A handful of e-commerce startups in Nigeria have launched lately retailing various items from grocery to electronics. Sunglasses.com.ng is setting itself apart by focusing specifically on eyewear – everything from sunglasses to contacts.
The startup has direct relationships with brands like Gucci, Ray-Ban and Armani, that let them sell sunglasses and frames at lower prices. The site has glasses from over 40 brands with classic staples like the Ray-Ban Wayfarer retailing for ₦29,900. They also just launched a 5K collection with glasses priced at, you guessed it, ₦5,000 a pair.
“A large part of the population of Nigeria will be able to buy them,” said CEO, Jaime Moreno. “We want to provide services to everyone.”
Don’t let the name fool you; the site offers more variety and is what Moreno prefers to call an “optician business.”
They also offer prescription glasses and let those of you who wear them order frames and lenses or frames only. All you have to do is enter your prescription details (i.e. axis, cylinder and sphere), and it will be custom-made and delivered in a few days. Great for those on-the-go with no time to go through traffic after mishaps like broken glasses.
If the glasses are in stock in Nigeria, the site guarantees delivery within 48 hours. Customers can pay online or on delivery with cash or with a card.
Why sunglasses?
“In terms of business, it makes a lot more sense than just working in fashion,” said Moreno. Launched by Leonard Stiegeler’s incubator, Startup Partners Africa, the site was brought to life after considering creating a fashion e-commerce site in Nigeria. With e-commerce still fresh in the Nigerian tech space, Moreno feels there is a need to educate the consumers about the convenience of online retail as most still have concerns like fraud.
The startup’s hope for the next year is to improve logistics by delivering within 24 hours in Lagos and within 48-72 hours out-of-state.
“Our goal is to become the best quality optician, not only online, but offline as well,” said Moreno. Until then, let us know what you think. Do you think there’s a market here for Sunglasses.com.ng? Let us know!
Tags : E-Commerce, Glamour, Jaime Moreno, Leonard Stiegeler, online shopping, Sunglasses
