Marketplaces are a good place to start your e-commerce journey. And having access to multiple marketplaces means entrepreneurs are spoilt for choice; they also have the freedom to pick the platform(s) that meet their needs and expand their reach. From places like Amazon, Takealot or even Yep!, businesses have multiple options to choose from. And another worthy choice is Loot.
Loot.co.za, although not a household name like Amazon South Africa or Takealot, has been operating across South Africa for more than two decades. It was founded in 2003 in Cape Town, and today it boasts over 14 million products. They offer secure payments, fast delivery, and a growing Marketplace where local sellers can thrive.
With over 17 categories, including Books, Electronics, Outdoor, DIY, Toys, Baby, Health and Beauty, Kitchen, Home, DVDs, Music, and Computers, entrepreneurs are sure to find the department that works best for their goods.
How To Become A Seller
To become a seller on Loot, create an account by registering on the Seller Portal. This is where the Marketplace Tools and programmes can be found. Fill in the digital registration form and add information about your business bank account, a chargeable credit or debit card, tax information, phone number and other contact information.
Sellers can choose any of the four account types:
- Standard
- Premium
- Drop-shipping
- Drop-shipping PLUS+
There is a R200 pm standard fee (including VAT) that provides sellers with unlimited access to the number of products listed, as well as a dedicated account manager. Fulfilment and success fees are charged separately, depending on the size and weight of the package and the category of item purchased.
Fulfilment fees are basically shipping costs, and success fees are commissions charged per purchase.
Premium Account
The Premium Account will cost you R300 pm, and include sales monthly reporting, priority status for additional marketing and a 24-hour turnaround time for purchases.
Drop-shipping
Drop-shipping accounts require you to register first, and then contact the dedicated account manager to assist you with further information. The regular account will cost you R100 pm, excluding success fees, whereas the PLUS+ account will cost R100 pm, excluding fulfilment and success fees, but Loot picks up the items from the supplier’s warehouse.
The following steps indicate how you list your products on the Loot Marketplace.
1. List your products on the Seller Portal so customers can find your goods.
2. When a customer places an order, use Loot’s fulfilment service to complete the shipment to anywhere in South Africa.
3. Loot will disburse available funds twice monthly into the bank account provided.
Benefits of Selling on Loot
Businesses that intend to sell through Loot will have the following advantages:
Various Payment Options
There are various payment options available on Loot. This means that there are many convenient ways that your customers can pay for their purchases. These include VISA, Mastercard, Discovery Miles, Mobicred, SCode, Zapper, Payflex, PayJustNow, Ozow and EFT.
Expanded Reach
An online marketplace such as Loot enables businesses to reach a national consumer base.
Stress Free Delivery
Loot’s fulfilment service takes care of all shipments, unless you choose to deliver the order directly.
Low Costs
The cost of listing on Loot is much lower than some competitors, meaning that you can present better pricing to your customers.
Control Over Listings
Entrepreneurs retain control over their product listings. This means that pricing and product details can be edited from the Seller Portal, including inventory levels.
With so many benefits, there is no reason not to consider selling your products on Loot. All you need to do is register, and your dedicated account manager will help you with the rest.
