Online Retail & Ecommerce on Course to Three Year Super-Growth Trend in South Africa
The ecommerce economy in South Africa is on it's way to a period of super growth due to a series of favourable conditions which will not be experienced in decades again. One of the current online retailers have commented on these factors and what it means for the South Africa ecommerce industry.
Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, June 04, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Ubershelf.com, South Africa’s newest entrant into the online super store segment of the ecommerce market has predicted super growth figures in ecommerce in South Africa for the next three years.
Founder, William Heydenrych, cited the on-going marketing from the largest online retailers in South Africa as well as falling broadband costs as the major contributing factors to an increase in consumers venturing online to purchase goods. Additionally the rapid penetration of smartphones into the South African market has lubricated the process of getting people online and buying. Consumers are no longer apprehensive about interacting and transacting online according to Ubershelf.com.
“There are numerous research publications about what will happen in ecommerce in Southern Africa and eventually the entire continent over the next decade or so; and they all point to super growth,” said Heydenrych, “We have seen a massive increase on our platform alone since its launch in mid-January 2013. I am of the opinion that ecommerce will experience super growth in South Africa over the next three years and those who are able to capitalise on it will be the major market players once the growth stabilises to a slower pace.”
Heydenrych noticed a gap in the online market in 2012 and decided to sell out of his well-established IT firm in order to pursue the bragging rights of being called the Amazon.com of Africa. “To be honest, a handful of other online firms are relatively entrenched in the market at the moment, but what we noticed in our yearlong feasibility study was that as consumers start venturing into the online ecommerce space, the sheer demand which is looming will be too large for the current handful of real competitors,” says Heydenrych from his offices & warehouse in an industrial park in Nelson Mandela Bay. “I took a huge risk to sell-out of my previous company and personally fund a feasibility study which stretched over 12 months; I trust the risk will pay off!”
Ubershelf.com currently offers online consumers in South Africa a vast range of products. From what started as an online store selling computers & laptops, ubershelf.com quickly diversified their product portfolio to include household appliances, furniture, electronics and health & nutrition products. There are also a few surprises on the way for customers frequenting ubershelf.com too. A couple of new product ranges are on their way which should see them picking up clients who are not catered for by the large online retailers, but keep smaller specialist online retailers going.
“We cannot be caught sleeping in this sector of the market. Our competitors are much bigger than us at this stage, have almost infinitely deep pockets and all are trying position themselves as loss leaders to capture the majority of market,” notes Heydenrych.
2013 has been a very encouraging year for ubershelf.com from when they started trading in mid-January 2013. At this stage it is too early to predict their trajectory for the next two years, but ubershelf.com’s staff and management are very optimistic. Ultimately the real benefit will be experienced by online consumers due to increased customer service, more convenience and lower prices while the online retailers jockey for a position in the pecking order.
For more details on Ubershelf.com please visit their website at http://www.ubershelf.com
Founder, William Heydenrych, cited the on-going marketing from the largest online retailers in South Africa as well as falling broadband costs as the major contributing factors to an increase in consumers venturing online to purchase goods. Additionally the rapid penetration of smartphones into the South African market has lubricated the process of getting people online and buying. Consumers are no longer apprehensive about interacting and transacting online according to Ubershelf.com.
“There are numerous research publications about what will happen in ecommerce in Southern Africa and eventually the entire continent over the next decade or so; and they all point to super growth,” said Heydenrych, “We have seen a massive increase on our platform alone since its launch in mid-January 2013. I am of the opinion that ecommerce will experience super growth in South Africa over the next three years and those who are able to capitalise on it will be the major market players once the growth stabilises to a slower pace.”
Heydenrych noticed a gap in the online market in 2012 and decided to sell out of his well-established IT firm in order to pursue the bragging rights of being called the Amazon.com of Africa. “To be honest, a handful of other online firms are relatively entrenched in the market at the moment, but what we noticed in our yearlong feasibility study was that as consumers start venturing into the online ecommerce space, the sheer demand which is looming will be too large for the current handful of real competitors,” says Heydenrych from his offices & warehouse in an industrial park in Nelson Mandela Bay. “I took a huge risk to sell-out of my previous company and personally fund a feasibility study which stretched over 12 months; I trust the risk will pay off!”
Ubershelf.com currently offers online consumers in South Africa a vast range of products. From what started as an online store selling computers & laptops, ubershelf.com quickly diversified their product portfolio to include household appliances, furniture, electronics and health & nutrition products. There are also a few surprises on the way for customers frequenting ubershelf.com too. A couple of new product ranges are on their way which should see them picking up clients who are not catered for by the large online retailers, but keep smaller specialist online retailers going.
“We cannot be caught sleeping in this sector of the market. Our competitors are much bigger than us at this stage, have almost infinitely deep pockets and all are trying position themselves as loss leaders to capture the majority of market,” notes Heydenrych.
2013 has been a very encouraging year for ubershelf.com from when they started trading in mid-January 2013. At this stage it is too early to predict their trajectory for the next two years, but ubershelf.com’s staff and management are very optimistic. Ultimately the real benefit will be experienced by online consumers due to increased customer service, more convenience and lower prices while the online retailers jockey for a position in the pecking order.
For more details on Ubershelf.com please visit their website at http://www.ubershelf.com
Contact
ubershelf
Farrel Royston
+27875764895
www.ubershelf.com
Farrel Royston is the PR & Marketing Manager of ubershelf.
Farrel Royston
+27875764895
www.ubershelf.com
Farrel Royston is the PR & Marketing Manager of ubershelf.
Contact
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