MNG4801
EXAM
PACK
2026
, Stuvia.com - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material
2. INTRODUCTION
This assignment examines Takealot.com’s strategic positioning and responses within
the South African e-commerce landscape. Using strategic management frameworks,
case study evidence, and academic literature, the analysis considers the company’s
corporate-level strategies, organisational structure, leadership approach, risk
environment, and competitive responses particularly in light of potential market
disruption from Amazon’s entry.
3. QUESTION 2: CORPORATE-LEVEL STRATEGIES (15 Marks)
Takealot.com has pursued multiple corporate-level strategies aimed at strengthening
and protecting its leadership in South Africa’s online retail sector.
Growth Strategies
1. Horizontal Integration – Acquisition of Mr D and Superbalist
Takealot broadened its operations by acquiring Mr Delivery and Superbalist,
integrating complementary businesses into its portfolio. According to Ansoff’s
product market growth matrix, this move falls under diversification (Hill et al.,
2020). These acquisitions enhanced the company’s logistics capabilities and
extended its reach into new customer segments.
2. Market Development – Township Economy Initiative
In partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government, Takealot invested R150
million to support township-based enterprises. This initiative represents a market
development approach, targeting previously underserved geographic and
economic markets (Takealot, 2025).
3. Product Development – TakealotMore Subscription Service
The launch of TakealotMore, a subscription-based offering modelled on services
such as Amazon Prime, illustrates a product development strategy. By bundling
benefits and services, this initiative aims to enhance customer loyalty and
increase repeat purchases (Meikle, 2024).
, Stuvia.com - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material
Defensive Strategies
1. Retrenchment Strategy (Focus on Core Business)
Takealot has focused on consolidating its three units (Takealot, Mr D,
Superbalist) to streamline offerings, which suggests a focus strategy to defend its
core (Takealot, 2025).
2. Legal and Regulatory Advocacy
Takealot’s lobbying for fair regulation to challenge Shein and Temu’s tax
advantages indicates a legal defensive strategy aimed at levelling the playing
field (McLeod, 2024).
4. QUESTION 3: ORGANISATIONAL ARCHITECTURE & DIFFERENTIATION (15
Marks)
Takealot employs a differentiation strategy, which is supported by three key
components of its organisational architecture.
1. Structure
Takealot operates as a group with three distinct business units (Takealot.com, Mr
D, Superbalist), allowing for specialised focus while leveraging shared
capabilities—supporting Galbraith’s Star Model of structural differentiation (Hill et
al., 2020).
2. Processes
Its investment in proprietary logistics (Takealot Delivery Team) ensures faster
and more reliable delivery, setting it apart from competitors like Shein and Temu
(Takealot, 2025). This supports Mintzberg’s view of logistics as a differentiator in
machine bureaucracy structures.
3. Culture
As per CEO Zietsman, Takealot’s culture emphasises innovation and trust, with
new methods of payment and delivery, crucial for differentiation (Businesstech,
2024).
, Stuvia.com - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material
Academic Source:
Ndlela, M. & Du Plessis, M. (2021). The impact of organisational design on strategic
execution. South African Journal of Business Management, 52(1), 22–34.
5. QUESTION 4: STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP (15 Marks)
A strategic leader is someone who shapes and executes long-term strategies while
aligning organisational systems to deliver on strategic objectives (Hitt et al., 2017).
Evaluation of Mr Zietsman
1. Understanding the Organisation as a System
Zietsman’s prior role in revenue growth and CEO of Takealot.com shows his
understanding of interconnected units within the Takealot Group (Takealot,
2025).
2. Creating an Integrated Organisational System
He strategically guided the group-wide integration of delivery, fashion and food
units, allowing Takealot to present a unified value proposition to customers.
3. Initiating and Leading Strategic Change
Zietsman anticipated Amazon’s arrival and proactively led initiatives like
TakealotMore and local partnerships, reflecting agility and forward thinking—key
elements of strategic leadership (Business Talk, 2024).
Thus, Zietsman exhibits strong characteristics of a strategic leader.
6. QUESTION 5: STRATEGIC RISK MANAGEMENT (15 Marks)
Identified Risks
Competitive pressure from Amazon, SHEIN, Temu, and Massmart
Regulatory gaps favoring offshore e-tailers
EXAM
PACK
2026
, Stuvia.com - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material
2. INTRODUCTION
This assignment examines Takealot.com’s strategic positioning and responses within
the South African e-commerce landscape. Using strategic management frameworks,
case study evidence, and academic literature, the analysis considers the company’s
corporate-level strategies, organisational structure, leadership approach, risk
environment, and competitive responses particularly in light of potential market
disruption from Amazon’s entry.
3. QUESTION 2: CORPORATE-LEVEL STRATEGIES (15 Marks)
Takealot.com has pursued multiple corporate-level strategies aimed at strengthening
and protecting its leadership in South Africa’s online retail sector.
Growth Strategies
1. Horizontal Integration – Acquisition of Mr D and Superbalist
Takealot broadened its operations by acquiring Mr Delivery and Superbalist,
integrating complementary businesses into its portfolio. According to Ansoff’s
product market growth matrix, this move falls under diversification (Hill et al.,
2020). These acquisitions enhanced the company’s logistics capabilities and
extended its reach into new customer segments.
2. Market Development – Township Economy Initiative
In partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government, Takealot invested R150
million to support township-based enterprises. This initiative represents a market
development approach, targeting previously underserved geographic and
economic markets (Takealot, 2025).
3. Product Development – TakealotMore Subscription Service
The launch of TakealotMore, a subscription-based offering modelled on services
such as Amazon Prime, illustrates a product development strategy. By bundling
benefits and services, this initiative aims to enhance customer loyalty and
increase repeat purchases (Meikle, 2024).
, Stuvia.com - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material
Defensive Strategies
1. Retrenchment Strategy (Focus on Core Business)
Takealot has focused on consolidating its three units (Takealot, Mr D,
Superbalist) to streamline offerings, which suggests a focus strategy to defend its
core (Takealot, 2025).
2. Legal and Regulatory Advocacy
Takealot’s lobbying for fair regulation to challenge Shein and Temu’s tax
advantages indicates a legal defensive strategy aimed at levelling the playing
field (McLeod, 2024).
4. QUESTION 3: ORGANISATIONAL ARCHITECTURE & DIFFERENTIATION (15
Marks)
Takealot employs a differentiation strategy, which is supported by three key
components of its organisational architecture.
1. Structure
Takealot operates as a group with three distinct business units (Takealot.com, Mr
D, Superbalist), allowing for specialised focus while leveraging shared
capabilities—supporting Galbraith’s Star Model of structural differentiation (Hill et
al., 2020).
2. Processes
Its investment in proprietary logistics (Takealot Delivery Team) ensures faster
and more reliable delivery, setting it apart from competitors like Shein and Temu
(Takealot, 2025). This supports Mintzberg’s view of logistics as a differentiator in
machine bureaucracy structures.
3. Culture
As per CEO Zietsman, Takealot’s culture emphasises innovation and trust, with
new methods of payment and delivery, crucial for differentiation (Businesstech,
2024).
, Stuvia.com - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material
Academic Source:
Ndlela, M. & Du Plessis, M. (2021). The impact of organisational design on strategic
execution. South African Journal of Business Management, 52(1), 22–34.
5. QUESTION 4: STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP (15 Marks)
A strategic leader is someone who shapes and executes long-term strategies while
aligning organisational systems to deliver on strategic objectives (Hitt et al., 2017).
Evaluation of Mr Zietsman
1. Understanding the Organisation as a System
Zietsman’s prior role in revenue growth and CEO of Takealot.com shows his
understanding of interconnected units within the Takealot Group (Takealot,
2025).
2. Creating an Integrated Organisational System
He strategically guided the group-wide integration of delivery, fashion and food
units, allowing Takealot to present a unified value proposition to customers.
3. Initiating and Leading Strategic Change
Zietsman anticipated Amazon’s arrival and proactively led initiatives like
TakealotMore and local partnerships, reflecting agility and forward thinking—key
elements of strategic leadership (Business Talk, 2024).
Thus, Zietsman exhibits strong characteristics of a strategic leader.
6. QUESTION 5: STRATEGIC RISK MANAGEMENT (15 Marks)
Identified Risks
Competitive pressure from Amazon, SHEIN, Temu, and Massmart
Regulatory gaps favoring offshore e-tailers
