Amazon vs Takealot: The Big E-Commerce Battle in South Africa
Online shopping in South Africa is booming. By the end of 2025, people will spend over R130 billion online. That’s about 10% of all shopping in the country. The two big names fighting for your money are Amazon and Takealot. Let’s see who’s winning, what each one does best, and what this means for you.
- Amazon vs Takealot: The Big E-Commerce Battle in South Africa
- Takealot: The Local Champion
- Amazon: The Global Giant Steps In
- Market Share: Who’s Winning in 2025?
- What Makes Each Platform Strong?
- Steps to Get the Best Deal When Shopping Online
- Real Example: Buying a Phone Online
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Which One Should You Use?
Takealot: The Local Champion
Takealot has been around since 2011. It’s South Africa’s biggest online shop. In 2025, Takealot pulled in almost R15 billion in revenue. That’s up 15% from last year. They have over 10,000 local sellers and deliver almost everywhere in the country. Most orders arrive the next day if you live in a city or big town.
Takealot knows what South Africans want. They offer things like “personal shopper” for people in rural areas. Their delivery network uses Mr D drivers and over 50 pickup points. They even have their own warehouses in Joburg and Cape Town. This helps them deliver fast and keep customers happy.
Amazon: The Global Giant Steps In
Amazon is the world’s biggest online shop. They launched in South Africa in 2024. Their main advantage is a huge range of products and lower prices on many items. For example, a price check showed Amazon was cheaper than Takealot on 6 out of 10 tech products. But there’s a catch – delivery can take longer, sometimes up to a week or more, especially outside big cities.
Amazon is fighting hard to win over South Africans. They dropped their yearly seller fee to just R1. Takealot charges R400 a year for sellers. This makes Amazon very attractive for small businesses wanting to sell online. Amazon’s global brand is strong, but they’re still learning what South Africans want and need.
Market Share: Who’s Winning in 2025?
Right now, Takealot is still the top dog. In 2024, about 32% of online shoppers used Takealot. Amazon is catching up fast, now used by 12% of online shoppers. New players like Shein and Temu are also growing, but Takealot is still ahead. However, Takealot’s share dropped from 26.5% in 2022 to about 21% in 2023, showing that Amazon and others are making a dent.
Takealot is fighting back by investing in better tech, faster delivery, and new services. They even sold off Superbalist and bought M24 Logistics to focus on what they do best – getting your order to you quickly and safely.
Key Differences: Amazon vs Takealot
| Feature | Amazon | Takealot |
|---|---|---|
| Market Focus | Global, just entered SA | Local, SA only |
| Product Range | Huge, global brands | Big, but focused on SA needs |
| Prices | Often lower | Sometimes higher |
| Delivery Time | 3-7 days (can be longer) | Next day in cities, 2-3 days rural |
| Seller Fee | R1 per year | R400 per year |
| Customer Support | Still building local team | Strong local support |
What Makes Each Platform Strong?
Takealot wins on local knowledge. They know what South Africans want and deliver fast. Their customer service is local, so it’s easy to get help. They also offer things like Mr D food delivery and special deals for regular shoppers.
Amazon wins on price and product range. If you want something unusual or international, Amazon is likely to have it. Their seller fees are much lower, so more small businesses might start selling on Amazon soon. But their delivery is not as quick as Takealot, especially outside big cities.
Steps to Get the Best Deal When Shopping Online
Always compare prices on both Amazon and Takealot before you buy
Check delivery times – Takealot is usually faster, but Amazon may be cheaper
Look for special deals, like Takealot’s daily deals or Amazon’s launch discounts
Read reviews from other South Africans, not just international ones
Watch out for fake products, especially on marketplace sellers
Check return policies – Takealot’s is usually easier for local returns
Real Example: Buying a Phone Online
Say you want to buy a Samsung Galaxy A54. On Takealot, it might cost R7,499 with next-day delivery in Joburg. On Amazon, you might find it for R7,199, but delivery could take 5 days. If you need it fast, Takealot wins. If you want to save R300 and can wait, Amazon is better. Always check both before you buy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many people only check one site and miss out on better deals. Others don’t check delivery times and end up waiting longer than expected. Some buy from unknown sellers and get fake or broken goods. Always double-check who you’re buying from and what the return policy is.
Which One Should You Use?
If you want fast delivery and local support, Takealot is still the best choice for most people. If you’re looking for the lowest price or something you can’t find locally, try Amazon. Both have their strengths, so it’s smart to shop around.
Online shopping in South Africa is only going to get bigger. With Amazon and Takealot fighting for your business, you’ll get better prices, faster delivery, and more choices. Just remember to compare, check delivery, and buy smart.