On a global scale, concentrate offers a wide variety of beverage options to consumers. This coupled with rising consumer health-consciousness, longer shelf life and the cost-effectiveness of concentrates in comparison to other soft drink options is set to continue fuelling the demand for concentrates globally and in South Africa. However, with the ever-looming Sugar Tax now also imposed on this market sector, it remains to be seen whether concentrates will continue to thrive in South Africa. 9 Jul 2018
Banks and retailers are increasingly adopting tap and go or contactless card payments and consumers, who have access to the technology-enabled cards, are benefitting from the efficiency and ease that it offers. However, there is not much insight on how banks are mitigating the risks of these payments. 9 Jul 2018
Whether you are a retailer, brand or manufacturer, the need to proactively manage social compliance issues in your supply chain has never been greater. Social compliance matters first and foremost because it's the moral way to run a company, but the business benefits cannot be ignored either. 6 Jul 2018
In today's consumer landscape, customers can shop from anywhere at any time. The proliferation of technology-driven purchasing means retailers are expected to keep up with the always-connected, digital-savvy shoppers. This demographic expects seamless and rapid purchasing 24/7 - as well as delivery within a two-hour window. 6 Jul 2018
Twenty-nine (29) African entrepreneurs have completed the two-week eFounders Fellowship programme in China, an initiative run by Alibaba and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to support African entrepreneurs succeed in the digital economy. 6 Jul 2018
AGT Foods Africa has announced that it will soon be hopping on the superfoods trend with the launch of its own line of superfoods, namely: maca root, cacao powder and nibs, camu camu powder, baobab fruit powder, black quinoa, hemp hearts and pearl couscous. 5 Jul 2018
Amid a downturn in global toy sales, Australia's Toys 'R' Us stores going into voluntary administration and closure of the firm's American and UK arms, a quiet revolution is under way in the toy world. The gendered distinctions of the infamous pink and blue toy aisles are starting to break down. 5 Jul 2018
The announcement by Tesco and Carrefour that they will enter into a long-term, strategic alliance is the latest in a series of consolidation between the major grocery retailers in Western Europe. The Alliance will cover the strategic relationship with global suppliers, the joint purchasing of own brand products and goods not for resale. It will be governed by a three-year operational framework. 5 Jul 2018
Business opportunities exhibition Global Trade Show of Networking and Matchmaking South Africa 2018 (GTS2018) is back for a second year. The three-day event will take place from 27 to 29 July at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. 5 Jul 2018
Packaged food brand Rhodes Quality has teamed up with celebrity chef and food stylist, Zola Nene, for its latest online campaign. The 'For the Love of Winter' campaign will run from the beginning of July to the end of August and will see one lucky R100,000 grand prize winner and weekly winners of R5,000 each. 4 Jul 2018
When mobile phones hit the market in South Africa around 1994, there was a sentiment by many that, having lived life quite effectively without these devices, they simply did not need one. For many, they were seen as a gimmick suitable only for a flashy consumer. Businesses, however, soon embraced the technology realising just how effective these tools were, especially for their sales reps who previously had to rely on pagers. 4 Jul 2018
What really counts is money. It is why people are in business and for franchisers, this means guiding their franchisee on the franchise runway to achieving their goals. 4 Jul 2018
In an effort to cut down on single use plastic and address the plastic shopping bag problem endemic to the entire planet, but especially to places close to rivers and the sea, Spar in the Western Cape and Namibia have actively re-aligned themselves even more assertively in the fight to reduce and eventually stop the sale of plastic shopping bags. 4 Jul 2018
People connect differently and define an emotional connection differently, so while an emotional connection builds consumer trust and sales growth, it is a difficult connection to achieve. 4 Jul 2018
Pick n Pay is experimenting with compostable bags as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags. To mark International Plastic Bag Free Day and as part of its efforts to reduce plastic waste, the retailer performed a one-day trial at its V&A Waterfront store to gauge customer reaction. The trial is intended to inform further industry discussions on alternatives to plastic bags. 3 Jul 2018
The world is in a grip of an entrepreneurial revolution, and with African startups raising in excess of $200 million in 2017, it's clear that the culture of innovation is alive and well on our continent. 3 Jul 2018
American whiskey exporters are showing new interest in South Africa as an export destination. American whiskey imports to South Africa grew by more than 17% from 2016 to 2017, from $8.9 million to over $10.5 million last year. 3 Jul 2018
The signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement by President Ramaphosa on 1 July, at the 31st African Union Summit in Mauritania, is considered a significant step towards increased intra-African trade and growth in regional value chains on the continent. 3 Jul 2018
The exponential rise of disruptive technology trends has added a new dimension to consumer expectations. Connectivity is now one of the most critical differentiators and businesses have no choice but to provide customers with internet connectivity while they are onsite. 2 Jul 2018
At TFG 60% of our shoppers use mobile phones to shop and browse our sites, with over 44% of all checkouts taking place on a mobile device, up significantly from the previous year. While retailers need to be geared for mobile, it is only a part of the shopping journey in South Africa. Omnichannel is where it is at. 2 Jul 2018
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