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E-COMMERCE

SA online shopping platform begins trialling one-hour deliveries

By our News Team | 2023

Select products such as laptops and beauty essentials are available with a one-hour turnaround time in certain Cape Town suburbs.

Takealot, the South African-based e-commerce platform, has begun trialling a one-hour delivery service for a select range of products such as laptops, smartphones, beauty essentials and toys.

 

Currently it is only offered in certain suburbs of Cape Town, but more areas may be added in the near future.

E-commerce

Photo credit: Takealot.com

The service, called TakealotNow, is available until 10pm and orders can be placed through Mr D, a delivery app previously known as Mr Delivery, that also delivers takeaway restaurant food. 

 

“Online shoppers in South Africa are growing increasingly used to quick turnarounds on delivery for products like groceries and we’ve seen a steady increase in sales in certain categories when we offer our … same-day, next-day delivery or collection options,” said Frederik Zietsman, CEO of Takealot.com.

 

“TakealotNow will enable us to fulfil customers’ need for products, delivered faster than ever before, while offering [a] range across categories not yet available in the on-demand world.”

 

Customer-centric strategy to bring convenience

 

Adds Alex Wörz, Mr D CEO: “TakealotNow is a … new customer proposition that aligns with both Takealot and Mr D’s customer-centric strategy to bring … convenience that goes beyond food delivery to more South African homes.

 

“The proposition opens up the opportunity to scale across the country using our tried-and-tested distribution network of over 15,000 delivery partners.”

 

Takealot’s new service comes at a difficult time for the business, which is part of the giant Naspers group of internet, technology and multimedia companies.

 

Although it has grown its merchandise volume, it still made significant losses in the financial year ended March 2023.

 

Like all local e-commerce platforms, it also faces the challenge of Amazon’s planned launch in the country sometime this year.

Dr Kin Kariisa

Group CEO - Next Media

Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.