As The First Shopping Mall Opens In Nnewi

To leverage on the promise of the growing Nnewi population, rising middle-class, and rapid urbanization, Roban Stores, the most successful indigenous shopping mall in Nigeria, has opened the first shopping mall in Nnewi.

Nnewi, a town which hosts some of the biggest industries in South-East Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital and also Nkwo Nnewi Market which is believed to be the major import and wholesale point for motor and motorcycles spare parts in West-Africa, is having an increasing demand for urban infrastructural services.

As a town which is evolving into becoming a major commercial and industrial hub in Nigeria and Africa, the lucrative business environment has provided huge investment opportunities for investors.

The desire to meet the demand for modern commercial infrastructure in Nnewi was first muted by the Former Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, who started the construction of Nnewi Shopping Mall in 2013, situated at the heart of the town, Nkwo Nnewi Triangle, unfortunately, the project have been abandoned following the ongoing legal tussle between Nnewi Community and the State Government.

As the legal tussle continued, Mr. Ifeanyi Uzodike, the former Chief Executive Officer of Cutix Cable PLC, last year in his bid to deliver a one-stop shopping centre in Nnewi, opened the GMART STORES, located in No. 3 Metu Uzodike Street Okpuno-Otolo (adjacent to Convaj Hotel Nnewi). Although a noble idea, it couldn’t match the needed shopping experience in Nnewi.

In response to the call for him to establish his presence in his home town, Nnewi, which appears to be the business model of most Nnewi businessmen, Sir Robert Anwatu, has opened the Nnewi branch of Roban Stores.

The mall which opens from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8.30pm will provide the convenience where people can buy variety of products they want under the same roof at low prices, instead of going to open markets and unregulated shopping plazas with limited brands of products and zero shopping pleasure.

Read Also: Roban Stores Opens In Grand Style In Nnewi

Roban store is a one-stop retail shop that carries virtually everything you need in a home, with different departments like, fashion and perfume, household, cosmetic, fruit and vegetables, frozen, furniture, bakery, baby and toddler, Gym and bags, beer, wine and drink, groceries, kitchen wares and electronics.

Strategically located at Nnobi Road opposite the old Nepa office Nnewi, this mall will not only provide jobs, it will increase the revenue to government, modernise the environment, give consumers more choices and drive down prices, it will also open the eyes of investors to the opportunities in Nnewi.

A threat to Nkwo Nnewi?

Although the opening of Roban Stores is an indicator that Nnewi has a population that can patronise the mall, there is a growing fear that the mall will have an adverse effect on local business especially a section of Nkwo Nnewi called Nnewi General Market (Ime Afia).

People will prefer the pleasant ambience of shopping mall, quality of products, leisure, availability of different brand of products which comes with better prices.

Whatever happens, the growth in population and rapid urbanization of Nnewi will continue to trigger more investment in the town.

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