The emergence of the sophisticated digital consumer in the global courier industry reinforces the importance of technological handshake within the industry to enable Nigerian operators tap into $300 billion African market, according to experts who should know.
Dr. Simon Emeje, senior post-master general of NIPOST and head, Courier Regulatory Department (CRD), an arm of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), said that Nigeria can leverage the huge market in Africa to boost the economy, create employments and address various social vices.
“Over the next 10 years, online retail will continue to gain popularity in both developed and emerging markets and as a result, logistics companies are set to play a key role in providing vital supply chain management solutions that are able to evolve with consumers’ changing shopping habits” Emeje said.
Sam Juwe, director, Computer & Associated Products Limited, added that “…connects organizations with qualified potential customers and takes business development to a much higher level than traditional marketing or advertising. Online marketing synergistically combines the Internet’s creative and technical tools, designs, development, sales and advertising, while focusing on the primary business models such as e-commerce, lead-based websites, marketing and local search”.
“The e-communications service providers have leveraged the online resources to bring severe competitive attack on the courier sector. It will be difficult to subject these providers to any restrictions in the online market space. Therefore, adapting to the evolving online revolution is essential for the courier industry”.
Also, DHL recently released a study on Global E-Tailing 2025 study, which analyses the role which eCommerce will play in consumer’s lives in the year 2025, and how it will influence consumerism, retailing and logistics.
According to Sumesh Rahavendra, head of Marketing for DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa), e-tailing – the sale of goods and services through the Internet – has exploded globally, especially in emerging countries and despite the various possible future scenarios , it is clear e-tailing will continue to boom.
“Currently, eCommerce already makes up 8% of the overall trading volume in Europe. Depending on the scenario, this share could rise up to 40% in developed countries and up to 30% in today’s emerging markets.