How many of you would like to do their shopping online? Of course you can. Jumia has been here for three+ years and counting. We also have Kilimall, and a number of other e-commerce portals. These e-commerce portals are however specialized in electronics and fashion. Their delivery models is also not instant. Meaning they still can’t rival supermarkets in traffic. A true online supermarket would not only offer instant delivery but also stock items like Foods and Beverages, Household and Toiletries, Beauty and Body Care, and then electronics and fashion comes later. Wagon Shopping is here to offer this.
Founded by United States International University-Africa students, alumni Edgar Ochieng, and current student Musa Mutetwi, Wagon Shopping is looking to position itself as the go to, when it comes to supermarket shopping – and the first true online supermarket in Kenya. With the goal of delivering each order in less than 2 hours. Right now online shoppers can order items from Foods & Cooking, Drinks & Beverages, Household & Toiletries and Beauty & Body Care categories.
With Mpesa & Paypal (for credit cards) as their two payment options, Wagon uses a Pay before Delivery model at a fixed price of ksh200 regardless of location. According to Press statement sent to Kachwanya.com, “Wagon is an SSL Certified website meaning all the data that customers put including Passwords and Credit Card details on the website is protected from malicious attacks such as hacking. It is also equipped with a search bar and easy navigation from sign up, through to check out ensuring that one can do their shopping in as little as 3 minutes.”
But is Kenya’s first online supermarket a Logistics Platform, or a Retailer? Wagon C.E.O Edgar Ochieng says it is both, “We are a logistics company in the sense that we handle all deliveries ourselves through the Wagon Driver program were people with motor bikes or cars can sign up and deliver for us. We are also a Retail Platform as you can practically find any supermarket product, bar Electronics on our platform”. With more than two online platforms already having its focus on Electronics, we would see why Wagon would choose a completely different business model.
Starting off in Nairobi, Kenya, Wagon plans to roll out its platform to all major Cities in Africa in the next 5 years.
