E-COMMERCE

Latest SA e-commerce grocery player rolls out electric vehicle fleet

By our News Team | 2023

Spar Group’s home-delivery service is replacing some of its fuel-powered bikes to ‘promote sustainability in the retail sector’.

Spar Group, the South African supermarket chain, has begun the roll-out of its electric vehicle fleet for deliveries ordered via its online shopping platform, Spar2U.

The rollout follows a successful pilot phase implemented in March this year. The company says the fleet, “reinforces the Spar Group’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability in the retail sector”.

Photo Credit: Spar Group

These energy efficient vehicles are replacing 65 of its conventional fuel-powered bikes that are already in service. The electric vehicle fleet is being operated in partnership with Inhance Supply Chain Solutions and SkyNet, a courier company.

“Our goal is to achieve a 50% Spar2U green fleet by 2025, not only enhancing our nationwide availability but also delivering a greater positive environmental impact,” says Blake Raubenheimer, Executive: Omnichannel at The Spar Group, in a press release.

Proof-of-concept trials

“Since the launch of Spar2U earlier this year, we have successfully conducted proof-of-concept trials, validating the viability and efficiency of our electric vehicle solution.

“To power our vehicles, we source electricity from renewable sources, including solar, guaranteeing a reliable and sustainable energy supply while reducing environmental harm.”

Spar began trialling its e-commerce home-delivery platform last year. It is in direct competition with Sixty60, the service operated by Checkers, as well as Pick n Pay’s Asap! service and Woolworths’ platform, known as Woolies Dash.

Spar, though, is relatively late to the game. The Checkers Sixty60 app was launched in November 2019 at the time of the pandemic, and Woolies Dash came to market in December 2020.

Sixty60 is the dominant player in this sector and the app has been downloaded more than 3.1-million times in South Africa. Its sales grew by 87% in the most recent reporting period to December 2022, on top of 250% in the period before

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