Key Points:
- Shoprite Holdings launches digital solutions for Cash & Carry stores, entering e-commerce to boost accessibility.
- Platform offers free delivery within 50km, and aims to support small businesses by easing inventory and cash flow challenges.
- System enhances efficiency for in-store traders with streamlined ordering, multiple payment options, and savings through Xtra Savings Club.
Shoprite Holdings, Africa’s largest retailer, partly owned by South African billionaire Christo Wiese, has introduced a groundbreaking digital platform for its Cash & Carry stores, marking its entry into the e-commerce sector.
The new solution allows customers to browse and purchase a wide range of goods at competitive prices, with the convenience of free delivery within a 50-kilometer radius. This initiative aims to support spaza shops and smaller retail businesses by addressing challenges such as high transportation and fuel costs, inventory management, and cash flow issues.
“We are committed to supporting small businesses by providing innovative solutions to the specific problems these enterprises face,” said Mark Cotton, Head of B2B eCommerce at the Shoprite Group. “The new Cash & Carry digital platform provides customers with reliable and visible stock access and delivery services that eliminate the need to store excess inventory, frees up much-needed cash flow, and gives business owners more time on the shop floor to focus on their customers and business growth.”
Enhanced convenience and efficiency for retailers
The system streamlines the purchasing and fulfillment process for Cash & Carry’s in-store traders, allowing them to log in, access customer and product information, and build and fulfill orders more efficiently. Orders can be saved for future use, making the process user-friendly.
Multiple payment options, including credit and debit cards, EFT, store credit, cash upon collection, and Shoprite’s Money Market Account, further enhance customer convenience. Additionally, customers can benefit from instant cash savings and special offers through the Xtra Savings Club.
Shoprite’s ongoing digital transformation
Shoprite Holdings, the continent’s largest retail conglomerate by store count, operates over 3,500 stores and employs more than 150,000 people across Africa. South African billionaire, Christo Wiese, instrumental in Shoprite’s rise to Africa’s largest retailer, holds an 11.5 percent stake in the retailer, equivalent to 68,083,200 ordinary shares, and boasts a net worth of $1.3 billion, making him one of Africa’s richest individuals.
In 2021, the retailer launched ShopRiteX, a digital business hub integrating data science, technology, and innovation to enhance customer experiences. This initiative is part of the strategy to expand its ecosystem of value for consumers and monetize new revenue streams.
Recently, the company expanded its online delivery offerings through its upmarket brand, Checkers, where customers can purchase general merchandise via the Checkers Sixty60 app, South Africa’s leading on-demand grocery delivery service.
