A 700% sales increase through digital apps in Africa
Despite the unparalleled health crisis facing many retail markets in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, Holcim recorded a 4 strong volume increase of cement bag sales during the second half course of 2020 compared to the previous year. Digital solutions have been instrumental in this success, as they are helping to satisfy the strong housing demand that is being driven by a growing middle class, while maintaining social distancing and guaranteeing safety standards.
Retail, a growing market driven by a growing middle class
The retail business represents more than 60 of total cement volumes sold at Holcim. In Africa and the Middle East, the adoption of our Lead Retail app has surged over the last year from 5 countries in 2019 to 13 today, reaching a 700 annual sales increase. Our mobile app helps customers place orders, track deliveries, and check balances in real-time. Uganda is at the forefront of digitalization, with over 90 of all sales completed via the mobile app. In Egypt and Nigeria the in-app ordering rates is now above 80 of total bag sales.
Innovation never stops
To further drive digitalization, we actively test mobile payment, microcredit, wallet and delivery solutions. Our Zambia division's partnerships with Afridelivery and Tigmoo, two local e-commerce and last-mile delivery companies, allow homeowners and contractors to order cement on their mobile and have their orders delivered directly to their premises in less than two hours.
