Lagos: Rain gear sellers in parts of Lagos are counting losses as fewer rainstorms and the August break combine to weaken demand for umbrellas and raincoats. For traders who stocked heavily in anticipation of frequent rainfall, the prolonged dry spells have turned what appeared to be a profitable season into a struggle to recover invested capital.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, a visit by its correspondents to Orile, Oshodi, and Agege markets on Thursday showed low customer traffic around shops selling raincoats, umbrellas, and nylon covers. At Orile Market, Mrs. Funmi Bashir, a raincoat seller, expressed concern over her unsold stock after investing heavily when demand was high. “I pray for the rain to come back so I can exhaust all the 5,000 pieces of raincoats tying down my money,” she said. Bashir noted that she bought the large quantity of raincoats shortly before the last rainfall, driven by rapid sales and significant profit margins.
Similarly, Ganiyu, a wheelbarrow nylon seller at the market, had anticipated quick sales and stocked more raincoats than nylon covers. However, the unexpected August break left him with unsold raincoats. Another trader, Mrs. Mary Dada, highlighted that customers’ preferences between umbrellas and nylon raincoats largely depend on convenience and affordability. Dada observed that students generally favored nylon raincoats for their ease of use and portability, while adults tended to prefer umbrellas.
Aisha Mohammed, a major distributor of nylon raincoats in Orile, reported that the August break had significantly impacted patronage. She mentioned that customers typically preferred raincoats to umbrellas due to their affordability, but recent sales had declined. Meanwhile, Iya Samad, another trader, noted that her sales remained relatively stable but lower than before the August break, with umbrellas being more popular among her customers.
At Oshodi Market, Mrs. Chidimma Ajaegbo, a rain gear seller, remarked that the August break had also affected her business. She observed that customers were now focused on purchasing only necessary items, leading to a decline in her sales. Similarly, Amirat Habeeb, a shop owner in Agege, shared that unsold rain gear had tied down her capital, increasing the pressure to reduce prices and clear stock to invest in faster-moving goods.
Despite the slow sales, the traders remain hopeful that renewed rainfall and the resumption of schools will revive demand and help them clear their remaining stock. For now, their fortunes are closely tied to the weather, with every dark cloud offering the prospect of both rain and much-needed sales.