Have a merry cyber-Christmas!

Gary Hadfield, Commercial Manager of kalahari.net, says that various factors will influence online Christmas sales, but the most important factor will be delivering on and exceeding customer expectations.

"Online retail is another channel for shopping - it will never replace traditional shopping but it is expected that consumers will spend an increasing portion of their wallets online as the industry matures. Once consumers realize the advantages of online shopping and their expectations are met during their first experience, they usually become regular users of the medium. We will endeavour to make everyone's first experience this festive season a memorable one," says Hadfield.

Although online shopping is said to be the convenient way of shopping, there are numerous perceived barriers (such a long delivery times and delivery fees) that are still having a negative impact on the industry. That is why kalahari.net - in gearing up for festive season shopping - introduced 24-hour delivery on top products as well as free delivery if customers order for R250 and more. "It is crucial for the uptake of e-commerce to remove these perceived barriers and continuously increase the advantages of shopping online," Hadfield commented. With the introduction of 24 hour delivery, the last date for online gift buying with kalahari.net is 20 December (on selected products), another big advantage compared to much earlier deadline dates last year.

In another move to cater for customers' needs this Christmas, kalahari.net launched physical gift vouchers. "Kalahari.net has been offering e-vouchers for a while, and although it is the perfect option for last minute gift buying, it doesn't really have the same magic as an actual gift under the tree. Therefore we now also introduced physical vouchers that can be delivered to your doorstep. These vouchers are delivered in 24 hours, so it is still a great last minute gift," says Hadfield.

Judging by international trends and SA's traditional 12 to 18 month lag behind its counterparts, all indications are that electronics is going to be a top selling product category this Christmas. Although kalahari.net has been offering photographic equipment and computer hardware for some time, it recently consolidated its offering and also signed contracts with LG and Samsung to offer a comprehensive electronics shop. This shop will now offer home theatre systems, televisions and more.