What is the Takealot Buy Box?

Understanding and mastering the Takealot Buy Box is essential for any seller aiming to succeed on Takealot. This article will delve into what the Buy Box is, how it operates, and the strategies you can use to ensure you use it to your benefit.

What is the Buy Box?

A distinct feature of Takealot is that multiple sellers can offer the same product. When a seller lists a product via the Takealot Seller Portal, they set a selling price and indicate their stock levels. These listings then appear on the Product Listing Page, alongside offers from other sellers who are selling the same item.

When customers view a product page, they can choose from any of the available offers. However, one offer is displayed more prominently than the others—this is the offer featured in the ‘Buy Box.’ The Buy Box is essentially the “Add to Cart” section on the Takealot Product Listing Page. Competing offers are displayed in the ‘Other Offers’ section.

Winning the Buy Box is crucial for sellers, as over 80% of sales on Takealot are made through the Buy Box. Customers shopping for products on Takealot do not typically concern themselves about who they are buying from - they only care about getting the product. Most customers never scroll down to the ‘Other Offers’ section.

How Is the Buybox Winner Selected?

Takealot's proprietary algorithms determine who wins the Buybox, the exact variables feeding into the algorithm aren't public making it impossible to guarantee a win. However, there are proven strategies to improve your chances:

• Competitive Pricing: Keep your price lower than competing offers. This appears to be the most critical factor in securing the Buy Box.

• Sufficient Stock: Ensure you have ample stock in the Takealot warehouse, as in-stock items take priority over those with lead times.

• Positive Reviews: Deliver high-quality products to encourage positive customer reviews, which can boost your chances of winning the Buybox.

How Often Does the Buybox Winner Change?

The frequency with which the BuyBox winner changes depends on the number of offers for a product. The more competing offers there are, the more frequently the Buybox winner can shift. For certain, more saturated products it’s common for the Buybox winner to change several times a day.