Bumper online festive season expected

According to a recent report by World Wide Worx, which named the eBucks shop as one of the top two online malls in South Africa, local online spend is expected to increase by more than 35% to R929 million before the end of 2007, compared to the R688 million spent in 2006.

During the 2006 festive season, eBucks members spent a record R46 million worth of eBucks. The two largest contributors to member spend, online shopping on the eBucks website and in-store spend with the eBucks card at retail partners, both enjoyed steady growth.

Economic modelling shows that eBucks spend patterns closely follow retail rand spend patterns. eBucks don't expire and many members save their rewards earned during the year to add to their disposable income during the festive season.

“In line with the macro South African telecommunications picture, we expect an increase in airtime sales as airtime is an attractive spend opportunity for members with low eBucks balances. We furthermore anticipate an increase in general voucher sales and electronics in the eBucks shop, and an increase in spend at our retail partners with the eBucks card as members use their eBucks to extend their in-store buying power,” adds Human.