ShopZetu, a Kenyan fashion e-commerce startup, is expanding its portfolio to include beauty and home décor categories to cater to the increasing demands of fashion-forward and style-conscious women in Africa. In its quest to meet the needs of its growing customer base, the company aims to scale regionally in the coming months. Additionally, ShopZetu is actively seeking partnerships with international fashion brands and plans to significantly increase its number of vendors on the platform, targeting a total of 1,000.
To facilitate its expansion, the startup intends to test regional delivery services in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, extending its reach beyond Kenya, where it initially launched in 2021. These developments come on the heels of ShopZetu’s successful closure of a $1 million pre-seed funding round, providing the financial backing to fuel its ambitious plans for growth.
The Birth of ShopZetu
In a highly fragmented industry with hundreds of thousands of offline and online sellers, Marvin Kiragu and Wandia Gichuru saw an opportunity to create a multi-brand marketplace that would revolutionize the way people shop for fashion and lifestyle products in Africa. With the aim of providing price visibility, customer trust, and a diverse assortment of products under one roof, ShopZetu was born.
“The goal is for ShopZetu to become the leading lifestyle platform. We are looking to expand our beauty, skincare, hair and home décor offerings, which are all expressions of one’s identity. We want to become a one stop shop,” said Marvin Kiragu
Scaling and Expansion Plans
ShopZetu’s vision goes beyond being a fashion marketplace. The startup is set to add beauty and home decor categories to its portfolio, catering to the growing needs of young and style-conscious women in Africa. With plans to trial regional delivery services in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, ShopZetu aims to scale beyond its initial launch in Kenya in 2021. The goal is to attract international fashion brands and increase the number of vendors on its platform to 1,000.
Pre-Seed Funding and Key Investors
To fuel its growth and expansion plans, ShopZetu recently closed a $1 million pre-seed funding round. The round was led by Chui Ventures, with participation from Launch Africa, Roselake Ventures, and Logos Ventures. Notable angel investors who took part in the round include Kendall Tang, CEO of RT Knits; Ben Munoz, co-founder and CEO of Nadine West; Sumit Bhasin of Estee Lauder Inc; Patricia Ithau, CEO of WPP Scangroup, and Peter Njonjo, co-founder and CEO of Twiga Foods. This strong investor support is a testament to the potential and viability of ShopZetu’s business model.
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Vendor Success and Support Services
ShopZetu prides itself on supporting its vendors and lowering the barriers for anyone to start and scale a fashion brand. With over 300 vendors on its marketplace, ranging from large manufacturers to small traders of imported fashion products, ShopZetu offers a variety of services to ensure vendor success online. From content creation and digital marketing to warehousing and last-mile delivery, these services are designed to help vendors reach a wider audience and establish a strong online presence.
The ShopZetu Shopping Experience
ShopZetu has created a seamless and user-friendly shopping experience for its customers. With over 20,000 products listed on the platform, customers can easily browse through a diverse range of fashion and lifestyle items. The platform offers inclusive sizing options, ensuring that everyone can find the perfect fit. Customers can also enjoy the convenience of regional delivery services as ShopZetu expands its reach beyond Kenya.
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The Fashion Industry in Sub-Saharan Africa
ShopZetu aims to tap into the growing fashion industry in sub-Saharan Africa, currently dominated by second-hand clothing. However, the startup believes that there is a gradual shift towards new clothing options as more affordable and fashionable choices enter the market. With its focus on affordable new clothing and catering to the fashion-conscious, tech-savvy population in Africa, ShopZetu is well-positioned to become the largest e-commerce category in the region.
ShopZetu’s Impact and Future Outlook
Since its launch, ShopZetu has served over 30,000 customers and sold more than 100,000 products. The startup has witnessed a remarkable 400% increase in monthly orders since January 2021, showcasing the growing demand for its services. With its recent funding round and ambitious expansion plans, ShopZetu is poised to revolutionize the fashion e-commerce landscape in Africa and become the leading lifestyle platform on the continent.
Conclusion
ShopZetu’s unique approach to fashion e-commerce has positioned it as a game-changer in Africa’s fashion industry. By providing a one-stop shop for fashion and lifestyle products, the startup has addressed the challenges of a fragmented market and created a seamless shopping experience for both vendors and customers. So, whether you’re a fashion enthusiast looking for the latest trends or a vendor wanting to establish a strong online presence, ShopZetu is the platform to watch.
