Pan-African company launches online marketplace, Openmall.ng

Computer Warehouse Group (CWG Plc), the leading Pan-African ICT Company, has launched www.openmall.ng, an online market place that aggregates products from different stores on Openshopen.ng (http://www.openshopen.ng) for ease of navigation for buyers and to enhance sales of store owners.

Openmall was launched at a ceremony which was held at the International Trade Fair Complex, Lagos. It witnessed the attendance of individuals from both the corporate and informal sector.

Addressing the audience, Mr. James Agada, the Chief Technology Officer, CWG Plc, explained that the creation of Openmall stems from the passion of the company to empower businesses in the country to reach their desired potentials.

He said “At CWG Plc, our business is to make it easier for businesses to grow. We have created Openmall as an additional tool for them to succeed by creating a pool where buyers will see their products easily and buy them with ease. This is because exposure is crucial for sales. It is often said that you are wasting your time when you are winking at a girl in the dark.”

Mr. Agada further said, “Using the internet, people go to Amazon to buy things that can they can equally get around, sometimes at a better quality or cheaper prices. They are forced to patronize these foreign stores because they cannot access local stores except they visit their physical location. Therefore, local businesses lose sizeable income that could have grown their capacities. But, with Openmall and Openshopen, this is about to change.”

Speaking on behalf of the Trade Fair Complex Association, the Public Relations officer, Mr. Onumba Arinze Benjamin, expressed delight in the prospects Openmall offers business owners. According to him, “To the best of my knowledge, Openshopen.ng is a good product that allows business owners have their own online stores at a very affordable cost. At this time that our sales are affected by the emergence of many online platforms, it is good that Openmall is coming to us. Those of us that sell locally made world class products will find it most beneficial.”

The event featured a brief exposition on Openmall for the traders. It included a live demonstration of how buyers can use the platform as well as how the merchants can upload products on their online stores in simple steps.

On his part, the business development manager, Openshopen.ng, Mr. Chidi Asiegbu highlighted the importance of owning an online store to every merchant. According to him, “The way businesses are conducted today has changed significantly. The earlier every business owner realises this, the better. And, a ready-made solution is right here for you. With Openshopen, you can open an online store on in 3 simple steps. Then, you are able to sell to a lot more people in their homes and offices.”

“Openshopen allows you sell to a wide customer base from one location. It also allows you receive payment online or receive it on delivery if you choose. And, we have made it easier for you by taking care of the logistics in partnership with reliable logistics company if you want us to”, he added.

In his testimony, Mr. Olisa Udezue, a merchant, told the audience that Openshopen has improved his business experience. He explained to the merchants that Openshopen will allow them have nationwide visibility and improve their sales margin as it did for him. Speaking on the importance of ecommerce he said, “If we don’t move in the direction the world is going, it will leave us behind.”

Recall that Openshopen.ng was named the eCommerce platform of the year earlier in the year, at the Beacon of Information and Communication Technology (BOICT) awards in just less than one year of its introduction to the Nigerian market.

This is a feature by Computer Warehouse Group