- Bank Introduces Sunday Market to Add Value to SMEs
Heritage Bank Plc has introduced the “Sunday Small Market” in a bid to support its Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSME) customers in the country.
Speaking with journalists at the maiden edition held in Lagos, the Executive Director, Lagos/South West and Corporate Banking, Mrs. Mary Akpobome, said it is another way of adding value to our customers.
She said that the being known for supporting small businesses, the move will bring as many small businesses as possible together to display their wares and crafts, which are locally made, and linking them with their customers.
According to her, due to the favourable responses being received from the SME customers, the bank intends to hold the market monthly in different areas of Lagos State.
She also said it is part of the plan to bring back the culture of Sunday Market that Nigerians were noted for in the past.The Head of Brand Management of Heritage Bank, Ade Adegbite, said the bank supports initiatives that bring visibility to its customers, adding that the idea behind the Sunday Market is to provide a platform for the SME customers to show case their products, as well as interface with their existing customers and prospects.
The Managing Director of Eazeewier Clothiers, Mrs. Rita Ojo, described the idea as good for marketing because some of the people that came there would not have heard about her company if not for the exposure provided by the bank.
Also speaking, an official of David Wej, which sells shoes, bags and accessories, Bode Ola, said they had a field day on that day and enjoined the bank to sustain the project.
Several customers visited the market to purchase different items. One of them, Mrs. Dolly Imaze, who lives in Lekki said she got to know about the market through a friend who worked with the bank.
For her, the quality of some of the products that were displayed were quite exotic even though they were locally made, adding that she was able to take advantage of the opportunity to buy some items for her six year-old daughter and her self.
She enjoined the bank to sustain the idea and rotate the venue of the market around the city of Lagos for the benefit of other prospective customers, especially during the yuletide season.
Some of the bank’s SME customers that displayed their wares and crafts in the market include Vera Karris Accessories, Infusion Cakes, Niuma Boutique & Accessories, David Wej Global Ventures and De-Vine, makers of fresh juice, fresh salad smoothies and fresh fruits. Others are Heart Affairs, Africanna Accessories and Gigi Signature, Ruby & Spink and Oud Majestic, among others.
