Shoprite Launches eCommerce Service for Wholesale Buyers

Shoprite is launching an eCommerce service for its Cash and Carry stores to streamline wholesale purchases.

The South African wholesale brand is making its venture into eCommerce through the service, which allows customers who buy in bulk to “browse and purchase a wide range of goods at highly competitive prices through a fully automated online shopping system, with free delivery within a 50km radius,” according to a Wednesday (July 3) news release.

“In addition, the new system streamlines the purchasing and fulfillment process for Cash & Carry’s in-store traders, allowing them to log in, access customer and product information, build and fulfill orders more efficiently,” the release added.

Shoprite will accept various payment options for both online and in-store purchases, including credit and debit cards, EFT, store credit, cash upon collection and Shoprite’s Money Market Account.

The company noted that smaller retail businesses can face many challenges, such as high transportation costs and difficulties in meeting demand within the informal sector. Overstocking can also result in elevated costs, increased risk of theft and cash flow issues.

“We are committed to supporting small businesses by providing innovative solutions to the specific problems these enterprises face,” Mark Cotton, head of B2B eCommerce at the Shoprite Group, said in the release. “The new Cash & Carry digital platform provides customers with reliable and visible stock access and delivery services that eliminate the need to store excess inventory, frees up much needed cash flow, and gives business owners more time on the shop floor to focus on their customers and business growth.”

In the U.S., small business owners said that they are more optimistic in May than earlier in the year, but are less optimistic than in prior years, PYMNTS reported last month.

The report cited data from the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, which rose 0.8 point to 90.5 in May, a figure that is the highest level in 2024 but is still below the historical average of 98.

The index has been below that historical average for 29 consecutive months, the NFIB said at the time.