RP-Department of Community Resource Management and Extension

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Browsing RP-Department of Community Resource Management and Extension by Author "Imo, B. E."

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    Business Performance of Local Apparel Traders in Nairobi’s Competitive Liberalised Market
    (Scholarlink Resource Centre, 2012) Mugenda, Olive M.; Mburugu, K. G.; Imo, B. E.
    This paper addresses the business performance of local apparel traders given new challenges resulting from a new liberalised market in Nairobi. Data were collected using interview schedules and observation checklists. A random sample of 90 apparel traders was drawn from Kenyatta Market, Jericho Market and the Central Business District for interview. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS®). Results showed that lack of customers, stiff competition and lack of government support were the major problems facing over 50% of the traders. For most traders, providing high quality merchandise was the main strategy used to solve their problems. Government support by way of providing loans and making licence prices affordable were suggested as ways of creating a level trading ground for all traders. However, the traders’ business performance provided adequate returns to meet both personal and business needs. The Ministry of Trade and Industry should formulate mechanisms that will enable apparel traders to access information easily on existing trends and policies as they affect their businesses leading to local product quality and trade improvements. Lack of a level trading ground for all traders remained the main deterrent to their success
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    Challenges Facing Apparel Traders in Nairobi, Kenya, and Strategies for Flourishing in a Liberalized Market
    (Bloomsbury Journals (formerly Berg Journals), 2010-05-01) Mugenda, Olive M.; Mburugu, K. G.; Imo, B. E.
    The lack of enabling policies that would have ensured fair trade amongst various stakeholders of contrasting interests in Kenya became obvious when market liberalization was introduced in the 1990s. It created increased importation of cheap textiles and apparel products to the detriment of the local industry. Market liberalization became a common phenomena in developing countries in the 1990s, prompting the need for their documented assessment, hence this study. Data were collected from a random sample of 90 apparel traders drawn from three market centers in Nairobi according to the types of apparel they sold (new imported, second-hand, locally produced, and custom-tailored apparel). Lack of customers and stiff competition were the major challenges facing over 55% of the apparel traders. Most traders provided high quality merchandise as the main strategy to increase purchase of apparel. Chi-square analysis showed that the trader’s age, employment position/designation, and source of fabric/clothing were the socioeconomic characteristics that significantly influenced the type of apparel sold. Therefore, the study recommends that other apparel traders adopt these factors, to increase their competitive edge and enhance growth of the local industry.