Photo by Desola Lanre-Ologun via Unsplash.
Amazon launched its online shopping service Amazon.co.za in South Africa on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Amazon.co.za will offer same and next-day delivery in over 3,000 pickup points. Customers’ first orders and orders amounting to 500 rand ($27.07) or more will be delivered free of charge. Shoppers in South Africa will have access to local and international brands across 20 different product categories such as consumer electronics, sporting equipment and home, Amazon said in a statement.
The service is now available in the Amazon Shopping App and on the website www.amazon.co.za. Customer support is provided via phone, email, and live chat. Customers can also receive updates on their order status in WhatsApp to track parcels at every stage of delivery.
“Building a strong relationship with South African brands and businesses is incredibly important to us. We want Amazon.co.za to be the place where they can reach millions of customers,” said Robert Koen, managing director of Amazon Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The heartbeat of our small business enterprises measures the health of our country’s economy. If they are pumping, the nation is growing. We welcome companies that provide opportunities for local sellers and entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. This will create jobs and contribute to government’s objective of repairing the legacy of poverty and inequality,” noted Minister of Small Business Development of South Africa, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Through Amazon, South African businesses can market their products to consumers nationwide. The platform will also provide independent sellers with straightforward onboarding resources, payment processing solutions, and marketing tools. Additionally, Amazon.co.za will offer detailed reports and analytics to aid enterprises in sales optimization.
Amazon.co.za’s debut coincides with a surge in online shopping in South Africa, catalyzed by the pandemic, which significantly boosted e-commerce. Since then, retailers have noticeably increased their investments in this area.
