According to research, more merchants are now turning their automobiles into stores where they offer their clients commodities including clothing, shoes, bread, and fish among other things.
The notion is gaining hold among vendors for a number of reasons, according to our reporter who watched the practise for a few days in several areas of Lagos and Ogun states.
Others use their automobiles to avoid having to sell their goods along the side of the road and being at the whim of law enforcement, while some claim to be doing this to save money on store rent.
Depending on what they are selling, people who use their automobiles to transport goods to customers target major bus stations, marketplaces, and workplaces.
Ladipo, Computer Village, and Oshodi are just a few of the marketplaces in Lagos where it has been observed that the number of vendors employing automobiles as retail space is rising.
On the Lagos-Ibadan Motorway, at important bus stations like Lotto and Magboro, people were spotted utilising automobiles to display and sell bread. In Arepo, a guy selling catfish is typically seen with a pick-up van parked along the main route.
An individual who works as both a commercial driver and a shoe salesperson who goes by the name Chibuzor told our correspondent that “the convenience and mobility of this business model are truly appealing.”
At the Itire Mechanic Village, Chibuzor said, “I have been using this automobile for approximately two years. It is parked next to a variety of shoes on exhibit. Showcasing some of the goods I offer here just made sense.
I typically come here to sell to these mechanics since this is a market. I also occasionally visit the Oshodi market. On occasion, I just go about my morning transit duties before arriving here in the evening.
Additionally, our reporter discovered that the mobile vendors have affordable prices for their goods.
After purchasing a pair of sneakers, a client named Chinedu Madumere remarked, “I came here to fix my phone and spotted this guy. He has some incredible shoes here.
“I didn’t set aside money for this, but I couldn’t help but buy these shoes. Even though I am aware that the island’s Balogun Market carries comparable goods, I like this buy.
Emeka Okafor, a different vendor who operates out of a Sienna in Ladipo Market, acknowledged that operating out of his car rather than a traditional store saved him money.
I merely pay for a parking place here, he declared. It is not comparable to paying store rent. The best part about this is that I can travel to various markets where clothing are sold. Finding a place is all I need to do. That can be difficult as well, but it is far better.
“At this time, I have no plans to rent a store. Currently, renting a store is expensive. Even with expensive rentals, there are no stores.
