Bob Shop, part of Bob, a leading South African ecommerce and fintech company, marks a major milestone this month: its 26th anniversary. Founded in August 1999 as the consumer-to-consumer auction site bidorbuy, Bob Shop is South Africa’s original marketplace where people can buy and sell, bid or buy on both new and pre-loved items.

Initially built on a foundation of online auctions and hard-to-find collectables, the platform still provides a trading model that enables both retailers and hobbyists to sell everything from consumer electronics to collectables in fixed-price and auction formats. “We were the first, and for a long time the only marketplace in South Africa, with online R1, no-reserve auctions,” says Craig Lubbe, Head of Marketplace at Bob.

While online auctions still have a loyal following, the marketplace has changed profoundly. Today, about 80% of the merchandise is brand-new and sold at a fixed price. The platform offers a wide range of products, from smartphones to car parts and even clothing, says Lubbe.

A strategic rebrand and renewed focus

Bob Shop is currently undergoing a brand refresh to align it more closely with the Bob parent brand and its sister services: Bob Pay, Bob Go, and Bob Box. This strategic move aims to form South Africa’s first seamless ecosystem of online services for both individuals and online businesses.

As part of this evolution, Bob Shop is introducing a number of technological improvements. These include new tools to make it easier for individuals to list and sell items, as well as AI-driven ones to streamline item listings and improve search results, ensuring a better experience for both sellers and shoppers.

“The past 26 years have seen rapid user growth and our product offering has expanded into the millions,” says Lubbe. “Our tech innovations have enabled South Africans to transact, grow businesses, and ultimately create a brighter future for over a generation. We are busy with exciting stuff and we look forward to our next chapter in driving local ecommerce.”