Approximately 5,200 retail industry jobs will be saved, as Edcon announced this week that the sale of parts of the Edgars business in South Africa to Retailability Ltd has been implemented, with all approvals from regulatory authorities and all conditions precedent either fulfilled or waived. 17 Sep 2020
Nonkululeko Gobodo
Nonkululeko Gobodo has resigned as Clicks Group's non-executive director, effective from Monday, 14 September 2020. Clicks said her resignation was due to "personal reasons". 16 Sep 2020
Pick n Pay has expanded its frozen food range to stock UCook's new range of ready-made frozen Craft Meals, created by some of South Africa's top chefs. This will be the first time UCook customers can buy their meals from a physical store. 15 Sep 2020
The Clicks Group, owners of Clicks stores and United Pharmaceutical Distributors (UPD), has committed to increase spending on small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and support local beauty and haircare brands, and other products. 11 Sep 2020
Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht
Shoprite Holdings plans to dispose of its Kenyan operations, and close its remaining two stores in the East African country by year-end. 9 Sep 2020
Small Business Development Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has called on Clicks to commit to tangible corrective action by actively promoting black hair products that are manufactured by black women- and youth-owned small businesses. 8 Sep 2020
Health and beauty retailer Clicks is facing significant public backlash after a TRESemmé marketing campaign that appeared on the Clicks website was accused of promoting racist stereotypes about hair. 7 Sep 2020
Spar Group has appointed Brett Botten, the current managing director of Spar South Rand, as the new group CEO. Botten will succeed Graham O'Connor, who retires after the group's 2021 annual general meeting. O' Connor will then become non-executive chairman following the retirement of Mike Hankinson. 4 Sep 2020
The V&A Waterfront will reopen the doors to the Watershed this week after it was closed
in April due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. The vibrant space is home to 150 tenants who represent over 365 local brands and small businesses, and with an impressive 3.6 million visitors a year, it has become an attraction in its own right. 2 Sep 2020
In a trading update for the 24 weeks from 1 March to 15 August, listed pharmacy retail group Dis-Chem said online sales grew 344%. The company said that the quick deployment of additional hubs together with an investment in its e-commerce platform enabled it to meet the increased online demand during the lockdown period "as best as possible". 31 Aug 2020
Edcon announced that it has signed the purchase agreement for the sale of "parts of Edgars" to Durban-based competitor Retailability Pty (Ltd) for an undisclosed sum. The number of Edgars stores involved in the transaction have not been stated. 25 Aug 2020
DIY, construction and building materials retailer Builders marks its entry into East Africa with the opening of its first physical store in Nairobi, Kenya this Thursday, 20 August and the launch of a dedicated Kenyan online retail platform. 19 Aug 2020
Foschini and Markham owner TFG announced that it has successfully negotiated and concluded an agreement to buy select assets of value clothing retailer Jet from Edcon and its business rescue practitioners on principally the same terms as those set out in the Conditional Offer. 18 Aug 2020
Woolworths has announced that 25 stores, including some of its largest full line stores and three food markets, are now single-use plastic shopping bag free. 17 Aug 2020
Game has introduced a clothing range, called 'Stylessentials', to 22 stores across the country. According to the retailer, the launch comes as customers actively seek value alternatives for essential items like clothing during turbulent economic times. 13 Aug 2020
Pick n Pay chairman Gareth Ackerman has spoken out against the ban on sales of alcohol and tobacco, saying that it risks creating more cynicism and division than any other decision taken by the government during the Covid-19 pandemic. 5 Aug 2020
The Shoprite Group is exiting Nigeria after 15 years. The Cape Town-based company - the largest grocery retailer Africa - announced the decision in a trading update this week. 5 Aug 2020
Game emerged on the South African retail scene 50 years ago, when founders Alan Hellman and Jack Schaeffer opened the first store in Smith Street, Durban. The retailer and its playful pink branding have stood the test of time, with over 100 Game stores dotted across the country today and a footprint in 12 African countries. 31 Jul 2020
Inner Secrets Lingerie was established in 2005 by mother and son team Penny and Dimitri Parolis, who over the years have carved a retail presence in the local market by selling global heritage brands of lingerie, shapewear and swimwear. 27 Jul 2020
President Ramaphosa's surprise reinstatement of South Africa's booze ban on Sunday night has been met with mixed emotions and debate around the timing and lack of notice for affected industries. 16 Jul 2020