Tag: online shopping

Spurred on by unpredictable market trends, changing customer behaviours, and the rise of e-commerce, businesses are having to redefine their operations. One industry in particular feeling the weight of this change is retail.

With Black Friday around the corner, South African retailers are gearing up for one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Unfortunately, most are ignoring a vital element in ensuring they are ready for the influx of shoppers. Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become staples of the South African calendar, with shoppers spending billions of Rands on deals.

In recent years, South Africa has embraced the global phenomenon of Black Friday. While, for businesses in this country, it's tempting to focus solely on the immediate potential that this flurry of buying activity presents, small and medium enterprise (SME) should take a much longer-term view of Black Friday, understanding its real potential to underpin long-term growth.

Formal retailers in South Africa are losing billions in annual sales because of a disconnect between the customer touchpoint mix that they prioritise and those that their customers prefer. This is one of the key findings of a big data research study that was conducted on our behalf.

Businesses of all sizes can agree that customers no longer buy just a product or service. More than ever, the modern customer journey reflects the need for and investment in a positive experience. Today’s customers have higher expectations and no longer see online and offline shopping as distinct experiences. So, if businesses are largely geared towards customer satisfaction and retention, connecting with them in ways that matter is paramount.

A blueprint is emerging for online retailers in South Africa. Ahead of Amazon entering the local market, setting up a titanic battle for customers with market leader Takealot, a new study shows that there is not only room for new entrants, but also opportunity for growth for incumbents.

On-demand online grocery shopping – like many other e-commerce categories – has become intertwined in everyday life. From fashion apparel and entertainment to more unconventional categories such as social enterprise, consumers are shifting from bricks to clicks, lending to growth in local e-commerce market.

Online product research and discovery influences R293.8 billion in physical sales, accounting for 25% of South Africa’s retail trade, according to the recently released 2022 South African Digital Customer Experience (CX) Report.

November marks the start of seasonal spending, with consumers looking for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. While this is an exciting time of year, it is equally critical for customers to be vigilant when shopping to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.

Leaked documents detailing the forthcoming launch of ‘Project Fela’ – a new marketplace with its own membership programme owned by Amazon – has prompted much industry speculation and debate around the role that competition plays in sector development.