A Human Resource Consultant, Alhaji Kunle Hamzat has expressed dissatisfaction at the unfavourable policies of the government to the Nigerian Retail Industry.

Alhaji Hamzat who made this known at an exclusive interview on ‘Community Today’ a programme on CEOAfrica Television stated that “the Government has not given the right status to the Nigerian retail industry.”

According to him, Africa especially Nigeria is right and ready for the expansion and development of retail business but the government has done too little for the development of retailing in the country.

He noted that a lot of Nigerians who can afford it prefer to spend extra cost to travel abroad to places like Dubai, United Kingdom, United States and many other foreign countries in order to shop for goods, adding that if the retail industry in Nigeria was well-funded and well-developed, consumers will feel no need to travel to other countries to shop.

Explaining the importance of the retail business, Alhaji Hamzat, who is also into out-sourcing revealed that “retail business is rendering quality, standard and excellent service to customers.”

According to him, “Being a trader and being a retailer are not the same things because as a trader, you buy and sell but as a retailer, you not only sell, but you are concerned about delivering optimal service to the customers, which is the basic practice of the retailing business.”

Speaking on some bodies affiliated with the Nigerian retail industry, the Alhaji Hamzat noted that Retailers Council of Nigeria is a platform created by like-minded individuals to bring retailers together in order to raise the standard of retailing in Nigeria.

While noting that the retail business offers good career opportunities, he advised that those who wish to venture into the retail business must learn the rudiments of retailing which involves passion, excellent customer service, as well as inventory and category management.

Alhaji Hamzat further stressed on the need for government’s intervention in the development of Nigerian retail business to International standard so as to boost the nation’s economy. He urged the government to effect policies that will be favourable to the growth of retail industry in Nigeria.