Shoprite adds e-commerce functionality for bulk purchasers

Shoprite launches online shopping and wholesale delivery service for spas and small businesses.

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Shoprite Group’s Cash & Carry division has entered the e-commerce market, targeting spaza shops and small businesses.

In a statement, the retail group said the portal enables bulk buyers to browse and purchase a wide range of goods through a fully automated online shopping system, with free delivery within a 50km radius.

According to Shoprite, the obstacles spaza shops and smaller retail businesses often face include high transport and fuel costs, difficulties in meeting demand from the informal sector, and excess inventory which can lead to high carrying costs, increased risk of theft and cash flow problems.

“We are committed to supporting small businesses by providing innovative solutions to the specific challenges they face,” says Mark Cotton, Head of B2B e-commerce at Shoprite Group.

“The new Cash & Carry digital platform provides customers with reliable and visible access to inventory and delivery services that eliminate the need to store excess inventory, free up much-needed cash flow and give business owners more time on the shop floor to focus on customers and growing their business.”

In addition, Shoprite says the new system streamlines the purchasing and order fulfillment process for merchants in its Cash & Carry stores, allowing them to log in, access customer and product information, create and fulfill orders more efficiently. Orders can be saved for future use.

A range of payment options have been introduced online and in-store, including credit and debit cards, EFT, store credit, cash on delivery and a Shoprite money market account.