Online retailing conference could boost sales

This event will be highlighting the most important aspects regarding online retailing such as trends impacting on online retailing, omni channel retailing, multi-channel approach to growing online, the CPA in retail and convenient secure payments for internet shoppers.

Retail conducted online in South Africa, accounts for only 0.5% of the country's total retail sales.

When this is compared to figures of other European and Asian countries, these statistics could jump up to 10% of total retail sales.

This shows not only the potential of the online market but also dictates as to where the Southern African market will be in the future, as innovation, secure payment methods and an online retail culture develop. Furthermore, studies suggest that 80% of online retailers are profitable with a mere 1% of business running a loss online.

With the internet becoming faster and cheaper, coupled with the majority of the potential market having a smart phone, tablet or both, the possible retailing channels are ever expanding. This shows an increased need not only to have a website available to customers but also making available a compatible mobile site.

Over 15% of customers first research the prices and availability of products using their smart phone, before going onto either purchasing the product online or in store, with 30% of online purchases made on tablets.

South African consumers are becoming increasingly techno savvy, online retailers and service providers not only need to keep abreast of current trends and technological advancements but constantly have to be one step ahead by innovating and offering cutting edge advancements to the market.

Alessandro Traini, project manager at TCI, said that registrations are picking up, "With major retailers and service providers already registered to attend, we expect this event to be a success. I believe this is the perfect opportunity for industry specialists and leaders to network with fellow online professionals in order to forge invaluable relationships."

Delegates will interact with speakers such as Avinesh Pillay, the industry manager for Google; Manuel Koser, the cofounder and MD of Zando; Craig Ballantyne, the MD for Fastmoving; Amanda Cromhout, the MD of Truth and Danie Strachan, partner at Adams and Adams.

This conference will bring forth answers to questions such as are South African retailers ready for this invasion of digital retailing and a more critical and fundamental question, where does the consumer fit in?