Implementing an e-commerce platform that eliminates transactional and logistical barriers for women in smallscale apparel retail. The voices of Joyce and Rose, smallscale informal apparel traders in Nairobi’s Toi market.
Few years ago, Joyce Nanjala and Rosie, would wake up at 4.30am to go to Gikomba, Kenya’s largest market for second-hand clothes, to pick their stock for sale.
After a lengthy haggle and bustle, they would be back to their stalls, tired, exhausted and having spent about KES500 on fare and transport for their little stock.
In their business, when the supplier calls about a new bale, it’s a mad rush by smallscale retailers like Joyce and Rosie to get to the market in time for the ‘camera’ (an opportunity to pick the best clothes).
These ladies and many similar others, spent a lot of time, energy and money, just to get the few clothes to sell, until they one day, encountered ZUMI, a firm that works with smallscale traders to improve their access to supplies, eliminate transactional barriers, enable them to avoid the hectic daily morning market runs and focus on growing their businesses.
At the Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund we have partnered with ZUMI to implement an e-commerce platform that lessens the transactional burden for traders like Joyce and Rosie, saves them costs, increases their access to better supplies, increases their revenues and in return, contributes to better livelihoods.