South African retailer Woolworths has launched a new online shopping offering in Mauritius.

According to the retailer, the new service will give shoppers access to shop a wide range of over 30 000 fashion, beauty and homeware products.

Woolworths has six fashion, beauty and homeware only stores in Mauritius and has now extended this presence with an online service, supported from the Bagatelle store.

Yobe Mvula, Woolworths Divisional Executive for Rest of Africa, comments: “The launch of this online offering in Mauritius comes as we celebrate our ten year anniversary of trading in Mauritius and is a first for us outside of our firmly established digital presence in South Africa. We have used our learning and experience from our existing market leading online operations to create an innovative e-commerce platform that is industry leading and scalable, and will ensure that shoppers can still enjoy the same quality in-store shopping experience online.”

According to the retailer, the pilot of the service covers all areas in Mauritius (excluding Reunion & Rodrigues Island for now) with delivery within 48 hours and the option for consumer to collect in store.

It adds that when browsing, online customers are able to create a wish list of items they love, do product comparisons, check the availability of the item they want to buy and can see related products.

“In addition to this Woolworths WRewards members also enjoy the benefits offered under our loyalty program on the platform. To cater for special occasions, we have included a free gift wrap service for those that prefer to have the gift delivered to specified address on their behalf,” the company states.

Deliveries will be made Monday to Friday from 10h00 - 19h00; Saturday from 10h00 -17h00, and Sunday from 10h00 – 14h00. Public holidays are subject to special delivery times.

“Delivery is free for the month of September during their initial launch. Thereafter free delivery will apply to all purchases of Rs 2500 or more. Customers will be able to return items purchased at any of the six stores,” the company adds.

According to Woolworths, its online platform is designed to operate on any mobile device, using any browser.