The New Blaze Of Online Shopping

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By Amaka Akachukwu

BLACK FRIDAYThe start of online shopping originated from English entrepreneur Michael Aldrich who invented online shopping in 1979. His system connected a modified domestic TV to a real-time transaction processing computer via a domestic telephone line. He believed that videotex, the modified domestic TV technology with a simple menu-driven human computer interface, was a ‘new, universally applicable, participative communication medium  the first since the invention of the telephone.’ This enabled ‘closed’ corporate information systems to be opened to ‘outside’ correspondents not just for transaction processing but also for e-messaging and information retrieval and dissemination, later known as e-business. His definition of the new mass communications medium as ‘participative’ [interactive, many-to-many] was fundamentally different from the traditional definitions of mass communication and mass media and a precursor to the social networking on the Internet 25 years later.

In March 1980 he went on to launch Redifon’s Office Revolution, which allowed consumers, customers, agents, distributors, suppliers and service companies to be connected on-line to the corporate systems and allow business transactions to be completed electronically in real-time.

During the 1980s he designed, manufactured, sold, installed, maintained and supported many online shopping systems, using videotex technology. These systems which also provided voice response and handprint processing pre-date the Internet and the World Wide Web, the IBM PC, and Microsoft MS-DOS, and were installed mainly in the UK by large corporations.

The first World Wide Web server and browser, created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990, opened for commercial use in 1991. Thereafter, subsequent technological innovations emerged in 1994: online banking, the opening of an online pizza shop by Pizza Hut Netscape’s SSL v2 encryption standard for secure data transfer, and Intershop’s first online shopping system. The first secure transaction over the Web was either by NetMarket or Internet Shopping Network in 1994. Immediately after, Amazon.com launched its online shopping site in 1995 and its focus was on selling books and eBay was also introduced in 1995.

The start of amazon.com and eBay paved way for other online shopping platforms all around the world such as OLX, Alibaba, ASOS and many other. The online shopping has created a lot of convenience for many especially those in the working class; it has made buying and selling easy for many whether in form of Business to Consumers or Business to Business.

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KONGANigeria too isn’t left out in the online shopping business, infact many companies and citizens seem to be thriving from the online shopping activities. Various companies like Jumia, Konga, Kaymu, and Regalbuyer are helping the country’s e-commerce sector.

In Nigeria, Jumia is believed to be the flagship e-commerce online shopping company. Jumia Nigeria initially began operations in June 2012 under the brand name Kasuwa, later merging with another Rocket Internet ecommerce start-up, Sabunta to birth Jumia. Since its introduction into the country, the company has seen immeasurable growth. Jumia.com.ng offers all kinds of services to its customers ranging from fashion to electronics, kitchen utensils, phones, sports kits and so many more. Its main aim is to provide its shoppers undiluted a customer-centric service which is based on trust.  Its operation has been at the front of e-commerce activities in Nigeria.

Konga is another online retail culture that is quickly gaining grounds in Nigeria. The e-commerce start-up which was founded by Sim Shagaya commenced its operation in July 2012 with a view to revolutionalise shopping experience for many Nigerian citizens most especially the working class. It was set up to create convenience for those who couldn’t go out of their comfort zone to shop for their needs; it also offers its customers unparalled customer service which is largely based on trust.

As an online e-commerce platform, konga.com offers thousands of products to customers ranging from groceries, household products, fashion, electronics, personal care and so many more.

The online businesses have given other growing businesses the opportunity to showcase and sell their products using their platform.

The payment system for customers on the platform is a very simple and convenient experience; it makes available for customers to pay on cash deliveries, pay online using debit cards or swipe cards at any point of sale (POS) terminal. They also help the Nigerian Government in implementing the cashless Nigeria idea.

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To reward their customers for their loyalty, these various online shopping companies set a day aside every year to give major discounts on their products. The most popular which is known around the world is called “Black Friday”. The “Black Friday” is a day on Thanksgiving which online shopping companies sell products to their customers on highly discounted prices.

Other countries also have their way of showing love to their customers; like in China, it is known as Singles Day or Anti-Valentine’s day.

China held theirs on November 11 2014, and Alibaba Group which is the largest e-commerce company in China, surpassed $2 billion in sales volume processed through payments app Alipay within the first hour and 11 seconds of Nov. 11. As of Tuesday morning (around 11pm local time in Hangzhou China, where Alibaba is headquartered) sales had surpassed $9 billion, with some 43% generated from mobile, according to Alibaba. China’s anti–Valentine’s Day has handily surpassed the U.S.’ s Black Friday as the world’s most lucrative online shopping day, and with the company passing $9 billion in sales in 24 hours, it has become one of the most profitable manufactured holidays in history.

Mexico has its own version of Black Friday and is known in the country as El Buen Fin (“the good weekend”), and the shopping spree takes place over a period of four days. It’s named “the cheapest weekend of the year” and is pegged to Mexico’s 1910 revolution, rather than Thanksgiving.

This year, it took place on 18 November; it saw 88,000 retailers in Mexico City taking part in the event, which grossed an estimated $12 billion in sales this year.

In Nigeria, Jumia decided to reward its customers by bringing the Black Friday to their doorsteps. The day where you get to take part in the biggest shopping experience; it is Black Friday. As the Christmas season is fast approaching, Jumia has made it possible to enjoy the best of Black Friday deals online by bringing you products ranging from electronics, household items to fashion clothing at discounted prices. With Double Awoof Voucher purchase, you will be getting a voucher at half the price of its value which you can use to shop online for any product on Black Friday. The already discounted prices together with the Double Awoof Voucher will make it feel like you are getting your items for free. And there is more, you can be one of the lucky winners of the golden tickets to take part in the Black Friday Warehouse Run where you get to pick as much items as you can in 60 seconds.

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Konga.com isn’t left out of the deal; last year, Konga launched “Yakata sales” to as it is Konga.com’s way of bring the famous “Black Friday” with incredible deals across all of its categories with certain items selling out faster than anticipated. This year, Konga has brought back its famous “Yakata sales” to millions of its customers across Nigeria with mind-blowing discounts of up to 70% on the range of items sold on its website.

It is very evident that the online shopping platforms in Nigeria are gaining grounds and that they are doing all they can to deliver efficiently and effectively to their customers. They are also helping the e-commerce sector of the economy. Most importantly, they appreciate their customers’ loyalty.

With the visible and significant growth seen in these two online shopping platform  in a short period of time, do you think they can maintain what they have built, create a name for themselves  and also set aside a day in a year to reward their customers for their loyalty.