Takealot has introduced a trial of its new 1-hour on-demand delivery service, named TakealotNow, in Cape Town’s northern suburbs. Initially accessible in areas like Durbanville, Bellville, Brackenfell, Kraaifontein, Kuilsriver, and Parow, the service plans to expand its coverage soon.
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TakealotNow offers a curated selection of products for 1-hour delivery, including laptops, smartphones, beauty essentials, toys, and alternative energy items. Customers can access this service through a dedicated section of the Mr D app and can enjoy the swift delivery until 22:00.
CEO of Takealot.com, Frederik Zietsman, highlighted the increasing expectation among South African online shoppers for fast deliveries. Competitors like Checkers Sixty60 have popularized the concept of 1-hour delivery, pushing the industry towards quicker turnarounds.
Mr D CEO, Alex Wörz, noted that TakealotNow aligns with their customer-centric approach, leveraging their extensive distribution network of over 15,000 delivery partners to potentially scale the service countrywide.
Zietsman emphasized that the pricing for 1-hour delivery remains consistent with normal Takealot courier rates. He sees TakealotNow as a strategic move to enhance their eCommerce offerings while responding to the evolving demands of South African consumers.
Despite the growth potential in South African eCommerce, it lags behind countries like Brazil and Argentina. Zietsman believes that local service providers will drive the market’s expansion and tap into the untapped consumer needs.
Acknowledging the varying demands of different areas, Zietsman expressed excitement about the service’s potential for customization. This approach would allow Takealot to tailor product ranges based on unique consumer preferences in different regions.
He explained, “The assortment of products in a township may look completely different from what is available in an urban area. We are excited because of the customised, nuanced model where consumer demand dictates product ranges instead of being offered everything you think they want to buy.”
