2025 South African Online Retail Report
Get exclusive insights into the future of South African ecommerce landscape with the 2025 South Africa Online Retail Report, prepared by Arthur Goldstuck and sponsored by Peach Payments, Mastercard, and Ask Afrika.
Convenience is now the benchmark, Trust is the currency, and Payments are the bridge.
Online retail in South Africa is no longer an alternative - it’s a core part of the economy. The 2025 report shows how innovation, trust, and customer experience continue to drive growth, and why businesses that embrace digital-first strategies will lead the next wave of retail.
Online Retail Set to Surpass R130 Billion in 2025
Online Retail Set to Surpass R130 Billion in 2025
Let's dive deeper into the report
Online retail is now a structural force, poised to exceed sales of R130 billion by late 2025.
Local payments are king, with Instant EFT/PayShap showing meaningful traction at 40.8% usage
Consumer trust strongly favours local platforms, with 46% of consumers trusting them more than international ones
Checkout friction and shipping fees are the top reasons for cart abandonment, cited by 37.3% and 31.3% of retailers respectively
The industry is confident and profitable; 73.6% of retailers report positive returns, and 74.2% expect growth over 40% in 2025
WhatsApp is a key engagement tool, but payments lag as 38.8% of retailers cite integration issues as a key blocker
Digital-first marketing is maturing, with a notable surge in search engine marketing to 72.1%
There is a gap between the desire for security and adoption; 91% rate security as "very important," but only 2.5% use biometrics
Ask these FAQs to the AI Avatar and learn key insights about the report
Curious about what’s inside the report? Use these FAQs to guide your conversation with our AI Avatar, and uncover valuable insights and statistics from the 2025 South African Online Retail Report.
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Growth & Market Outlook

How has the share of online retail versus total retail evolved from 2023 to 2025, and when will South Africa realistically hit the 10% mark?
Competitive Landscape

Which retailers have shown the most consistent online growth across the three reports, and what lessons can smaller players take from their strategies?
Consumer Behaviour
What demographic shifts in online shoppers are most significant between 2023 and 2025, and how should retailers adapt their targeting?
Payments & Checkout

What are the top reasons for cart abandonment over the past three years, and which solutions are proving most effective in reducing them?
Global Influence
How has the entry of Amazon.co.za and platforms like Shein/Temu impacted South African e-commerce since 2023?
Operational Challenges
What are the most persistent pain points for online retailers according to the three reports, and how are industry leaders overcoming them?
Technology & Innovation
Which technologies (AI, mobile wallets, BNPL, etc.) have shown the steepest adoption curve from 2023 to 2025, and what’s next?
Marketing & Customer Acquisition
Which marketing channels have gained the most traction among South African e-commerce businesses since 2023, and which ones are losing relevance?
Profitability & Performance
How has site profitability trended across the reports, and what differentiates the retailers that moved from breakeven to high profitability?
Future Forecasting
Based on the three years of data, what are the strongest signals for where South African e-commerce will be by 2030?