On the most recent episode of Marketplace Africa, CNN International's Eleni Giokos spoke to Massmart chairman Kuseni Dlamini in a remote interview about how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting shopping habits. 6 Apr 2020
Pick n Pay has introduced express queues for hospital workers to shop for their essentials as quickly and as efficiently as possible during the SA lockdown. 6 Apr 2020
Massmart has announced that it will freeze prices on all essentials for the duration of South Africa's 21-day lockdown. 30 Mar 2020
In an emotional conference call to suppliers on Thursday, Edcon's CEO Grant Pattison delivered the sobering news that the company is unable to pay its suppliers, many of which are SMMES, as it only has sufficient liquidity to pay salaries at this time. He also said that Edcon, which is one of southern Africa's largest non-food retailers, may not be able to open at the end of South Africa's national lockdown to fight the coronavirus outbreak. 27 Mar 2020
The Shoprite Group has allocated R102m towards a once-off appreciation bonus for its shopfloor and distribution centre employees to thank and support them for their tireless efforts to feed the nation during the Covid-19 pandemic. 25 Mar 2020
The number of official novel coronavirus cases in South Africa has climbed to 116, and grocery retailers have attempted to quell consumer fears surrounding stock shortages as photos and footage of panic buyers and empty supermarket shelves filter through social media. 19 Mar 2020
Pick n Pay will open all its supermarkets and hypermarkets an hour earlier every Wednesday for the exclusive use of elderly customers who need to shop for their groceries and essentials. The decision comes in response to requests from the retailer's online community to ease the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on vulnerable citizens, as stores become chaotic due to panic-buying and stockpiling. 17 Mar 2020
The Covid-19 outbreak is taking a toll on the global luxury industry that is heavily dependent on the spending of Chinese shoppers at home and abroad. In spite of difficulties, leading luxury brands responded quickly to the crisis and took positive initiatives in brand communication, customer engagement, and digital marketing. 17 Mar 2020
Eskom's ongoing loadshedding has disrupted the daily operations of many retailers and businesses within South Africa's hospitality industry, states research conducted by customer experience specialists nlighten. 11 Mar 2020
In a first for Shoprite Botswana, local producers sold their produce directly to the public at selected Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets. 3 Mar 2020
South African speciality whisky retailer, WhiskyBrother, has nabbed the title of the Single Outlet Retailer of the Year at the 2020 Icons of Whisky Awards, held annually by Whisky Magazine in London. The win is described as a first for a South African retailer. 24 Feb 2020
Popular online retailer Faithful to Nature has opened the doors to its first brick and mortar store, filled with top-performing ethical and eco-friendly products across the company's main categories: health, body and beauty, food, household cleaning and waste-free lifestyle essentials. 11 Feb 2020
Pick n Pay has reiterated its pledge that all Pick n Pay branded product packaging will be 100% recyclable or reusable by 2025, and by 2023, all these products will feature the new on-pack recycling label to help customers understand how best to recycle their packaging. 7 Feb 2020
Oil Science has expanded its business operations with the opening of a new store in Century City, Cape Town. 7 Feb 2020
Edcon has sold South African newsagent and stationery chain CNA to a consortium headed by JSE-listed Astoria Investments. 4 Feb 2020
Western Cape-based retail chain Brights Hardware has launched an Industrial and Wholesale Suppliers division, the result of a merger with Cape Engineering Supplies. 30 Jan 2020
Laduma Hardware Group's store count has grown from one outlet in 1996 to 15 stores today, including a 12,900 sq metre flagship store in Lebowakgomo, South East of Polokwane. With a niche business strategy targeting rural and semi-urban areas, the company says it aims to bring affordable building materials and hardware to these specific communities in South Africa. 24 Jan 2020
Pick n Pay has partnered with Travelstart to offer an in-store travel booking experience, allowing customers to compare and book flight and bus tickets in any Pick n Pay store. 20 Jan 2020
Philip Morris South Africa has launched its first IQOS stores in KwaZulu-Natal, with an opening in Durban's Gateway Mall and another in the city's Liberty Midlands Mall. 17 Jan 2020
Massmart, the South African unit of Walmart Inc., is looking to close its 23-store DionWired chain and its 11 Masscash wholesale outlets. The move is expected to affect approximately 1,440 employees. 14 Jan 2020
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