(16 January 2020) Hot on the heels of the launch of its redesigned site, South African online marketplace bobshop.co.za has unveiled its refreshed brand. This is the first time in two decades that one of the original South African ecommerce sites has made changes to its iconic brand.

“The switch to the fully-responsive website gave us an excellent opportunity to infuse our well-known and well-loved brand with new vigour and energy,” explained Bob Shop CEO Craig Lubbe.

The key elements of the original Bob Shop brand have been retained, but have been refreshed to update the Bob Shop story. The new-look site introduces full-functionality on both mobile devices or desktop computers, making it a more inclusive online shopping experience. “Most people access Bob Shop from their phones, or switch between phones and computers, so it is important to give them a consistent experience,” emphasised Lubbe.

Lubbe stressed that the rebranding went much deeper than simple cosmetic changes: “This is the fulfilment of our wish to better communicate our unique value proposition and brand promise,” he outlined. “The responsive site is immediately recognisable as Bob Shop, but the cleaner, less cluttered look really talks to how friendly and approachable we are.”

Anne-Marie Green, Bob Shop Marketing Manager, explained: “The new brand gives people a better feel for what we do, and what we stand for. As well as being a great online auction site, Bob Shop lists new, premium products such as the latest smartphones and TVs on a buy-now basis. Our new branding highlights the many choices we offer to buyers”.
Over the last 20 years, Bob Shop has regularly upgraded the functionality, speed and versatility of its site, while holding true to its promise to provide a welcoming online destination that enables sellers and buyers to trade directly at fixed prices or by using the online auction format.

Sellers on Bob Shop can increase their profitability, reach and sales thanks to marketing support and the ability to optimise prices. Buyers benefit from great deals on a vast selection of new and second-hand products, from collectibles to cutting-edge gadgets.

“Our buyers can choose whether to bid, buy, or make an offer to the seller. They can also select how to pay for their purchases and how they want them delivered,” emphasised Green. “Our site is about more than simply buying and selling products: it helps people to connect and grow through shared experiences,” she added.

The new Bob Shop branding expresses this sense of community. The company sees the adoption of a consistent, focused look and feel as a further opportunity to innovate and to meaningfully connect with users. Following this update, the company will focus on improving the selling experience for its merchants, working towards end-to-end shipping integration and standardising payments across the platform. CEO Craig Lubbe concluded by saying that “We always look on the bright side of life – we’re positive, optimistic and excited about the future, and the new Bob Shop brand really shows this”.