A
time series analysis of customer attendance (a case study of Shoprite malls
Enugu)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1.
Background
of the study
Shoprite
holdings are the fastest growing consumer goods (FCMG) retail platform operation
on the African continent (especially in the southern African region) with
operations in 15 countries (Adams 2007:34). Shoprite has a very simple
philosophy: Provide all communities in Africa with food and household items in
a first-world shopping environment, at the Group’s lowest possible prices.At
Shoprite, their mission statement which entails bringing
to their teeming customer base low prices on the best product. Since opening
their first store in Lagos in December 2005, they have since then launched an
additional twelve stores across eight states in the Federation including the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, employing 1860 people, of which 99.5%
are Nigerian citizens. Shoprite has built relationship with over 250 leading
Nigerian suppliers, small businesses and farmers, securing a wide assortment of
local brands( Hazel 2013: 45).
Shoprite is the leading retailer store across Africa and it
is one of the famous brand name choices for many product consumers across
Nigeria as well as African continent store in Polo Park Amusement Centre, Enugu
North, Enugu, Nigeria. They offer the huge range of products with quality and
standards of freshness as well as maintaining the lowest prices.
Community
upliftmentis of utmost importance to Shoprite and through their “Shoprite
Community Network” campaigns; they have been able to enrich the lives of many
less privileged children and youths within and outside Nigeria. Since its
inception, Shoprite has been able to assist various orphanages and foundations
across Nigeria.
1.2.
Statement
of the general problem
Though
ShopRite holdings being noted for its steady rise in the retail sector in
Africa, the need for adequate planning and more profitability has necessitated
this study. Firms generally in Nigeria pay less attention on the frequency of
customer attendance and this has inhibited their growth due to inadequate
planning and strategizing.
1.3.
Objectives
of the study
The
following are the aims and objectives of the study
Ø To
know if customer attendance influences profitability.
Ø To
help enhance adequate planning through customer attendance analysis.
Ø To
know if there is a relationship between customer attendance and prices of
commodities
Ø To
educate the general public on the importance of customer attendance analysis.
Ø To
predict future customer attendance from past attendance records.
1.4.
Significance
of the study
The
cardinal significance of this study is to educate firms and companies on the
need to take adequate customer attendance and its importance in improving profitability
and also to enhanceadequate market research and planning. Another importance of
this study is to predict future customer attendance from past customer
attendance records.
1.5.
Research
Questions
1. Is
there a relationship between customer attendance and profitability of a
company?
2. Do
adequate customer attendance records enhance adequate market research and
planning?
3. Can
future customer attendance be predicted from past and present records of
customer attendance?
1.6.
Research
hypothesis
H0:
there is no relationship between customer attendance and adequate market
planning.
H1:
there is a relationship between customer attendance and adequate market
planning.
1.7.
Scope
of the study
The
scope of this study on the statistical analysis of customer attendance using
the ShopRite malls Enugu as a case study.
1.8.
Definition
of terms
Ø Customer:a
person or an organization that buys something from a shop/store or business.
Ø Attendance: the
act of being present at a place.
Ø Market research: the action or
activity of gathering information about consumers’ needs and preferences.
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