Seasonal celebrations such as Sallah, Easter, Christmas, and New Year present prime opportunities for aspiring and established business owners to maximise their sales – especially those in the cloth materials business.
While the Eid-el-Fitr celebration has passed, Easter 2025 is here, with Ileya (Eid-el-Kabir), Christmas, and New Year still ahead. It is now imperative for those in the cloth materials business to start preparing for these upcoming festivities and position themselves to make the most of the opportunities they present.
During these festive periods, sales of cloth materials typically surge in Nigeria, with fabric sellers and tailors witnessing a sharp rise in demand. Across major markets nationwide, traders often report significant increases in patronage, as many customers prefer high-quality fabrics such as brocade, lace, and wrappers. This trend serves as a valuable insight for those in the business, guiding their stocking decisions ahead of each festive season.
We always see a huge demand for clothes materials during festivities. said Mrs Victoria Eze, a fabric seller in Lagos. “For instance, during the just-concluded Sallah, people bought all kinds of materials to the extent that we struggled to meet the demand. Prices of clothes materials vary, with brocade ranging from N1,500 to N2,500 per yard and lace going for between N2,500 to N5,000 for one yards,” she said.
Despite the high prices, many Nigerians are willing to spend money on new clothes for celebrations. It’s a special occasion, and people want to look their best, We’re working around the clock to meet the demand for custom-made outfits,” said Miss Temitope John, a tailor in Lagos.
Miss Sanni Balikis, owner of Adetomiwa fashion house, shared her experiences and insights on the high demand for custom-made outfits ahead of festivities.
Balikis revealed that, plain materials are the most in-demand during the Sallah season, followed by abayas with stoning designs or flower patterns. She charges N25,000 for a custom-made abaya.
I source my fabrics depending on the quality of the materials, she said. She also shared that, she uses the internet and YouTube to stay up-to-date with the latest fashion trends.
On average, it takes Balikis two days to complete a custom-made outfit, but she does not offer rush-order services due to the high demand and time constraints.
The surge in clothes materials sales is a welcome boost for the local economy, with many traders and tailors benefiting from the increased demand. As the celebrations approach, it’s likely that the demand for clothes materials will continue to rise. With many Nigerians looking forward to celebrating with family and friends, the clothes materials market is expected to remain busy throughout these seasons.
