Ahead of the general elections, prices and patronage of polo tops, shirts and fez caps have witnessed sharp increases in Lagos markets, a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria has shown
The election, slated for March 28 and April 11, is said to be responsible for the sales boom experienced by traders.
NAN learnt that the boom in the items is not unconnected with the fact that political parties are using the items as part of their campaign materials.
Some traders told NAN that they had made more sales this season compared to the 2011 general elections.
They attributed the boom in patronage to the apparent fierce competition between the ruling party and the opposition parties.
The survey showed a marginal increase in the prices of the items.
T-shirts, which previously sold at N5,700 per dozen, now cost N6,000, while the type that previously sold for N4,000, now sells for between N4,200 and N4,500.
Polo tops now sell for N3, 200 and N3,500 compared to the N2,700 it previously sold for.
Prices of wool fez caps also increased from N190 to N200 each while cotton fez cap, which previously cost N90 has attracted N20 increase.
However, the traders blamed the price changes on the increase in foreign exchange and high cost of importation.
Mr Ifeanyi King, Director, King and I Forever, dealing in T-shirts, polos and fez caps, said, “Everything that happens in the country affects this business.
“The demand for the items is not restricted to a season but throughout the year.
“The churches, schools, organisations and now the political parties use the materials for their campaigns.
“In 2011, the major dealers of these items at Docemo, Idumota and Oluwole Markets, were just five; now, we have over 20 dealers with every one of us busy.
“The high demand for the items led to the influx of major dealers, who are importers of the goods.”
King stated that patronage from the opposition parties for campaign materials was higher than that of the ruling party.
“There are some colours of polos, T-shirts and fez caps that are not available in the market for the public because we imported them specifically for some political parties,” he added.
King explained that the effect of the price change of the items in the market was at an arithmetic progression because dealers still had the materials in their stores.
“If the Naira continues to slide against the dollar, there will be a major increase in price of every good imported into the country, including ours,” he said.
Another trader, Mrs. Adedolapo Smith, said foreign exchange rate was a factor that contributed to the price increase of the goods.
“I exchange the Naira to the dollar at N215 for the goods that I am selling presently.
“The exchange rate has had a major impact on the business,” she said.
Mr. Ibrahim Awosanya, a trader said, “I was very happy when the postponement of the elections was announced because that means more demand for T-shirts and fez caps in the market.”
A retailer, Mrs Evelyn Nwosu, however, complained about the unstable prices of goods in the market.
She said, “Generally, prices of most items in the market are not stable. What you buy at N200 in the morning may increase in the afternoon, let alone a day or a week after.
“The dealers keep attributing the increase to the state of the Naira.
“Right now, I am so scared of re-stocking the depleted items in my shop because prices of goods are so expensive in the market.”
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