Kenya’s giant shoe maker and retailer Bata Kenya has moved a notch higher in its online ventures by introducing a Web store, a result of a partnership with payment platform firm Pesapal along with Aramex Delivery, a delivery firm.
Bata Kenya’s Managing Director, Fernando Garciandia said many people in the country are into online shopping courtesy of the ever-changing technology world, computers and iPads giving rise to e-commerce.
The company wants to make sure the needs of online clients are met, he said.
Batas’ online catalogue contains shoes for ladies, men and children. Online shoppers can buy up to of three pairs, according to the company.
Those willing to go shopping online can view the products from the company’s site, order and make payment online to Pesapal. Aramex Delivery will later deliver the orders.
Garciandia said the company is now offering free shipping on Kenyan orders with a receipt value of not less than KSh1899 (US$ 22.57) and above during the promotional offer period while . For orders worth less than KSh1,899 (US$ 22.57 ), a shipping charge will apply based on location.
Speaking during the launch of the service, Kenya’s ministry of information and communications permanent secretary Bitange Ndemo hailed Bata Kenya’s move terming it as appropriate as the country’s broadband penetration is fast.
Ndemo hopes that in three years time, Kenyans will be glued to e-commerce, which would increase online business and create employment.
He further disclosed that more than 18 million people in the country access Internet representing approximately 50 percent of the Kenyan population, as compared to other African nations with less than 10 percent.
Ndemo further explained that all is set to have IP address to all Internet users through the mobile service providers. This will help in tracking any crime related incident leading to minimum level of crime rate.
Speaking to HumanIPO, Imperial Bank-Eldoret branch marketing manager Caroline Wangeshi said the current world is full of technology, the demand for online marketing to reach out to many customers irrespective of distance and time is important to any business.
Wangeshi explained that since e-commerce is relatively new in Kenya, a lot need to be done in terms of infrastructural development to offer faster, reliable and affordable internet equipments and connectivity to ensure progress in the industry.
Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Bata Shoes was established in 1894 by Tomas Bata. It has three business units worldwide including Bata Branded Business , Bata Metro Markets and Bata Emerging markets with over 70 countries and production facilities in 27 countries.
According to the company, it has sold more than 14 billion pairs of shoes serving more than one million customers each day. In Kenya, the company was introduced in 1939 with its headquarters in Limuru.
Garciandia said that for the last one year, the company sold more than 13 million pairs of shoe in Kenya alone, and expects increase in sales this year because of the online store.
