Ever needed a brand-new pair of AirPods so desperately that you’d be willing to pay a premium to have them delivered right then and there? No? Well, Checkers is doing it anyway. Yesterday, it officially rolled out an overhaul of the Sixty60 app to millions of customers, improving general security, introducing a refreshed UI, and offering a whole new market for the delivery service: premium products.
“One 2L Coke and an iPad Air, please”
All customers nationwide can update the Sixty60 app or download it if they haven’t already (Android, iOS), which supposedly introduces “a refined layout and user interface,” as well as enhanced security features. But anyone hoping to take advantage of the newly available 2,500+ premium products can take a hike – specifically to Cape Town, where Checkers said it will trial the premium catalogue before expanding to the rest of South Africa.
“With the new Sixty60 app, we’re again raising the bar for online shopping in South Africa and further demonstrating our commitment to customers who demand more convenience and improved access to premium products,” said Neil Schreuder, chief of strategy and innovation for the Shoprite Group
Even then, however, simply paying the exorbitant rent fees are not enough. Checkers mentions that only those customers living in Kuils River, Brackenfell, Durbanville, Bellville, Goodwood, Edgemead, Milnerton, Century City, Table View, Blouberg, Parklands, Rondebosch, Observatory, Gardens, Sea Point and Camps Bay can actually get in on the action.
If that’s you, there will soon be over 100 new brands available for purchase – though Checkers has not divulged what all of those might be. It has listed some of the more recognisable brands available – from Apple, Dyson, Thule, Smeg, Samsung, and Harmon Kardon. That list will continue to grow over the coming months. Don’t be surprised if your local delivery drivers start carrying around R19,500 PS5 Pros.
Cape Town hogging all the love
It was quite a busy day for Checkers, which also took the opportunity to announce the launch of two more physical stores – again, both in Cape Town, focussing on those areas that Shoprite Holdings previously felt under-served. Two more “dark stores” were also launched in the city, further boosting Checkers’ ability to serve busier areas with stockpiles designated for delivery and not available to be purchased physically.
Finally, buyers of ‘general merchandise’ off the Sixty60 app will be pleased to know that Checkers has managed to expand the number of products available for same-day delivery to over 10,000, according to Neil Schruder.
“Our precision delivery promise has been designed around our customers, which means no more waiting at home all day for your general merchandise order to arrive. Customers choose the 60-minute time slot for their Hyper delivery to arrive and can track the order in real-time as it gets delivered in a flash,” he said. “Our homegrown innovation teams are powering our drive to become Africa’s most profitable omnichannel retailer.”