Online retailer, Takealot has recently announced that it has terminated its US and UK import departments because \u201cthe technical method used to provide the service is no longer available to us\u201d.<\/p>\n
Takealot CEO, Kim Reid said that, despite the group’s best efforts, it was unable to negotiate the sustainable use of the technical integration needed to provide these services to its customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have already ordered using our US or UK import departments and have not yet received your order, don’t worry, we will continue to fulfill existing orders,\u201d Reid said.<\/p>\n
According to two well-placed industry sources, there was a dispute between Takealot and Amazon.com \u2013 from where Takealot sourced its US and UK based import products \u2013 on how Takealot uses the Amazon Application Programming Interface (API) and how the company sells the products.<\/p>\n
One source indicated that Amazon essentially cut off Takealot from its API, making it impossible for the company to continue offering Amazon products.<\/p>\n
Amazon cut us off<\/strong><\/p>\n Reid explained that Amazon blocked its feed without any warning. \u201cThere is no way to negotiate with Amazon,\u201d said Reed.<\/p>\n Reed said that Amazon has certain terms and condition on how companies can use its feeds, and while Takealot feels that it functions within these conditions, Amazon had a different view.<\/p>\n While Takelot is expected to lose some revenue because of this change (possibly less than 10%), Reid said that it may be a blessing in disguise.<\/p>\n The Takealot CEO said that it was very challenging to guarantee high service levels with its import service \u2013 a core focus for the company.<\/p>\n Reid said that Takealot\u2019s focus remains on its local products and local suppliers, and that it is showing healthy growth in this area.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have ten, largely locally sourced, fantastic categories to choose from, and we are busy adding more selection and depth every day,\u201d said Reid.<\/p>\n Related articles<\/strong><\/p>\n Takealot appoints new CTO<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Online retail business explained<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n 3-D Secure flawed: PayGate CEO<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Cardfather puts a hit on credit card fraud<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n