Amazon is in South Africa for the long run, says marketplace head

By Nqobile Dludla

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - U.S. e-commerce giant Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN ) is in South Africa for the long run, its regional marketplace head said on Thursday, after its first foray into Sub-Saharan Africa four months ago.

Africa's most advanced economy is usually seen as a good entry point for companies to expand into the continent and Amazon could be doing the same, analysts have said.

Its entry comes amid a sharp rise in online shopping in South Africa after the pandemic created an opportunity for e-commerce to finally take hold, with retailers including Naspers-owned e-commerce leader Takealot.com doubling down on investments in response.

Unlike the fanfare arrival that shoppers expected, Amazon launched in May with limited products on its website and little marketing while it worked to bring independent sellers onto its platform. The company has not given details of its plans.

Amazon's Head of Marketplace for Sub-Saharan Africa, Suzelle Abe, hinted at a gradual approach, telling potential sellers at an e-commerce conference in Johannesburg that the retailer would keep building its online store with more categories and sellers.

"We want to get to know the customers. We want to get to know a lot of important learnings and through that, we keep on building," Abe said.

"And yes, we're definitely here for the long run."

The retailer, which made South Africa its 23rd launch country, recently added jewellery and luggage to its growing list of categories, Abe added, with more to come.



Amazon has two fulfilment centres in South Africa, one in Johannesburg and one in Cape Town, and has partnered with click-and-collect companies such as Pargo and home courier companies for last-mile delivery.

Apart from Takealot.com and local retailers, Amazon is also competing with U.S. retail giant Walmart (NYSE:WMT ) Inc, which owns food and general merchandise group Massmart, and low-price fast-fashion sites Shein and Temu, which have disrupted South Africa's discount fashion market.

Source: Investing.com

Publicații recente
Boeing proposes 30% wage hike to striking workers in its 'final' offer
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Nanophase technologies director buys $3.4k in company stock
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Blink charging director sells over $43k in company stock
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Full House Resorts CEO sells over $82k in company stock
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Ur-Energy CFO sells over $270k in company shares
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Akero Therapeutics exec sells over $150k in company stock
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Sri Lanka dollar bonds tumble on post-election IMF, debt rework woes
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Ur-Energy COO sells over $214,000 in company stock
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Judge concludes hearing to determine fate of Murdoch media empire
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Novo says Ozempic to be eligible for US price negotiations in less than a year
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Dell CEO Michael S. Dell sells over $1.17 billion in company stock
24.09.2024 - 02:00
OneSpaWorld exec Stephen Lazarus sells over $486k in company stock
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Liberty Media exec Wendling sells over $738k in company stock
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Liberty Media exec sells over $1.5m in FWONK stock
24.09.2024 - 02:00
Ernest Garcia II sells over $34 million in Carvana Co. stock
24.09.2024 - 02:00

© Analytic DC. All Rights Reserved.

new
Prezentare generală a pieței Activitatea întreprinderilor din SUA a rămas stabilă în septembrie, dar presiunile asupra prețurilor se intensifică
Bine ați venit în mesageria de suport!!
*
*

Solicitarea dvs. a fost trimisă cu succes!
Veți fi contactat în scurt timp.