Hobby & Leisure market in South Africa

The South African Hobby & Leisure eCommerce market is predicted to reach US$748.3 million by 2024 and accounts for 19.9% of the total eCommerce market in South Africa. It is expected to increase over the next years. The expected compound annual growth rate for the next four years (CAGR 2024-2028) will be 12.5%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$1,199.3 million by 2028. Within the Hobby & Leisure market ECDB considers the following twelve sub-markets: Media, Sports Equipment, Pet Supplies, Stationery, Crafts & Art Supplies, Toys, Bullion & Precious Metal, Camping & Adventure, Musical Instruments, Flowers & Gifts, Other Hobby & Leisure, Erotic & Adult, and Smoking Supplies.

Monthly revenues

Monthly eCommerce revenues in the South African Hobby & Leisure market

The monthly eCommerce revenue of the South African Hobby & Leisure market was US$61 million in October 2024. This refers to a growth of 0.6% compared to September 2024. Within the last 12 months, the monthly revenue share was the highest in January 2024 with 9.3% of the total 2024 revenue of the South African Hobby & Leisure market and the lowest in February 2024 with 7.8% of the total 2024 revenue.

Revenue Last Month

US$60.9m

The eCommerce revenue grew by 0.6% from September 2024 to October 2024.

10-2024+0.6%

Monthly revenue shares in the last 12 months

in %
0-20241-20242-20243-20244-20245-20246-20247-20248-20249-202410-202411-2024
Revenue (in mUS$)0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
Monthly revenue share (in %)94.357.212.36.686.725.554.85.545.864.297.42.9

Market development

eCommerce revenue development in the Hobby & Leisure market in South Africa

The South African Hobby & Leisure eCommerce market is predicted to reach US$748.3 million by 2024 and accounts for 19.9% of the total eCommerce market in South Africa. It is expected to increase over the next years. The expected compound annual growth rate for the next four years (CAGR 2024-2028) will be 12.5%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$1,199.3 million by 2028. Within the Hobby & Leisure market ECDB considers the following twelve sub-markets: Media, Sports Equipment, Pet Supplies, Stationery, Crafts & Art Supplies, Toys, Bullion & Precious Metal, Camping & Adventure, Musical Instruments, Flowers & Gifts, Other Hobby & Leisure, Erotic & Adult, and Smoking Supplies.

eCommerce revenue development in the Hobby & Leisure market in South Africa

in million US$

eCommerce revenue growth in the Hobby & Leisure market in South Africa

in %

Net eCommerce revenue split by sub-category

in %
20202021202220232024202520262027
Revenue (in mUS$)0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
Growth (in %)80.038.863.645.552.569.666.84.6

Online share

eCommerce online share of the total Hobby & Leisure market in South Africa

The online share refers to the proportion of the retail volume that is transacted via the Internet. It includes purchases via desktop PC, tablet or smartphone, both via website or app. Only retail of physical goods is taken into account. In the South African Hobby & Leisure retail market, the online share is 5.3% and will increase by an average of 6.9% to 6.9% by 2028.

eCommerce online share of the total Hobby & Leisure market in South Africa

in %
20202021202220232024202520262027
Online share (in %)70.7%68.7%19.8%13.2%72.5%54.9%30.9%42.9%

Top stores

Top five Hobby & Leisure online stores in South Africa by net sales 2023

With sales in the South African Hobby & Leisure market, takealot.com generated a revenue of US$70.0 million in 2023, which means it is the leading online store in this market. The Hobby & Leisure ranking of South Africa is based on all online stores that generated sales in this market in 2023. Due to a country- and category-dependent approach, both national and international online stores can be part of the ranking. The graph shows a filtered revenue. It only includes national sales within the respective market.

eCommerce net sales generated in the Hobby & Leisure market in South Africa in 2023

in million US$
Filtered revenue / share
Global revenue
Growth
US$900.0m
20.7%
US$8,300.0m8.3%
US$550.0m
12.0%
US$4,600.0m12.4%
US$470.0m
3.9%
US$1,190.0m33.6%
US$430.0m
20.6%
US$2,122.0m18.0%
US$370.0m
20.7%
US$1,814.0m12.6%

Market definition

Definition of the Hobby & Leisure market

Market definition: Hobby & Leisure The category Hobby & Leisure includes the digital B2C sale of various products, such as media, pet supplies, sports equipment, and more. Not part of the category are DIY building materials, consumer electronics (e.g. game consoles, gaming laptops, gaming PCs) or personalized and customized items. All monetary figures refer to the annual gross revenue and do not factor in shipping costs.

In-scope

  • Media
  • Pet supplies
  • Toy and games
  • Sports equipment
  • Camping & adventure
  • Stationery, crafts & art supplies
  • Erotic & adult
  • Bullion & precious metal
  • Flowers & gifts
  • Musical instruments
  • Smoking supplies

Out-of-scope

  • DIY building materials
  • Consumer electronics (e.g. game consoles, gaming laptops, gaming PCs)
  • Personalized and customized items
  • Workshops and other services