E.A.E.P ventures into online sale of its books

On the 14 th of September 2007, East African Educational Publishers (E.A.E.P) partnered with UchuuziE-market for sale of its products on the internet. This was after months of negotiations on this unique partnership that saw E.A.E.P sign a deal with Uchuuzi.biz as its authorized online partner.

The joint venture will enable E.A.E.P sell and distribute its books all over the world through an online shopping system developed and powered by Uchuuzi.biz. Over 1,800 titles will be available for sale online from the company's website www.eastafricanpublishers.com . The account based shopping system will enable book lovers and buyers purchase their favourite books, using the shopping cart system just like in a conventional supermarket, only this time, it will be on cyberspace.

“What we are selling is convenience” clarified Zack, the Team leader of Uchuuzi.biz as he gave a presentation on how the site works.

Although the Database and checkout system for all the books available online will be hosted by the Uchuuzi system, the switch will be automatic. “This changeover will be seamless as the aim is to ensure that book buyers do not get lost or confused while shopping”, clarified Mr. Njeru, the Managing Director of E.A.E.P.

The payment mode ranges from PayPal, Western Union, Credit card to cash on delivery for those living within Kenya. The checkout system is a simple straightforward that enables one enter and save information such as preferred delivery address, currency selection as well as personal information for future reference.

This venture will not only enable E.A.E.P make available its books to anyone in the world, but it will also make it convenient to select which book to read as all information that will help buyers quickly decide on their choice, the best sellers and books by either Author or genre will be available as they shop. The online shopping system will also enable the company determine buying trends by location, age, gender and theme.

“This data will enable us come up with products that are tailor made to suite our readers” asserts Njeri Wangari, in charge of market research as well as online sales.

E.A.E.P is a household name in the world of books and publishing. It became a fully Kenyan owned company in 1992 after changing its name from Heinemann (Kenya) Ltd. For over 40 years now, E.A.E.P has been publishing a wide array of books ranging from its ever popular literary collection to general and educational books.

Bestsellers like ‘The song of Lawino and Ocol', ‘A grain of wheat', ‘A Man of the people' are some of the titles that are always in demand worldwide. “What we are saying is that we can now deliver them right at your doorstep” states Kiarie Kamau, the Editorial Manager, E.A.E.P

The online system enables buyers to enter up to three physical addresses and a preferred address for delivery. Buyers in Nairobi and its environs can receive books ordered online within 6 hours from the time of payment.

With most conventional bookstores closing in the evenings, weekends and holidays, the automated online system will provide the freedom to buy a book at any day or time. E.A.E.P is promising to deliver ordered books anytime.

“This is a concept only rivaled by Amazon or E-bay, the two renowned international online stores; we are now bringing that to Africa” remarks Treza Kinoru, the company's Publicity & Promotions Executive

Uchuuzi Limited is an e-market company supported by The World Bank Group's Information for Development Program and The International Finance Corporation through The Kenya Kountry Business Incubator (KeKoBI) and IFC SME Solutions Program.

The Joint Venture was formally launched on Friday, 28th Sept 07 during the Nairobi International Book fair week at the Sarit Center in Westlands, Nairobi.

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