The latest retail trade sales figures released by Stats SA reflect a massive increase of 95.8% from a year earlier. While this is largely attributed to last year's strict lockdown measures which affected non-essential retailers, this is the strongest increase in retail activity on record, and therefore the optimal time for retail businesses to capitalise and unlock real value from their working capital to sustain or grow their businesses. 23 Jun 2021
Ok, so we are more than a year on from the original 'family meeting' and a lot has changed. From where we live, where or rather if we go on holiday, how we socialise and how we shop. 22 Jun 2021
The informal market in South Africa is valued at R164bn per year, according to Trade Intelligence. This sector, which accounts for 30%-40% of total food spend in the country each year and is visited by 77% of the population, represents a significant opportunity for businesses that have not successfully connected their distribution to as many as 155,000 spazas, superettes, hawkers and informal traders. 22 Jun 2021
Massmart, the owner of Makro, Game and Builders Warehouse, says its localisation drive is bearing fruit with visible benefits being experienced by both the group as well as an increasing number of local suppliers. 22 Jun 2021
A new partnership between Krispy Kreme and Checkers will see Krispy Kreme doughnuts available for delivery within 60 minutes through the Sixty60 app. Shoppers will also find Krispy Kreme doughnuts available for purchase at selected Checkers stores in Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. 22 Jun 2021
UCook and Faithful to Nature (FTN), both part of the Silvertree Brands stable, have acquired fresh produce e-tailer Granadilla Eats. Through the deal, UCook and Faithful to Nature will be able to offer locally-sourced fresh produce on a much larger, national scale. 21 Jun 2021
The truth is we are not returning to normal as we knew it before Covid-19, and many South African consumers are grappling with a range of emotions as they consider what the future will look like. 21 Jun 2021
Launched in 1998, wine merchant CyberCellar was among the crop of original online retailers that led the advent of e-commerce in South Africa. Unlike many of the others, however, CyberCellar is still in business, trading under the same name and benefitting from the recent boom in online shopping driven by the Covid-19 pandemic. 21 Jun 2021
Stoli Group, a global ultra-premium spirit and wine business, has relaunched its presence in South Africa. The company's Stoli Premium Vodka is back on South African shelves after two years, and will now be imported and distributed by Firebrand Africa. 18 Jun 2021
The Covid-19 pandemic was a major disruptor for the retail sector. Practically overnight, customer buying patterns and behaviours changed, and have continued to shift ever since. 18 Jun 2021
Adidas South Africa will be opening the doors to its new 1,000m2 flagship store in Sandton City on 25 June. 18 Jun 2021
For business owners searching for growth through expansion, franchising the business affords them the opportunity to expand to new locations and grow the brand and revenue... 18 Jun 2021
Adidas Originals and the Lego Group have collaborated yet again, and are presenting a new take on the classic Superstar silhouette. Launching alongside the playful Adidas Originals Lego Superstar sneaker is a buildable Superstar Lego brick model. 17 Jun 2021
A shopper wearing a face mask waits her turn to pay for her grocery items, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) at Mall of the south, in Johannesburg, South Africa, 17 June 2020. Source: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Stats SA reports that South Africa's retail trade sales increased by 95.8% year on year in April 2021. 17 Jun 2021
South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) has issued a statement that acknowledges the government's decision to consider preserving the economic livelihoods of South Africa's citizens, but calls for greater effort to be deployed in the vaccine rollout. It also called for an explanation of the rationale behind the decision to restrict retail alcohol sales over the weekend. 17 Jun 2021
In the arid mountains of southern Morocco, local women harvest argan oil, a natural product they have long used in cooking but which has become highly prized by the global beauty industry as an anti-aging skin treatment and restorative for hair. 15 Jun 2021
Fashion retailer Zara is currently refurbishing and enlarging its flagship store at Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre in Cape Town in order to make it the brand's newest concept store in South Africa, offering a fully integrated experience with zara.com. 15 Jun 2021
With the value of online retail in South Africa topping R30bn in 2020 - and projections of R42bn in 2021 - retailers across the country are gearing up to accelerate their e-commerce and m-commerce efforts. 15 Jun 2021
Supermarkets that are privately-owned and controlled by historically disadvantaged persons (HDP) can immediately access letting space in all shopping centres where a Pick n Pay store has exclusivity provisions in its lease agreement. 15 Jun 2021
Two weeks ago, the Competition Commission stated that it recommended to the Competition Tribunal that the proposed acquisition of Burger King South Africa by private equity fund ECP Africa be prohibited. ECP Africa intended to acquire Burger King South Africa and Grand Foods Meat Plant from Grand Parade Investments. 14 Jun 2021
Let's do Biz