Online retail trade takes over in SA

With the effects of the economic slump in South Africa still being felt by consumers, getting the best value for money is essential. So what better way to save time and money than to have a comprehensive price comparison website that enables you to accomplish your shopping spree in a few easy steps? Price comparison is now the defacto way of purchasing online around the world.

Consumers are starting to get wise to the fact that retail stores don’t always have the best prices. Websites like these enable consumers to shop smartly by saving time and money.

A new price comparison website called Rates Direct Shopping has been developed by the financial service provider Rates Direct to offer South Africans a comprehensive and home grown price engine that will enable consumers to compare prices on specific products.

Time is money and money is scarce, so an all too familiar saying goes. South Africans still surf multiple sites to find a product a recent study found. This can waste time and does not always yield the best pricing. “There are many online stores that users in South Africa don’t even know about and with Rates Direct Shopping this will bring the store to the user so to speak. It will also allow for users to rate various products and merchants, thereby giving people some peace of mind when making a purchase,” Yoni Gindi, Director for Rates Direct Shopping outlines.

A free service to users, price comparison sites earn revenue by charging stores to list their products and prices. This service made approximately £140 million in the United Kingdom in 2005 alone and is likely to increase locally from the already large figure of R200 million generated from online sales in 2007.

To ensure good value for money, consumers will be able to check the best prices on popular products in no time. With the inevitable digital broadcasting migration, Rates Direct Shopping can serve as a place to start searching for your new HD television to avoid possible price-inflation due to industry hype.

Internet use in South Africa has increased exponentially in the last few years with steady growth in online shopping, showing that South Africans are finding the internet convenient and safe.