Garry Marshall, the CEO of the South African Express Parcel Association, addressed the Sapics Spring Summit.
South African e-commerce platforms are bracing for a massive influx of around 240 000 parcels expected during the Black Friday shopping rush in late November, with major contributions from Shein and Temu.
Garry Marshall, head of the South African Express Parcel Association, noted that the online shipping sector has experienced “remarkable growth”, currently handling approximately 1 000 packages daily, primarily from China.
Despite ongoing challenges with import duties for heavily discounted items, Marshall predicts that the Black Friday surge will create “an unstoppable wave.” He is confident that these issues will be managed, stating, “Although the tax man will take his share, it won’t hinder the growth of e-commerce.”
Speaking at the recent Sapics Spring Summit in Johannesburg, Marshall acknowledged the significant hurdles related to duties, customs regulations, and concessions. However, he remains optimistic that these challenges will not deter e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu.
The cold chain is gearing up to handle the anticipated deluge. “Several of our members are preparing for the peak period, with at least one significantly ramping up automation,” Marshall explained.
Much of the cold chain’s preparation involves ensuring systems are equipped to handle the surge in demand. “Service providers carefully assess their system’s capabilities and constraints to avoid overloading or failure. Significant effort is invested in managing volume to maintain system stability.”
Evert de Ruiter, principal consultant at Auctoro Advisory, noted that the readiness of online retailers for Black Friday becomes more apparent as the date approaches.
De Ruiter advised consumers to be wary of sites that make excessive promises, as those with realistic timelines and accurate information tend to manage expectations more effectively.
Source: Freight News