Game Lagos - Nigeria’s first discount retailer of household goods and general merchandise and one of 69 on the African continent – celebrated its official grand opening in the new Palms shopping centre on Lekki Peninsular, Victoria Island on 25 May 2006.
Her Excellency the First Lady Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the Executive Governor of Lagos State, was invited to attend the event as principal guest of honour. She cut the ribbon to declare the store officially open and presented a Game donation of N400 000 (R20 000) to four charities of her choice to mark the occasion.
With 25 000 products on offer for Lagos consumers and a projected investment in Nigeria of US$126 million (R853 million) over the next ten years, Game is set to become a vigorous participant in the local economy.
Nigerian consumers have already had a taste of the unique Game shopping experience in the 4500m² mega store - with its wide aisles, bright lighting and efficient air conditioning - since it opened its doors in December 2005.
What is not generally known is that Game offers a trio of unique guarantees for shoppers which have earned the store the loyalty of customers across Africa.
Said Fanus Nothnagel, Game managing director, ‘In a nutshell, if you find the product cheaper somewhere else, we’ll beat that price; if you change your mind about a purchase, we’ll exchange it; and if any equipment you have bought at the store is not working, we’ll repair or exchange it.’
This is what sets Game apart from other stores, along with our popular gift registries for weddings and special occasions, and our pensioners’ day on Wednesdays when shoppers over the age of 60 qualify for a 10% discount on purchases up to N20 000 (R1000). We are proud of our excellent in-store and after-sales service and invite shoppers to experience this for themselves.’
Dozens of unbeatable special offers were a feature of the grand opening across the product range of major domestic appliances, high-tech sound and audio equipment, toys, linen, sporting goods, interior décor, outdoor products and household items of all descriptions.
Job creation is a major feature of the new store which provides employment for 140 people under experienced store manager, Saga Moodley. Of this, 60 are permanent, with just five being expatriates, and 80 are part-time. The group also offers attractive training and development opportunities for staff.
Over and above Game’s projected direct investment of US$126 million in the Nigerian economy over the next ten years – in premises, establishment costs, import duties, VAT and salaries – the company has established supply-chain networks with a number of Nigerian companies and is constantly looking for more local suppliers.
We stock locally manufactured products wherever possible and expect to purchase up to US$ 6.6 million (R44.6 million) from Nigerian suppliers over the next 12 months,’ said Nothnagel. ‘We have more than 60 local vendors registered on our suppliers list - for health and beauty products, confectionery, stationery, indoor and outdoor furniture, cleaning and security services, printing of advertising leaflets and other items - and are adding to this list all the time.’
The N400 000 donation to charity is part of Game’s extensive social investment programme which aims to empower under-privileged people in surrounding communities, particularly through education and early childhood development.
The four charities selected by Her Excellency the First Lady Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu are: Junior Boys Approved School (Yaba), Girl’s Remand Home (Idi-Araba), Girls Approved School (Idi-Araba) and the Children Transit Home (Idi-Araba).
We are serious about becoming responsible corporate citizens of Nigeria,’ Nothnagel said. ’The opening of our Lagos store is the first step towards achieving what we hope will be a sustainable, win-win partnership with the people of Nigeria.’
Game, a member of the South African-based Massmart Holdings retail group, operates 69 stores in eight countries and plans to expand its trading footprint into three more African countries in the next ten months.
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