Personal shopping businesses flourish in busy economy

Under the partnership, customers can place orders via phone calls or HomeRun’s web page.

The firm delivers the goods and accepts payments either in cash or through mobile money services.

For the delivery service, consumers pay 10 per cent of the shopping value for goods over Sh4,000.

For goods below that amount, a flat rate of Sh400 is charged.

While analysts say that the delivery firms could benefit from partnerships with more retail and service firms, they also say some retail firms are scared of losing out on impulse shopping.

For instance, people who shop directly are prone to add more items to their shopping carts than would be the case if the shopping is done buy a professional under instructions.

The personal shopping service is part of a wider personal errands market that analysts say has emerged as a result of increased disposable incomes and changing lifestyles that has made more people willing to pay for convenience for life’s daily needs.