HYDERABAD, INDIA: The reign of hypermarkets is under threat from a variety of sources and retailers urgently need to adapt and innovate to protect margins, finds Verdict's global arm Datamonitor Retail. 19 Apr 2011
The winners of the South African Red Meat Industry Forum's 2011 Cleaver Awards were announced on Wednesday 13 April 2011 after judging the 17 600 public nominations received via sms, a record number of nominees. Of these, 145 finalists were individually and anonymously assessed against a 212 point checklist, resulting in six national and 41 provincial winners. 15 Apr 2011
In an extension of its bid to secure a national footprint, Freshstop, opened its first store late last week in a township; Xuolo store in Khayelitsha. Described as South Africa's fastest growing 24-hour convenience offering, this was the 44th store to open in South Africa. 13 Apr 2011
Wal-Mart's planned entrance into SA should not be seen as a bad thing as it could benefit all concerned parties, according to Craig Henry, the executive director of retail services for Nielsens, a trend analysis company. 7 Apr 2011
It is now crucial that South African retailers start working on new and exciting ways of range building and development because, according to a top trend forecasting agency based in the UK, a host of top international retailers are about set foot on our shores. 7 Apr 2011
On Saturday 9 April 2011, Metcash Trading Africa will close 56 of its stores across South Africa, including Metro Cash & Carry and Trade Centres. Following the sale of its franchise division to the Shoprite Group in March 2011, its retail stores, which include Friendly, Seven Eleven and Price Club Discount Supermarket, will be assimilated into the OK Franchise division of the Shoprite group; subject to approval by the Competitions Board. 6 Apr 2011
South African retailer Edcon announced on Monday, 4 April 2011, that it raised R1.01 billion through the issue of super senior secured notes under its newly established R2.5 billion domestic medium-term note programme registered with the JSE. 5 Apr 2011
Clicks Group on Thursday announced the appointment of Michael Fleming as an executive director with effect from 31 March 2011. 1 Apr 2011
One of SA's biggest grocers, Shoprite, told I-Net Bridge/BusinessLIVE on Tuesday, 29 March 2011, that as far as it was aware there was never a formal investigation by Zambian competition authorities regarding allegations that it was threatening to delist its suppliers who entered into agreements with Pick n Pay. 30 Mar 2011
Retail group Pick n Pay announced the opening of its second store in Zambia today, 28 March 2011. The company opened its first Zambian store in Lusaka in July last year and this latest store, in Ndola, is the second of seven planned for the country over the next four years. 28 Mar 2011
WATERLOO, US: Research In Motion, based in Waterloo, in the US, has announced plans to make the highly anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook tablet available in more than 20 000 retail outlets in the US and Canada. 23 Mar 2011
A cloud lifted on Pick n Pay's troubled bid to sell its Franklins stores to Australian retailer Metcash last week when evidence emerged in court that the regulator, despite opposing the sale on the grounds it would harm competition, knew all about a rival's bid to set up a wholesale operation to challenge Metcash. 22 Mar 2011
In a quarter-on-quarter comparison between the December 2010 and September 2010 quarters, the National Credit Regulator (NCR) reported that the number of consumers with impaired records increased to 8.61m. This indicates a deterioration in the credit records of 120 000 (0.2%) consumers quarter-on-quarter and 426 000 (1.2%) year-on-year. In terms of accounts, the number of impaired accounts decreased by 189 000, to 16.36 million. This is a decrease of 0.2% over the previous quarter. 18 Mar 2011
Officially opening on Thursday 24 March 2011 in Kloof Street in Cape Town, Unknown Union (UU) is more than a clothing shop. With interiors designed by globally recognised, New York-based architectural designer, Rafael de Cardenas and curated by a dynamic team of international music, design and fashion players, it represents a collective of global creativity that is set to make itself a fresh and important part of Cape Town's urban, cultural scene. 18 Mar 2011
Retail trade sales in January fell lower than expected at 6.4% year-on-year, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Wednesday, 16 March 2010. 17 Mar 2011
JD Group on Monday, 14 March 2011, announced the proposed acquisition of Unitrans Automotive, one of the four largest motor vehicle retailers in SA, and Steinbuild, owners of the Timbercity and Pennypinchers building supplies and DIY businesses. 15 Mar 2011
Should the Competition Tribunal approve the acquisition of 51% of Massmart by Wal-Mart, the US group intends asking Mark Lamberti to remain on as independent non-executive chairman. 15 Mar 2011
Metcash Trading Africa announced on Tuesday, 8 March 2011, that it had entered into an agreement with the Shoprite Group in terms of which the franchise division of Metcash would be sold to Shoprite. 10 Mar 2011
In 2004 the FM hailed Massmart as "SA's Walmart", a description now on the verge of becoming a reality. All that is needed is the competition tribunal's approval of Walmart's R16,5bn bid for a 51% stake in Massmart. 7 Mar 2011
Since Woolworths and Truworths parted company in 1998, 17 years after an ill-conceived merger, Truworths has been the share to back, rising 700% compared with its former stablemate's modest 260% advance. Now the odds could be swinging in Woolworths' favour. 4 Mar 2011
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