Makro has launched a new online platform specifically designed to serve businesses in a bid to expand its consumer base in South Africa.

According to the retailer, the business-to-business (B2B) website – called Makro Business – is targeted at businesses “facing similar economic challenges to end consumers.”

“Drawing on its extensive food, liquor, stationery, office furniture, and catering offerings, Makro is perfectly positioned to provide unmatched one-stop value to business customers, who mostly deal with a multitude of specialist suppliers focused on specific product categories,” it added.

Commenting on Makro’s positioning, Justin Hawkins, Vice President for B2B eCommerce at Massmart, said, “Makro has 52 years of know-how serving a wide variety of business customers from corporates, schools, hotels and restaurants to garage shops, franchise stores and independently owned retailers.”

“The new Makro Business website optimises this expertise to provide our business customers with a quick, easy and affordable one-stop procurement experience,” said Hawkins.

The retailer added that the website features a quick and convenient sign-up process that enables real-time background checks and business verification, immediate access to preferential pricing on products related to their business, and payment via a 0% interest Makro trade account.

This is supported through a pickup or delivery service that promises efficient order fulfilment.

“The launch of the Makro Business website represents the first steps of an individually tailored experience that businesses can expect when they shop with us in the future. There is much more to come,” noted Hawkins.

The new website can be accessed here.