The company is expected to be a strong competitor to local marketplaces such as Takealot, Makro and Bash.
The US-based e-commerce giant launched its online South African store overnight. It is now possible to make purchases from Amazon on the South African store, with pricing in rands.
In addition to offering brands such as Apple, Sony, HP, LEGO, Chicco, Maybelline, Pampers, Neutrogena, and Johnson’s, the South African marketplace will also include local brands. These include independent South African sellers such as Amanda-Jayne, King Kong Leather, Masodi, Tiger Lily, and Nomakade. Some products are, however, still "temporarily out of stock."
Amazon Web Services has been operating in South Africa for a number of years, but Tuesday marked the official start of the company’s e-commerce operations.
Amazon’s vast experience in e-commerce is expected to bring significant competition to local e-commerce operators such as Takealot, Makro and Bash.
South African internet giant Naspers last year announced an increased investment in its Takealot platform ahead of Amazon's entry into the country.
Amazon joins Chinese-owned Temu, which has been growing rapidly, in launching e-commerce operations in South Africa this year.
Amazon officially announced the pending launch of its South African marketplace in October 2023.
Sources: News24, Mybroadband
