Pick n Pay has grown online sales by 24% in the past year, the JSE-listed retailer said on Monday in notes accompanying its interim financial results for the half-year period ended 1 September.
At the same time, the retailer has reported a 15,8% growth in online shoppers in the past 12 months, implying that those who are using its online store to shop are spending more money in that channel.
It has not revealed the actual turnover figure for its online store.
“We have grown Pick n Pay Online into one of South Africa’s top online businesses,” it claims. “We are the first retailer in South Africa to offer one-hour delivery time slots for groceries.”
It adds that its investments in IT systems have resulted in “fundamental improvements” in its ability to forecast demand and replenish stock. This has been complemented by an enhanced financial reporting platform and the roll-out of a new point-of-sale system.
At the same time, it has “refreshed” its customer loyalty programme, offering instant rewards and additional benefits while reducing the operating costs of the programme by 20%.
Group revenue for the period was R30,3bn, a 6,3% improvement on a year ago. Trading profit rose by 15,2% to R317,5m.
Pick n Pay says it has improved efficiencies and reduced costs at its distribution centres. It has made progress in centralising its finance and administration functions and has reviewed and restructured its support office function to create a “more effective and efficient organisation”. — (c) 2013 NewsCentral Media