Retail business in Nigeria is growing rapidly—and one of the smartest ways to stay ahead is by offering delivery services. Among the retail sectors benefiting the most is the grocery business. But it’s not just for large shops. Whether you’re running a provision store, mini supermarket, or a full-sized supermarket, integrating delivery service can help you reach more customers and increase your daily sales.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to start a profitable grocery delivery service in Nigeria—from setting up your business to handling logistics and marketing.
Whether you’re in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, Jos, Enugu, Aba, or any other part of Nigeria, this practical guide is designed to help you succeed.
Why Start a Grocery Delivery Business?
Nigerians are getting busier by the day. Traffic, long work hours, and urban living are pushing more people to shop for groceries online or by phone. Starting a grocery delivery business allows you to:
- Serve these busy professionals and their families
- Earn extra income alongside your physical store
- Stay competitive with bigger retailers
- Reach customers beyond your immediate neighborhood
Step-by-step to Start a Grocery Delivery Service in Nigeria
Define Your Grocery Niche & Service Area
Before jumping into the grocery delivery business, one of the first things you need to do is to define your niche and decide the specific areas you’ll cover. This helps you stay focused, avoid overstretching your budget, and serve your target market better.
Think of it as choosing your lane in a very busy road—you don’t want to take on too much at once.
Decide What You’ll Deliver
Ask yourself: what type of groceries do people around me need the most? You can start with one or two categories and expand later as demand and profit grow. Some popular options include:
- Fresh produce and foodstuff – tomatoes, onions, vegetables, yams, pepper, etc.
- Packaged groceries – rice, cooking oil, spaghetti, noodles, and seasonings.
- Beverages and household items – soft drinks, bottled water, cleaning supplies.
- Toiletries and baby products – tissue, soap, toothpaste, diapers, wipes.
Define Your Service Area
Don’t try to deliver everywhere at once, especially when starting out. Begin with one or two neighborhoods or localities where you can deliver quickly and efficiently. If you’re busy area like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, choosing a delivery radius —2km, 5km should be okay for the start but if you’re in less busy area like Ado-Ekiti, Owerri you can even choose to deliver across your city, depending on your resources and transportation mode. However, it is better to choose areas where people are busy, tech-savvy, or have limited access to open markets.
Consider a location you’re familiar with, or where you already have a network—this can reduce costs and increase word-of-mouth marketing.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to offer everything from day one. Start small, learn fast, and scale smart.
Register and Legalize Your Business
If you want your business to run smoothly and gain customers’ trust, you need to make it a business operating legally.
Start by registering your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). With as little as ₦20,000 to ₦60,000, you can register your business name and acquire a Tax Identification Number (TIN). This gives your grocery delivery service a professional and legal identity, and opens doors to working with vendors, corporate clients, and even listing your business on online platforms.
What you’ll need:
- Business name registration (CAC)
- Tax Identification Number (TIN) – for business tax compliance
- Corporate bank account (business account)– for easy and trustworthy customer transactions
Also, depending on your mode of delivery, you may need:
- A rider’s permit (if using a delivery bike or dispatch service)
- Any local government operating permit (especially in cities like Lagos, Abuja, Enugu or Port Harcourt)
Why it matters: Operating an unregistered business can expose you to legal penalties, local government disruptions, or distrust from customers who prefer dealing with verified businesses.
Pro Tip: You can now register your business online via the CAC portal and get your certificate in a few days
Set Up an Ordering System
To run a successful grocery delivery service in Nigeria, having a reliable and user-friendly ordering system is essential—especially if you’re operating online or plan to scale.
You can offer multiple ordering channels such as:
- WhatsApp or Telegram for direct chat orders
- Social media DMs, especially Instagram and Facebook
- A simple grocery delivery app (you can build one as you grow)
- Google Forms or a free order form plugin on your website
Make sure your product catalog is up-to-date, clearly organized, and easy to navigate. Even if you’re running a physical grocery shop or mini supermarket, having an online ordering channel (especially WhatsApp) makes it easier for customers to request delivery or pre-order groceries.
Also, consider using a signpost, small billboard, or banner outside your store or neighborhood to let locals know about your delivery service. Include your ordering channels, contact number, and delivery schedule.
Build Reliable Delivery Logistics
Now that your ordering system is in place, the next big step is figuring out how you’ll get those groceries to your customers quickly and safely.
You have a few delivery options to choose from:
- Hire a dispatch rider (either with your own bike or on a salary/commission basis)
- Partner with a third-party logistics company like Gokada or Kwik
- Use public transport or ride-hailing services (like Bolt or keke) for short-distance deliveries if you’re on a low budget
Whichever method you choose, your delivery system must be fast, safe, and reliable. Customers expect to receive their groceries in good condition—no leaks, dents, or missing items. That means your goods should be properly packaged to stay fresh, clean, and intact during transit.
Pro Tip: If you’re delivering perishable items like vegetables or frozen foods, consider using insulated bags or coolers to maintain freshness.
Manage Your Inventory Smartly
One thing that can ruin a good grocery delivery service is poor inventory management. Imagine a customer placing an order, only to hear, “Sorry, we’re out of stock.” It happens—but it shouldn’t be often.
To avoid this, try to keep your stock updated daily, especially if you’re dealing with perishables. Customers expect that once something is listed, it’s available. So, don’t guess what you have—know what you have.
You don’t need to invest in expensive software right away. Simple tools like Google Sheets can help you track what’s coming in and what’s going out. You can also try free sales and inventory apps like Loyverse, SabiPOS, or even Bumpa. They’re easy to use and can give you real-time updates.
Also, don’t wait until you’ve completely run out before restocking. If something finishes and it takes two or three days to get more, that’s lost sales. Stay ahead by reordering in time, especially for fast-moving goods like rice, noodles, cooking oil, beverages, and toiletries.
Not sure what sells fast? Check out our full list of best-selling products in a mini supermarket in Nigeria to guide your inventory choices and avoid stocking slow-moving goods.
Set Pricing & Delivery Fees
One thing you can’t afford to get wrong in this business is your pricing—and that includes your delivery fee.
Start by setting your product prices with a decent profit margin. If you’re sourcing from reliable suppliers or wholesalers, you should be able to make a good markup while still staying competitive. (Need help finding suppliers? Check our guide on how to connect to best product suppliers in Nigeria).
Next, set your delivery fees. You can use either:
A flat rate for all orders within a certain distance or a distance-based rate, especially for larger cities like Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt.
Right now, a fair delivery fee in Nigeria is usually between ₦500 to ₦2,000, depending on distance, fuel cost, and whether you’re using your own dispatch or partnering with logistics services like Gokada, Okada or Kwik.
Also, consider offering discounts for bulk orders or loyal customers who order often. That kind of value keeps customers coming back—and in this space, repeat customers are gold.
Remember: while it’s tempting to go after profits fast, building strong customer relationships and being reliable will help you scale your delivery service faster and stay ahead of future competition.
Market Your Grocery Delivery Business
Once your grocery delivery service is up and running, don’t just sit back and wait for customers to find you — go out there and get them!
You need to adopt aggressive yet smart marketing strategies to get noticed, especially in your immediate community. Start with offline methods:
- Distribute flyers around your neighborhood
- Hang banners or posters near busy roads, markets, or junctions
- Print and display your services on your delivery bike (if you have one)
Then combine that with digital marketing for a wider reach:
Post regularly on WhatsApp status and send broadcast messages to your contacts
Run sponsored posts on Instagram and Facebook targeting your local audience
List your business on Google My Business, so people searching online for grocery delivery near them can find you easily
You should also take advantage of referral marketing. Offer small discounts or bonuses to customers who bring in others. Word of mouth still works wonders in Nigeria, especially for neighborhood businesses.
Pro Tip: If you’re also running a physical mini supermarket or provision store, learn how to increase supermarket sales to maximize profits from both offline and online channels.
Offer excellent Customer Service
In the grocery delivery business, excellent customer service is everything. Most customers don’t just buy the products — they’re buying you, the service provider. That means how you talk, respond, and deliver matters just as much as what you deliver.
If you delay in responding to chats, handle complaints poorly, or deliver items in rough shape, they’ll quietly move to your competitors — no second chances.
So here’s what to focus on:
- Respond to orders and inquiries quickly (especially on WhatsApp or Telegram)
- Package goods cleanly and professionally
- Follow up after each delivery to confirm satisfaction
- Be polite and helpful — even when customers are difficult
Building trust is what keeps people coming back — and referring others to you.
Want to make your customers even happier? If you’re running a physical store too, see our Mini Supermarket Business Checklist (Free Download – 2025 Updated) to organize your operations smoothly and avoid missing key steps
Bonus Tip: Use Technology to Scale
As your business grows, invest in:
- A branded eCommerce website or app
- Automated order and payment system
- Loyalty programs
- Integration with POS and inventory software
FAQs – Starting a Grocery Delivery Business in Nigeria
Q: Can I start a grocery delivery service without a physical shop?
Yes. You can operate from home or partner with suppliers, acting as a delivery middleman.
Q: How much capital do I need to start grocery delivery service?
With ₦500,000 to ₦1000,000, you can start small (WhatsApp-based delivery, one dispatch rider) and grow.
Q: What’s the best way to receive orders?
Most small businesses start with WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media DMs. As you grow, you can upgrade to a mobile app or e-commerce site. See this guide on how to organize your products like a pro.
Q: Do I need a dispatch rider from the beginning?
Not necessarily. If you’re just starting, you can partner with an existing delivery service or even use public transport for short distances until you can afford to hire or buy a bike.
Q: How much does it cost to start?
It depends on your location and scale. But you can start small with as low as ₦500,000 to ₦1000,000 for stock and basic logistics, then scale up gradually.
Q: What should I avoid when running grocery delivery service?
- Overpromising and late deliveries
- Stocking items without fast turnover
- Ignoring customer feedback
Conclusion
Starting a grocery delivery service in Nigeria is not just a good business idea — it’s a timely one. With more people ordering from home and the retail space becoming more competitive, now is the time to jump in and build a brand that delivers convenience.
Whether you’re running a provision store, mini supermarket, or grocery shop, integrating a delivery service can boost your daily sales, attract more loyal customers, and position your business for long-term success.
Don’t wait until the competition gets too stiff. Start small, follow the steps we’ve shared above, and grow steadily. With the right tools, customer service, and planning, your grocery delivery business can thrive in any Nigerian city — from Lagos to Enugu, Abuja to Aba.
Need help sourcing suppliers or setting up logistics for your delivery business? Download our Free Grocery Delivery Business starter checklist for one-on-one setup support
Have any question, experience, or tip to share? Drop them in the comment section below or contact us directly — we’d love to hear from you!
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