With all the bad news South Africans have heard lately, the approval of the Wal-Mart/Massmart deal is a win for consumers and brings with it opportunities, according to Mike Schussler, an economist at economists.co.za. 1 Jun 2011
The Competition Tribunal today, 31 May 2011, announced that the Wal-Mart and Massmart merger has been approved with the conditions proposed by the two companies. These conditions include the set-up of a R100 million supplier development fund, no merger-related retrenchments for a period of two years as well as continued recognition of SACCAWU for three years post the merger. The Tribunal further acknowledged the undertaking made by the merging parties that preference would be given to re-employing the 503 workers that were retrenched in 2010 prior to the proposed merger being announced. 31 May 2011
Quick service restaurant company Taste Holdings today, Tuesday 24 May 2011, reported a 10% rise in diluted headline earnings per share (HEPS) to 10.2 cents for the year ending in February, from 9.3 cents a year ago. 24 May 2011
As part of Massmart's strategy to source more goods locally, the company has announced a new initiative to strengthen its local supplier base through a partnership with Raizcorp, one of Africa's leading private sector, small business incubator companies. 23 May 2011
Retailer Pick n Pay on Thursday, 12 May 2011, confirmed the retirement of merchandise director Kevin Korb, after 30 years at the company. He will leave Pick n Pay at the end of June. 16 May 2011
Supermarket group Spar (SPP) today, Wednesday 11 May 2011, reported diluted headline earnings per share of 262.1 cents for the six months ended March 2011 compared with 264.6 cents a year ago. 11 May 2011
Retail group Wal-Mart on Monday, 9 May 2011, launched a website containing all pertinent information regarding its proposed R16.5 billion acquisition of consumer goods distributor Massmart (MSM). 10 May 2011
The Boardmans exclusive concept store at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg was officially opened by the chief executive of Edcon's Department Stores Division, Hugues Witvoet on Thursday, 5 May 2011. Celebrities, Jeremy and Jacqui Mansfield, who partnered with Boardmans to create the Zhoozsh! range of crockery, cutlery and glassware, which was launched nationwide last month were also there. 10 May 2011
Retail group Pick n Pay has announced the appointment of Jeff van Rooyen as an independent non-executive director to the board of Pick n Pay Holdings Limited. 6 May 2011
LONDON, UK: There's a change taking place in the UK as consumers start taking control of when, how and where they shop. Power is shifting from retailers to consumers and retailers need to adapt to survive. The retail space is ever changing and evolving- the role of social media, mobile & TV continues to grow, as will innovation in the sector. 21 Apr 2011
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
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