Jumia is expanding its countrywide pick-up station network over the course of the year, with over 100 more pick up stations expected to go live every month.
This move is expected to help Jumia reach to more buyers countrywide and take on growing competition from Copia, a rural-focused etailer growing by leaps and bounds by the day.
Dubbed as the City Partner Program, the program is also expected to benefit customers with reduced delivery fee in their respective areas. The new Program is also aimed at empowering local businesses by boosting their revenue and providing better services to the consumers.
Entrepreneurs who sign up on the program will earn between up to Ksh 100,000 per month by becoming Jumia pick-up stations (with their existing shops) & by helping customers in the area to place orders.
This is a great way for businesses to earn additional income and serve as Jumia representatives. City Captains will also be responsible for recruiting & training young people in their towns – so that they can earn income via the companies JForce Program.
According to Sam Chappatte, Jumia Kenya CEO, “We continue to see unserved customers in towns outside of Nairobi. We believe our large range of products and competitive pricing is even more relevant for customers in these towns. By expanding our pick-up station network and working with local entrepreneurs, we hope to grow the penetration of e-commerce upcountry.”
Jumia has officially launched a Mt. Kenya region chapter allowing customers in Kabati, Kenol Town, Sagana, Karatina, Nyeri, Nanyuki, Meru, Chuka, Embu, Mwea & Kutus to have access to over 10M products on Jumia at 50% lower delivery fees than previously. They will also be able to interact with the City Partners via their local pick up stations, to ask questions about the ecommerce ordering process & for help placing orders.
“This partnership with Jumia is a game changer for businesses in Nyeri county and especially for me as a woman because this will help me grow my sales knowledge too. I have enough space in my shop to accommodate Jumia orders as more Jumia customers will now collect their orders from my shop at a cheaper delivery fee”, said Loise Njeri, Owner of Belosi Cyber Café in Nyeri county. She believes that this will boost her revenue, as Jumia customers eventually become his customers too.
“This partnership with Jumia is a great boost for me as a shop owner in Kabati. Jumia is a big company and with that comes bigger expectations as more Jumia customers will now collect their orders from my shop at a cheaper delivery fee”, said George Ngugi, Manager of Neema Salon in Kabati, Muranga county. He believes that this will further expand his knowledge about online sales and boost his revenue, and later he may employ 1-2 people to help him run the business.