Online price comparison platform PriceCheck has introduced its tech and e-commerce awards, which are aimed at recognising outstanding South African tech and e-commerce businesses, and contributions to the industry.
The candidates for each award are selected by public nomination which will close on 4 July, says PriceCheck.
Based on popular vote, each of the 16 categories will be reduced to 10 candidates. The panel of judges will then decide the top three nominees per category, finally choosing a winner.
The top three nominees from each category will be invited to the gala awards dinner in September 2016 were the winners of each category will be announced.
Over the last ten years we have seen phenomenal growth in the e-commerce industry, in absolute numbers of buyers, and merchants, says Kevin Tucker, founder and CEO of PriceCheck. At the same time, we've seen merchants rise and fall, come and go, adds Tucker.
"These awards present us with a great opportunity to reward those that have stood the test of time and offered consumers great choice over the years, as well as the newcomers to the industry. In addition, we've decided to recognise the enablers and disruptors too."
According to PriceCheck, as the South African e-commerce market gains maturity and consolidation is seen, it becomes prudent to shed light on achievers in the space.
Statista predicts revenue in the South African e-commerce market amounts to $3 188 million this year. It says revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate of 15.98% from 2016 to 2020, resulting in a market volume of $5 769 million in 2020.
There has been a surge in online shopping in SA over recent years, says KPMG. While the country's e-commerce growth rate has been slow in comparison to other developing nations, growth in broadband capabilities and dropping device prices will make e-commerce increasingly more accessible and thus marketable, it adds.
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