Zoobashop to extend deliveries to 3 more cities
Zoobashop.com, Ghana’s newest online shopping platform, is set to extend its delivery service to Kumasi, Takoradi and Obuasi before the end of June this year.
Zoobashop.com is an online retail store that sells products and services ranging from computers and electronics, mobile phones and tablets, world-class wines and spirits, fashion accessories for women among others.
Currently, Zoobashop.com operates in Accra and Tema but the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Albert Biga, disclosed to the GRAPHIC BUSINESS that the company was finalising preparations with its logistic partners such as FEDEX and other private delivery companies to extend its delivery to Kumasi, Takoradi and Obuasi.
Mr Biga said business had been excellent for the company since it was launched in December last year and therefore found the need to extend its deliveries to other regions.
He said the level of acceptance has been phenomenal as the site attracts more than 1,200 visitors a day and the order numbers keep increasing daily.
New Head Office
Mr Biga also disclosed that the company would soon be moving into its new 18,000 square foot building.
He said the building, which is on the trade fair road, would serve as the new head office and warehouse.
“We have to keep three warehouses because this place is too small, so we are moving and will keep this place as a branch,” he said.
He also pointed out that the company has invested millions of cedis into the business in terms of people, technology, payment systems and infrastructure, and according to him, its partners and investors clearly understand that it is a business that is going to take a while to start being profitable.
Impact of ICT
Mr Biga also disclosed that ICT was an important part of what it offered to customers.
“It is an online business and that means everything we do is driven by ICT,” he said.
He also stated that the company spent almost a year to develop a very secure and scripted platform that allowed customers to shop with ease.
According to him, the company uses online marketing and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to attract customers.
He said the prompt the company received once it shipped an order and the email the customer received to inform him that his order was on its way wouldn’t have been possible without ICT.
Challenges
Mr Biga said Zoobashop.com, just like any business, has its challenges which include the address system in Ghana.
He said the company has to place two or three calls to be able to locate customers who have placed orders, which is different from what pertains abroad where the customer gives you his zip code and the dispatch gets to his door.
He also noted that the company’s cash on delivery has a ceiling of GH 1500 so if customers want to do cash on delivery, it has to be GH 1500 or lower, adding that it sometimes received more orders (more than that).
This situation, he said, increases the company’s insurance premiums and generally makes delivery riskier.
About Zoobashop.com
Zoobashop.com is an online retail shop that aims at becoming the leading e-commerce brand in West Africa.
Zoobashop.com makes shopping easy for customers by allowing customers to simply log on with their computers or smart phones, check out the products and services and make their orders.
Customers will then choose from a variety of payment options which includes cash on delivery, debit and credit cards as well as master card branded ATM cards.