FAQ

RETAILS.co.za is an online marketplace designed to give South African sellers — including small business owners, manufacturers, smallholder farmers, and service providers — access to a broad customer base. Sellers pay a flat monthly subscription fee of R250 and can list unlimited products and services, creating a cost-effective platform for expanding their businesses.

To become a seller, simply visit our website and click on the “Register” button. Fill in your details, create your account, and pay the R250/month subscription plan. Once registered, you can begin listing your products and services right away.

• Access to a broad customer base across South Africa.
• Ability to list unlimited products and services for just R250/month.
• 7% commission on each sale, which is lower than many of our competitors.
• Additional marketing support through paid product features, banner ads, and social media promotions.
• A focus on supporting small businesses, especially in township and rural economies.

Sellers pay R250/month for unlimited product listings. Additionally, RETAILS.co.za charges a 7% commission on each sale.

We offer multiple promotional tools to help sellers stand out:

• Paid Featured Product Listings: Get your product seen by more customers by featuring it on the homepage or category pages.
• Banner Ads: Run banner ads on the site for more visibility.
• Social Media Promotions: Let us help you promote your products across social media platforms to reach a larger audience.

RETAILS.co.za is open to businesses from all industries, including but not limited to:

• Retail & Fashion
• Food & Beverages
• Agriculture & Smallholder Farming
• Manufacturing
• Arts & Crafts
• Health & Beauty
• Services (e.g., repairs, consulting)
• Home Goods & Furnishings
• Technology & Electronics
• Education & Training

• Use high-quality images and detailed product descriptions.
• Offer competitive pricing and discounts.
• Leverage the paid promotion features like banner ads and product listings.
• Share your store link on your own social media platforms to drive traffic.
• Regularly update your inventory to stay relevant.

Sellers are responsible for shipping and delivery. Each seller should specify their shipping terms (such as fees and delivery times) in their store’s settings. Buyers can contact sellers directly regarding shipping issues or questions.

• Provide excellent customer service by responding quickly to inquiries.
• Ensure reliable shipping and delivery times.
• Offer loyalty discounts or rewards to returning customers.
• Keep your store updated with fresh products and regular promotions.

Browse through the various product categories or search for specific items. Once you find a product you want, simply add it to your cart and follow the checkout process. Payments are secure (by PayFast), and you will receive a confirmation once your order is placed.

We accept a variety of secure payment methods, including:

• Debit/Credit Cards
• EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)
• Instant EFT (with major banks)
• Other methods coming soon.

Returns are managed by individual sellers, not RETAILS.co.za. Each seller sets their own return policies, so please review the seller’s return terms before making a purchase. If you encounter any issues with a seller, RETAILS.co.za can assist in mediating disputes.

Buyers can contact sellers directly through the RETAILS.co.za platform, allowing you to ask questions or inquire about a product before purchasing.

RETAILS.co.za invites government agencies, corporates, and small business development programs to onboard SMMEs from their databases onto our platform. Agencies can sponsor the monthly subscriptions on a multiyear plan for these sellers, giving them access to national and global markets. For more information on sponsoring sellers, please contact us directly.

• Visibility and Branding: Sponsors gain exposure through co-branding opportunities on our platform.
• Support for SMMEs: By supporting small businesses, sponsors can help boost local economies, especially in townships and rural areas.
• ESD Compliance: Corporates can align their participation with Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) requirements, making it part of their transformation strategies.
• CSR Opportunities: Contributing to job creation and sustainable business growth aligns with many corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.

Our Privacy Policy ensures that all personal data collected from users (both buyers and sellers) is handled in compliance with South Africa’s POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act). RETAILS.co.za only collects necessary information and takes measures to protect it from unauthorised access or breaches. Read the full Privacy Policy on our website.

Our Terms & Conditions outline the responsibilities of RETAILS.co.za as a platform provider and the roles of sellers in managing their stores. Sellers are responsible for product listings, sales, shipping, and customer service. RETAILS.co.za provides the platform and mediates disputes but does not handle inventory or direct sales.

Sellers set their own returns policies. RETAILS.co.za encourages sellers to create fair and transparent return processes for buyers. If disputes arise, RETAILS.co.za can act as a mediator but will not be responsible for managing individual returns.

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at:

• Email: support@retails.co.za
• Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday)