Dressing children in bright, fancy clothes, particularly during festive seasons like Christmas, Eid, and New Year, is a yearly tradition in many homes in Nigeria, signifying joy, prosperity, and family pride. This has resulted in the demand for children’s clothing, from casual and traditional wear to even high-fashion designer clothes.
Those entrepreneurs who understand these trends often prepare well in advance by sourcing fabrics and ready-made garments that appeal both to parents and gift buyers. While demand appears to surge in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, the festive period has developed as one of the most profitable windows for established and emerging retailers.
For Toyin Akorede, a seller of clothes who travels all the way from Ijebu Ode to source merchandise to retail at Lagos’ Balogun Market, the business is quite rewarding. “I sell children’s clothes and make at least N2,000 on each wear. If I sell 10 pieces a day, that is N20,000 profit,” she said, adding that selling clothes is far less complicated than forex trading.
Azeezat Abdul, another seller, emphasized the diversity within the children’s clothing market. “You have to decide on a specific segment that you want to sell, whether corporate outfits or casual wear, and many others,” she clarified. She asserted that a retail location is very critical for success, recommending high-traffic ones for better sales.
Abdul insisted that any business can thrive on consistent patronage. “Selling clothes is lucrative, and it can become a well-paying full-time job depending on the time and experience you invest,” she said.
Where Retailers Source Their Stock
The popular sourcing hub for products, according to Abdul, includes Balogun Market, Idumota Market, and Mandela’s. She prefers the latter because it affords her a variety from which to choose.
For Aburimen Cyril, founder of C.dot Clothing and a 15-year industry veteran, the business remains very lucrative. He stated that he makes at least N2,000 profit from each clothing item he sells. “If I buy an item for N10,000 and sell 10 units at N12,000 each, that’s N20,000 profit for the day,” he said.
Cyril’s retail strategy is to select a mall for its diverse customer base and to ensure high quality because of demand from clients abroad. He sources directly from importers of German, Turkish, and Vietnamese T-shirts to avoid middlemen and allow him to keep prices competitive.
Experience Matters
Cyril emphasized that entering the clothing business essentially needed mentorship and industry knowledge. One has to be sure about quality, types of fabric, market specifications, and the like, he added.
Advice to Budding Entrepreneurs He advised potential investors to be prudent with their finances. “Business has its ups and downs. Some days you sell a lot, and other days are slow. Don’t spend more than you make if you want to stay afloat,” he cautioned.
