Shoprite launches online delivery service for spaza shops

Shoprite has launched an online shopping and bulk delivery service for spaza shops and smaller retail businesses in South Africa.

In a statement on Wednesday, 3 July 2024, the grocery retail giant said the move was the Shoprite wholesale brand’s first venture into e-commerce.

Customers who buy in bulk from Shoprite’s Cash & Carry stores can browse and purchase a wide range of goods through a fully automated online shopping system.

Shoprite said the service offered highly competitive pricing and free delivery within a 50km radius.

Head of B2B e-commerce at the Shoprite Group, Mark Cotton, said the platform aimed to support spaza shops and small retail businesses facing high transport costs and difficulties meeting demand within the informal sector.

“We are committed to supporting small businesses by providing innovative solutions to the specific problems these enterprises face,” said Cotton.

He added that the new digital platform provided reliable and visible stock access and delivery services that eliminated the need to hold excess inventory.

This, in turn, would free up cash flow and give business owners more time on the shop floor.

Shoprite said the new system also streamlined the purchase and fulfilment store for Cash & Carry in-store traders.

Traders can log in, access customer and product information, build and fulfil orders efficiently, and save orders for future use.

Customers on the Cash & Carry digital platform can pay using various methods, including credit and debit cards, electronic funds transfer, store credit, cash on collection, and Shoprite Money Market Accounts.

They will also benefit from cash savings and promotion offers through Shoprite’s Xtra Savings loyalty programme.