SOUTH African shoppers still prefer physical stores despite significant growth in online shopping, a PwC survey released on Tuesday showed.Compared to developed markets, the online shopping segment in SA is small and largely focused on the nonfood market.However, since the country’s population is so young, the adoption of a more socially connected, digital retailing space where customers not only purchase products but also receive a memorable experience, is imperative for retailers looking to maintain or gain a competitive advantage over competitors, said PwC SA’s retail and consumer head John Wilkinson.The survey, based on 19,000 respondents globally, of which about 1,000 were from SA, found that the physical store remains the retail touch point with the highest frequency, driving retailers to transform in-store experiences with differentiated storefronts that turn stores into ultimate shopping destinations.Only 14% of South African online shoppers say they shop online weekly or mo...
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