The e-commerce sector in South Africa is on a significant upswing. Forecasts predict a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 9.83% and 12.5% from 2020 to 2027. The widespread use of smart devices, improved internet connectivity, and the fusion of e-commerce platforms with cutting-edge technologies are all contributing factors to this surge. The market is reasonably diversified, with major players prioritising innovation and technology adaptation. Key product categories driving this growth include clothing, online entertainment, groceries, electronics, and media.
When the first shutdown began in March 2020, e-commerce in South Africa boomed, soaring by 66 percent to over R30 billion per year.
South Africa will be the 37th largest e-commerce market in the world in 2020. It will be bigger than Portugal but smaller than Nigeria, and 68 percent of South Africans will spend more time shopping online than they did before the pandemic.
No longer can this market be disregarded.
Prior to then, there were a few organizations that excelled at e-commerce, another group that was generally uninterested in it, and a potential customer base that viewed it as a luxury rather than a need.
Digital retail is fundamentally different from physical retail; it's a new world with new behaviors, customers with distinct needs, and a supply chain and fulfillment system that must be built from the ground up.
A customer who visits your store to make a buy has a different mindset than one who visits your website to make a purchase.
Product representation must be carefully studied, multiple audiences must be established and tested through thorough, strategic targeting and communication, and different customer groups must be nurtured differently throughout the buying process.
Despite a slower growth rate in 2021 due to economic challenges, internet retail is predicted to surpass R40 billion and account for 4% of total retail in South Africa. It should come as no surprise that traditional retailers' losses, which lasted nine months in a row in 2020, are correlated with gains made by South African internet merchants.
Takealot, South Africa's largest online retailer, increased its revenue by 41% to R3.3 billion.
Ecommerce market growth in South Africa end of 2022
According to Arthur Goldstuck and a study done by Mastercard, the South African e-commerce market has grown consistently since 2016. In that year, the expected total value of internet purchases will be R26 billion by 2020 and R55 billion by 2022 and expected to be R62 billion by 2023
Online Retail Industry in South Africa
Experts in the digital economy anticipate that 2020 will be a "watershed moment" for online retailing's dominance of the retail industry.
While online retail in South Africa is rapidly developing, its revenue remains small in comparison to retail sales.
Seven of the world's top ten publicly traded companies are digital platform providers, reflecting their expanding importance in the global economy.
Revitalization online business since 2020:
South Africans used the internet to avoid leaving their homes in 2020, and demand for store deliveries grew. Aside from airtime and data, the most common online purchases were clothing and food. Major retailers increased their online offers swiftly by introducing new brands and acquiring others. Independent retailers are concerned about the massive investment required in technology and delivery capacity.
Online retailing, particularly in South Africa, is a new and active industry marked by high levels of innovation and development.
Large retail internet companies are on the lookout for disruptive innovations, as indicated by recent acquisitions of small upstart online shops and software providers such as Pick n Pay and Imperial.
Store rankings are based on income generated in South Africa.
These stores can either be national and exclusively sell in their home country or global.
Decathlon.co.za is one of South Africa's fastest growing stores.
In 2020, the store made around 18 million.
Its income increased by 593 percent last year.
The Statista predicts further market increase in South Africa over the next few years.
The CAGR 20-24 for the next four years is anticipated to be 11%.
A market that is substantially flooded appears to have a year-over-year growth of 29%.
In 2020, 35% of South Africans will have bought at least one thing online, indicating market saturation.
Top five eCommerce industry market segments:
Fashion is the largest segment in South Africa, accounting for 31% of eCommerce revenue.
This is followed by Toys, Hobby & DIY (27%), Electronics & Media (18%), Furniture & Appliances (15%), and Food & Personal Care (8%).
South Africa's players in the eCommerce market:
Fashion industry in SA
superbalist.com, runwaysale.co.za and ackermans.co.za
Toys, Hobby & DIY in SA
netflorist.co.za, raru.co.za and game.co.za
Generalists in SA
takealot.com, ubuy.za.com and zasttra.com
Coverage and growth of new online eCommerce markets in South Africa:
These include important internet-only enterprises such as Takealot, the expansion of online trading among South Africa's national merchants, and significant barriers to entry for smaller shops into online trade. Major local players such as Takealot (Takealot, Superbalist, and Mr D Food), and retailers such as Shoprite, Pick & Pay, and Woolworths expanded their online markets.
Clients buying online value not only 'add-to-cart,' but also the brand's legitimacy and the trust it inspires in these customers to commit to your business developing a brand in digital area is just as important as it is in the real one. Building your digital business has a significant strategic component, which necessitates the same skills, knowledge, and commitment that you'd put into your brick and mortar store.
However, e-potential commerce extends beyond the people who pass through your store front every day:
You increase the company's national and international clientele.
You're investing in the company's future potential.
As a result, finding a partner that can help you scale digitally is important. Contact us for scaling up and building your online business.
