Online retailers have begun tightening offline delivery rules to cushion customers from rise in unscrupulous internet traders with growing popularity of online shops.
Players in the new age retail space are entering into special arrangements with courier service firms to ride on their trust to build user confidence in delivery of products.
Dealer of used goods OLX, yesterday entered into an arrangement with courier service firm, G4S that will enhance security of goods to buyers and consolidate remote arrangements between users.
The arrangement will disrupt its current model where traders are left to cut deals and make delivery arrangements without involving the company offering trade infrastructure.
OLX Kenya Manager, Peter Ndiang’ui said users will be subjected to security questions that will also involve tight verification of identification documents and arrangement plans between buyers and sellers at G4S collection centers.
“We expect the new arrangement to address issues of trust and security of goods in offline distribution,” said Ndiang’ui.
Last year the company reported incidents where traders were masquerading as pastors to defraud buyers.
He also said push for convenience by buyers has also forced it to test its mediation role in service delivery.
Dealer of new products, Jumia has a similar programme linking up its offline distribution with Posta Kenya, Aramex to tame a rise in cases of unscrupulous traders on the internet retail space and boost delivery.
Jumia last year reported a 15 percent rise in delivery to report remote parts of the country including Mandera.
Under the new framework binding OLX and G4S, the courier firm will be tasked with verifying details of parties involved in the trade to ensure secure shipment of products is done.
“The security questions will help us determine whether buyers are fake or genuine. Secure logistics is key for growth of online retail,” said G4S secure logistics director, Geoffrey Mwove.
A payment structure that would see users charged a flat rate shipment fee for goods weighing between 0 to 5 kilogrammes is being crafted, with customers expected to pay more depending on weight of produce.
G4S has a capacity to ship 120 tonnes of goods daily with 60 percent of this traffic composed of products like pharmaceuticals and electronics weighing below 5Kilogrammes while the remaining traffic considered
