Ask Raru founder Neil Smith anything about eCommerce

[aksKOP]

Hi Neil
Considering eCommerce in SA is still relatively under developed in comparison to Europe and North America, what do you see as the main obstacles against mainstream adoption and growth in South Africa?

 

[Rouxenator]

How did you come up with the name Raru?

 

[markm10]

I would like an app to do shopping for this site urgently please.

 

[wizardofid]

Will the website expand with more goods and sections ?

 

[mnk007]

How does Raru intend to reward 365 customers? is there a rewards programme in the works eg. @ Wish, if you log in daily over consecutive days you get an extra 5% discount off your purchase.

 

[Devinity]

What competitive edge does Raru have over TakeaLot or any other similar online store?

 

[SeasonalVeggies]

Hi Neil, I'd like to know how ecommerce businesses like Raru work, do they work like every day super stores, but simply online?

 

[satanboy]

What is your finish line?

(retirement etc)

 

[satanboy]

What emerging trend will have the most disruptive force for online shopping? Do you have a strategy to combat this?

 

[gvanrhyn]

Is there going to be some Jan Braai-goodies for sale on Black Friday?

But, more seriously: How do you strike the balance with Raru staff members being very accessible on Sagamer's forum? Do you give them dedicated time for the personal touch, or not? Do you think this personal contact is part of Raru's success and something other eCommerce sites can learn from?

 

[Vanilla]

What is the ultimate big, hairy, audacious goal for RARU as a business if you haven't already achieved it?

 

[applesf2]

In online shopping, how big of a role does free delivery options play?

 

[Polymathic]

Are you using or planning to use machine learning to improve your website and stock management, do you think you guys have enough or the right type of data to train an algorithm to help increase sales?

 

[Eric]

Do you consider yourself to be a business person with a passion for tech or a tech person with a flair for business?

 

[Eric]

Did you use an off-the-shelf solution for your site or was it custom developed, or a hybrid?

 

[Eric]

When and how did your interest in technology start and what was your first (ever) computer?

 

[helkern]

What do you hope for Raru to become?

 

[RedViking]

Happy Birthday to Raru. =) Where do you see Raru 5 years from now and will it still be able to compete with the bigger players?

 

[WMC]

The Logistics

What is the best way to manage logistics effectively in eCommerce? By that I considering: warehousing, distribution, forward / vertical integration, buy a distribution (courier) company --> thinking about how Takealot bought Mr D...

 

[Xyphon]

Are there any "mistakes" you made when launching/running Take 2 that you were aware of and consciously avoided when launching Raru?