AMAZON VS TAKEALOT: Who will win the race?

When it comes to South Africa’s e-commerce realm, a lot of change is underway. Amazon’s arrival into the South African market has stirred both anticipation and apprehension, especially as it goes head-to-head with the established player, Takealot. As a brand enthusiast with a keen eye on industry dynamics, I find this evolution fascinating with some implications.

One thing that has gotten a lot of people talking in this clash of titans is pricing. Recently, there has been a lot of price comparisons between Amazon and Takealot, revealing nuanced differences that could shape consumer behaviour in the coming months. While Takealot has long been the go-to platform for most SA online shoppers, Amazon’s reputation for competitive pricing and vast product selection is undeniable. However, when it comes to being the best, pricing is not the only flatter. Factors like delivery speed, product availability, and customer service also come into play.

Looking into this situation, I find it crucial to recognize the distinct advantages each platform brings to the table. For instance, Takealot boasts a strong local presence, being an extensive distribution network, and South Africans are familiar with the name. On the other hand, Amazon being on a global scale and a new kid in the block also plays a role; this, on top of their ‘cost saving’ prices for customers.

But pricing is just one piece of the puzzle. The absence of Amazon-branded products on the South African platform raises questions about their long-term strategy in the region. The question is: will Amazon influence its ecosystem of devices and services to deepen its position, or is this a deliberate move to test the waters before a full-fledged expansion? Only time will tell.

From a marketing perspective, the arrival of Amazon in SA presents both challenges and opportunities for local businesses. While increased competition may necessitate sharper pricing strategies and enhanced customer experiences, it also drives innovation and pushes companies to up their game.

Moreover, Amazon’s emergence brings vitality into the South African e-commerce landscape, inspiring demand, encouraging entrepreneurship, and driving digital transformation. This introduces a new chapter in the country’s e-commerce space. While Takealot may be facing intensified competition, the evolving landscape also presents countless possibilities for businesses and consumers alike. One thing is certain though; the South African e-commerce industry will never be the same again.

Amazon and Ferrari retain their top spots as most valuable and strongest brands in the world.

Ferrari

Amazon makes history as the first brand to exceed US$200 billion value mark and retains title of world’s most valuable brand for the third consecutive year. The e-commerce giant is followed by Google and Apple consecutively.

On the other hand, Ferrari has been awarded the title of the world’s strongest brand for the second consecutive year by Brand Finance, the leading international independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy. With a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 94.1 out of 100, Ferrari tops the rankings of only 12 brands to be awarded the highest AAA+ rating.

Presented today during the World Economic Forum at Davos, the  Brand  Finance Global 500 2020 report1 calculates the value of the Ferrari brand at 9.1 billion USD with year on year growth of 9%, boosted by positive sales and overall brand strength.

Brand Finance determines brand value by estimating the net economic benefit to the brand owner of licensing the trademark on the open market. It measures brand strength on the basis of the efficacy of a brand’s performance on intangible measures compared to its competitors.