6 lessons small online retailers can learn from big-name online retail stores

Image supplied. Jaco Roux, head of product at South African e-commerce ecosystem, Bob Group, looks at how smaller businesses can compete with big-name online retail stores

One of the major reasons big-name online retail stores like Amazon enjoy the market share they do is because of the speeds at which they deliver. They can do this because they have a highly focused strategy.

Warehouses are established in optimal locations, sophisticated technology tracks and improves delivery routes, inventory management is next-level, communication with customers is exemplary and forecasting to anticipate customer demand is sublime.

Amazon's less than prime time for SA launch will be significant challenge for e-commerce king

Toby Shapshak  19 Oct 2023

What about smaller online businesses?

Amazon is a trillion-dollar company; realistically smaller online businesses simply do not have the resources to compete at this level.

That is not to say that lessons can’t be learnt. Local online merchants need to look at their circumstances and then devise strategies that work within them.

Superbalist launches Influencer Shops

29 Apr 2024

6 Lessons

1. Stock availability: To begin with, stock availability is fundamental. If an item is readily available to be picked and packed, it will ensure the order processing is completed on time.

2. Handling time: This includes the preparation and packaging of the item directly affects how quickly a product can be dispatched.

3. Delivery time: This depends on the distance between the warehouse and the customer's location as well as the courier's efficiency. All these elements must be efficiently managed to meet customer expectations for prompt delivery.

   Challenges in meeting delivery time expectations almost always hark back to stock availability, handling times and delivery time. Stock levels and handling processes need to be monitored continuously.

   

   SA’s last-mile delivery game needs to be on point

   10 Apr 2024

4. Reputable courier companies: Online retailers must choose reputable courier companies that adhere to their service level agreements, ensuring reliability and timeliness.

5. Prioritise their delivery services in densely populated urban areas: These areas have a high demand for speedy delivery. This strategic focus allows online retailers to optimise logistics routes and maintain frequent delivery schedules, significantly reducing delivery times.

   In addition, these retailers often have warehousing or distribution centres near these urban centres to minimise transit times. This prioritisation not only enhances customer satisfaction by meeting expectations for rapid delivery but also allows online retailers to operate more efficiently.

   However, it can impact delivery times in rural or less densely populated areas, where delivery might be less frequent or involve longer routes.

6. The rise of shipping platforms: Platforms like Bob Go are helping smaller online businesses streamline order fulfilment and utilise various couriers without the need to invest substantial sums of money and resources.

Amazon's entry into SA: Is it a gamechanger for the local retail market?

Damon Buss  2 Feb 2024

While big-name online retailers like Amazon have raised the bar for delivery speed, smaller businesses can optimise their logistics strategies to meet customer expectations by focusing on stock availability, handling times, and choosing reliable courier partners.