Low turnout for Lagos fair over high ticket fee

Six days into the ongoing 35th edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair has been characterized by low turn-out of patrons to the fair.

Exhibitors have also complained of poor sales due to the low turn-out which they blamed on the ticket fee pegged at N500 on the first and second day of the fair before it was reduced to N350.

In spite of the reduction to N350, exhibitors lamented that in view of the economic situation of the country, the cost of ticket to gain entrance into the fairground was high.

As a result of the low turn-out of patrons, some traders had to reduce the prices of their items in order to attract customers to their wares.

An exhibitor, UCEE conception, seller of electrical appliances expressed that the turn-out has been poor, saying it was as a result of the high cost of ticket fee coupled with the unfriendly economic situation of the country.

A sales representative in one of the electrical appliance companies lamented that they have not been meeting their target of N1 million due to poor sales and that they hardly make half of the target daily. She described the turn-out as poor compared to last year.

A fabric seller at the fairground said that since day one of the exhibition, she has not sold a single turban and she has had to reduce the prices of her already sown fabrics from N15,000 to about N7,000 in some cases. “Last year was better,” she said.

Alhaji Zoza, seller of Dubai jewelry also told our reporter that sales have been poor since the exhibition began on Friday but he expressed optimism that things might get better before the end of the fair.

An exhibitor advised the organizers of the fair, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to review the ticket fee so as to encourage more patrons to the fair. “There are some people who want to come with their children but with the high cost of tickets, they are discouraged. If five members of a family are to visit the fair, they would be paying close to N2,000 just to gain entrance. It is discouraging,” he said.

However, the LCCI Vice President and Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa said that the initial N500 ticket fare was deliberate to cut down the number of criminals who gain access into the fair ground to perpetrate evil. He also said it was aimed at ensuring that only those who have business at the fair gain access.

He however disagreed with insinuations that sales had been poor, saying the Chamber has been tracking sales made by exhibitors.