Celebrating Yudala @ One

About a year ago, Yudala launched and has since carved a niche for itself by being the first brand to have a composite structure that combines an online shopping platform with retail stores located in major cities across the country, with future plans to expand into other key African cities.

Since it's launch, Yudala has become a threat to the supposed big players in the e-commerce and retail chain in the country. Apparently, most ‘arrived’ and ‘established’ e-commerce platforms were caught off guard on how to defend their territories successfully and win the war to retain exiting market share while expanding to new markets.

There are quite a number of reasons that I have chosen to celebrate Yudala today. The promoters defiled several odds to pilot this unique startup. Recall, they launched when a new government was barely sworn-in with somewhat hazy economic blueprint.

They were never deterred. Nnamdi Ekeh, founder and his team refused to buckle even when companies that have lasted for decades started winding up or left the shores of Nigeria. That is actually a strong belief in the ‘Nigeria dream! A can do Spirit! Suffice it to say, Yudala defiled many economic laws. Today, it’s not only standing, but remains outstanding.

Setting The Ball Rolling
From the onset, the mandate was clear: “to launch 150 Stores in the first 18 months of operations, the company will ensure that no region is left out in the high quality experience that Yudala stands to offer”.

While the company placed great emphasis on cosmopolitan consumers, Yudala with requisite network capacity, avowed to reach the unreached. Thus, those not served by the ‘then existing giants, were guaranteed quality of service offering too, which bequeaths Yudala with “the national e-commerce platform” status.

I recall Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank Plc., describing Yudala as “truly a retail revolution worth partnering with."

He even praised the platform expressing how delighted he was that young Nigerians are revolutionizing the e-commerce ecosystem. "I am delighted to witness the launch of Yudala. The ambience is world class which gives a lot of hope that young Nigerian entrepreneurs are redefining standards. There is a lot to be excited about especially when you consider the huge impact Yudala will have on small businesses and households in the informal sector. We must also not lose sight of the potential effects on the Nigerian economy in extension," Wigwe said.

Key Track Records
Backed by its multi-pronged yet standardized business model, the company infused a measure of coordination to the relatively unstructured online business space because of the need to deliver world class products and services on the online and offline platforms. Yudala offered Nigerians, for the first time ever, a consolidated online and retail chain which has radically transform the shopping landscape in the country.

The brave approach of Nnamdi Ekeh and co ‘killed’ that perennial ‘distrust bug’ that has eaten deep into fabrics of e-commerce ecosystem; where buyers clearly display lack of confidence that “what I ordered is what will be delivered”. How? Today, you are sure that what is posted on Yudala online is the available stock; hence the e-inventory solution is matchless. Still not satisfied, a buyer can walk into the offline stores and make purchases.

With its considerable financial capacity and technology back-bone, it actually hit the market with the concrete ambition of becoming the market leader in trade and commerce on the continent.

Yudala is rigorously pursuing the orchestrated plan to reach every nook and cranny of the country with a targeted total of 512 shops in Nigeria’s local government councils within three years.

A startup that commenced operations with only 12 staff about a year ago now boasts of conveniently paying salaries to a workforce of 350 (as at July, 2016). Definitely, this startup is writing few economic dogmas on how to invest during unfavourable economic conditions.

Yudala’s lived to its purpose of offering the best products through partnership with the biggest and most renowned brands in the first six months it commenced operations. Today, smartphone manufacturers- InnJoo, Infinix, Samsung, Tecno, Huawei, BlackBerry, etc., have aligned with the vision.

In a brief chat with Nnamdi Ekeh, he actually revealed his penchant for making available only genuine, pocket-friendly products sourced directly from the manufacturers.

“With Yudala, there will be no imitations or grey products as every item purchased off its online or offline platform will come with a certified guarantee. More importantly, the management will take responsibility for all products purchased from and delivered by Yudala”. What else do buyers need than such a reassuring statement?

On the retail side, Yudala has also differentiated itself by offering support on warranty as well as out-of-warranty products for customers which no other competitor offers. It is our determination to reduce wastages in Nigeria and by extension Africa.

The launch of 4 Experience and Smart shops in Lagos same day in The Palms, Lekki; Medical Road, Ikeja; Idowu Martins, Victoria Island and Gbagada in the first week of July 2015, has fetched Yudala good fortunes as its presence is today felt in Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, among other targeted major cities.

The platform boasts of a robust technology back-bone, man-power expertise and a two-year test run of its website designed which offers visitors an interactive, engaging and multimedia user interface. In fact, exciting e-commerce platforms are already feeling Yudala effect, which scored many goals in the market.

There have been barrages of exciting news published on Yudala by Nigeria CommunicationsWeek such as
February 20, 2016: Top Brands Shine as Yudala Mobile Monday Takes Off
Apr 25, 2016: Yudala Thrills Shoppers with Same Day delivery
Mar 16, 2016: Yudala, Mobile Monday Records Huge Traffic
Jun 8, 2016: Yudala Deepens Mobile Connectivity with Mobile Monday
May 13, 2016: Yudala Offers Way Out of Power Crisis with iPowerPlus Inverters
Jul 18, 2016: Yudala Bags eCommerce Company of the Year
Jul 22, 2016: Yudala Launches Surulere Store, 2 Others
Jun 2, 2016: Yudala Marks Democracy with Week-Long Deals
Jul 13, 2016: Yudala Celebrates Customers with Zero Gravity

But when I read on Aug 1, 2016: “Jumia or Yudala Acquire Konga”, I thought about the founders again. These established, brilliant and well informed Nigerians and backed by competent investors of highest integrity definitely have a lot up their sleeves so the best of Yudala is still to come!

Happy One Anniversary, team Yudala!