E-commerce operator Konga has announced the launch of a live online product auction scheduled for 1 May 2020.

E-commerce operator Konga has announced the launch of a live online product auction scheduled for 1 May 2020.

The company released a statement confirming the auction will take place by 5pm on its online platform and across social media channels, including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Konga said the auction, which it has dubbed Konga Last Price, will be a regular feature and take place monthly.

Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, Co-CEO, Konga Group, said: “With this live auction – Konga Last Price, the first in Africa, we are further expanding the scope of e-commerce and giving our customer base an additional reason to smile. It has certainly come to stay as a monthly feature and we encourage all Nigerians to join us on the various social media channels and on the Konga website for this exciting initiative.”

Konga said the auction will feature three sessions: a live auction across social media channels, a timed auction on the company’s website and a flash sale on social media involving no bids which will run concurrently with the social media live auction.

Konga said for the latter two, the company will announce “price slashes” and bid winners will follow the regular check-out process and can use the Payment on Delivery option.

“However, intending participants on the social media live auction are expected to submit their bids via comments with their name, phone number, product and bidding price, with each participant allowed to purchase a maximum of three products per category. Subsequently, bid winners will be contacted for payment confirmations via bank transfers at the end of the social media live auction,” the company added.

Unilever partnership

Konga recently entered into a partnership with FMCG manufacturer Unilever to expand the availability of products.

A joint statement indicated that the alliance will drive Unilever’s ambition to leverage Konga’s network of physical stores, and Konga has announced free delivery for shoppers on products within the Unilever stable.

Dave Omoregie, Vice President, e-Commerce at Konga, said: “For us at Konga, it was an easy decision signing off on this partnership with Unilever. Indeed, the Unilever brand is one whose wide product range appeals to Nigerians of all classes and status. Therefore, we are delighted to add these products to our growing bouquet of delightful offerings available to shoppers.

‘‘‘The addition of the Unilever brand to the growing portfolio of genuine products available to shoppers on the Konga platform and the offer of free delivery is further proof of our commitment to continually push the boundaries in meeting and exceeding the expectations of our customers. We will continue to update our inventory with more of the excellent new additions to the Unilever product range as they are rolled out.”

E-commerce has come under the spotlight of late, due to COVID-19 lockdown conditions that prevail globally.

Recent statistics indicate that Nigeria has 1 728 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 307 recoveries and 51 deaths.