Question 5 (Marks: 30) Read the extract below based on TakeA

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Question 5 (Marks:30)
Read the extract below based on TakeALot.com and answer thequestions that follow.
Takealot.com was officially launched in June 2011, following thesuccessful acquisition of an existing eCommerce business calledTake2 by the US‐based investment firm, Tiger Global Management andKim Reid in October 2010. Today, takealot.com is the leadingeCommerce retailer in South Africa and one of the largest, mostinnovative eCommerce retailers on the African continent. Thebusiness was initiated with a simple vision in mind: To be thelargest, simplest, and most customer‐centric online shoppingdestination in Africa. It has rapidly evolved since inception,opening and expanding warehouses in Johannesburg, Durban and CapeTown, while expanding department selection to over 21 departmentsacross Electronics, Lifestyle, Media & Gaming and Fashion. Fortakealot.com, 2014 was a truly pivotal year with the announcementof a $100m investment from Tiger Global. This was quickly followedby the purchase of Mr Delivery – which gave the businessownership over its own logistics network through the TakealotDelivery Team division (formerly Mr D Courier) and its ownapp‐based on‐demand food delivery service through the Mr D Fooddivision. The same year saw the successful acquisition ofSuperbalist.com, a curated design and fashion website, andculminated in the announcement that Naspers‐owned Kalahari.comwould be merging businesses with takealot.com – building thepremier online shopping destination in Africa. The merge wassuccessfully completed on 1 May 2015 when all Kalahari customeraccounts were successfully transferred to takealot.com. Now,takealot.com is South Africa’s largest, most innovative ecommerceretailer, with over 2000 employees. At the core of everything we dois our customer. We are passionate about providing great customerexperiences, beginning with the moment you land on our site or app,until the product you order is delivered safely into yourhands.
Q.5.1 Services have very identifiable characteristics. In yourown words, discuss any three characteristics of services inrelation to Takealot.com. (15)
Q.5.2 Suppose you have a newly booming culinary business basedin the heart of Johannesburg. As a result, you want to make use ofMr. Delivery’s services to deliver your home‐cooked meals to thesurrounding areas. Use the guidelines for purchasing services andexplain how you would use these guidelines to assist you in youruse of Mr. Delivery’s services. Note: You are to discuss atleast three guidelines.