Qnet, a global e-commerce-based direct-selling company, has launched in South Africa.
The move is expected to create income-generation opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly for the country’s youth and women.
From its new Sandton, Johannesburg-based office, the company looks to provide local customers and entrepreneurs with access to its range of products through its online shopping platform.
Billing itself as one of Asia’s leading direct-selling companies, it says it offers health, wellness, personal care, home living and jewellery products that enable people to live better lives.
Since inception 25 years ago, its business model allows individuals, specifically women, to start their businesses and earn an income by selling its products.
It also allows anyone committed to running their own online retail business from anywhere in the world to leverage the company's product offerings, sales tools and support services.
Qnet is headquartered in Hong Kong and has a presence in more than 25 countries worldwide through subsidiaries, branch offices, agency partnerships and franchisees.
According to the company, Qnet is a member of the Direct Selling Association in several countries, which includes the Hong Kong Health Food Association and Health Supplements Industry Association of Singapore.
"Qnet has been in Asia for 25 years and in Africa for over 20 years now,” says Biram Fall, regional GM of Qnet's Sub-Saharan Africa region.
“South Africa is a country where e-commerce is booming. Qnet is committed to building a positive social impact beyond its business and has a strong corporate social responsibility focused on education, disaster relief and environmental sustainability.
“Our company's user-friendly interface and training resources make it easy for customers and entrepreneurs to start and quickly grow their businesses.”
Sellers on the platform make a commission from each product sold. They are provided with product and marketing training, with support from mentors and up-lines to guide and assist them on their journey, notes Qnet.
According to the World Federation of Direct-Selling Associations, the direct-selling industry in SA generated over $2.2 billion in retail sales in 2020, with over 1.7 million independent representatives actively selling products.
"With Qnet's launch in South Africa, the direct-selling industry is expected to grow further, creating even more opportunities for entrepreneurs to distribute unique products, earn income and contribute to the local economy,” says Fall.
“Direct-selling has also been shown to provide flexible time management, self-development through training and promoting entrepreneurship skills, particularly among women and youth, who comprise a significant portion of the industry's independent representatives.”
The company has worked with several international organisations to support various causes, such as Qnet's FinGreen financial literacy programme, peer-to-peer educational training in Nigeria and an ongoing collaboration with the ANOPA Project in Ghana, to leverage sports as an education medium for youth with disabilities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The company says it is planning to continue its social impact initiatives in SA.
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