South African e-commerce sites, like their real-world retail cousins, are gearing up for the silly season. Basheera Khan takes a look at what`s on offer this Christmas.
Charity, technology converge
ECnet, a commerce service provider, has put together an online Christmas campaign with the support of BoE Bank and Panashop. The fruit of its labour, www.cybergifts.co.za, aims to offer consumers a range of gifts, an opportunity to enter a competition and at the same time donate to charity.
Visitors browsing the Christmas catalogue will stand the chance of winning prizes, such as R5 000 cash, cameras, weekends away and gift vouchers.
Simply visiting the site will also earn money for charity, with up to R1 being donated by BoE Bank to charity for every click, regardless of whether a purchase is made.
The money raised will be donated to the Reach for a Dream Foundation, for children with life-threatening illnesses. "We hope this project will be a success not only for the children of Reach for a Dream, but also for South Africans to trust the security of e-commerce and banking," says Pieter Marais, Boe Bank`s head of marketing.
The Christmas campaign kicked off on 6 November, and runs until early December.
Home, sweet home
TheShoppingMatrix.com has launched its latest store - atHOME. The store caters for home appliances, such as fridges, microwaves and coffeemakers.
The site claims competitive prices and offers free delivery to the purchaser`s door. Find out if it`s too good to be true at www.theshoppingmatrix.com.
Mail order company enters fray
Jonathanjo.com, the online arm of the Achievement Awards Group, was launched on 10 November.
Drawing on the group`s existing catalogue, the site offers a range of products including electronic appliances and computers, kids` stuff and items for the home and garden.
Also available are luggage, entertainment and leisure products. Delivery is free.
A photograph of each item for sale is displayed, along with full product specifications, allowing for comparison shopping.
"The site is backed by the reputation and 20 years` mail-order experience of the Achievement Awards Group," says Eleanor Muller, e-commerce manager for Achievement Awards. "We are so sure of our service and delivery capabilities that we have a refund policy in place for any customer who is not 100% satisfied."
The site creators say the unusual name belongs originally to a character from a poem by AA Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh. JonathanJo has a barrow that he wheels around, handing out goodies.
Selling African products to the world
AfriCam and BuyAfrica have combined their individual resources to establish BuyAfrica.com, described as an online international trading and marketing company.
The new initiative is backed by an e-commerce system developed by Rainbow Software International, a global trade service.
BuyAfrica has also opened its "Christmas in Africa" retail outlet and exhibition. The shop will operate in Sandton Square until 31 January. Holiday shoppers will be able to observe craftmakers at work and purchase from a wide selection of African products. Products are designed and manufactured within SA`s rural and township communities.
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