The USA's National Retail Federation's venerable retail trade publication, Stores magazine, announced the results of its 2008 Top 100 Retailers Study in July. 4 Aug 2008
Despite a tight consumer environment, retailer Clicks' roll-out of pharmacies in its health and beauty stores is continuing apace. The retailer yesterday launched its 150th in-store pharmacy with the opening of a dispensing section in its Hyde Park store. Another five to six stores are set to be opened within the next month, before the company's financial year-end. 1 Aug 2008
Having positioned itself as one of the biggest retailers of pre-paid cellular products in South Africa, PEP is now opening its first stand-alone cellular stores. The first PEPcell store opens on 31 July 2008 in Khayelitsha; the second store opens in Parow Centre on 1 August; the third store opens in Nyanga on 15 August. 31 Jul 2008
Furniture retailer JD Group says it has acquired 5.42 million ordinary shares, equivalent to 3% of its issued share capital, for a total consideration of R217.2 million in the open market. 29 Jul 2008
Trendsetter Paul van der Spuy, winner of multiple fashion awards and the creator of the legendary Frank B. Ernest and Wylde Oscar clothing stores, has now launched bluecollarwhitecollar, a bespoke shirt shop in Cape Town. 21 Jul 2008
Hardware Warehouse (HWWH), a retailer of low-cost building materials, has acquired two new stores, bringing the chain's total to 16. The two new stores are in Queenstown and Gonubie. 15 Jul 2008
A leading clothing retailer has been found guilty of racism and will have to fork out thousands of rands in compensation to a disgruntled customer. 14 Jul 2008
Mass retailer Massmart, home to Makro, Game and Builders Warehouse, reports that sales in the 12 months to June had grown to R89,8bn, bolstered by an extra week in the year. 11 Jul 2008
The National Prosecuting Authority has revealed that New Clicks Holdings trading as Musica has been found guilty of trading in counterfeit goods, in a matter that was successfully prosecuted by the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU). 10 Jul 2008
Shoprite says for the 12 months to end June it increased total turnover by 22,3% to about R47,7bn. 7 Jul 2008
Retailers will have to undergo a change in “lifestyle” to make it through the tightening economic cycle, commentators say. Cost cuts and risk reviews are in order. 4 Jul 2008
Twenty-four retailers operating at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga have been nominated for national awards in the new annual Retail Revolution competition, it was announced at the official ceremony held at the shopping centre yesterday, 2 July 2008. The competition covers some 2,000 shops in major retail complexes managed by Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments. 3 Jul 2008
Keeping in constant touch with advertising and marketing developments is a necessity within the global retail and general marketing industry. With this in mind, I attended the annual Food Marketing Institute's FMI Show, which was held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA at the beginning of May 2008. Whilst in Vegas, I decided to visit some of the supermarket brands operating in and around this city. 2 Jul 2008
The Pick n Pay Pharmacy in the new Woodmead Hypermarket recently launched a new concept of a primary care clinic. As a departure from the conventional pharmacy clinic, the retailer has partnered with the Medical Nutritional Institute and a pathology group, Drs. Du Buisson, Bruinette and Kramer, to create a range of services. 20 Jun 2008
Small retail businesses are expected to close shop during the course of the year along with job losses in the banking sector as a result of depressed trade conditions. 18 Jun 2008
The business has failed to achieve its targets, says Bertelsmann, which is both a book publisher and retailer as well as a major music and TV investor. 18 Jun 2008
Auctions on eBay aren't going the way of the dinosaur, but they're being overshadowed by fixed-price sales, and eBay sellers who use the traditional auction structure are facing higher fees. These changes are forcing eBay sellers to rethink their approach to their online businesses. 9 Jun 2008
Interest income, card charges, key to overall results. 3 Jun 2008
Oil prices climbed to more than $130 per barrel last week and US consumers (and around the world as well), many of whom have dramatically altered their everyday activities due to increased prices, are definitely feeling the impact. 2 Jun 2008
Lewis does not “upfront” its furniture revenues and therefore has no intention of changing its accounting policies as other major retailers have done, CEO Alan Smart was at pains to explain at the results presentation last week. 30 May 2008