Heading up the online sales - gadgets

8 Dec 2014

The eBucks Rewards Festive Survey asked 2444 online South Africans on their expected festive shopping behaviour and looked at how much they plan to spend on gifts for their loved ones including family, partners, children and friends. According the survey, the top three online purchases are electronics and gadgets; books and ebooks; and entertainment such as concert and theatre tickets.

South African shoppers are increasingly embracing online shopping, especially during the festive season, with the survey showing that 14% of respondents will be doing their festive season gift shopping entirely online this year - which was at 10% in 2013 and 8% in 2012. More than half of the respondents (54%) are shopping both online and in retail stores this year - up from 48% in 2013. When quizzed on their main reason for shopping online, more than a third of shoppers are comparing prices to get the best deal. Other motivations included convenience; delivery options; and finding unique items that are not available in-store.

"As more South Africans go online, it's clear that people are also moving some of their shopping online - even for high-end goods such as smart devices and televisions," says Jolandé Duvenage, CEO of eBucks Rewards. "South African shoppers are becoming more comfortable with online shopping, especially as they can compare prices from a variety of retailers at a time and place convenient to them."

Based on the results, South Africans stay as generous as ever, with 31% spending R1000 or more per gift. Children are always spoilt over the festive season, with 28% of respondents spending between R500 and R1000 per child. However, as with last year, it is our romantic partners that we spoil the most. According the survey, 23% of South African men and 14% of women spend more than R1000 on their significant other.

In addition, it seems that most shoppers are well organised, with only 1% doing last minute gift-shopping a day or two before Christmas Day - 59% of the respondents will be doing their festive season shopping during December and 33% already got started in November.

Brand choices

New to this year's survey was a quiz to see where preferences lie with regards to popular brands and lifestyle choices, and the results were:

Apple iPhone 6	54%	Samsung S5	46%
Apple Mac	59%	PC	41%
iTunes	52%	CDs	48%
Paper books	54%	eBooks	46%
Hotel holidays	65%	Camping	35%

"While there is still massive potential for growth in online shopping, we see that, based on the wide range of products purchased from the eBucks Shop and our online partners, as soon as people start shopping online, they realise the benefits it offers. In the eBucks Shop alone, we're already on 39% growth versus the same period last year," continues Duvenage.

"As a whole, all of our spend channels, including the eBucks Shop and our eBucks partners such as Checkers, Takealot.com, Incredible Connection and Yuppiechef are already pumping with Festive shopping. To date, members have spent more than R189 million (mainly in eBucks) across our channels for the Festive period so far. As we go into December, we anticipate this number to grow to well over R280 million" concludes Duvenage.

Results

Where do you prefer to shop for gifts over the festive season?

54.2% A combination of both online shopping and in-store.
31.2% In shops - I like touching and seeing the item before I purchase it.
13.7% Online - it saves me time, makes comparing prices easier, and I get to avoid the crowds.
1.0% I enjoy making many gifts myself.

If you shop online, what is your main reason?

34.7% I can compare prices on different websites, so I'm saving time and can get the best deal.
21.9% It is convenient because I already know what I'm looking for.
17.7% Purchases are delivered at a location that is convenient to me.
13.3% I can search for unique items that are not available in stores.
12.3% I don't make online purchases.

What are you most comfortable buying online?