JUMIA wins world retail award

JUMIA, Nigeria's leading online shopping destination has clinched the World Retail Award.

At the ceremony in Paris, France, Jumia won "The Best Retail Launch of the Year" , becoming the first African company to have won the most important retail award worldwide.

The event is run by the publishing company EMAP and discusses issues affecting the international retail industry; covering core retail in all segments issues as well as social, economic, political and ethical concern.

Previous winners include top brands such as ASOS, Migros, NikeTown, Woolworths or Zappos.com. JUMIA offers their products online, via a mobile app or on cash delivery spots – leapfrogging traditional retail in Africa.

"We are delighted with the wide international reach of this year's winners and that for the first time, we are presenting an award to an African retailer," said Ian McGarrigle, chairman of the World Retail Congress.

According to World Retail Congress's jury, JUMIA sets the highest benchmark when it comes to retailing in Africa: their excellence in online marketing, IT and operations are key drivers for JUMIA's sharp growth rates and the company's rising brand awareness throughout the whole of Africa.

Jeremy Hodara, co-founder of JUMIA: "This is a historic moment to us and I hope, also for the whole of Africa. When we started JUMIA last year we had the goal to enable safe, convenient and stress-free shopping experiences in Nigeria. Now one year later, we deliver products to hundred thousands of customers in over six countries every day. Only thanks to our incredible teams and partners, who made online shopping in Africa easy. This award makes us incredibly proud and reinforces us in what we do. We are number one in Nigeria now and we will continue to grow and deliver our products all across Africa."

Apart from Nigeria, JUMIA operates in Morocco, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Kenya.
The World Retail Congress, part of i2i Events Group portfolio, was launched in 2007, to be a platform for senior retail executives to meet and discuss the most important topics affecting retailers across the world. It has been held in Barcelona (2007-9), Berlin (2010-11) and London (2012). This year's World Retail Congress was held in Paris from the 7th to the 9th of October and was attended by industry leaders from eBay, Tesco, Carrefour, Boots and many more.