Whether you’re a bookworm who frequently visits the Exclusive Books’ website or a techie who always finds a gadget on Takealot – there’s an online shop for everyone.
Although online shopping isn’t the default shopping choice for South Africans, this is changing.
In January of 2015 Statistica.com reported that 40% of internet users worldwide bought products online – that’s 1 billion online shoppers. This amount will increase as more efficient encryption and security measures are developed.
In South Africa the percentage of buyers is around 22% and 48% of internet users claim they might be using the internet for shopping in future. (Survey conducted by IPSOS on behalf of PayPAL and FNB) If we consider that South Africa has the best developed economy in Africa and 86% adults own a cellphone, predictions by IPSOS and Statistica.com aren’t so far-fetched.
Studies show a noteworthy increase in internet purchases, as well as the amount users spend.
The SA council of shopping centres (SACSC) claim that serious internet users already conduct 50% of their shopping online and spend up to R2500 per month. Lighter users make around 14 transactions and spend R350 per month. Shoppers also tend to first do research on a product online and then buy it in the shop.
But where do South Africans like to shop and what do we buy? Woolworths, Exclusive Books and Pick ‘n Pay’s online versions seem to be most popular, while exclusively online shops Kalahari.com, Takealot and Amazon take preference. On the clothing front Zando and Spree totaled a low 9% in 2014.
Popular choices are digital products, event tickets, travel and clothing.
Security remains the biggest reason for not buying online. According to Statistica.com 38% of their respondents don not trust security on the internet enough to do payments online.
Security shouldn’t be a problem when an online shop’s website is PCI DSS certified or uses good encryption methods like 3D secure. As with any other website, trust your instincts and don’t shop and divulge your bank details on unknown or suspicious sites. Rather stick to legitimate, safe shops like Takealot, Zando, Spree, etc.
Some internet users are under the impression that you need a credit card when shopping online. This isn’t the case. Online shops have been adding various other payment options to accommodate shoppers. External payment companies like PayPal ensure that transactions are more secure and if you do feel uneasy divulging credit card details, pay with a bank EFT. Some shops even give you the choice to pay cash when your order is delivered.
Tangibility and quality guarantee is another consumer concern. More effective procedures have been put into place and consumers can easily return a product they’re not satisfied with.
On the upside, online shopping is convenient and easy. It gives you the opportunity to choose between a wide selection of products, some sourced worldwide and pick the price best suited to your pocket. You don’t have to wait weeks for your purchase to be delivered. Good online shops will deliver within 24 hours if they have the product in stock.
By the end of this decade e-commerce in Africa will expand by 20 times and according to McKinsey & Company, by 2025 10% of retail sales will be done online.
Whether we like it or not, online shops are here to stay and hopefully we as consumers will be the ones who benefit from it.
[SOURCES: www.mybroadband.co.za; www.ventureburn.com; www.eprop.co.za; www.itnewsafrica.com]
Of jy `n boekwurm is wat gereeld op Exclusive Books se webwerf kuier of `n techie wat katoeters soek op Takealot, daar is `n aanlynwinkel vir elke smaak.
Hoewel aanlynaankope nie die norm in Suid-Afrika nie, is die prentjie besig om vinnig te verander.
Statistica.com het in Januarie berig dat 40% van internetgebruikers wêreldwyd reeds items aanlyn gekoop het. Met ander woorde, 1 biljoen aanlyn-kopers. Hierdie getal sal toeneem soos enkripsie en sekuriteitsmaatreëls verbeter.
In Suid-Afrika is die persentasie kopers ongeveer 22% en glo 48% van internetgebruikers dat hulle dit in die toekoms tog sal oorweeg. (IPSOS-opname namens PayPAL en FNB) As ons in ag neem dat Suid-Afrika die mees-ontwikkelde ekonomie in Afrika het en 86% van volwassenes selfoongebruikers is, lyk voorspellings soos dié van IPSOS en Statistica.com nie so verregaande nie.
Studies wys `n opmerklike groei in internetaankope en ook die bedrae wat gebruikers bereid is om te spandeer.
Die SA council of shopping centres (SACSC) se opname in Februarie vanjaar bevestig dat ernstige gebruikers reeds 50% van hul inkopies aanlyn doen en tot R2500-00 per maand spandeer. Ligte gebruikers daarenteen doen 14 transaksies en spandeer R350-00 per maand. Kopers is geneig om aanlynwinkels te gebruik om eers navorsing oor `n produk te doen en dit daarna in `n winkel te gaan koop.
Waar en wat koop Suid-Afrikaners? Woolworths, Exclusive Books en Pick `n Pay se aanlynweergawes blyk populêr te wees, terwyl die uitsluitlik aanlynwinkels Kalahari.com, Takealot en Amazon die voorkeurkeuse is. Op die klerefront trek Zando en Spree by slegs 9% in 2014.
Gewilde keuses is digitale produkte, kaartjies na geleenthede en vir reis en klere.
Sekuriteit is die grootste rede waarom Suid-Afrikaners nie aanlyn wil koop nie. 38% van die deelnemers aan Statistica.com se opname vertrou nie sekuriteit op die internet genoeg om aankope aanlyn te doen nie.
Sekuriteit behoort nie `n probleem te wees as `n webwerf PCI DSS gesertifiseer is of goeie enkripsie- en waarmerkmetodes soos 3D secure, gebruik word nie. Soos met enige ander webwerf, vertrou jou goeie oordeel en moenie onbekende winkels gebruik en jou inligting daarop gee nie. Hou by die bekendes soos Takealot, Zando, ens.
Gebruikers verkeer onder die wanindruk dat jy `n kredietkaart nodig het om aanlyn te koop. Dis nie die geval is nie. Aanlynwinkels bied ook alternatiewe aan kopers. Buite-betalingsmaatskappye soos Paypal maak transaksies meer sekuur. As jy onveilig voel om jou kredietkaartdetails in te vul, betaal met `n bank EFT. Sommige winkels laat jou selfs toe om die koerier kontant te betaal met aflewering.
Tasbaarheid en `n waarborg van produkkwaliteit `n verdere bekommernis. Beter prosedures is reeds in plek gesit sodat gebruikers moeiteloos produkte kan terugstuur indien hulle nie tevrede is nie.
Aan die positiewe kant is aanlyninkope se gerief en gemaklikheid nie te betwyfel nie. Dit bied jou die geleentheid om te kies tussen `n verskeidenheid produkte, ook wêreldwyd, en sodoende die beste keuse vir jou sak te maak. Daarnenewens hoef jy nie meer weke te wag vir aflewering nie. Goeie aanlynwinkels lewer binne 24 uur jou aankope by jou af – mits dit in voorraad is.
Teen die einde van die dekade word voorspel dat e-handel in Afrika 20 maal sal vermeerder en volgens McKinsey & Company sal dit teen 2025 10% van alle kleinhandel-verkope uitmaak.
Of ons daarvan hou of nie, aanlynwinkels is hier om te bly en hopelik kan ons as gebruikers, ook daaruit voordeel trek.
[BRONNE: www.mybroadband.co.za; www.ventureburn.com; www.eprop.co.za; www.itnewsafrica.com]
