Leisure Books joins kalahari.net

"With the expected growth in e-commerce, it makes strong synergistic sense to group together our respective direct-to-client sales channels under a single umbrella," said Groepe.

"Both Leserskring and kalahari.net represent specialist, but diverse expertise in direct sales target markets and business modelling. Consolidating this expertise with the current advances in technology is expected to considerably improve our customer interface and product offering in the e-commerce environment."

Strong growth

Recently appointed Leserskring GM, Gadija Gamieldien, will report directly to Oliver Rippel, CEO E-Commerce Africa and Middle East at MIH Internet Africa.

"E-commerce is experiencing strong growth in the South African market. We will continue to strengthen our offering while expanding into adjacent e-commerce services to serve our growing community of online shoppers," added Rippel.

In turn, Gamieldien expressed excitement about the prospect "to unlock synergies and apply new technologies to the club's environment. Direct sales are facing interesting times and we must be geared to meet the challenges and opportunities head-on."