The future of online shopping has just got better and more exciting as Amazon expands to South Africa. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for South African sellers to hop on into this e-commerce evolution and start selling with Amazon South Africa – Amazon.co.za.
Amazon’s Strategic Expansion
E-commerce giant Amazon has set its sights on expanding its global footprint by announcing the upcoming launch of its dedicated online storefront for South Africa, Amazon.co.za, slated to go live in 2024. This strategic move will enable local South African merchants to offer their products to a wider audience within the nation starting in the following year.
Empowering the Local Economy
In a significant push to empower the local economy, Amazon has opened registrations for South African sellers, who will soon be able to leverage the platform’s vast customer base. Historically, independent sellers, including a plethora of small and medium-sized businesses, have been the backbone of Amazon’s store, accounting for over 60% of total sales. These sellers are the lifeblood of Amazon’s diverse product offerings, competitive pricing, and the convenience that customers have come to expect.
South African sellers looking to diversify their online presence can also consider selling on Takealot, the country’s leading e-commerce retailer, which offers a robust platform for reaching a broad and growing customer base within the region.
Registration and Seller Support
From October 17, 2023, independent sellers in South Africa have the opportunity to sign up their businesses on Amazon’s seller registration portal, paving the way for a new chapter in the country’s e-commerce narrative.
Local Businesses on the Rise
“We are excited to introduce Amazon.co.za to South Africa, opening up new avenues for local sellers, brands, and entrepreneurs of all sizes to scale their operations with Amazon. We’re committed to delivering exceptional value and a seamless shopping experience to customers across South Africa,” expressed Robert Koen, Amazon’s General Manager for the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
Success Stories in the Making
Among the businesses gearing up for this new venture is African Mamas Crafts, a Johannesburg-based enterprise that supports home-based artisans in remote areas. Nomaswazi Tinus, the founder and director of African Mamas Crafts, shared her enthusiasm: “The prospect of collaborating with Amazon in our home market to enhance our e-commerce presence is thrilling. We’re eager to embark on this growth journey with Amazon’s support.”
Amazon.co.za – A Platform for Growth
Similarly, Reader’s Warehouse, a book retailer founded by two book-loving brothers, is looking forward to the opportunities that Amazon’s platform will offer. “Partnering with Amazon to sell in their store is an incredible opportunity that will allow us to broaden our e-commerce footprint and reach more customers in South Africa,” said Sean Bulpin, director at Reader’s Warehouse.
Amazon is renowned for providing a suite of valuable tools, programs, and services designed to bolster seller success. The company offers extensive free educational content, including articles, videos, webinars, and case studies, to assist sellers at every stage of their business journey.
The 2024 launch of Amazon.co.za is anticipated to be a game-changer for independent sellers throughout South Africa, offering them a platform to quickly kickstart, expand, and enhance their businesses while tapping into Amazon’s innovative ecosystem.
Tailored Selling Plans
Amazon’s new South African marketplace, Amazon.co.za, offers a comprehensive suite of tools and services tailored to meet the needs of sellers of all sizes. The platform provides two distinct selling plans to accommodate the diverse business models of its sellers:
- Individual Plan: Ideal for sellers who move fewer than 40 units per month and do not require advanced selling tools or programs. This plan involves a per-item selling fee structure.
- Professional Plan: Suited for sellers who sell more than 40 units a month and seek access to APIs, advanced selling reports, and the ability to sell products in restricted categories. This plan has a monthly fee in addition to per-item selling fees.
Amazon emphasizes the flexibility of its platform, allowing sellers to switch between plans as their business needs evolve. Moreover, the company encourages local South African businesses, particularly those offering innovative, locally-produced products, to apply for additional support that Amazon extends to small businesses.
Getting Started with Selling with Amazon South Africa – Amazon.co.za
Five steps to start selling with Amazon South Africa
- Step 1: Choose a selling plan
- Step 2: Get your documents in order
- Step 3: Create an Amazon seller account
- Step 4: Add your products
- Step 5: Grow your business
Get started selling on Amazon: Sign up now
Sellers need to have the following:
- Bank statements
- Credit/debit card information
- Government-issued national ID
- Phone number
The cost structure for selling on Amazon.co.za is transparent, with standard selling fees granting access to a host of Amazon tools and programs. These fees are split into selling plan fees and referral fees. Sellers also have the option to use additional services like Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) or Amazon Ads, which may incur extra costs.
When it comes to listing products, sellers will typically require a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), such as a UPC, ISBN, or EAN. Each product listing includes essential information like SKU, product title, description, images, and relevant keywords.
For delivery, Amazon offers several methods:
- Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA): Amazon handles storage, packing, shipping, returns, and customer service.
- Merchant-fulfilled network: Includes Amazon Easy Ship (Amazon delivers the products) and self-ship options (the seller handles delivery).
Business Growth Opportunities
Amazon.co.za also provides opportunities for business growth through various programs:
- Promotions and Vouchers: To increase sales, brand awareness, and customer reviews.
- Sponsored Products: Ads that increase product visibility and sales.
- Amazon Global Selling: Allows sellers to reach a global audience by listing products on Amazon’s international stores.
The platform encourages sellers to expand their selection, utilize dynamic pricing tools, and take advantage of Amazon’s fulfilment services to grow their business. Additionally, Amazon offers a network of third-party service providers to assist with everything from product listing to sales strategy optimization.
This comprehensive ecosystem is designed to support the growth of South African businesses, from small local ventures to established brands, as they join the global e-commerce landscape with Amazon.co.za.
For additional details, including business registration processes and educational resources, interested parties are encouraged to visit Amazon’s newly established South African sellers’ portal.