As market changes in the local retail industry bring about increased competition to the sector, companies need to think differently about their business models and use tools such as business intelligence (BI) to compete effectively, according to BI, advanced analytics and information specialist group PBT. 17 Aug 2011
Richard van Rensburg, who joined the Pick n Pay board as an independent non-executive director last year, has been appointed as deputy chief executive officer on a three-year contract. He will head up the group's dedicated transformation programme team, which includes the company's information systems and supply chain divisions, as part of several structural changes designed to accelerate its drive to implement global best practice procedures across the business. 16 Aug 2011
Lorna Jane has opened its first store in the Morningside Shopping Centre, Johannesburg in August 2011 and a second is due to open in Sandton in November. Described as Australia's premier women's activewear brand, it targets women between 20 and 45, with a product range of fashionable, high quality and functional fitness apparel, casual wear, yoga apparel, footwear and accessories. 5 Aug 2011
George Steyn, current MD of Pep has announced his retirement from the group on 30 September 2011, after 25 years. His position will be filled by Pep operations and sales director, Leon Lourens, who has been appointed MD Designate until Steyn leaves. 2 Aug 2011
The centre of Cape Town saw the launch last week of the SAcamera superstore offering a professional camera showroom store. The store reportedly has the first active lighting display in Cape Town, the widest range of photographic products in the country and the first official state of the art Leica boutique store in South Africa. 31 Jul 2011
Sandton City recently saw the arrival of five world-class retailers, each adding a distinct flair to the Sandton City brand. "We welcome Dumond, Inglot, Carlo Pignatelli, Miguel Vieira and Kurt Geiger to our retail family," says Sharon Swain, centre manager at Sandton City. "Each of these retailers boasts a unique and premium offering and their arrival brings the best of international trends to our local market." 31 Jul 2011
Adding to its conversion of Trade Centres to Metro Hyper stores, Metcash Trading Africa announced the opening of Hillfox, Hermanstad, Springs, Polokwane and Bloemfontein, yesterday 28 July 2011, bringing the number of stores to eight. 29 Jul 2011
Hiring individuals because they fit your corporate culture is one thing, hiring executives because they share similar resumes and backgrounds, is quite different. Having a diversity of experience in your corporation is extremely important. It allows the entrance of fresh perspectives and ideas to pass through your walls and emerge as new concepts on the sales floor. 28 Jul 2011
The SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) on Tuesday, 19 July 2011, lashed out at what it called an "unwarranted and unprecedented" attack on its integrity by the retailer Pick n Pay's (PIK) operations director Neal Quirk and a labour market analyst, Andrew Levy. 20 Jul 2011
Holdsport (HSP), which runs the Sportsmans Warehouse and Outdoor Warehouse stores, listed on the JSE's main board today, Monday 18 July 2011, in the Apparel Retail sector. 18 Jul 2011
Mncane Mthunzi, current CEO of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), will join Massmart on 1 September 2011, as supplier development executive, heading up the R100 million Supplier Development Programme, first proposed by the merging parties Massmart and Wal-Mart, as a voluntary condition during the Competition Tribunal hearings. He will serve on the Massmart executive committee. 15 Jul 2011
Fitch Ratings said on Monday, 11 July 2011, that the recently approved transaction between Steinhoff International Holdings (SHF) and South Africa-based furniture retailer JD Group (JDG) would be largely neutral for its ratings. 13 Jul 2011
The wheels of Massmart's grand food plan are in motion, with the company announcing its intention to buy fruit and vegetable supplier The Fruitspot for an undisclosed amount. 13 Jul 2011
LONDON, UK: On average in 2011, UK retailers have closed 20 stores a day, according to a PwC and Local Data Company analysis, which shows retail insolvencies have risen by 9% since this time last year and the numbers of clothes, shoe shops, jewellers and bookshops are all falling. 12 Jul 2011
NYON, SWITZERLAND: UNI Global Union says that the announcement from South African supermarket chain Pick n Pay that it plans to cut about 3137 jobs from its workforce is a clear sign of the "Walmart effect" it believes the world's biggest retailer will have on South Africa as it prepares to enter the country. 12 Jul 2011
Pick n Pay announced today, 6 July 2011, that due to operational requirements, it was considering the retrenchment of approximately 3137 workers at the company within the non-management bargaining unit (NMBU). 6 Jul 2011
While local food retailers are fantastic businesses, they don't present an attractive value proposition for investors compared with their global counterparts, according to Johannes Visser, a senior analyst at independent asset management company RE:CM. 6 Jul 2011
PARIS, FRANCE: French supermarket giants Carrefour and Casino traded further blows on Monday, 4 July 2011, over their operations in Brazil, a key market where both are claiming a tie-up with the same company. 5 Jul 2011
Nictus Group's (NCS) growth and performance in the past three years, and the size of its asset base and insurance funds have propelled it through a transition phase to a higher level, it said on Thursday, 30 June 2011. 1 Jul 2011
Walmart's entry into South Africa is set to have a profound and far-reaching impact on Africa's retail supply chain. What are some of the 'must do's' that every retailer will have to action to survive? How can smaller retailers meet the challenge? What will be the benefits and disadvantages of Walmart's presence in the South African market? How will that impact local retailers? 28 Jun 2011
