How ‘okrika bag’ traders make brisk business  

What was seen as for the middle class and the poor is now being patronized by Nigerians of all classes. Traders in fairly used bags daily smile at the bank as patronage by Nigerians continues to increase; ADEOLA AKINBOBOLA writes.

The current economic recession in the country has driven Nigerians across the country to patronise fairly used bags even during the Yuletides.

Many households, especially women now go for used bags for themselves and their children due to the high cost of new ones.

What Nigerians say about fairly used bags 

A resident of Kubwa, a suburb of the federal capital territory, who was seen buying second hand bags by Business Starter, said they were cheaper and affordable.

“I decided to buy these ones, when I wash them with warm water, they will turn into new bags .

“Things are just too expensive. One cannot understand the kind of change we are going through,” she said.

Similarly, Mrs Vera Ekpenyong-Ita said she takes her time to select good second hand bags and traveling bags for herself and her children at Garki market, as she could not afford to buy new ones.

“Imagine a baby bag for my three months old baby and they were saying N8,000; and I have five children, so where will I get money to buy school bags for each of them in this hard economic situation.

“So many people, especially young girls like me cannot even afford fairly used wares and talk less of ready-made.

“I am a graduate and there is no work, so where do you want me to get money to buy fairly used bags, no way,” she said.

For Mrs Animashaun Victoria, a civil servant, “As a person, I don’t like fairly used bags because I always feel strangers who I don’t know their medical history have carried them. But now I have no other option than mixing it with other brands. I don’t do the buying from the shops buy online. I just have to buy them to cut down expenses.”

Mallam Sanusi Abubakar, a trader , told this reporter that the business is booming now more than ever before. 

He said he started the business 3 years ago and he has been able to put food on his table and also cater for other needs.

Grade 1 of the fairly used bag, ranges from N20,000 upwards.

According to the Chairperson, National Council of Women Committee, Mrs. Amagu Oluchi, most classy women are now managing their lean resources by mixing a few brand new bags they can afford with fairly used bags.

“For classy women who cannot afford many designers at a time, they resign to fairly used bags.”

Meanwhile, the prices of bags are cheap enough for the poor to afford.

However, due to the exchange rate, second hand bags have also become expensive and unaffordable for the poor since the rich started patronising them.

Sales of fairly used bags online 

The roadside picking of bags has improved and now they are sold online.

The price of a first grade bag now ranges from N25, 000 upwards which was even twice its price as at N2015.

Also, the price of bags which was as low as N3000 as at 2015 has risen to N25,000 and above.

Testifying to this fact, madam Charity, as she is fondly called said “The depreciation of the naira has seriously affected our business. The price of grade 1 female bags now goes for N200, 000 and above as against N50, 000 before. Depending on your luck, a bale may contain few clean.  Bags that can help you recover your money.

“We look at the transportation cost and other levies before putting a price on each piece”.

“The Economy lifestyle has discovered that most classy women now go for first grade used bags , instead of their usual all round UK bags , due to the consistent rise in the prices of those brands,” she said.

How to start  

The bags market is always open to those who want to start a new business like the okrika business – those who sell in bale and those that sell in retail.

Learning bags trade

Attaching yourself to an already established bag seller is no exception. Apprenticeship in the business for 3-6 months is usually the best option of learning intricacies, rules and tricks in the business.

Get a location 

A good location increases the chances of buyers locating your business. You can rent a shop in the market or around the street where there are a lot of passersby and commuters.

Where to buy bale 

The following markets are negotiable place to try such as Yaba market, Balogun market, Idumota market. You can also go to Cotonou nearby market outside Nigeria.