What is the Makro Marketplace?
Makro.co.za — part of the Massmart/Walmart group — operates an online marketplace that allows third-party sellers to list and sell products alongside Makro's own stock. With millions of existing Makro customers who trust the brand, getting your products listed on Makro can give your business significant exposure.
Makro's marketplace covers categories including electronics, appliances, home & garden, office supplies, sporting goods, and groceries.
Who Can Sell on Makro?
Makro's marketplace is primarily aimed at registered South African businesses. To be eligible, you need:
- A registered South African company (PTY Ltd, CC, or sole proprietor with ID)
- A valid VAT registration number (required for most categories)
- A track record of product availability and reliable fulfilment
- Products that meet Makro's quality and compliance standards
Makro tends to work with established sellers rather than individual hobbyists — they look for consistent stock availability and professional operations.
Step 1: Apply to Become a Makro Marketplace Seller
The application process involves:
- Visiting makro.co.za and navigating to the Marketplace Seller section
- Submitting your company registration documents, VAT certificate, and banking details
- Providing a product catalogue overview — categories you intend to sell in
- Agreeing to Makro's seller terms and commission structure
The review process can take 2–4 weeks. Makro may also conduct a brief interview or verification call to assess your business.
Step 2: Commission and Fee Structure
Like most marketplaces, Makro charges a success fee (commission) on each sale:
- Commission rates typically range from 5% to 20% depending on category
- Electronics and tech tend to have lower commissions (5–8%)
- Clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products attract higher commissions (15–20%)
- Additional charges may apply for fulfilment if using Makro's logistics
Always confirm the exact commission schedule in your seller agreement before pricing your products.
Step 3: List Your Products
Makro supports both single product uploads and bulk catalogue imports. For bulk listings, you'll use their Excel template which includes:
- Product name, brand, and category
- Barcode (EAN/UPC) — mandatory
- Product images (hosted URLs or direct upload)
- Pricing (selling price including VAT)
- Stock quantity
- Product description and key attributes
Image requirements: Minimum 800×800px, preferably on a white background. Makro has strict quality standards and will reject listings with poor images.
Step 4: Fulfilment Options
Self-Fulfilment
Most Makro marketplace sellers fulfil orders from their own warehouse or shop. When an order is placed, you receive a notification, pick and pack the item, and arrange courier delivery to the customer. You must dispatch within 1–2 business days and provide a tracking number.
Makro Fulfilment
In some cases, Makro may offer warehouse and fulfilment services for high-volume sellers. This operates similarly to Amazon FBA — your stock sits in Makro's facilities and they handle shipping. Availability varies by category and seller volume.
Step 5: Pricing Your Products on Makro
Makro customers are value-conscious — they're often comparing prices across Makro, Takealot, Checkers, and other retailers. Your pricing needs to be competitive while still covering:
- Cost of goods
- Makro commission fee
- Shipping/fulfilment costs
- Returns provision (estimate 3–6%)
- Your desired margin
Use a simple formula: Minimum selling price = (Cost + Fulfilment) ÷ (1 - Commission%) then add your margin on top.
Tips for Succeeding on Makro
- Stock reliability matters most: Makro is strict about cancellations. Cancelling orders due to stockouts damages your account standing
- Competitive pricing: Use price-comparison tools to monitor competitors across Makro, Takealot, and other platforms
- High-quality images: Products with professional photos consistently outperform those with amateur photography
- Complete product data: Fill in every available attribute field — Makro's search algorithm rewards complete product listings
- Respond quickly: Customer service queries need fast responses — late replies affect your seller rating
Keep Your Inventory Sharp with Online POS
Adding Makro to your existing sales mix means more orders to track and more stock to manage. The risk of overselling or running out of stock increases with every new channel you add.
Online POS gives you a central inventory management system — track stock levels, set reorder points, and auto-generate purchase orders so you never run dry. And if you sell on Takealot alongside Makro, our Takealot integration syncs your stock and pricing automatically, while the Auto-Repricing Engine keeps your Takealot listings competitive and profitable around the clock. Start your free trial today.
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