Ziigie takes away the hustle of mall shopping
Ziigie, a recently established website seeks to revolutionise the way locals and manufacturers do business.
Officially, Ziigie.com started operating last year in October and judging by the feedback, Founder and Managing Director, Tshegofatso Tlhong is certain that they are in the right track and that it is only a matter of time before shoppers embrace their product.
The company, she explains, allows shoppers to shop from just about anywhere without the hustle of going to the malls and worrying about the many things that come with shopping. She says the company gives a platform to local companies, promising the opportunity to reach a wider market. “Our customers get to discover and buy products that are made right here at home,” she says.
The company aims to be a platform that opens doors for manufacturers and suppliers beyond their locality. She says they stock a wide array of products that range from Jewellery, leather goods, sauces, as well as music. “If it is produced locally, we want to sell it,” she says. Tlhong says that they currently have an agreement with close to 30 manufacturers, and that they are looking forward to signing more. How they operate, she says that manufacturers/vendors sign an agreement with them and that, they then stock their products. While she admits that some Batswana are yet to embrace online shopping, she notes that it is up to them to educate their potential new clients. “People are warming to the idea, and more work still needs to be done,” says Tlhong.
On payment process, she points out that a payment getaway is attached to the website, and that this is something that they are still working on but which affects those who pay with credit cards. But for other shoppers, they have the option of depositing, paying through pay pal, or using mobile money service providers. “Once you have paid for a particular item, we will deliver in the shortest time,” says Tlhong adding that for those in Gaborone, it takes 24hours to have delivered the goods. Delivery is free of charge and for customers who are outside Gaborone, they also have plans for them. At the moment, they are working on international shipping, and it should be ready soon. “Our aim is to also tap into the international audience hence we went with the website,” she says. Another thing that they are working on is giving their male customers something to look forward to.