Takealot returns to service: Here’s what you can buy during lockdown

Takealot is back, baby. The online retailer – hugely popular amongst many South Africans – has resumed operations this week. You can now officially order essential items from them, after their brief five-day closure. Things may have changed a little, but certainly, it’s a welcome development for a population on lockdown.

Lockdown: Takealot return to service in South Africa

Takelot confirmed they will be operating like the only remaining stores open in Mzansi. They are serving just the essentials, in order to comply with new national legislation. The business has vowed to stamp-out any price-hikes from sellers who are looking to cash-in on the crisis:

“We will focus on the sale and delivery of essential goods as authorised and prescribed by the South African Government. Thank you for your patience while we made the necessary changes to our platforms to comply with the Government directives under the national lockdown.”

“These have been really trying times in our business with some very difficult operational decisions having to be made and we truly appreciate your understanding and continued support over this time. We are ensuring compliance with the ‘price gouging’ legislation, and will ensure that our marketplace sellers also comply.”

Takealot statement

What’s changed?

Essentially, it’s a Takealot service – but not exactly as we once knew it. They’re limiting the amount of things one can buy, putting a “five of each item per customer” rule in place. It will now run solely as a delivery service too, meaning there will be no collections or drop-offs at any Takealot Pickup Points.

“We have put precautionary measures in place to prevent non-essential items from going through our checkout process and will be monitoring this closely in compliance with Government directives.”

“To assist in the prevention of panic buying, we have also imposed stock limitations to certain key products and will be restricting customers to no more than five of these items per checkout. We will continue to monitor buying behaviour and may expand on these key products as the need arises.”

Takealot statement

What can you order from Takealot during lockdown?

• All food items and beverages, providing they are non-alcoholic.
• Pet food.
• Food production items (ingredients and ‘chemicals’ used to make certain dishes).
• Coal, and limited stocks of gas.
• You can also purchase airtime and electricity through Takealot.
• Now, when we say toiletries, we mean all of them: Toilet paper, sanitary pads, sanitary tampons, condoms, hand sanitiser, disinfectants, soap, alcohol for industrial use, and household cleaning products are all up for grabs.
• Personal protective equipment – like surgical masks and gloves – are also available online.
• Medical and hospital supplies and any equipment used for first-aid can be purchased here.

You can read the full statement from Takealot here:

LOCKDOWN UPDATE | WE’RE BACK WITH ESSENTIAL GOODS pic.twitter.com/aSdbPrH2HM

— takealot (@TAKEALOT) March 31, 2020