Just a few months ago, news broke that Sky.Garden, an online retailer, had decided to file for insolvency due to “no other options,” however, as reported by Techspace Africa following a Kshs 250 million buyout by the Lipa Later Group Sky.Garden will not be shutting down
The e-commerce platform plans to introduce new features in its ecosystem, with an ambitious goal of connecting 100,000 merchants in the next year.
Social commerce is projected to grow three times faster than traditional commerce, reaching $1.2 trillion by 2025, up from $492 billion currently. This growth is expected to be driven primarily by Gen Z and Millennial social media users, who will account for 62% of global social commerce spend by 2025. As consumers increasingly turn to shopping on social apps, social commerce is set to claim a significant portion of the e-commerce market.
Sky.Garden: Beyond E-commerce
Sky.Garden is no longer just about e-commerce; it’s about revolutionizing the way businesses operate and people shop. The platform has evolved into a comprehensive e-commerce ecosystem, extending far beyond the boundaries of conventional online retail.
The Sky.Garden ecosystem offers not only the convenience of online shopping but also the infrastructure for local businesses to thrive. It provides seamless payment solutions, logistic support, marketing tools, and business insights. Entrepreneurs can build, grow, and expand their ventures within this ecosystem, while shoppers enjoy an unparalleled variety of products, services, and a continually evolving shopping experience.
In celebration of the relaunch, Juliet Wanjiru, Head of E-commerce at Sky.Garden, commented, ‘Today marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Sky.Garden, as we embark on a transformative journey to enhance and broaden our offerings for both merchants and customer communities.’
Sky.Garden has introduced innovative products such as Sky.Tickets, Sky.Logistics, Sky.Commerce, and Sky.Wallet, diversifying its merchant categories to include a dynamic online marketplace for services and events. Sky.Wallet offers tailored solutions, empowering merchants with access to financing, real-time transaction monitoring, direct bill payments, seamless deposits and withdrawals to Mpesa or Bank, and the ability to open a bank account. This ensures comprehensive financial support for businesses, powering all merchant transactions.
Sky.Logistics upholds the commitment to same-day delivery for customers, ensuring a seamless shopping experience.
Sky.Garden is now making quality products accessible to consumers at affordable prices. Recognizing the evolving needs of customers, it has introduced Buy Now, Pay Later, powered by LipaLater, as a convenient alternative payment option. This is the first of its kind in Kenya, providing flexibility and ease in transactions.
In a significant leap forward, Sky.Garden is thrilled to unveil its foray into social commerce. Sky.Commerce is set to revolutionize the online shopping experience by seamlessly integrating social interactions with e-commerce. This innovative platform will allow shoppers to discover, share, and purchase products directly within their social networks. Merchants, on the other hand, will be able to reduce their online interactions and make sales all the time from anywhere.
Addressing concerns about trust in online marketplaces, Sky.Garden remains steadfast in its commitment to building a secure and transparent platform. As it continues to evolve, Sky.Garden remains dedicated to providing not only a marketplace but a dynamic and interconnected ecosystem for both merchants and consumers.
On his part Lipa Later, Group CEO Eric Muli emphasized that this investment is set to have a twofold impact, empowering both businesses and customers. “Our group vision is to be a commerce catalyst for businesses and communities across Africa. We firmly believe that local ownership and operation are essential in understanding the needs of our people, contributing to the prosperity of our nation, and forging a true connection with our community. This local insight has empowered us to bring the vast world of e-commerce closer to Kenyans while simultaneously creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs and merchants to thrive.”
Discover more from Techspace Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.