South African e-commerce is a COVID-fired market of risk and reward
South African e-commerce is a COVID-fired market of risk and reward JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Like many of her compatriots, Kubashnee Moodley made her first foray into online shopping during South Africa’s coronavirus lockdown. She is not a satisfied customer. Albert Siwela, a delivery worker, loads online orders from a Checkers store, amid a nationwide coronavirus lockdown, in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 14, 2020. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko The 42-year-old business management coach was once charged for a parcel she never received and also had groceries delivered to her Johannesburg home after dark. “I was not going to risk going to the gate ... especially with crime so high,” she said. Moodley’s experience encapsulates the challenging situation facing the e-commerce sector in Africa’s most advanced economy. Having long lagged behind much of the world in terms of e-commerce, South African retailers and delivery start-ups have been doing a roaring trade online as consumers shy away from...
