nigeria. "You can't compare [Shoprite's] prices here with their prices in Europe. For 10 steaks there I can buy two here. You just pay what you have to for the convenience and guarantees," she said, pushing a trolley laden with relative luxuries such as bagged salads. Is that even a Nigerian name? Which Nigerian would buy frozen meat from Europe to bring to Nigeria? shymexx: Being middle class in Nigeria isn't cheap. In a brightly lit KFC across the shopping centre, Taiwo Edun, an engineer, treated his girlfriend to crispy chicken and chips, a luxury beyond the reach of many at $20 (£13) a pop. This by far is the dumbest. Some random Nigerian dude spends $20 at KFC in London, and that is news? There is KFC in Nigeria also. Is it that there's nothing better for this half-assed reporter to write about? Jeez. 5 Likes |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Gbawe: 7:13am On Sep 11, 2012 |
shymexx: Shymexx, you are clearly intelligent but you need to refrain from being dishonest in an effort to prop up your various bias. You attempt here to insinuate that the average Nigerian spends 4 times what the average UK shopper spends when the article makes it obvious it is talking about Nigerian visitors probably in the UK specifically to spend. We are highly and obsessively acquisition-driven in Africa because we produce nothing !!!! Many African immigrants living in the UK have ten fridge-freezers to store food while the average Briton has one fridge-freezer because he has been brought up to understand he can go to the shops routinely and conveniently to purchase more food items when he runs out !!!! No need to bulk buy, hoard food or clutter the kitchen with freezers when food will always be in the stores. The African has to think differently coming from a region where frivolous economic regulations means a food item may be scarce, unavailable or inordinately expensive for months !!!! Nigerians saving money desperately and then coming to shop frenziedly in the UK does not prove anything other than the sad reality we have now accepted our position of being desperately reliant on others to supply us finished/cheaper goods while we myopically and indolently restrict ourselves to finding the money to afford these goods. Visitors from the west African nation are the UK's fourth biggest foreign spenders, ringing up an average £500 in each shop where they make purchases – four times what the average UK shopper spends. 9 Likes |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 8:36am On Sep 11, 2012 |
I completely agree with this article...My Mum comes here 3-4 times a year to shop and spend ridiculous money. A lot of her friends do too. I'm not debating whether its right or wrong.... But I know A LOT of Nigerians do it... 1 Like |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by ifyalways(f): 8:45am On Sep 11, 2012 |
Appiah is a Ghanaian name @ OP. 1 Like |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by hardywaltz(m): 9:01am On Sep 11, 2012 |
ifyalways: Appiah is a Ghanaian name @ OP.Tot I was d only one who noticed. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by LongOne1(m): 11:02am On Sep 11, 2012 |
Gbawe: We are highly and obsessively acquisition-driven in Africa because we produce nothing !!!! Many African immigrants living in the UK have ten fridge-freezers to store food while the average Briton has one fridge-freezer because he has been brought up to understand he can go to the shops routinely and conveniently to purchase more food items when he runs out !!!! I don’t think it’s just the African immigrants that are ‘obsessively acquisition-driven’; some black Britons are guilty of this. My flatmate is a good example, as he usually fills up the fridge and freezer with stuff, leaving me very little room. Though he has African ancestry, two of his generations have lived in the UK, or are you saying it’s a trait passed on? I am beginning to wonder if it is a ‘black’ thing. @ Topic, shows you the business potential Africa has. Anyone interested in franchising? |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Gbawe: 11:24am On Sep 11, 2012 |
Long One: I feel for you bruv. On a serious note, you have a point about "traits passed on". A lot of Africans gain certain habits directly from their parents even when in non-African societies. That is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I think an African grounding could help more kids avoid societal traps when older. Nonetheless, folks should make a conscious effort to reject certain unhelpful habits of their parent by learning evolutionarily better habits more useful for the society they have to exist in. There is no need to store six months worth of meat in several freezers. Britons don't have it so bad at home they need to stockpile cash only to go on a frenzied shopping spree in other parts of the world. Everything Britons require is generally available at a relatively competitive price within the Country. I am sure no Briton does what is written below: On a recent trip back from Europe, Marie Claire Lienou lugged 50kg of frozen meat in a freezer bag back to Nigeria. "You can't compare [Shoprite's] prices here with their prices in Europe. For 10 steaks there I can buy two here. My brother, on the franchising thing, I feel you ojare. I am a very big fan of African businessmen and entrepreneurs delivering value for the continent with proactive, considerate and expansive trading practices. If you have it in mind, consider it seriously because your financial and mental rewards may be immense. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 12:02pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
ifyalways: Appiah is a Ghanaian name @ OP. So? Nigerians don't get married to Ghanaians, no? And didn't she say this: "It's not that you can't get these things in Lagos, but everything here is much more reasonably priced. Anyway, if you have got a problem with the article, contact The Guardian UK.. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 12:08pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Gbawe: I understand where you're coming from, but my point is; why do they have spend that much just to shop in the UK - when they can get the same thing in Nigeria? Thus, keeping the money in the Nigerian economy... If you put the money they would spend to obtain the visa, flight tickets, accommodation etc... into consideration, is it really worth it?? I think most of them just do it out of ignorance and the "look cool" factor(inferiority complex) - just to show off that they 'shopped' in London... But either way, it's hurting the Nigerian economy, that was my point.. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 12:09pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Jheeeez!!! I didn't write the article and I don't work for The Guardian UK.. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by coogar: 12:17pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
shymexx: it's worth it for the people who want quality! it's far cheaper to get in the uk than paying a cut-throat price in nigeria. besides too many fake products in the nigerian market is a turn-off!
of course, it hurts the nigerian economy but that blame lies with the nigerian government! the political instability and the lack of basic amenities mean big megastores are running a huge overhead costs and it's the nigerian consumer that bears the brunt! |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Gbawe: 12:28pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
shymexx: My brother, in this regard, I see your point totally. Go to Harrods and Selfridges during the sales and you may be forgiven for thinking you are in down town Lagos. Nigerians love the "one way trafick" pattern of shopping. If TM Lewin shirt comes into fashion, it is inflexibly what every Nigerian want's to come to London to stock up on. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by solomon111(m): 12:30pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Useless Nigerians. They will keep on blaming the govt,yet the little they have is spent outside the country. If you like destroy the only real country you have,you are the one to suffer racism, deportation,and second class citizenship in any fake country you think you are. Wetin consign me?! Na una sabi. Mscheww!! 2 Likes |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Gbawe: 12:33pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
coogar: I think this is part of the point Shymmex makes. Why can't our local businessmen, entrepreneurs, SME's and manufacturer innovatively rise to the challenge of strengthening the Nigerian economy by producing quality at home so that Nigerian money does not go outside the Nation chasing that quality? I totally agree with him in that regard because I have always wondered same myself. Why not simply learn to do things to World class standards even if you are in Africa? It is not an impossible or unrealistic concept. 1 Like |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 12:35pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
coogar: If you calculate the total cost of shopping in London(with the visa fee, flight ticket, and accommodation), isn't it far more expensive than the "cut-throat" price in Nigeria?? And aren't those shops also in Nigeria? |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 12:36pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Gbawe: Thanks... That's what I was trying to say. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by coogar: 12:36pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Gbawe: it is not possible to deliver world class standards in nigeria. the cost of producing one item of world class product is not within the reach of 98% of the nigerian population and the other 2% can't be bothered as well! nigerians tailor their products to meet the spending power of the majority! a country where the average spend is $2 - what do you expect the local manufacturers to churn out? |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by solomon111(m): 12:37pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
shymexx:my brother,i tire o. There is something fundamentally wrong with us. 2 Likes |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by LongOne1(m): 1:09pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
coogar: I disagree with this; labour is supposed to be cheaper in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) economies, which is why most manufacturing is outsourced to these Countries. Are you saying these almajiris/agberos can’t be taught craftsmanship and paid a decent wage? 1 Like |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by LongOne1(m): 1:13pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Gbawe: I am seriously considering it. The capital is a whole other issue, lol. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Gbawe: 1:13pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
coogar: It is in my opinion. I am not talking everyone, everywhere producing high quality products/service. I am talking of those with the finance, and they are many, not cutting corner or compromising to produce goods of the quality that would make Nigerians shun foreign offers. For example, when interlock machinery is required to finish off a shirt nicely, some Nigerian tailor may ignore this stage because they are not bothered about absolute quality even if they can easily afford an interlocking machine. Small things like that show we can do things better but have become a people far too happy to cut corners and not particularly bothered about excelling, doing anything very well or to the highest standard. 1 Like |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 1:31pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Gbawe: That is really profound and thought-provoking... But when they come to African on tours...they hardly spend that much. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by coogar: 1:33pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Long One: i am not talking labour cost - i am talking about other overheads. power supply, transport and security! to operate a functional business in nigeria, you need about 4 lordmart generating sets, your own borehole, your own security, etc - you are more or less your own local government - these costs are codedly added to the cost price you see on the shelves thus making things super expensive in nigeria! Gbawe: nigerians are the masters at maximising profits - the littlest of effort to cop the highest price they can manage to squeeze out from the consumers. there's no market control! if fuel price increases tonight - a tin of milk @ 100 naira would become 500 naira instantly - never mind the fact that those tins of milk have been in the shops since january! the government gets the lion share of the blame - provide light 24/7 and things would become far cheaper!
cutting corners = cutting costs! 1 Like |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 1:41pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
shymexx: Exactly my sentiment. I have a neighbor, she squeezed herself to go to London, now she is secretly sending my wife to me to loan her some money to pay for her daughter's school fees of less than 150k. Obviously am never going to do that for her. To many people in Nigeria with mis-placed priorities. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by coogar: 1:45pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
ilugunboy: don't be a sourpuss - loan her the money! shymexx: visa fee = £50, ticket = £500 or less, accommodation is free! these people buy in bulk for themselves and others, there's variety if they travel and so on and so forth! nigerians are smart - if you think they are not making massive profits from these frequent trips then you know little about business! 2 Likes |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Gbawe: 1:47pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Long One: Guy, I feel you sha. Nigeria is a brutal place to raise capital. Purely every man for himself in that place. This is an aspect of economic development Government should look at much more i.e assisting SME's with start up funds, training etc. The rewards for the economy would be immense ala employment, income through tax collection, foreign exchange (for those exporting) etc. |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 2:23pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
coogar: I hear you!.... . You will give me school fees for my own two kids next week? |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by LongOne1(m): 3:19pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
coogar: i am not talking labour cost - i am talking about other overheads. power supply, transport and security! to operate a functional business in nigeria, you need about 4 lordmart generating sets, your own boehole, your own security, etc - you are more or less your own local government - these costs are codedly added to the cost price you see on the shelves thus making things super expensive in nigeria! Fair point, still how do these foreign businesses thrive in Nigeria? The costs you mentioned, apart from power supply and security, can be compared to businesses in the west. Jonathan has promised December 2012 for power. Even at that, the hourly costs of using a generating set, after working out depreciation, servicing and factoring in resale values, would still be lower than the tax+wage difference of operating the same company in the west. (I believe its still £5.80 minimum wage/hr, who pays hourly in Naija and how many companies pay that high a tax?) As for security, if the likes of Shoprite, MTN, Park n shop, the Tesco like supermarket in Apo Abuja, and the South African supermarket in Ceddi Plaza Abuja could survive, what are you saying? Bottom-line, there is something in Nigeria these foreigners see despite all our obvious shortcomings, that Nigerians don’t see. Gbawe: Guy, I feel you sha. Nigeria is a brutal place to raise capital. Purely every man for himself in that place. This is an aspect of economic development Government should look at much more i.e assisting SME's with start up funds, training etc. The rewards for the economy would be immense ala employment, income through tax collection, foreign exchange (for those exporting) etc. Well, all one can do is to hope and wait till a time when the policy or economic framework supports SME’s as you said, alternatively aligns oneself with politicians like some Nigerian million/billionaires . And of course, avoid ‘glass half empty’ comments from nairalanders such as Coogar, lol. After all, hard working, patriotic people made the west what it is today, so I see no reason why Nigerians shouldn’t strive to better their Country – and of course make money in the process. 1 Like |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by stagger: 3:43pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Junk journalism at its ultimate worst. I have lived (not visited) in St.Germain in France and Sheffield in England with my wife. I do not see what is so special that someone will decide to go to UK to buy things and be complaining that fake goods have taken over Nigerian markets. Where do these journalists get their info from? And how is Appiah a Nigerian name? 1 Like |
Re: Nigerians Flock To Buy UK Bargains by Nobody: 3:44pm On Sep 11, 2012 |
Being middle class in Nigeria isn't cheap. In a brightly lit KFC across the shopping centre, Taiwo Edun, an engineer, treated his girlfriend to crispy chicken and chips, a luxury beyond the reach of many at $20 (£13) a pop. LOL is fried chicken and chips considered a treat by Nigerians?Junk Nigeria is very crowded, traffic is terrible, fakes [wares] are everywhere. The only thing I'll buy from the market is fresh bulk vegetables, because there are no fake tomatoes," she added. Why do Nigerians always badmouth Nigeria outside her shores.its like saying your mother is a lazy and ugly w.hre who doesn't cook 1 Like |
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