A new online-only retailer has opened its 'doors' to the South African market. Dealing in IT-related products, Nivo specialises in computers, photographic equipment and audio-visual goods for the consumer.
Nivo, now in its fourth week of operation, was established in response to research indicating SA's e-retailers are five years behind those of First World countries.
The research, done in early 2006 by Integral Design Systems, identified several key problems of online business in SA.
With all the products arranged according to category, Nivo allows the user to search either by price or by brand.
A 'compare' function allows the user to select two products and compare them by placing the items next to each other in a table, to allow users to look at each aspect, like memory, price and warranty.
Nivo also offers features like order-tracking, wish-lists and a "shop-by-brand" option that lists all the brands available on the site. All products on the site are covered by the original manufacturer's warranty.
Nivo appears to have a smaller selection than most established online retailers, but the owner, Antonia Ilieva, says this is because it is going through the process of capturing all its products into the database.
If a user cannot find a product, Ilieva suggests they contact Nivo to see if it is available in its 30 000-strong price list. "I hope people will not go away if they don't find something, but rather e-mail us."
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