BUSINESS NEWS - South Africa's recommerce market is expected to grow to $2.75 billion (about R50 billion) by 2029, driven by rising living costs and growing demand for affordable second-hand goods.

Shaheen Price, CEO and founder of Uhuru Marketplace, said the increasing cost of essentials such as electricity, water and food has encouraged more South Africans to turn to side hustles for additional income.

Citing recent research, Price said more than half of South Africans now have a side hustle, with buying and selling pre-loved clothing becoming an increasingly popular way to supplement household income.

AI improving online sales

Price said many casual sellers struggle to create listings that attract buyers because of poor-quality photographs, weak product descriptions and unrealistic pricing.

Artificial intelligence can help address these challenges by improving product images, generating detailed descriptions and recommending competitive prices based on similar items already on the market.

Uhuru Marketplace has also introduced an AI-powered quality score that rates listings out of 100, helping sellers identify areas for improvement and increase the visibility of their products.

Better experience for buyers

AI is also enhancing the shopping experience by recommending products based on a buyer's size, style preferences, budget and previous browsing behaviour.

As the technology learns from each interaction, recommendations become increasingly personalised, making it easier for shoppers to find suitable items.

Price believes AI should be viewed as a tool that supports users rather than replaces them.

"AI is less a command centre and more a personal shopping assistant that helps South Africans buy, sell, recycle and resell more effectively," he said.

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