eBucks has experienced its most profitable month ever with over R10million worth of eBucks spent in November alone. This signals a bumper 2004 festive season ahead and also illustrates that online shopping is increasingly becoming a significant alternative to traditional shopping.

Lezanne Human, CEO of eBucks comments, "We have experienced a very positive 2004 with sales doubling that of 2003. And now we have seen our most active month ever with more than 100% increase from R5.2m spent in November 2003 to R10.4m spent in November this year. If our sales are anything to go by, then online shopping in South Africa is growing very positively. "Overall, the advantages of online shopping have allowed this channel to boom worldwide, as more people realise the associated benefits such as ease of payment and delivery, shopping convenience and range of product choice available without the stress of shopping crowds."

A particular benefit for eBucks members is the secure online payment solution that is in place with the 14 eBucks' online shopping partners. This facility enables members to pay for goods online without divulging any financial details such as Credit Card information.

Spending patterns show that shopping vouchers for retailers such as Makro and Woolworths, LOTTO tickets, airtime and home entertainment products remain the most popular, however members have displayed an appetite for a diverse range of products including the travel options provided by the fully-staffed eBucks travel desk.

The eBucks online shopping partners are also reporting positive take up and activity, such as kalahari.net, who since launching with eBucks in March this year has become eBucks' most utilised online shopping partner.

"The recently launched eBucks Card is another spend channel that positively contributed positive to the excellent numbers for November. Even though more people are becoming comfortable with online shopping they still enjoy the choice of spending in the world of 'bricks and mortar'." With the eBucks Card, members are able to earn and spend eBucks through a number of lifestyle partner stores such as Look & Listen, The Golfers Club and GardenShop. Since launching in June this year more than 50 000 cards are currently being used with some partners reporting basket sizes of eBucks members doubling in value compared to non-eBucks members.

"We have had a very exciting year with many new partners joining the programme, a member base that keeps on growing and more of them spending the eBucks they've earned through all our spend channels. We are excited to see the total results of this festive season as well as an even more successful 2005," concludes Human.

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.