WGSN's director of retail and buying Sara Maggioni presented a spring/summer 2019 trend forecast at Source Africa 2018, which was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town from 20-21 June 2018. 25 Jun 2018
Factory of the Year launched at this year's Manufacturing Indaba. A benchmarking competition that recognises manufacturing excellence, Factory of the Year has been running since 1992 in 30 countries across the globe, including Germany, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), with over 2 000 factories participating. 25 Jun 2018
With its multiple effect, manufacturing is the one sector in the economy that has the potential to create the jobs the country needs so desperately. But the industry is under threat and has declined. 25 Jun 2018
This year's East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, themed 'Home is Where the Heart is', is set to take place from 29 June to 8 July at the Durban Exhibition Centre in KZN. The annual event will provide trend-driven inspiration from local décor experts for timeless spaces that are centred on providing comfort and practicality, while emphasising individuality. 22 Jun 2018
Cape Town e-commerce startup, Dorp (Digital Online Retail Products), has launched its reimagined version of the classic South African Veldskoen leather walking shoe in the UK and Europe. 22 Jun 2018
WINDHOEK, Namibia - The Namibia Trade Forum (NTF) is currently working on two projects to boost retail access of locally manufactured goods. These projects entail a feasibility study on establishing a Barcode Centre as well as a Supplier Development Programme in Namibia. 22 Jun 2018
Serial entrepreneur Inge Peacock has always been passionate about running a business that helps people look and feel their best; initially working in fashion and now through GlamIt, an importer, distributor and online retailer of premium-quality haircare products. 22 Jun 2018
E-commerce retailers grew their share of the South African technical consumer goods market by 52% in 2017, accounting for 6.9% of total consumer spending by rand value for the year. This means they have nearly doubled their share of the market since 2015, according to research from GfK South Africa. 21 Jun 2018
Inside a warehouse located in the small town of Andover, England, more than 1,000 robots seamlessly navigate around a three-storey-high aluminium grid packing groceries for online shoppers. This high-tech customer fulfillment centre belongs to online grocer Ocado, who claims the system could revolutionise online retail. 21 Jun 2018
Global modest fashion brand, Haute-Elan, has marked its entry into the South African market with a pop-up boutique in Artem Galleria in Sea Point set to run until 18 December 2018 - with plans to launch flagship stores at a later date. 21 Jun 2018
"The problem with the term 'experiential' is that everything is an experience. Queuing for forty-five minutes at the Post Office is an experience, and a memorable one to boot, but it's probably not something to be held up as an example of best practice.
Shoppers want engaging spaces that they can relate to, that make them feel a part of a community, that show them some respect...Genuine hospitality you might call it, and it should certainly be at the very top of every retailer's list of priorities." - Howard Saunders, Retail Futurist 21 Jun 2018
Maponya Mall
Despite the challenging economy, South African townships have become hubs for big brand developments in retail. According to Lemok Group founder and chief executive officer Lebogang Mokubela, the township retail market is a force of its own and should not be overlooked or underestimated. 21 Jun 2018
Mobile point-of-sale devices will account for almost 1 in 4 POS transactions by 2023, according to a new study from Juniper Research. The adoption of mPOS (mobile point-of-sale) devices connecting wirelessly or via mobile devices, such as those from iZettle and Square, will drive annual mPOS transactions to over 87 billion by 2023. This will represent a threefold increase over an estimated 28 billion transactions in 2018. 20 Jun 2018
Woolworths has partnered with national non-profit organisation (NPO), FoodForward SA to increase access to food across the country. The new partnership, which includes a R3 million commitment over the next three years, will focus on increasing the organisation's capacity to re-distribute the edible, surplus food it collects from producers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. This equates to FoodForward SA being able to deliver an additional 1.2 million meals per year to the needy. 20 Jun 2018
The fruit juice industry is currently in a relatively healthy state, both locally and globally, with many opportunities presenting themselves for manufacturers and producers despite the challenges within the industry. 20 Jun 2018
Immigrants working for food delivery companies like Uber Eats, MrD Food, and OrderIn as independent contractors say they are exploited. Often they use their own motorbikes, pay their own insurance and may earn as little as R15 a delivery. 20 Jun 2018
South African kitchen and homeware store Yuppiechef is set to open its second physical store on 1 July 2018 in Gardens Shopping Centre in the Cape Town CBD. The new store launches just nine months after the first brick-and-mortar Yuppiechef store opened in Willowbridge, Tyger Valley, Cape Town. 20 Jun 2018
Falke South Africa has teamed up with two prominent MTB events, the Fedhealth MTB Challenge and the Origin of Trails two-day MTB Experience, extending its mountain biking footprint in the Western Cape. 19 Jun 2018
Gone are the days of customer service consisting of treating buyers with common courtesy. Customer service has been disrupted by an expectation of a total customer experience that is dictated by the customer, not company policies. 19 Jun 2018
Spree and Superbalist, two of South Africa's most popular online fashion retailers, will merge into a single platform, Media24 and Takealot.com announced today. The new venture will be held 51% by Media24, Spree's current shareholders, while Takealot Group will own 49% of the venture. 18 Jun 2018
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