Immerse yourself in virtual shopping

Get immersed into the world of virtual shopping as Rosebank-based tech entrepreneurs, Evans Parson and Kenneth Mohlodi spearhead South Africa’s first online mall, Vensy E-Mall.

Born out of the need to address the structural challenges of e-commerce in developing countries the duo set out establish a platform that soothes logistical, marketing, and warehousing challenges faced on e-commerce platforms.

“Vensy E-Mall was actually established to address the challenges of commerce that South Africa is facing. We want to close the bridge between the urban guys and the townships,” Parson said.

In identifying the gaps and challenges in South Africa’s commerce platforms, Vensy E-Mall has taken the e-commerce world by storm offering a one-of-a-kind online shopping experience for both shoppers and vendors.

Although targeted at the SMME sector, the platform’s mission is to make it easy to do business anywhere and across various sectors – from retail, wholesale and distribution the platform encourages a holistic promotion of goods and services online.

“E-Malls are a new concept in Africa. The e-mall experience is a digital experience. We’ve just introduced the AR feature – which is virtual shopping – that defines how a digital mall should operate,” Parson said.

Giving consumers a full-on digital shopping experience, the AR feature is but the first step in mapping a fully virtual mall that offers a 3D customer journey experience that is both transactional and entertaining.

In line with the global trend that sees businesses move away from physical stores, businesses and customers have the benefit of having an around the clock shopping experience with a range of products and services available at the click of a button. Shoppers are spoilt for choice with an endless list of products catering for all tastes – from sporting goods, clothing, cosmetics and gadgets.

“We’re still in the process of getting more vendors. There are guys that are selling now and we’re trying to get more people connected,” Mohlodi said.

Available for download via mobile and desktop applications on the Google Play Store for Android and Apple IOS, Vensy E-Mall is easy to use for both shoppers and businesses and offers on the clock support through artificial intelligence, a definitive characteristic of South Africa stepping into the fourth industrial revolution.

“We like to put ourselves on the frontline as leaders and trendsetters. We understand the whole concept of the fourth industrial revolution. We participate fully in the whole thing, however, we’ve been running workshops with the public and vendors, promoting the platform … if we’re talking 4IR, we’re currently doing the full process,” said Mohlodi.

Mohlodi and Parson said the platform’s overall goal was not only making business easy but to also unite Africa through e-commerce bringing Cairo shoppers together with Joburg businesses – making the world a smaller place.