Online shopping takes flight during lockdown
There is a need for diverse branding and bigger platforms, especially online, an expert says.
POLOKWANE – With shops closed, online shopping has become even more popular during the lockdown, with shoppers turning to the screen for e-commerce and shopping in whichever shape or form.
Review spoke to Ivin Viljoen from BNI Polokwane to find out how things have changed in the past few months.
“Businesses need to understand that there is a need for diverse branding and space and therefore, there is a bigger need for online platforms. It is not only those with a shop front that attract customers to the online world, but rather, people offering services such as consultants and tutors. Everyone needs to adapt and change, even the lady selling koeksisters at the corner shop.”
Viljoen explains that people should pay attention to their online customers and connect with them.
A newly launched platform, Townsquare, allows businesses and shops in a specific radius to connect with each other. Christelle Bure, creator of Townsquare, says the platform isn’t available in Polokwane yet, but they are open to people joining them.
“Most of us do not know what people in their area are selling, offering or making, that’s why the platform was created. Townsquare is an online opportunity for individuals and small businesses to advertise and sell their products in their community.”
FireFly Foods was founded in 2008 and run by Armand van Rooyen and his brother, Marnus. Armand explains that they do not have an online shop, but a webpage where customers can enquire about products.
“We have a Facebook page and in 2019, we started marketing on the page. We have a shop for walk-in clients but our main focus is supplying and distributing cold meat and other processed meat products,” Armand said. He added that they had considered opening an online shop but their focus is to market their business via Facebook.
Popular art shop in the city, Papilio Art & Crafts, opened for online shopping in May. The owner, Wilna van der Merwe said she had a slow start but business is picking up. “Now that we are allowed to have the shop open, there are a lot of people who would rather visit the store, but I also have a lot of customers that make use of the online shop, especially those living in towns around Polokwane. We have a delivery service in Polokwane and for purchases of more than R1 000, and we cover the courier costs.”
