Harmattan: Second-hand warm clothing dealers record sales boom

With the Harmattan hitting Kano, second-hand clothing dealers, popularly known as Yan’gwanjo, are recording increase in sales, as people kit themselves for the period.

The correspondent who visited various markets in the metropolis on Friday observed a rush for second-hand warm clothes, blankets, and head warmers in response to the intense cold weather.

In several areas, temporary markets and makeshift shops have sprung up to cater to the increasing demand for such items.

Some of the dealers interviewed expressed satisfaction with the surge in business.

Musa Saleh, who sells second-hand children’s cardigans, head warmers, and trousers at Kofar-Wambai in Kano metropolis, told NAN that the demand for the items had picked up over the past few weeks.

“The high demand for these items has made business very lucrative. Customers often beg me to inform them when I open new bales,” he said.

Saleh added that he typically earns close to N30, 000 or more from sales.

Similarly, another dealer at Sabon-Gari market, in Fagge local government area, Mrs Alice John, who specialises in second-hand winter jackets and head warmers, confirmed that the business had been especially profitable over the past few weeks.

“Since the start of the cold weather, my patronage has doubled. I now open a new bale of clothing every three days,” she said.

Malam Abdul Gwarzo, who sells second-hand women’s clothing at Farm center in Tarauni local government area, said that business had significantly picked up in recent days.

“I make about N25,000 on each bale I open,” he said.

Another dealer at Yankaba market in Nasarawa local government area, Nura Yusuf, explained that he ventured into the second-hand clothing business because it is always profitable during the Harmattan season.

He said that, due to a lack of nearby second-hand markets, he decided to supplement his provisions business by selling warm clothing.

Yusuf also revealed high levels of patronage, with customers flocking to his shop for the items daily.

However, some customers expressed concerns over the rising prices of second-hand clothes.

Aisha Abubakar, a shopper at Kofar-Wambai market, lamented the high prices.

“The weather is very cold, and I don’t want to compromise my health or that of my family. That’s why I’m here to buy these clothes. However, the prices are much higher compared to last year,” she said.

Abubakar lamented that last year he purchased six sets of cardigans for N5,000, as opposed to N7,500 this year.

Similarly, Bala Yakasai, a civil servant, who was shopping for warm clothes for his five children, claimed that sellers were taking advantage of the high demand to increase prices.

Yakasai stated that last year he purchased seven pieces of warm clothing for N4,500, compared to N7,000 this year.