Many Nigerians have taken advantage of “Black Friday” being observed today by many shopping outlets within and outside the country to purchase goods at cheaper rates.
The products range from electric appliances and household items among others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that “Black Friday” is a time to do some serious Christmas shopping before the last Thanksgiving.
The Thanksgiving is usually marked during the last week in October and November in the U.S and Canada respectively.
Thanksgiving Day was originally celebrated as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.
The practice was coined in 1960 to mark the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season and has been adopted by some countries around the world, including Nigeria.
NAN spoke with some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who said that the day had afforded them the opportunity to purchase a number of products at a cheaper rate.
Maureen Okon, a public servant, said she purchased two mobile phones from KONGA.COM, an online outlet at a cheaper rate.
“When I initially wanted to buy the phones, they were very expensive, but bearing in mind that Black Friday was close, I decided to wait.
“Just like I expected, the price of the phones has dropped by 20 per cent discount.
“Unlike other times when you will have network issues to access the internet to make your purchases, this time it was easier,” she said.
She also said that it was a good avenue for people to purchase their items for the festive season at cheaper rates.
Gideon Olaoye, an attendant with Park and Shop Stores said the shop had been very busy with the advent of “Black Friday”.
Olaoye noted that 50 per cent discount was taken off some items and people had been scampering into the shop to make purchases.
“It has been a very busy day here because of the Black Friday; customers have been coming in to buy one thing or the other.
“The economic recession also contributed to the rush.
“When people check what they can buy on a normal day for like N20,000, but can get it for like N15,000 on the Black Friday, they will just wait till then,” he said.
Henry Omale, an Abuja-based engineer who was at Shoprite to purchase some household items, said he was able to get some items at reduced cost.
According to him, he kept the available cash on him till the Black Friday to be able to purchase extra items for his family.
“I came to buy items for my family and some of the items that had ridiculous prices initially have reduced.
“It is a good thing that Black Friday exists,” Omale said.
Helen Udoh, a customer with Jumia online shop, said “Black Friday” in Nigeria was merely a marketing strategy to attract people.
“In Nigeria, Black Friday does not really depict what it is meant for, because there is lack of sincerity in what most of these shops sell.
“In foreign countries where Black Friday started, they actually reduce the prices of items to its barest minimum, but here it is a way of attracting people to come and buy off their stock.
“There is economic recession, so people will definitely come out in their numbers to buy things at least at a minimal cheaper rate,” she said.
Udoh, however, said it was important marketers in the country ensured that “Black Friday” represents what it was meant for in line with global trend. (NAN)