GIFTYZE is the brainchild of two friends Mr Alson Moyo and Miss Nobuhle Ncube, who came together to combine their hobbies, which are the love for technology and gifts. Thus, Giftyze was born as a platform that affords convenience and variety to consumers both locally and abroad.
According to a Giftyze statement, the business is done through having an online presence and through collaboration with existing brick and mortar gift shops in order to service customers.
“So far, the company mostly services the Bulawayo market, dabbling in both the individual and corporate market segments,” the statement read.
Vision
To become the preferred online store for all things gifts and have a footprint across Africa and the global village by 2025.
Mission
Mastering the art of personalization
Core Values
We are strong believers in the words of Pierre Corneille, ‘the manner of giving is worth more than the gift’, and thus our operations are embedded in the foundation of always striving for excellence and quality in all our services.
Our team is committed to supplying its clients with the finest, high-quality products that meet their specifications and budgets.
Our corporate philosophy holds us to the highest ethical conduct in all our business dealings, treatment of team members, and social and environmental policies.
Services
We offer the following services:
- Gift sourcing, customization and wrapping
- Gift baskets, hampers, packages and flowers
- Experience gifts bookings [baby/bridal/groom showers, proposals, dates and picnics etc]
- Online shop boasting of local designer wares
- Gift registries
- Gift deliveries
Milestones
- April 2019 – Opened our doors to the public
- May 2019 – Website goes live
- August 2020 – Scored first major corporate client contract
- December 2019 – Achieved highest number of sales since inception
- February 2020 – Achieved highest sales ever recorded in a day
- April 2020 – Began collaborations with local designers
- October 2020 – Finalizing plans to hold official launch
Challenges
We have not been spared from the ravages of the Corona virus pandemic which put a halt to our operations and thus compromised our cash flows. As a start-up, the worst thing that could ever happen to any small business happened and it left us struggling, but we are hoping to recover soon.
Moreover, the current economic situation in the country is very dire and people have low disposable incomes which is not good news for us as gifting is very much considered a luxury item and therefore not within the reach of the ordinary citizen.
Also, the changes in monetary policies makes it difficult for us to manage our FCA accounts especially with regards to our clients who are abroad. Requiring the expertise of accountants which we as a start-up cannot afford as all our efforts are focused on marketing.
The future of Gift ZW
Giftyze aims to become a household name in the gifting industry. To do that we are currently courting investors to fund the next phase of our journey. We will be holding a launch sometime in the next three months and then from there expand our reach into Harare and Victoria Falls by next year and God willing extend to the rest of the country thereafter.