AoB 13rd April, 2025

1740747587315.webp
 
Mwalimu-G said:
Older listers will know why this shopper must have been one of the local teachers. Missing from the list -Lady Gay.

Click to expand...

It appears match box price has not kept up with inflation, unga ngano and sugar have gone up 20-30x, matchbox is at most 3x
 
Last edited:
shocks said:
It appears match box price has not kept up with inflation, unga ngano and sugar have gone up 20-30x, matchbox is at most 3-4x
Click to expand...
Match makers have always faced dilemmas in keeping up with inflation. Take the current situation, the matchbox has maintained at 5 shillings for the last few years despite the price increases that affected all other products. The current issue with the matchbox is that the next available price level is 10 bob, which is way too high. They could sell two boxes at 15 bob but that is still on the higher side and might also affect the sale volumes negatively.
To cut down on costs, manufacturers have made the stick heads smaller by almost 50%. The brown striking strip is also thinner, and the total number of matchsticks errs on the lower side of 60 sticks per box.
I'm not sure how much longer they can hold down the price at that level given that there is nothing else to adjust. A business opportunity might present the moment they increase prices. There could be a market for "refill" matchsticks that could be sold packaged differently (in small plastic bags) at the same price of 5 shillings.
 
shocks said:
It appears match box price has not kept up with inflation, unga ngano and sugar have gone up 20-30x, matchbox is at most 3-4x
Click to expand...
Salt too.
upepo said:
Match makers have always faced dilemmas in keeping up with inflation. Take the current situation, the matchbox has maintained at 5 shillings for the last few years despite the price increases that affected all other products. The current issue with the matchbox is that the next available price level is 10 bob, which is way too high. They could sell two boxes at 15 bob but that is still on the higher side and might also affect the sale volumes negatively.
To cut down on costs, manufacturers have made the stick heads smaller by almost 50%. The brown striking strip is also thinner, and the total number of matchsticks errs on the lower side of 60 sticks per box.
I'm not sure how much longer they can hold down the price at that level given that there is nothing else to adjust. A business opportunity might present the moment they increase prices. There could be a market for "refill" matchsticks that could be sold packaged differently (in small plastic bags) at the same price of 5 shillings.
Click to expand...
A disposable lighter is ten bob.
 
Mwalimu-G said:
A disposable lighter is ten bob.
Click to expand...
The cheapest is 20 bob currently. But even when it was more economical, it was unable to replace the matchbox. That should form an interesting study subject. Looks like a case of a better, cheaper alternative being unable to displace a weaker incumbent. Remember that the matchbox survived previous alternative lighters that could be filled with spirit or petrol. Maybe the matchbox is too convenient in terms of price and availability.
 
Last edited:
shocks said:
It appears match box price has not kept up with inflation, unga ngano and sugar have gone up 20-30x, matchbox is at most 3-4x
Click to expand...
The china effect. Late 90s liberalization of the market resulted in a flood of Chinese imports. Local matchbox makers simply could not compete, a matchstick from a local matchbox costed more than a full box of Chinese matchsticks. The price fell, local factories collapsed. There were issues with quality and paraffin sticks but mostly the public voted with their wallet.

The current market is, I would say, close to 100% counterfeit which is why the price has not moved.

The lighter is designed for smokers, not for use in the kitchen, which is why it hasn't caught on and will not. You need a flame that burns at a right angle in the kitchen, If you've ever tried to use a lighter, you actually do not need any gas in the lighter as gas will ignite when you strike the flint, and possibly 'burn' you fingers.You do not need a matchbox for most tabletop burners.

The gas lighter designed for gas hobs costs upwards of 300 and no guarantee on where or how you can get a refill and for how much
 
Mwalimu-G said:
Salt too
Click to expand...
Yes, na vile Kensalt have built a huge tower in westlands its as if their margins are still very good. Its either there is new technology thats making salt production cheaper (I can't think of any coz. salt production is just trapping sea water in ponds and waiting for evaporation) or their margins were super high before. 🤔🤔🤔
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top