Amazon is continuing with its plans to launch marketplace and Amazon Prime services in South Africa this year despite cost-cutting at the company.<\/p>\n
Last year, reports surfaced that Amazon was planning to launch a marketplace in South Africa in February 2023.<\/p>\n
Codenamed \u201cProject Fela\u201d, the project includes its own marketplace in the country and plans to launch its \u201cFulfillment by Amazon\u201d service for third-party sellers.<\/p>\n
Amazon\u2019s Prime membership programme will also reportedly be available to South Africans shortly after launch.<\/p>\n
A launch in Nigeria would have reportedly followed shortly after South Africa in April 2023 under the same project codename.<\/p>\n
However, doubt over the local Amazon.com launch emerged after it started to cut costs amidst weakening economic conditions.<\/p>\n
Last week, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that the company is laying off more than 18,000 employees as part of its annual planning process.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmazon has weathered uncertain and difficult economies in the past, and we will continue to do so,\u201d Jassy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese changes will help us pursue our long-term opportunities with a stronger cost structure.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Amazon bracing for a downturn, many stakeholders questioned whether Project Fela would continue as initially envisaged.<\/p>\n
The good news for South Africans is that Amazon.com is continuing with its plans to launch a marketplace in the country.<\/p>\n
A source close to the project said Amazon has paused its Nigerian rollout but is continuing with its South African plans.<\/p>\n
Amazon has not officially commented on its South African plans, but there has been a lot of activity around the project.<\/p>\n
The eCommerce giant has secured warehouse space in South Africa and is working with local courier companies and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) retailers.<\/p>\n
The Amazon.co.za domain even appeared in the country drop-down lost on the Amazon.com website<\/p>\n
Amazon is also hiring people to launch its marketplace in the country. Last year it advertised numerous positions, including managerial positions relating to its \u201cZA marketplace\u201d.<\/p>\n
This article was first published by Daily Investor and reproduced with permission. Read the original here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
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