Online shopping in South Africa is showing healthy growth with the bulk of online retail sales processed by twelve sites according to a new report from World Wide Worx, Online Retail in South Africa 2007, which rated the eBucks shop as one of the top two major online malls in South Africa.

"Since launching the eBucks shop in 2002 (the programme itself was launched in 2000) we have continuously expanded our online offering and introduced many innovations and firsts for the rewards industry, which have contributed to the popularity of eBucks as an online destination" says Lezanne Human, eBucks CEO.

eBucks was the first and until recently was the only legal online supplier of Lotto tickets. Since first introducing Lotto subscriptions to the eBucks shop in 2003, members have spent approximately R13 million worth of eBucks on Lotto subscriptions.

Another first in South Africa was the eBucks shop's launch of virtual movie vouchers in partnership with Ster-Kinekor in November 2005. Integrating cell phone technology and online capability, virtual vouchers can be ordered through the eBucks contact centre or the eBucks shop and are delivered immediately to the member's mobile phone via SMS.

In August 2007, the eBucks shop introduced mobile content to its online shop, allowing members to buy downloads of mobile phone ringtones, backgrounds, games and full length tracks at a discounted rate with their free eBucks.

"With more than 2 000 products in the eBucks shop there is something for everyone. Some members want to spend their eBucks immediately, every month. For them vouchers, airtime, movie tickets and other items are on offer and can easily be bought with the eBucks they are allocated in a single month.

"Then there are also members who like to save up their eBucks for something special and because eBucks never expire, members can save them up to get more expensive rewards like electronics and travel," says Human.

Since inception, R960 million worth of eBucks have been allocated to members. eBucks was named as the multi-partner rewards programme that members get the most value out of in the 2007 Value in Rewards Programmes survey.

eBucks gives its members endless choice. The programme offers South Africa's widest choice of spend opportunities as well as an extensive range of spend channels. eBucks can be spent in the eBucks shop, at eBucks auctions, through eBucks travel, with eBucks' online partners or at eBucks' in-store partners with the eBucks card.

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.