Inthebag, Woolworths` online venture, is expanding its line of services and products, and will cater for customers without Internet access by introducing shopping by means of phone and fax.
The online retail store has grown significantly since Woolworths bought it from Wooltru in July last year. This is reflected in the increased spend by shoppers with the average basket size growing from R400 in June 2001, to R500 in May 2002.
The site now has 30 000 registered customers with 8 500 of those using the site to place orders. This compares to the 17 000 registered customers and 4 200 active buyers reported in June last year.
Anthony Dean, Inthebag brand manager, says the disparity between active shoppers and registered customers is in line with other industry players such as Pick 'n Pay. He adds that Inthebag is pursuing an aggressive campaign to convert online users into online shoppers.
New services include an "in-store purchase list" where customers can build an instant shopping list on the Web site after entering their credit card or Woolworths card number.
A gifting service allows customers to send gifts for birthdays and anniversaries. Inthebag also offers a free online greeting card service to customers and the company says over 4 million cards have been sent since the launch of this service in December 2001.
The online service is now also available to customers who do not have Internet access, allowing for phone, fax and e-mail ordering.
Dean says customers will soon be able to purchase some of the Woolworths` clothing and homeware products through the site. However, he says roll-out is expected to take three months, and while customers can view offerings, these products will only be available for purchase online in July.
Inthebag changed its delivery model when Woolworths took over operations, with in-store picking now being used, rather than delivery from two warehouses situated in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Dean says the relationship with delivery partner, The Parcel Company, has proved successful for both companies, and is faster and more efficient.
English-speaking Johannesburg-based career women dominate Inthebag`s customer profile.
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