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Minting cash from online shopping


In a world that is fast embracing technology, shopping in Kenya is also changing with the most spending going electronic.

Ms Winfred Gacheri, saw an opportunity in this and opened an online retail store, ePepea Online Supermarket.

She says being physically present in a supermarket does not add value to the customer.

If anything, she says, it often leads to impulse buying.

“I looked at shopping and saw no value in a person being present at a supermarket or shopping mall to get what they need, which is how the idea of online shopping was born,” Ms Gacheri told Nairobi News.

The online platform provides an opportunity to select the goods one wants.

It also calculates the value of the shopping and spares the buyer the burden of writing a shopping list.

Besides, a customer is able to keep a record of all transactions.

To shop, one must open an online account by giving the required details to create a profile.

As you buy, the total is adjusted on the website. The charges include tax, packing, and postage and carriage.

“By creating an account, you shop faster, get an updated order status, and keep track of the orders you have previously made,” she says.

Programme

Ms Gacheri makes her deliveries in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kakamega, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Meru, Mombasa, Nanyuki, and Embu towns.

The ePepea Online Supermarket has an associate programme that is free and enables members to earn revenue by placing a link or links on their website to advertise products and services.

She has configured her website to receive notifications when someone is shopping or when payment is done.

Ms Gacheri projects that in the next two to five years, she will expand her outfit to offer services to the East African region.

She adds that some of her customers beyond Africa want to send shopping to their relatives in Kenya and in the region.

She has 20 freelance sales people across the country and in a day makes about six to 10 deliveries. Each delivery costs Sh500.