By Njabulo Nzimande, Technology Solutions Professional at Altron Karabina In April 2020, headlines rang out after Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella proclaimed that business the world over were delivering “two years’ worth of digital transformation in two months”. And two years ago, this headline might have raised an eyebrow or two – but not today. For
South African merchants who have survived the chaos wrought by COVID-19 are turning to data insights to help them ensure a more sustainable future. For many merchants, shifting gears from ‘survive to thrive’ has been boosted by local consumers’ love of loyalty programmes. In an otherwise gloomy economy, data from South Africa’s largest insights-based QR
Checkers Sixty60 has launched a South African supermarket first with a new recycling initiative for its popular brown paper bags that will help close the recycling loop for its customers. The initiative, which is part of the Shoprite Group’s zero waste-to-landfill ambition, will allow customers to return their used bags with Sixty60 drivers for recycling.
When poultry import tariffs were introduced in 2020, the South African National Consumer Union warned that these tariffs would push up chicken prices – a prediction that has come true. A bag of Individual Quick Frozen (IQF) chicken portions has risen from R63.87 to R77.61 – an increase of 9% – in one year. This
2Engage is building on its success in Africa, with customer engagement and incentive solutions that deliver value to customers and companies across multiple industries. Based and operational out of South Africa, 2Engage has a presence in eleven African countries including Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. With over 200 rewards
“Thrifting” is a growing international trend in retailing that enables environmentally-conscious consumers to minimize textile and garment waste. Thrift By Flav opened in the Mall of Africa in Waterfall, becoming the first thrift store to open in a super-regional mall in South Africa. The store is the brainchild of 22-year-old Flavia Minenza, who started thrift
Customers can now deposit cash directly onto their bank card at the till point in any Shoprite, Checkers or Usave store. Together with other established in-store services like cash withdrawals, money transfers, and bill payments, this new functionality means shoppers can now perform most basic banking tasks at all supermarkets within the Shoprite Group. Cash
Spur Corporation encountered harsh COVID-19 lockdown trading restrictions throughout the six months to December 2020 while the outbreak of the second wave of the pandemic contributed to further pressure on sales and profitability. Total franchised restaurant sales declined by 29.5% to R2.9 billion for the half year. Sales from franchised restaurants in South Africa decreased
Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed EPP, Poland’s biggest retail landlord, has launched a live stream shopping initiative for its malls and their tenants. Demonstrating agility in ever-changing retail markets, live stream shopping is the latest of several cutting-edge innovations offered by EPP to support its tenants and create exceptional experiences for Polish shoppers in both
Zambeef Products has put its corporate weight behind efforts to ensure the safety of learners and teachers as they start the 2021 academic year. “Schools are an integral part of our society, therefore, they represent an important front in the country’s war against COVID-19,” said Zambeef Chief Executive Officer Walter Roodt, who stressed the importance
Connecting to what really matters, is one of the rationales behind Smollan’s decision to rebrand. By breathing new life, reigniting passion, and representing the diversity of people, nations, cultures, and services the business represents, this new brand connection tells a story of real people and opportunities connected to countless possibilities. It has been said that
African e-commerce giant Jumia announced that its cost cuts helped it reduce fourth quarter losses by 47% from a year ago as revenues continue to slide, showing that its path to profitability was on course. Jumia, the first Africa-focused tech start-up to list on the New York Stock Exchange, is selling fewer expensive one-off products
Partnership will enable millions of MTN customers to pay on global online platforms with a Mastercard virtual payment solution linked to MTN MoMo wallet Mastercard’s technology will enable new digital commerce opportunities for consumers and merchants with or without a bank account, through a simple and secure payment experience Collaboration underpins a new wave of
Checkers Hyper Brackenfell offers a unique shopping experience with a coffee bar, wine store, sushi bar, pizza oven, imported rodizio grill, food truck, and in-store Kauai. The high-end bakery features well known brands like Schoon and Houwhoek Pies. A one-stop-shop, this flagship store also has a dedicated wellness section, party shop, and improved pet department.
Effective 1 February 2021, Imperial acquired 60% of eCommerce logistics business, ParcelNinja. ParcelNinja offers an outsourced warehousing and fulfilment business to South African online shops, using its custom-developed best-of-breed warehouse system and fulfilment network to ensure that clients benefit from scalable infrastructure and an innovative costing model. “Imperial’s purpose is connecting Africa and the world
Data top-up (76%), clothing (59%) and computer equipment (49%) top the virtual shopping list in Tanzania Top learning experiences include learning a managing their banking needs online, managing their healthcare needs and getting their medicine online. Social media has become an integral platform for connecting consumers to online businesses Secure checkout experience recognized as fundamental
Data top-ups (92%), clothing (67%) and computer equipment (56%) top the virtual shopping list in Kenya Top learning experiences include cooking, dancing, learning a language, and mastering DIY projects Social media has become an integral platform for connecting consumers to online businesses Secure checkout experience recognized as fundamental for online shopping A Mastercard study on consumer
At least 640 jobs will be saved as a result of the merger, approved by the Tribunal, whereby Devland Cash and Carry (Pty) Ltd (“Devland”) will acquire certain stores owned by Masscash (Pty) Ltd (“Masscash”), which is controlled by Massmart Holdings Limited (“Massmart”). Devland owns and controls several firms that are active in the retail
The Shoprite Group now generates a substantial amount of power using solar panels Its biggest solar PV project, at the Basson distribution centre, covers the surface area of an entire soccer field Several other initiatives – like solar panels on delivery trucks, and the widespread use of energy efficient LED lamps – are further reducing
SPAR Mozambique in 2020 opened a new supermarket in Matola, one of the largest suburbs of the capital city, Maputo. Energy-efficient systems have been integrated throughout the store, including modern refrigeration technology and LED lighting, emphasising the pleasant shopping experience for their valued customers. The 1,384m2 SPAR Supermarket is in a densely populated area with
By Phil Lewis, Infor VP Solution Consulting EMEA The unforeseen disruption experienced in 2020 has prompted food and beverage producers to future proof their businesses as far as is possible. While uncertainty seems set to continue for some time, through focusing on expediting time to market; food quality and safety; supply chain resilience; and the
Latest research finds a wide range of retailers have migrated to new POS solutions, while others are leveraging existing software to enable diverse customer journeys. COVID-19 has made a flexible, unified commerce approach vital The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated an already pressing need for the largest retailers to be more agile and offer customers the
SA’s COVID-19 grants are faltering, with many unable to collect the R350 stipend initially offered to those most in need. The Shoprite Group has intensified its food security efforts, donating more than R100 million worth of food, since the start of lockdown. The Group has also continued to create jobs, in spite of tough economic
The global e-Commerce wave has birthed an aggressive rise of super-structures, led by the likes of renowned international players such as Amazon and Alibaba. With much of the narrative in the ecosystem tilted towards these giants, Africa remains seemingly left behind, or at best, not reckoned with in the global scheme of things. Yet, a
Getting customer insight and loyalty from each and every transaction The pandemic has shocked local businesses into action when it comes to transitioning from offline to online. While many have managed to digitise aspects of their business, brick-and-mortar companies are yet to fully realise the customer insight and retention benefits of ecommerce transactions. “So many
Online payment gateway, PayFast has launched a new merchant-financing service in partnership with local fintech lender, Retail Capital, called Easy Advance. The service is designed to help merchants leverage short-term working capital to grow their business, without compromising their cash flow. “Small businesses are generally more agile and quick to adopt creative strategies. Throughout 2020,
Simple and effective solution solving complex and expensive problem QR codes have been a huge hit with smaller traders, especially in the hospitality industry, weekend markets and owner-run businesses. Zapper’s continued success at Dis-Chem, however, is proving that the technology is possible at even the largest of retailers – without the expense of new pin
By Tasmika Ramlakan, Investment Banking Associate: Corporate Finance; Nedbank CIB In the fourth quarter of last year, as COVID-19 appeared to be receding and the country had moved to a virtually lockdown-free scenario, the SA retail sector undoubtedly would have been looking forward to a significant uptick in festive season trade and hoping for that
The Competition Tribunal (the “Tribunal”) has granted a variation to conditions imposed on two Coca-Cola mergers, which include two new substantive public interest obligations relating to localisation and procurement commitments which will benefit black sugarcane farmers. The applicants (Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“CCBSA”); Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (Pty) Ltd (“CCBA”); The Coca-Cola Company; and
As snacking and healthy eating are growing trends around the world, SPAR has joined forces with the international vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan. In SPAR stores in India and Nigeria, new vegetable snacking varieties were introduced aimed at changing shopper behaviour. The focus is on providing innovative, high quality, locally grown healthy fresh produce options
Jumia Technologies AG is rolling out its restaurant-delivery service in Egypt, making the country the tenth where it offers the capability. Hesham Safwat, Jumia’s Chief Executive for the Egyptian market, said the ecommerce company focused on Africa is planning to launch the service during the first quarter with hundreds of participating restaurants. It will face
In compliance with section 3.59 (b) of the Lusaka Securities Exchange Limited’s Listings Requirements, the Board of Directors (“the Board”) of Zambeef Products Plc (“the Company”) wishes to announce the resignation of Mr. Danny Museteka as Company Secretary with effect from 1 February, 2021. The Board thanks Mr. Museteka for his valuable contribution to the
Inspired by Egypt’s leadership in the field of information and communications technology as a result of its well-trained cadres, the eCommerce leader in Egypt and Africa, has announced that the Egyptian market has been chosen officially to host a technology center to be the new Jumia technology center in Africa to provide its services to
The rhetoric of “retail is dead” is incorrect. In fact, retail is advancing at a rapid rate to meet the consumer demands for in-store innovation and service solutions for their shopping requirements in this post-COVID era. This was the view of industry thought leaders who participated in the Fortress Retail Evolution webinar that took place
MediRite now offers the cheapest COVID-19 rapid antibody tests in South Africa. The tests cost just R129.99 each, and are available from the MediRite pharmacies conveniently located in Shoprite and Checkers stores across the country. This low COVID-19 antibody test price point, and the relatively painless and hassle-free nature of the test, make understanding antibody status more
Konga leverages e-Commerce to boost fortunes of local farmers Konga shows the way, leverages e-Commerce to reposition rural farmers Konga records another first with e-Commerce-enabled Agriculture Konga, Nigeria’s foremost composite retail giant, has once again led from the front, revolutionizing agriculture in Nigeria by leveraging e-Commerce in helping rural farmers access better agricultural inputs such
Clinomix® is a zeolite-based feed additive and stock remedy that contains 90% clinoptilolite, a completely natural mineral mined and processed exclusively by Pratley South Africa. Clinomix® effectively reduces acidosis and ammonia levels. Using Clinomix® therefore improves the overall health of sheep, cattle and other ruminants. It is a mycotoxin binder that eliminates 99.9% of deadly
Ticketpro, a leading ticketing company and a member of the Blue Label Telecoms group of companies, has announced that it has added long-distance bus tickets to its portfolio of products and services. “We are very excited to launch and add long-distance bus ticketing to our portfolio – it’s part of our evolution and strategy in
By installing these plugins, large and small merchants can offer Kwik Delivery’s on-demand, just-in-time delivery service to all their customers Kwik Delivery has announced that it has released its Kwik Delivery plugin for Shopify, allowing Nigeria-based Shopify merchants to seamlessly integrating Kwik’s groundbreaking last-mile delivery service. “Last September, Kwik had become the first African last-mile
By Mike Smollan, Chief Growth & Innovation Officer, Smollan With the brakes applied in lock-down and a nationwide ban on alcohol spilling over into the New Year, letting your hair down flamed by one’s favourite tipple was turned on its head as spare rooms, car boots and garden sheds were hastily converted as ‘stocking up’
By: Allan Dickson the Independent Chairman at redPanda Software ‘As a retailer, how much should I be spending on IT?’ Although retail decision-makers have been asking this question (with high frequency) for decades, the amplified role of technology in driving sales today has arguably made this question more important than ever before. Without a doubt,
It’s official: Checkers is South Africa’s best grocery store and supermarket brand as voted by readers of The Star in their annual 2020 Star Readers’ Choice Awards. Checkers is known for convenience, quality and freshness and through constant innovation has brought many unique experiences to its customers, including: world-class retail with its new Fresh X stores, such
Continued COVID-19 pandemic lockdown trading restrictions, albeit at reducing levels in the first half of this reporting period, further exacerbated by the onset of the second wave of the pandemic and the resultant implementation of revised Level 3 restrictions in the key trading month of December 2020, curtailed franchised restaurant sales in the six months
Eskom’s loadshedding, alongside an enduring pandemic, have proven a devastating combination, repeatedly destroying historical data, and demanding an (artificial intelligence) solution to predict the unpredictable. The past year has been shaped by the pandemic. The uncertainty has influenced how organisations approach day-to-day forecasting of sales, people and stock, battling to manage fluctuating trading hours due to
Micro-retailers to receive $150,000 worth of financial support, free health products and training, to ease the economic impact of the pandemic. Mastercard, Unilever and KCB Bank have built on their partnership to support micro-merchants in Kenya by expanding their current Jaza Duka program to provide an extensive COVID-19 relief package to retailers. Micro, small and
SPAR Zimbabwe is delighted to announce the opening of its 39th store, SPAR Marondera, on 16 January. Customers can look forward to a wide range of products and competitive pricing in a modern and bright setting. SPAR Marondera will focus on the SPAR ‘Fresh is Best’ policy, with the highest quality specifications in all sections,
Written by Roger Landman, original article can be found here. In the world of the hyperconscious consumer, food & beverage manufacturers have a duty to manage risk through food traceability technologies such as those found in an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), to not only identify and respond to food safety issues, but also to support supply
By Lionel de Oliveira, Sales Manager South Africa, Seidor Africa The pharmaceutical industry is faced with a multitude of challenges, including a rapidly changing landscape, competitive pressures, and the supply chain challenges wrought by the global COVID-19 outbreak. With a COVID-19 vaccine likely to be available in early 2021, we can expect even more pressure
True to its proud history of innovation and customer service, Engen has launched an exciting new private label convenience brand, Quickshop & Co. with all products in the range locally sourced and offering good quality at a great price. South Africans have come to expect constant innovation from South Africa’s favourite petrol station* brand, which
First-of-its-kind, portfolio of solutions was designed to provide retailers a modular, open and ‘always-on’ approach to the evolving challenges of the modern store Diebold Nixdorf (NYSE: DBD) announced the launch of DN SeriesTM EASY, a new family of self-service solutions created to address retailers’ most pressing needs: improve store efficiency, enhance consumers’ shopping experience and drive down costs.
