E-commerce

France Requests Removal of Wish from Search Engines and App Stores

Published

3 years ago

November 25, 2021

Several ministers in France have released a common statement in which they announced that they have made a request to the main search engines as well as the mobile app stores that are operating in the country to hide Wish’s website as well as its mobile app.

Wish is a highly popular e-commerce platform that mainly references products from merchants who are based in China. The platform does not hold inventory as the products are usually shipped directly to the customers from merchants.

Last year, the French administration which is in charge of consumer rights and fraud launched an investigation into Wish. The administration, which is known as the direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF) suspected that it was not difficult to deliberately mislead customers and sell fake products on Wish, including goods like perfumes and sneakers with images which incorrectly show the logos of popular brands.

In order to find out the safety of the products on Wish and to also test their suspicions, the French administration ordered about 140 different goods on Wish.

About 95% of the toys which they acquired on the platform did not abide by the normal European regulation, with about 45% of the toys deemed dangerous. Concerning the electronic products that were ordered, 95% of them were said to be disallowed in Europe, with 90% of them being dangerous in one form or the other.

Some unexpected items were even found to constitute a risk to customers, with about 62% of ordered cheap costume jewelry considered as dangerous. It should however be noted that these numbers came from a study on a small sample of 140 products.

When Wish is notified that a dangerous product is being sold on the platform, the product is removed within 24 hours. However, the French Ministry of Economy states that in most cases the dangerous products remain accessible on the same platform, under a different name and sometimes by the same seller.

The French government is now taking advantage of changes in European regulation to block problematic apps. The process is complicated, but if successful will remove Wish from Google and the App Store. Currently, Wish is still available on the app store and the website can still be found on Google.

After Wish is shadowbanned in France, the website will disappear from Google and the app will no longer be found on the app store. However, if you had it on your phone before the shadowban, you will still be able to use it.

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E-commerce

South Africa, Tunisia Record Job Losses as Jumia Shuts Down Outlets Over Diminishing Returns, Hopes on Nigeria, Others

Published

5 days ago

October 17, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

Africa-focused e-commerce retailer Jumia Technologies has announced its decision to shut down its South African online fashion retailer Zando and its Tunisian operations by the end of the year.

The development, Investors King gathered, followed diminishing returns in the countries which has been having significant impacts on the firm.

Francis Dufay, the Chief Executive Officer of the retailer giant, expressed strong confidence in Nigeria’s market, saying the firm will refocus on more profitable markets such as Nigeria.

Dufay said Jumia is aiming at more profits, hence, its decision to implement aggressive cost-cutting measures, which include reducing its workforce, exiting the everyday grocery and food delivery sectors, and scaling back delivery services unrelated to its core e-commerce business.

He said the trajectory of the South Africa and Tunisia did not align with the strategy of the group, citing complex macroeconomic conditions, a competitive landscape, and limited medium-term growth potential in these regions.

Stressing that the group’s exit plan is the right decision, Dufay emphasised that the move will allow the company to concentrate its resources on the other nine markets including Nigeria, where growth prospects are more promising.

Jumia’s remaining markets include Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria.

Dufay maintained that success in these regions could help recover volumes lost from the closures in South Africa and Tunisia.

Giving more facts on the level of shortage Jumia incurred in South Africa and Tunisia, he noted that Zando and the Tunisian operations contributed only 2.7% of total orders and 3% of Gross Merchandise Value during the first half of the year.

Zando.co.za, founded in 2012, has established itself as a prominent online fashion platform in South Africa. Meanwhile, Jumia’s Tunisian operations have been running under the Jumia brand for a decade, offering general merchandise.

Dufay confirmed that there are no plans to sell either operation, which will hold clearance sales before their shutdown.

Findings by Investors King revealed that no fewer than 110 persons will lose their jobs in the affected countries once the closures take effect.

Although some employees may be relocated within the company’s other divisions.

This decision comes shortly after South Africa’s largest online retail group, Takealot, announced the sale of its fashion subsidiary, Superbalist, amid rising competition from fast-fashion e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu. Dufay acknowledged that the growth potential in South Africa is increasingly challenging due to the highly competitive environment.

E-commerce

Jumia Shares Triple in 2024 Amid Strong Q1 Performance

Published

4 months ago

June 11, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Shares of African e-commerce giant Jumia (JMIA) surged to $8.67 on Monday, a significant milestone in the company’s remarkable recovery this year.

This price represents the highest the stock traded in 2024, starting at a modest $3.36. The gain highlights investor confidence following the company’s strong Q1 2024 results.

Despite not yet achieving a unicorn valuation, Jumia’s market capitalization has climbed to an impressive $872 million.

This turnaround is primarily attributed to the company’s strategic shift under the leadership of CEO Francis Dufay, who took over in 2023.

Dufay has focused on cost-cutting measures and driving revenue growth, a departure from Jumia’s previous struggles with profitability.

In Q1 2024, Jumia reported a 70% reduction in losses, thanks to significant cuts in advertising and sales expenses. Meanwhile, the company saw an 18.5% increase in revenue.

These results are particularly noteworthy given the economic challenges in some of Jumia’s major markets, including high inflation and currency devaluation.

“The impressive Q1 results have renewed investor confidence,” said an industry analyst. “Jumia’s ability to cut costs while growing revenue in such a challenging environment is a testament to their strategic realignment.”

Dufay’s leadership has been pivotal in this transformation. He has made bold moves, including shutting down the loss-making Jumia Food vertical and relocating UAE-based executives to Jumia’s key markets.

Also, the launch of a new 30,000 square meter integrated warehouse in Lagos has enhanced Jumia’s logistics capabilities, reducing delivery times and improving customer satisfaction.

“The shift in business model and operational focus is showing positive results,” commented Dufay. “We are committed to sustaining this growth trajectory and building a robust, profitable business.”

Jumia’s stock performance has drawn positive reactions from investors, particularly given the broader economic challenges in Africa.

The company’s turnaround is seen as a promising sign, especially as competitors like Amazon begin to make inroads into the African market with their launch in South Africa.

Jumia’s initial public offering in 2019, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at $14.50 per share, generated significant excitement.

However, the subsequent years were marked by fluctuating share prices and ongoing struggles with profitability. The recent surge in share price reflects a renewed optimism about Jumia’s future under Dufay’s leadership.

As Jumia continues to navigate the complexities of the African e-commerce landscape, it remains focused on achieving sustainable growth and profitability. The recent stock surge is a clear indication that investors believe in the company’s potential to thrive in a competitive market.

“Jumia’s journey has been challenging, but our commitment to innovation and operational excellence is unwavering,” Dufay stated. “We are excited about the opportunities ahead and remain focused on delivering value to our shareholders and customers.”

E-commerce

Jumia Plans Warehouse Consolidation in Lagos Amid Nigeria Focus

Published

5 months ago

May 16, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Jumia Technologies AG, the Nasdaq-listed e-commerce giant, has unveiled plans to consolidate its warehouses in Nigeria.

This decision is part of the company’s broader strategy to prioritize Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation as it endeavors to turn profitable amidst challenging market conditions.

The consolidation initiative will see Jumia merging its three existing warehouses in Nigeria into a single expansive depot spanning 30,000 square meters, strategically located in Lagos.

Francis Dufay, CEO of Jumia, emphasized the cost-cutting benefits associated with this move, highlighting the company’s commitment to optimizing its operational efficiency.

Speaking about the rationale behind the consolidation, Dufay expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential to provide Jumia with the scale needed to achieve profitability.

Despite facing headwinds such as currency fluctuations and a challenging economic environment, Jumia views Nigeria as a key market for growth, anticipating positive developments in the medium term.

Jumia’s decision to streamline its operations in Nigeria comes against the backdrop of its ongoing efforts to navigate the complexities of the e-commerce landscape.

Despite reporting an operating loss of $8.33 million in the first quarter of the year, the company remains optimistic about its prospects in Nigeria, where it continues to witness steady revenue growth.

The e-commerce giant’s commitment to Nigeria underscores its long-term vision and determination to succeed in the region.

With plans to expand its footprint to additional cities across the country, Jumia aims to capitalize on Nigeria’s vast market potential and consumer demand.

However, Jumia’s journey to profitability in Nigeria is not without its challenges. The country’s economic landscape has been marred by currency devaluations, infrastructural deficiencies, and logistical hurdles.

Yet, amidst these obstacles, Jumia remains resilient, banking on Nigeria’s economic revival efforts and policy reforms to fuel its growth trajectory.

As part of its strategy to adapt to evolving market dynamics, Jumia has introduced innovative initiatives such as buy-now-pay-later financing options to cater to customers grappling with rising prices.

Also, the company remains vigilant in monitoring pricing dynamics, ensuring competitive pricing to meet the needs of price-conscious consumers.