This year, South African e-commerce is expected to reach an important milestone whereby online retail sales surpass the 1% mark for the very first time. While this may represent just a tiny proportion of overall retail sales, the country’s online retail growth rate is still exceptionally high as it comes off a very low base, says Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx.
A report by the technology consultancy shows that South Africa has maintained an online shopping growth rate in excess of 20% since 2000. Last year, it grew by 26% – taking online retail to the ZAR7.5 billion mark, according to a MoneyWeb report. Goldstuck says only three other African markets are seeing significant e-commerce take-up, namely Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya.
