Local brands have had to adapt quickly to retail and customer-facing environments deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In trying to balance their survival with safe practices, an overwhelming majority of businesses believe that customer behaviour will change in a post-pandemic world, and major disruption to supply chains has left many struggling to adapt. These
Visa and Bank of Abyssinia (BoA) have announced a strategic partnership to drive of e-commerce acquiring through Visa CyberSource payment gateway, therefore becoming a member of Visa’s global payments ecosystem. This partnership also makes BoA the first bank in Ethiopia to drive e-commerce acquiring thus enabling businesses accept online payments using credit cards. The e-commerce
With the Covid-19 pandemic seriously limiting retail sales in physical stores, online sales are booming like never before in South Africa. Pioneering the way is the discount online grocery retailer eButler which aims to reach every sector of the South African marketplace including those in townships and rural areas. According to global forecasts and statisa.com, ecommerce
Africa’s leading money transfer and remittances provider Mukuru is launching a shopping discount initiative in which every SA-based Mukuru customer sending money home will gain access to R500 in grocery discounts. The discounts will be available on over 60 staple products (such as canned items, household cleaning products, maize meal, baby products, dairy products, etc.),
South Africans have had to adjust their promotion obsessed purchasing habits during the COVID-19 lockdown, with R14-Billion fewer goods being sold on promotion during April & May 2020 compared to the same time last year. The significance of this is evident, considering the fact that Nielsen research in 2019 found that South Africa was the
The Shoprite Group’s Portfolio Management Office (PMO) gained international recognition recently when it won the 2020 PMO of the Year Award in Africa. They have also reached the finalist stage in the coveted World PMO of the Year Award, competing against corporates from Honduras (Americas), Ukraine (Europe) and the United Arab Emirates (Asia-Pacific). This latest
Shell customers are set to benefit from an enhanced customer care experience each time they drive into any of the over 150 Shell service stations countrywide. The development is a result of Vivo Energy’s recent launch of a customer service training facility, the Retail Academy, whose core mandate is to upskill its entire spectrum of
While an omnichannel approach has become the norm across most industries, forward-looking businesses are considering the next level to gain competitive advantage. According to Andrea Tucker, Research and Development Head at e4, to disrupt a market using omnichannel strategy businesses will need to turn to Artificial Intelligence (AI). “AI has become a tool that is
In the restaurant industry, the importance of good customer service is balanced by the need to ensure the customer can easily pay for their meal at the end of their experience – and these two areas inevitably converge at the point-of-sale (PoS). When the South African Nando’s business embarked on a journey to implement new
Partnerships with development agencies and government efforts to boost the digital economy are helping soften the economic blow of the pandemic David Akanshumbusha sells groceries at a stall in Nakawa market on the outskirts of the Ugandan capital, Kampala. He’s also on SafeBoda, a motorcycle (‘bodaboda’) taxi hailing app that recently launched an e-commerce platform
The global outbreak of the COVID-19 has undoubtedly changed the entire food industry. In order to help the food industry embrace changes and turn crisis into an opportunity，21Food and Topservice Expo jointly organized the 21FOOD ONLINE EXPO( July 25 to August 5 ). A virtual forum will be held where experts from home and abroad
As of 13 May, every country on the African continent had recorded a confirmed case of infection with the coronavirus. The resulting strict lockdown measures and social distancing precautions necessary to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have had a profound impact on many African markets in which SPAR operates. During times of crisis,
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred unprecedented growth in ecommerce, accelerating local adoption rates by as many as three to five years. However, as online shopping continues to boom, many online retailers have struggled to cope with the demand and disruptions to their supply chains. As internet and mobile penetration increases, businesses will need to embrace
Long-serving Chief Executive Officer of Spur Corporation, Pierre van Tonder, has announced that he plans to retire after 38 years of service on 31 December 2020. Pierre joined the group in 1982 as a junior restaurant manager. He held several senior management positions before he became a Director of Spur Steak Ranches and Spur Holdings
The V&A Waterfront is the first attraction in South Africa to adopt the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp, the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp for Travel & Tourism, designed specifically to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks The V&A joins an international list of 80 top travel destinations and
As businesses emerge from the sombre trenches of the past few months, eyes are on those who offer financially stressed consumers a silver lining and according to franchisee Rudolph van Zyl, Cash Crusaders is one of them. “Cash Crusaders stores will be able to meet an immediate post lockdown need,” says Rudolph, “and not only
TradeDepot, the B2B eCommerce platform for consumer goods in Africa, has raised a further $10 million in a pre-Series B equity round co-led by Partech, International Finance Corporation, Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) and MSA Capital. This is in addition to the $3 million Series A led by Partech in 2018. TradeDepot will use the
The Edcon Business Rescue Practitioners are pleased to announce that it has accepted a conditional offer in terms of which the practitioners have agreed to enter into discussions with the Foschini Group Ltd for the sale of parts of the Jet business. TFG is home to a comprehensive portfolio of 29 retail brands that trade
Pieter Hanekom, the managing director of the Long Life Foods division of Rhodes Food Group, has been appointed as deputy CEO of RFG Holdings Limited with effect from 8 July 2020. Pieter (55) has also been appointed as an executive director to the board of RFG. A chartered accountant with over 30 years’ experience, Pieter
The nature of South African shopping trips has shifted during the COVID-19 lockdown from an initial focus on bulk, stock up shopping to everyday needs shopping, which is up a significant 10 points from pre-COVID-19 levels, both online and offline. This data stems from a significant new Nielsen study ‘The New Shopper Normal’ conducted at
Ongoing innovation in PnP stores to make banking more accessible and convenient for all customers Customers can now make cash deposits directly into their own bank account at any Pick n Pay till point, anywhere in South Africa. Deposits at till points is another first for the retailer as they increasingly become a one-stop-shop where
Dis-Chem notes with disappointment the Competition Tribunal’s decision in which it found that Dis-Chem had engaged in excessive pricing of surgical masks and imposed an administrative penalty of R1 200 000 (one million and two hundred thousand rand). Dis-Chem Pharmacies CEO Ivan Saltzman said that Dis-Chem will take the matter on appeal to the Competition
The Competition Tribunal (the Tribunal) has found Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited (Dis-Chem) guilty of charging excessive prices for surgical face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Tribunal has also ordered that Dis-Chem is liable to pay an administrative penalty (a fine) of R1 200 000 (one million two hundred thousand rand). In its order and reasons,
By: Leon Coetzer, Managing Director UK of redPanda Software Retail sector investment into mobile apps and platforms has been accelerated by the global pandemic. There can be no doubt that the next era of retail success will be defined by the friction-free, or ultra-convenient, shopping experience. This will hold true for both the online and
Children are the future and education is their best way forward; because of this, SPAR Botswana is supporting schools and children in need. During the recent lockdown, SPAR Botswana provided funding for a range of education related initiatives. Schools and orphans supported The daughter of a supermarket manager of SPAR Acacia in Gaborone initiated a
Spur Corporation restaurants are ready to welcome customers from Monday, 29 June 2020, following the detailed regulations announced on Friday by the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, relating to the operation of sit-down restaurants during advanced level 3 lockdown. It is important to note that each one of our restaurants is independently owned and operated,
Hima Cement and Jumia Uganda have announced an exciting Partnership which is aimed at driving flexibility and convenience for cement customers. Starting 1st July 2020, customers can now access the wide selection of Hima cement solutions on Jumia, Uganda’s number one e-commerce platform. The service starts in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono, giving customers the chance
SPAR Zimbabwe has contracted community development groups to make reusable, washable face masks. Working from home, the women of these community projects produced 1,000 masks, which were then distributed to people in need in Mbare, Chtinugwiza, and Mabvuku. This community outreach not only benefited the health and safety of shoppers and store team members but
The Fair Cape Cares Foundation has partnered with Cape Talk to help provide nourishing meals for the communities left vulnerable by the Covid-19 lockdown. The foundation, a charitable trust underwritten by Fair Cape Dairies, has committed to donating R400 000 worth of dairy products to feeding schemes in the Cape Town area during July and
Shareholders are referred to the Renewal of Cautionary Announcement (“Announcement”) published on SENS on 20 May 2020 relating to the Board of Directors’ (“Board”) decision not to provide any further financial assistance to GBK Restaurants Limited (“GBK”). Shareholders were furthermore cautioned that the Board’s decision to withhold further financial support for GBK may result in
Scheinberg Relief Fund helps online retailer Yebo Fresh increase its distribution capacity Disadvantaged communities in Cape townships benefit from a donation made to online retailer Yebo Fresh Attracting international interest, the disruptor Cape Town retail food provider Yebo Fresh is now able to provide food security to even more township residents suffering as a result
The partnership with Mastercard is setting the benchmark for Uber across the MEA region. Our teams are working 24/7 to assist health and medical care authorities as well as workers supporting our communities in responding to the pandemic. We have partnered with Mastercard, who have committed 120,000 free trips and meals to workers who are
Computicket, which launched virtual grocery vouchers to help people in need during the Covid-19 pandemic, has sold almost 200 000 vouchers valued at over R50 million since the start of the lockdown. It is also live streaming events and partnering with SA Rugby to raffle tickets for Food Forward SA and Gift of the Givers. The ticket seller, whose
The Edcon Business Rescue Practitioners today announce the signing of a “Heads of Agreement” to sell parts of Edgars to Retailability (Pty) Ltd. Retailability is a fashion retailer and the holding company of store brands including Legit, Beaver Canoe and Style, operating in over 460 stores across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and eSwatini. The
Wirecard AG, a German digital payments company, filed for insolvency in Germany on 25 June 2020. Press reports have alleged that, a few years ago, Wirecard AG could have been linked to a probable case of round-tripping involving a Mauritius-registered entity. The Bank of Mauritius (Bank) and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) are jointly investigating
The Argility Technology Group’s retail driver delivery solution, MultiTrax, has been expanded to include an additional module that automates driver delivery scheduling (DDS). This is a powerful addition to this innovative product, especially in Covid-19 times, where retailers are scrambling to retain trade and move to online purchases with timeous delivery. MultiTrax – developed in-house
Schneider Electric’s line of APC uninterruptible power supply solutions are now available and on sale for both consumers and businesses in Algeria following an agreement between the company’s distributors and Jumia, the largest e-commerce platform in Africa. Jumia customers will be able to buy APC products online from the comfort of their home or their
Since Game’s inception in 1970, South Africa’s retail industry has continued to evolve – and retailers have had to do the same to remain relevant. “When Game entered the market, South Africa’s retail environment was already well-developed. Our founders had a mission to make shopping fun and exciting – essentially to make it a game.
South Africa’s top five fuel station brands – BP, Caltex, Engen, Sasol and Shell – are leading the way in the customer satisfaction stakes, with one of the highest industry Customer Satisfaction scores across 10 sectors polled in the South African Customer Satisfaction Index (SA-csi), conducted by Consulta. This is the first time that fuel
The subpoena application hearing in the class action: Subpoena granted compelling the NICD/other to provide information Tiger Brands confirms that the Johannesburg Division of the Gauteng High Court has ruled in its favour to compel the NICD, two accredited national laboratories and a number of meat producers to provide critical epidemiological information required for the
Covid-19 and the pandemic’s subsequent lockdowns forced the Shoprite Group, with more than 147 000 employees, to implement a work from home environment almost overnight, rapidly facilitating thousands of virtual meetings per day in order to keep operations running smoothly. As Africa’s largest food retailer, many of the Group’s employees continued to report to work
Shareholders are advised that the Company’s annual financial statements and Integrated Annual Report will be available on its website at www.famousbrands.co.za from Monday, 29 June 2020, and contains no modifications to the summarised audited results, published on the Stock Exchange News Service on 26 May 2020 or the independent external auditors report in respect thereof.
Unlike anything the world has seen before, the COVID-19 pandemic fuelled a sudden digital surge that catapulted both global and local eCommerce traffic to unprecedented levels. The closest comparable example – while on a much smaller geographical scale – would be the 2003 SARS crisis, which is today recognised as kickstarting Alibaba’s eCommerce success in
ImStaying NPC together with PEP Stores launches the Lay-By Buddy Initiative to help customers pay off their Lay-By. “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” – Margaret Mead. South African clothing retail giant PEP, together with the nation’s biggest good news provider #ImStaying, are
In a move designed to support local manufacturing and small enterprises, Dis-Chem Pharmacies has partnered with corporate clothing group Worksgroup to outsource the production of its staff uniforms via a small manufacturing incubator in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Worksgroup has established incubator groups at its Durban manufacturing plant which sees small pods manufacturing goods for Worksgroup’s customers.
The Business Rescue Plan has been approved and has been finally adopted in terms of section 152 of the Companies Act. Edcon Practitioners, Messrs. Piers Marsden and Lance Schapiro are pleased to announce the approval of the Edcon Business Rescue Plan. The plan was approved by the majority of affected parties including, employees, creditors, lenders,
Study shows consumers worldwide opting for touch-free, secure and seamless ways to pay The way we shop is changing. With constraints imposed on our daily lives due to COVID-19, consumers are adopting new payment habits at an accelerated pace, according to a global study by Mastercard conducted in 15 markets. Consumers are increasingly moving away
Spur Corporation welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on 17 June 2020 to open trading for sit-down restaurants. The restaurant industry has been hit hard by the national lockdown and the return to business will enable thousands of people to earn a living and support their families. “We’re pleased with the announcement as the coronavirus pandemic
Emerging domestic natural gas and helium producer Renergen is pleased to announce that Total South Africa Proprietary Limited (“Total”) and the Company signed an agreement for the joint marketing and distribution of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) through Total’s service stations. Renergen is in the construction phase of South Africa’s first commercial LNG plant, and is
Helping those most vulnerable, preventing the spread of the virus and contributing to the recovery of local economies Across Africa and in partnership with NGOs, Coca-Cola (www.Coca-ColaCompany.com) in Africa, and its bottling partners (the “Coca-Cola System”) and The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), have been deploying a range of resources, including capabilities, funds and products to support
