5 E-commerce Platforms That Sell Holiday Packages in Ethiopia

In recent years, holiday packages have become increasingly popular in Ethiopia. By offering an array of holiday products as part of a package deal, sellers are able to cater to the needs and preferences of shoppers while simultaneously increasing their chances of making a sale.

At the same time, shoppers are increasingly turning to these bundled offerings as they provide a hassle-free alternative to navigating the bustling markets during the holiday season.

The contents of holiday packages in Ethiopia usually feature a range of everyday items that are typically consumed during the festive period. Among the most common ingredients are chicken, eggs, cottage cheese, onions, sheep, and spices. However, some sellers go the extra mile by including more indulgent items like cakes, pastries, and even drinks to make the holiday season even more special.

Supermarkets have been at the forefront of this trend, with many of them preparing for holidays well in advance. And now that the market is gradually expanding into the e-commerce space, these offerings have also made their way into the digital realm, and are being promoted on social media and pushed as notifications on delivery apps.

As Ethiopians prepare to celebrate Fasika (Easter) following two months of fasting, we at Shega have curated a list of online platforms where individuals can easily find holiday packages and bundles that are tailored to the upcoming festivities.

1. Zmall 

Among Ethiopia’s fastest-growing e-commerce and delivery platforms, Zmall is accessible on both the Play Store and App Store. It offers food delivery services from restaurants, groceries from supermarkets, as well as beverages, flowers, and beauty products from various suppliers. By aggregating these suppliers and providing package delivery services, the platform aims to become a one-stop shop for online shopping.

For these reasons, Zmall is a convenient solution for those who want to have multiple options available. Numerous vendors in the capital sell their items on Zmall. Moreover, as these vendors also prepare and sell their holiday packages at their physical shops, Zmall has listed their offerings on the platform as well.

Zmall has introduced a dedicated category for Holiday Packages on their app, making it easy for users to locate all related packages in one place. Presently, there are four vendors offering holiday packages through the Zmall app – Fresh Corner, Savor Addis, Zeway Liquor Store, and Village.

Because of this range of sellers, buyers can find holiday items that range from basic essentials such as chicken and onions to indulgent treats such as Whiskey and cakes. For example, Fresh Corner is offering a package that includes one slaughtered chicken, 5 kg of onions, 5 eggs, and 1 kg of butter for 1979 birr.

Furthermore, Zmall provides users with the flexibility to either have their items delivered to their preferred location or opt for self-pickup. Additionally, users can choose between express or scheduled delivery options. While Zmall charges a nominal service fee for item delivery, there is no service fee for self-pickup.

2. Daily Mini Mart

The Daily Mini Mart, a grocery store located in the capital, has branches situated in Kazanchis, Bisrate Gebriel, Wossen, Bethel, Lebu, and Bole Bulbula. Recently, the store has launched an app that enables customers to easily order a vast range of products from the comfort of their homes and have them delivered at a time of their convenience.

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Daily Mini Mart offers three different packages. The first package costs 5,250 birr and includes one slaughtered sheep, one kilogram of beef meat, half a kilogram of cottage cheese, and half a kilogram of Mitmita. The second package comprises one slaughtered chicken, ten kilograms of onions, ten eggs, and other items required to make Doro Wet, priced at 1,955 birr. The final bundle includes items such as champagne, cookies, and coffee, and is available for 1,800 birr.

3. Ashewa Technologies

Ahsewa is an emerging company that operates across various digital avenues, including e-commerce, ERP, and logistics. Its e-commerce platform allows verified and trusted sellers to create their digital store.

For the upcoming Easter holiday, Ahsewa is offering a unique holiday package priced at 1,607 birr. What distinguishes Ahsewa’s offer is that it includes a three-liter bottle of edible oil instead of chicken. Moreover, Ahsewa provides free delivery for package orders.

4. Arada Mart 

Arada Mart is another player in Ethiopia’s supermarket scene that has taken its operations online. Located in 4 Kilo, it also has a website integrated with online payment options. The supermarket has one holiday package containing items designed to make Doro Wet for 930 birr, and deliveries are also available.

5.  Bole Gifts 

Bole Gifts is a new e-commerce platform catering to the Ethiopian diaspora. The platform accepts payments from Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Discover and enables Ethiopians living abroad to order items for their families and friends in Ethiopia.

For the holiday season, Bole Gifts has several packages available on its platform, with deals ranging from 65 dollars to 360 dollars, an offer which includes items such as a large sheep, two large chickens, and 10 liters of edible oil, among others.

Additional Holiday Tips 

Ethio Telecom has recently unveiled a cashback promotion for the upcoming Easter and Eid al-Fitr holidays, which offers customers a 10% refund on purchases of up to 2,500 birr made using Telebirr at select supermarkets and e-commerce platforms. The promotion will run until April 22, 2023, and customers can use the cashback refund to purchase airtime or package services.

Among the participating platforms are Zmall, Tikus Delivery, Ashewa, and Tolo Mart, providing customers with an extra incentive to shop online this holiday season.

Additionally, some platforms are also selling sheep online, with a new platform called Yazerber (Tebot Gebeya) recently launching a platform solely dedicated to selling livestock on the web.

Yazerber is an agribusiness entity that focuses on the production, branding, marketing, and distribution of livestock farm products and services. Its platform is integrated with Santim Pay, allowing for local and international payment options.