... Or not so odd after all... Who would have thought petroleum and potatoes would make such good business bedfellows, but Chevron SA, through its retail brand Caltex, has seen an increase in fuel volumes of between 8% and 10% after partnering with Freshstop, a member of the Fruit & Veg City group. 23 Jun 2011
Pick n Pay's mistake regarding its disposal of Franklins was to make everyone aware of it, according to an analyst. 14 Jun 2011
Freshstop, a member of the Fruit & Veg City group, aims to open up to 50 stores by the end of the year and 50 more stores in 2012, solidifying is position as SA's fastest growing "c-store", or convenience store, brand. 14 Jun 2011
Foschini rode high on strong demand from fashion-hungry consumers in its year to March, producing its first solid bottom-line performance since 2006/2007. Buoyed by sales that rose 15.5% to R9,94bn, the retailer's headline EPS came in 21.3% higher than the previous year's, which had been barely above the level of three years earlier. 10 Jun 2011
Though there seems to be an optimism amongst local consumers, retailers in general seem to be in a state of panic and confusion, with many having put holds on marketing budgets due to conventional methods simply not giving the returns they used to. Some have half heartedly tried to embrace social media but simply seem to be out their depth in this area, or using a company that doesn't fully understand their customers. 9 Jun 2011
Clothing, footwear and textiles retailer Edcon, the owner of Edgars and Jet, has warned that the arrival of international players such as Wal-Mart and Zara could increase competition in the retail market. 7 Jun 2011
While Wal-Mart has got the green light to come into SA it will not be flying its bright blue and yellow banner. 7 Jun 2011
Clicks does not make a cent out of its more than 260 in-store pharmacies. But without them, the retailer's business model would not be the success story that has driven its return on equity from 17.7% in 2006 to 55.8% now. 3 Jun 2011
Business models are as good as their ability to stand up in tough conditions. In furniture retail none has proved more resilient than Lewis's unique model, honed over more than 70 years. 3 Jun 2011
MWeb officially opened its fourth South African retail store at The Pavilion Shopping Centre in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal, last week. As part of the store's opening specials, the first 100 customers who sign-up for a new MWeb ADSL package in-store will get a free 320GB external hard drive or R300 gift card. 2 Jun 2011
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
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