Prospects for the retail sector remain weak and are unlikely to improve in 2017, as confirmed by Massmart's interim sales update released on Monday. 18 Jul 2017
Investors are lowering their expectations for Woolworths as the outlook for the local retail sector deteriorates. 18 Jul 2017
In an industry battling to hold onto customers as the economy stalls, club fees have been something of a consolation prize for the country's retailers. Take Edcon, for example. It says the cash it pocketed from club fees offset an overall decline in total revenue, to R29.3bn, for the year to the end of March 2016. 17 Jul 2017
On CNN Marketplace Africa aired late last week, journalist Eleni Giokos explored how Massmart Holdings' growth has been much slower than anticipated... 13 Jul 2017
TFG, the retailer that owns Foschini, @Home and Totalsports is in talks to acquire British womenswear brand Hobbs, a UK press report says. Hobbs, a high-end fashion retailer, was put up for sale by its private-equity owner 3i in January for 80m, according to The Times of London. 7 Jul 2017
Image credit: Sunday Times
Clothing retailer The Foschini Group (TFG) is the latest of a number of retailers to come under the spotlight of the National Credit Regulator (NCR) for allegedly charging a club fee on its credit agreements with the group having been referred to the National Consumer Tribunal. 6 Jul 2017
Long4Life, an investment firm founded by businessman Brian Joffe, has made a nonbinding offer for Holdsport in a surprise move into the sports market. 4 Jul 2017
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the restaurant and retail sector should be funded despite the recession as these businesses will be engines for growth. 4 Jul 2017
Christo Wiese. Image credit: Financial Mail
Christo Wiese, Shoprite's chairman and its largest shareholder, seems flabbergasted by the outcry over the retail giant's imminent R1.83bn payment to former CEO Whitey Basson in line with a buyback deal struck in December 2003. 3 Jul 2017
Swedish fashion chain H&M continued its winning streak in SA, growing interim sales 32% in rand terms. This far outpaced the growth of domestic players such as Mr Price Group, Edcon and TFG. H&M's performance suggests it also did better than foreign competitor Cotton On of Australia, which may close some of its stores in the country. 3 Jul 2017
Conventional wisdom has had it that luxury retail - including clothes, shoes and accessories - is immune to movements in the economy, especially the downward kind. But the casualties at the top end of the retail sector point to a marked decline in that market and analysts warn that this could be a continuing trend. 27 Jun 2017
At the recent South African Nursery Association (SANA) awards, Stodels Nurseries achieved a hat trick, winning the coveted Gold Medal for Nick Stodel, as owner of the nurseries, Young Retailer of the Year for Joseph Dzviti and Best Garden Centre in the Western Cape for the Belville branch. 23 Jun 2017
Image credit: Business Day
Shares in Woolworths, once regarded as a recession-proof retailer, are trading close to three-year lows as the company finds itself stuck between SA's stalling economy, the cash-guzzling turnaround of its David Jones acquisition in Australia and an impending competitive onslaught from Shoprite, which is moving up-market. 22 Jun 2017
NEW YORK, US - Amazon's deal to buy Whole Foods Market injects even greater pressure into the food and grocery sectors at a time when e-commerce is already roiling retailers. 19 Jun 2017
Markus Jooste. Image credit: Financial Mail
Steinhoff's African and East European assets outperformed the group's operations elsewhere. The performance of the African assets, in particular, highlighted the case for a separate listing to unlock shareholder value. 12 Jun 2017
The concept of pop-up retail has soared in popularity over the last number of years. Done right, these temporary retail spaces can offer smaller companies a platform to test the market without hefty investment, solve the tangible disconnect between online stores and their customers, and regenerate the face of larger, more established brands. 9 Jun 2017
Global retailer Steinhoff reported on Wednesday that interim operating profit to end March rose 13% to 903m. Revenue grew 48% to 10.2bn. 8 Jun 2017
Mindful of hard economic times for its customers, Shoprite has introduced deli meals for R5 at stores across the country. These discounted convenient meals have been introduced to help consumers' money go further, especially amongst students. 8 Jun 2017
Lewis said on Monday that the National Consumer Tribunal had ruled in its favour in the matter involving the furniture retailer and National Credit Regulator regarding club fees and extended warranties. 6 Jun 2017
The National Credit Regulator has referred Mr Price Group to the National Consumer Tribunal for breach of the National Credit Act, following an investigation by the NCR, which revealed Mr Price has charged consumers a club fee on credit agreements. The National Credit Act does not permit the charging of a club fee on credit agreements. 2 Jun 2017
Let's do Biz