DSV Opens New Logistics Facility in Durban to Enhance Supply Chain Solutions

DSV

DSV’s recently commissioned world-class, flexible, and scalable logistics facility in Durban brings all our people in KwaZulu-Natal together to deliver integrated logistics and robust end-to-end supply chain solutions. DSV Park | Durban is ideally situated in Riverhorse Valley, Durban, and is adjacent to major road networks with easy access to the Durban Port and King

Jumia Choses Agility Logistics Park-Ghana for E-Commerce Fulfilment

Jumia

Jumia, the leading Africa e-commerce platform, has chosen the state-of-the-art Agility Logistics Park (ALP) in Tema, Ghana, to be its new nationwide fulfilment operations centre for Ghana. Jumia will occupy 6,000 SQM of warehousing at the park, using the facility for storage, fulfilment and office space under a 10-year lease agreement with ALP. The facility

Pick n Pay South Africa Posts Wider Loss but Sees Recovery Ahead

Pick n Pay

Pick n Pay, South Africa opens a new tab. On Monday, it reported a wider half-year loss, reflecting trading losses in its core supermarket business alongside higher borrowing costs. Still, it said its full-year performance would be stronger. The country’s third-biggest grocery retailer reported a loss before tax and capital items of 1.1 billion rand

Tendo Technologies Acquires Shopa to Transform Africa’s Supply Chain

Tendo Technologies

Tendo Technologies Limited, a pioneering online retail platform empowering African entrepreneurs, officially announces its strategic acquisition of Shopa, a leading provider of comprehensive commerce solutions for informal retailers across Ghana. This landmark deal, structured as a combination of cash and stock, is set to redefine the supply chain landscape in Africa. Shopa’s large network of

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Invests $50 Million in Namibia, Boosting Production Capacity by 30%

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has invested $50 million in a new bottling line in Namibia, which can produce 27,000 bottles per hour. This upgrade will increase the plant’s output capacity by 30% and stimulate growth throughout the company’s value chain. The investment also includes the installation of a water treatment plant with state-of-the-art water recovery

Jumia and Hepsiburada Join Forces to Unlock Broader Product Selection for North African Consumers

Jumia

Jumia and D-MARKET Electronic Services & Trading (“Hepsiburada”) have announced a commercial partnership. Under the partnership, Hepsiburada will list its private label products, a portion of its retail assortment, and a selection of other curated Turkish brands on Jumia. Headquartered in Istanbul, Hepsiburada is a leading e-commerce technology platform in Türkiye. Through this partnership, the

Pargo, South Africa’s Logistics Company, Expands into Egypt After Securing a $4 Million Funding Boost.

Pargo

Pargo, a South African eCommerce logistics startup, has announced its expansion into Egypt following a successful $4 million funding round. The funding round was led by 3Capital Ventures formerly part of Allan Gray), Endeavor, SAAD Investment Holdings, and UW Ventures. The startup has launched its collect and return services at over 500 Pargo Points in

Jumia, the African Online Retailer, Is Set to Exit South Africa and Tunisia.

Jumia

Jumia, the Africa-focused e-commerce retailer, will close its South African online fashion platform Zando and its Tunisian operations by year-end to concentrate on other markets, the CEO told Reuters. Jumia is aggressively cutting costs to try to turn profitable, including by reducing head count, exiting everyday grocery items and food delivery and cutting delivery services

IFC and Absa Provide Trade Facility to Valency to Support Thousands of Farmers in Africa

IFC

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Absa Group Limited, a South Africa based bank, acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking division (Absa), will provide a commodity trade finance facility to Singapore-based Valency International Pte Ltd, a key player in Africa’s agricultural commodities market, to support the company’s pre-export of agricultural commodities

South African Agribusiness at a Crossroads

South African

South African farmers need to adopt new approaches and technologies to combat the country’s food security pressures Up to 20 million South Africans experience severe food insecurity, with the volume of food and beverages sold per capita across the country declining by more than 3% in 2023. South African agribusiness is at a crossroads. After

Pick n Pay Delivers Early Momentum on Its Turnaround Plan

Pick n Pay

Pick n Pay’s turnaround strategy is gaining momentum, showing strong progress across key initiatives, including solid performance from Boxer and improved results in Pick n Pay supermarkets. The Group’s interim results, published today, highlight significant sales growth in Pick n Pay Clothing and Pick n Pay Online. As anticipated, the first six months of FY25

Redpanda Software MD: Gerhard Nortjé, a Retailer Born and Bred

redPanda Software

Retail and relationship-building have always been the key drivers behind Gerhard Nortjé’s evolution towards becoming an IT business leader. Today, Nortjé is more than three years into his highly successful tenure as MD at redPanda Software, the leading retail software partner in South Africa. Nortjé’s journey to tech was facilitated by retail, a shared passion

Unitrans: Driving Supply Chain Innovation and Efficiency

Unitrans

Unitrans has witnessed firsthand how technology has drastically transformed our lives and work. In logistics, this transformation enables deeper insights, enhanced decision-making, and greater operational efficiency. It is no longer a mere trend but an essential tool for companies seeking to boost productivity and remain competitive in challenging economic climates. At Unitrans, successful innovation means

Royalty Rewards Programmes Harness Technology and Safety for Better Loyalty – Randgo

Royalty rewards

Kinola Pather, CEO of Randgo Royalty rewards programmes are becoming essential, with 76% of South Africans participating in them, prompting brands to leverage this opportunity for customer engagement and business growth. As technology evolves, these programmes have grown in sophistication, with the most successful offering real-time rewards and personalised experiences. Given the vast amount of

Float: Credit Card Holders in South Africa Reveal Shopping Trends

Float

Float, Africa’s first card-linked instalment platform has unveiled the latest shopping trends among credit card holders using its payment method. With an impressive average order value of close to R10,000, order values through the platform significantly exceeds those of the regular buy now pay later model, which typically ranges between R1,000 and R1,400. The latest

Trade Intelligence: Mid-Year Insights on SA’s Grocery Retailers

Trade Intelligence

Trade Intelligence’s bi-annual Corporate Retail Comparative Report (CRCR) offers a detailed analysis of the comparative performance of South Africa’s six major grocery retail companies – Shoprite Holdings, The SPAR Group, Pick n Pay Stores, Woolworths Holdings, Clicks Group, and Dis-Chem Pharmacies. This second edition for 2024 covers the reporting period of the first half of

Pick n Pay Leads the Fight Against Hunger in South Africa

Pick n Pay

World Food Day on 16 October marks the 79th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and this year’s theme – Right to foods for a better life and a better future – will be the focus of events in more than 150 countries. In South Africa, the theme is

ZURU Unveils Innovative Outdoor Toys for Summer 2024, Retailers Urged to Prepare for Festive Season Stock

Zuru

ZURU, the world’s fastest growing toy manufacturer, globally recognized for its ground-breaking designs, is ready to heat up the summer season with its exciting range of outdoor toys. Retailers are urged to prepare for high consumer demand, especially in the lead-up to the festive season, as ZURU’s latest innovations offer fresh and exciting ways for

NakedCherry Expands to Cape Town: New Franchise Store at V&A Waterfront

NakedCherry is excited to announce the opening of its newest franchise store in the vibrant V&A Waterfront, located at The Pavilion, Corner Portswood and Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001. This expansion marks a significant milestone in NakedCherry’s mission to deliver high-quality beauty and skincare products across South Africa and beyond. Known

Engen Provides Young Knights and Princesses With a Night to Remember

Engen

Rainbow of Hope, an NPO based in Goodwood in Cape Town, is once again able to host its annual ‘Knight for a Princess’ event thanks to a donation from Engen. Engen employee, Pranisha Mehilal utilised Engen’s Employee Community Partnership Programme (ECPP) to raise essential funds for Rainbow of Hope for the fifth consecutive year. Rainbow

Vivo Energy Ghana Achieves Outstanding Safety Milestone – 5000 Goal Zero Days

Vivo Energy

Vivo Energy Ghana, the exclusive distributor and marketer of Shell branded products has proudly marked an exceptional milestone in its commitment to safety and operational excellence, celebrating 5000 Goal Zero Days (no harm to people and minimising its impact on the environment). This achievement reflects the tireless dedication of employees, contractors, transporters, and all its

inDrive Broadens Reach in Zimbabwe with Ride-Hailing, Courier and Intercity Services

inDrive

inDrive, the global mobility and urban services platform, announces its expansion across Zimbabwe, now offering ride-hailing services in four major cities: Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, and Mutare. inDrive has officially launched its courier services in Harare, further enhancing convenience for users. Additionally, its already established intercity services continue to provide seamless connectivity across key cities, supporting

Trade Intelligence Retail Conference 2024 – Bringing the Industry Together in Challenging Times

Trade Intelligence

Trade Intelligence (Ti) marked its 20th anniversary by hosting the annual Ti Retail Conference on the 12th of September. With an impressive lineup of speakers and panellists, the conference once again demonstrated Ti’s role in bringing the industry together, offering practical insights and creating a space for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Four key themes emerged

FMCG Sector Mastering Peak Season Through Agile Workforce Solutions – Workforce Staffing

FMCG sector

By Eleni Fourie, Corporate Sales Executive at Workforce Staffing The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) space sees the movement of everyday essentials with short shelf lives, which as a result requires a well-functioning supply chain from procurement to retail. As this fast-paced sector prepares for peak shopping periods such as Black Friday and the holiday season,

Modern Retail Strategies: Innovative Loyalty Programmes Are Key Components of Success – redPanda Software

Modern Retail

redPanda Software and Loyal Guru partner to bring global best practice to South Africa Modern retail strategies focus on customer attraction and retention, which are crucial as consumer behaviour shifts. Increased options and ongoing financial distress among South African consumers highlight the need for retailers to adapt to what customers want and need, according to

Creating Customer-Obsessed Experiences in B2B – fintech specialist e4

A customer-obsessed mindset is no longer the preserve of B2C companies The concept of customer experience (CX) has shifted from customer-centricity to customer obsession, making it much more comprehensive and immersive than ever before. Where customer-centricity sets its sights on understanding and meeting customer needs, customer obsession goes a step beyond by integrating every aspect

Kazang Rewards Drives Mutual Growth for Brands and Micro-Merchants

Kazang, the prepaid value-added services (VAS) and card acquiring business within JSE-listed fintech Lesaka Technologies, has launched the multi-faceted Kazang Rewards platform. The platform enables Kazang merchants to earn rewards for completing tasks for partners such as FMCG brands, wholesalers and companies providing prepaid services like airtime and data. These tasks include completing surveys, and

Calling All South African Brands to Celebrate Excellence With the Brand New SA Customer Experience Awards

The world-renowned **International Customer Experience Awards UK (ICXA™) is thrilled to announce the launch of the South Africa Customer Experience Awards (SACXA™), a groundbreaking initiative set to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in customer experience (CX) across various industries in South Africa. This prestigious inaugural event marks the homegrown edition of the well-known International Customer

Gen AI: Easing the Burden of Consumer Decision-Making – Accenture

By Junaid Kleinschmidt, digital marketing strategy and intelligence lead for Accenture, Africa The South African retail landscape is contending with a range of challenges, such as high unemployment, severe inflation, shrinkflation, and the lingering effects of Covid-19. These pressures have transformed consumer expectations and added layers of complexity to their shopping decisions. Retailers must now

South African Retailers Have Arrived at an E-commerce Crossroads

South African Retailers

South Africa’s e-commerce landscape has arrived at an important juncture. The explosive growth observed during the pandemic years has slowed down somewhat and consumer spending power has faltered amid low economic growth and a global cost of living crisis. At the same time, competition is heating up. Asian retailers such as Shein and Temu are

Rwanda Welcomes Africa Foods System Forum, for a Packed Four Days

It was much heralded, and now that is has arrived, it is fair to say that it more than lives up to the advertising. The Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) will host this year’s Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS), for four days, ending on the 6th. A look around the stalls at the Convention centre, leaves

Olam Agri Set to Transform Ghana’s Pasta Industry With New Production Facility

Olam Agri

Olam Agri, a global leader in food and agriculture, is set to transform the pasta market in Ghana with the construction of a new state-of-the-art pasta production facility and the expansion of its wheat flour production capacity. The facility is planned in two phases, and when completed will have the volume capacity potential to meet

LG Electronics SA Launches Online Store, Redefining Digital Shopping

LG Electronics

LG Electronics South Africa recently took a giant leap into the future of shopping with their online store which will forever change how South Africans buy their favourite tech. This is not just another e-commerce site—it is a bold move, changing the digital landscape and marking a new chapter in LG’s South African journey, says

Navigating Disruption: How Retailers Can Prepare for the R100 Billion Ecommerce Market

South African retail has experienced profound transformation over the past few years, with digital platforms and ecommerce reshaping consumer expectations. However, we are just in the earliest phases of digital transformation and SME retailers will need to be agile to keep up with emerging customer demands and new competitors. Steven Heilbron, CEO of Capital Connect,

South African Consumers Lead Global Trend in Prioritising Value Over Price in Beverage Choices – CGA by NIQ

In a landscape where economic pressures weigh heavily on household budgets, South African consumers are setting a global precedent in their approach to value, particularly when it comes to their beverage choices. According to the latest findings from CGA by NIQ, a remarkable 51% of South African consumers now prioritise value over price in their

The Enduring Power of Sa’s Independent Grocery Trade – Trade Intelligence

New research underscores the enduring strength and intricate dynamics of South Africa’s independent grocery trade, from big wholesalers to spazas, thriving amid two decades of retail shifts. When retail research business Trade Intelligence was founded in 2004, the formal grocery retail space was dominated by the ‘Big Six’ – Pick n Pay, Shoprite, SPAR, Woolworths,

Prime Opportunity for Private Equity Funds to Rescue African Retail Companies

By Tobie Jordaan and Jutami Augustyn, Partners, and Paras Shah, Kenya Managing Partner, BowmansThe retail sector in South Africa has experienced significant distress in the last year, with several high-profile retail businesses entering business rescue proceedings. Retail giants like AutoZone, West Pack and Cross Trainer, for example, have all recently entered business rescue, highlighting the

Wasoko & MaxAB Complete Landmark Merger

Africa’s Largest Tech Merger Fuels Groundbreaking Expansion From E-Commerce to B2B Digital Services Platform African B2B e-commerce pioneers Wasoko and MaxAB have completed the continent’s largest-ever tech merger following the signing of preliminary terms in Q4 2023. Conducted as an all-stock transaction, the deal establishes a truly Pan-African platform for communities to access essential digital

“Tu-Sort Garage NA Shell Lubricants” Promotion Empowers Mechanics Countrywide

Tu-sort Garage na Shell Lubricants is a countrywide promotion that is empowering garage owners and mechanics by rewarding them with an upgrade of tools at their locations to elevate their workspace and educate them on genuine Shell Lubricants. The mechanics and garage owners can register by dialing 459200# and following the prompts to participate in

Engen Celebrates 700th Quickshop & Co Milestone

Engen, South Africa’s biggest fuel and convenience retailer, opened its 700th Quickshop & Co store at Engen Summit Convenience Centre in Midrand on 1st August 2024. Located at 386 Olifantsfontein Rd, Engen Summit is designed to serve the early risers, the late-night cravers and the busy bees navigating life’s hectic schedules. Operating 24/7, the site’s

bpSA Redefines Convenience to Meet Customer Needs With New Retail Initiatives

bp Southern Africa (bpSA) has announced three initiatives in response to market demands – a revamped store design and offer, an inhouse loyalty programme as well as a low carbon battery rental service “Our investment in new convenience offerings, in the year bpSA celebrates 100 years of doing business in South Africa, is testament to

SPAR Zimbabwe Monthly Clean-Ups Continue to Be a Success

On the first Friday of each month, SPAR Zimbabwe retailers take part in a clean-up in their local communities. This initiative further engrains SPAR Zimbabwe’s roots in the local community. Monthly clean-upSPAR Supermarkets take part in this clean-up alongside other stakeholders over a period of two hours. As well as keeping the local community clean,

Women in Wine Launches Exclusive Range at Shoprite

Founded by 20 professional black women from diverse backgrounds in viticulture, Women in Wine marks a shift in the traditionally male-dominated wine industry, committed to opening doors for women, including vineyard workers and their families. Advocating for women’s inclusion in leadership roles, Women in Wine have established the Farm Worker Women’s Trust, collaborating with strategic

Pick N Pay Receives R8.2bn in Applications for Its R4bn Rights Offer

The Pick n Pay Group has successfully completed its Rights Offer. The retailer has raised R4-billion in capital with a high subscription rate and overwhelming market support. The Rights Offer was 106% oversubscribed, with total subscriptions reaching over R8-billion. 98.7% of shareholders followed their rights, and the Group received R4.3-billion in excess applications, underscoring shareholders’

MAGGI Launches “Cook the Difference” Campaign Introducing New Flavours to SA Kitchens

Mzansi’s most preferred noodle brand, MAGGI, as recognised by the Ask Afrika Icon Awards, is set to elevate South African kitchens with its latest campaign, “Cook the Difference!” Unveiled at an exclusive media luncheon on 25 July, VIP media guests experienced the brand’s magic and versatility. MAGGI showcased its potential to be both a complete

Makro Doubles Comparable Online Grocery Essentials Sales

As the pace of digital adoption increases in our country, more and more South Africans are browsing and shopping online to ensure they get the best prices. In light of this rise in comparative shopping behaviour and the current challenging consumer environment, Makro has redoubled its efforts to help customers save money so they can

Forging a New Path Under the Agrimark Banner

In October 2024, Forge stores, operating in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), are changing to Agrimark, a move which promises exciting opportunities for both customers and communities. This change is part of Agrimark’s strategic drive to create a unified brand identity across all regions, integrating the KZN branches with Agrimark. “Forge and Agrimark share a similar product range

Telr Elevates E-commerce With Mastercard’s Click to Pay

Telr, the award-winning online payment gateway, has announced its strategic collaboration with Mastercard to introduce its digital checkout solution, Click to Pay, across its extensive network of merchants in the UAE. Through this partnership, Telr will deploy cutting-edge payment technologies to enhance the customer experience. Click to Pay is an innovative, seamless, and secure payment

Makro Sees Growth in Online Grocery Essentials Sales in South Africa

As the pace of digital adoption increases in our country, more and more South Africans are browsing and shopping online to ensure they get the best prices. In light of this rise in comparative shopping behaviour and the current challenging consumer environment, Makro has redoubled its efforts to help customers save money so they can

Paymob and Shopify Join Forces to Accelerate Embedded Payments Opportunity in MENA

Paymob, a prominent financial services enabler in the MENA region, has announced the launch of its new embedded checkout experiences for merchants, marking a significant extension of its partnership with the commerce platform Shopify. This new initiative is set to revolutionise the way merchants handle transactions, providing them with advanced card and wallet payment options