By Marius Wessels Manager: Professional Services for SYSPRO Africa Food goes to waste at every stage in the food manufacturing and distribution process – from farming and production to packaging, storage, distribution, retail and finally, once it reaches consumers. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), globally we lose or
RFG Holdings today reported a 37.1% increase in headline earnings to R217 million for the six months ended March 2023 as the regional and international businesses expanded margins and delivered strong all-round performances. The Western-Cape based food producer, which owns market-leading brands Rhodes, Bull Brand, Magpie, Squish, Hinds and Today, increased group operating profit by
The number of stores allowing customers to scan items as they shop grew by nearly a quarter globally last year, and is expected to triple by 2028. 57,000 stores offering mobile self-scanning Retailers are increasingly investing in mobile self-scanning technology, with an additional 11,500 stores offering the service in 2022. According to Mobile Self-Scanning and
Lewis Group reported resilient credit sales growth and a strong debtors’ book performance in the year to March 2023, while the group’s overall results reflect the poor state of consumers in South Africa’s low growth, high inflationary environment. Headline earnings were 9.8% lower at R506 million while headline earnings per share increased by 1.0% to
Pick a channel, any channel. With so many to choose from, marketers have their hands full as they weigh the options, allocate their budgets, and then validate their decisions. And as varied as the measurement landscape is today, the challenges will only increase as new channels come to market—unless marketers shift to think more holistically about
Massmart, owner of Game, Builders and Makro, has introduced Walmart’s Global Integrated Fulfillment (GIF) software to all Makro stores – with plans underway to expand into Game and Builders. Massmart, owner of Game, Builders and Makro, has introduced Walmart’s Global Integrated Fulfillment (GIF) software to all Makro stores – with plans underway to expand into
Globally, retail pharmacies are adapting their models to meet changing consumer preferences. According to consulting firm McKinsey, the pharmacy of the future needs to create “a differentiated experience for the consumer” or offer a “differentiated set of products and services.” Meeting the evolving needs of consumers is a priority for Clicks. Nearly two decades after
Arla Foods, maker of Dano Milk, has inaugurated its state-of-the-art dairy farm in Kaduna as part of the company’s efforts to ensure sustainable milk production in Nigeria. The farm located in Damau village, Kubau Local Government Area, Kaduna State, was inaugurated on Thursday, May 25, 2023, by the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir
Shoprite and Checkers’ private label products scooped first place in nine categories – including best Mild Cheddar Cheese, Buffalo Milk Mozzarella, Chunky Cottage Cheese and Dairy Dessert – at the 190th South African Dairy Awards. A total of 52 products were submitted under seven of the supermarkets’ different private labels: Housebrand, Ritebrand, Crystal Valley, Royale,
Moment offers expanded payment infrastructure for businesses across Africa to help them collect and make payments easier, quicker, and more affordable MultiChoice Group, Rapyd and General Catalyst today announced a joint venture aimed at developing an integrated payment platform for Africa. The joint venture will operate under a new company, called Moment. Moment offers expanded
In South Africa, ecommerce transactions are regulated by the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA) and the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA). It is important that companies doing business over the internet are aware of the details of these two key pieces of legislation, with retailers having to be on
With half of South Africa’s population living in the estimated 532 townships around the country, vast potential lies in the so-called ‘township economy’. According to Roger Wilco’s 2022 Township CX Report, the vibrant, culture-rich township economy representing hundreds of billions of rands in spending power is largely untapped and misunderstood. The total market value of
The countrywide adoption of Bitcoin payments by industry titan, Pick ‘n Pay, late last year, heralded the first among many new developments in the payment technology landscape. The past few years have seen the proliferation of new methods of transacting, with local fintech innovators earning their place within the new-generation payments ecosystem. Consumer credit has
1Stream CRM is a smart and easy-to-use solution that will help your sales team achieve their targets by providing them with all the tools they need to help your business grow. Designed for medium to large organisations, 1Stream CRM is successfully utilised by some of South Africa’s leading corporates, backed by 1Stream’s expertise and support.
SA juice market R7.9-Billion in sales to end March 2023 Traditional trade outlets offer refreshed shopping opportunities The South African juice market grew by 9.5% in the 12 months to the end of March 2023 and is now worth R7.9-Billion in annual sales. This is according to new data analysis by NIQ that was presented
Touchscreens are increasingly being used for payment and while they offer many benefits for users, we must ensure they are accessible for all. Martin Doherty, CSO for Northern Europe and DACH at Ingenico, shares how Ingenico found a solution alongside the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to enable blind and partially sighted people
3The Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) has granted an interim relief application brought by the Industrial Gas Users’ Association of Southern Africa (IGUA-SA), interdicting Sasol Gas from increasing the price of piped natural gas above R68.39/GJ for the next six months. Natural gas is an essential input for IGUA-SA’s members which include large industrial users of gas
Registration is open to connect with buyers from around the globe. The local food and beverage market is seeing healthy investment activity from new manufacturing plants being opened to popular brands expanding onshore. Recognising the potential of this market and further across the continent, significant prospects await at Africa’s Big 7 returning in June. “As
Strong brands and a growing footprint. Famous Brands is best known for its much-loved brands and reputation as a leading and responsible franchisor. Famous Brands is a vertically integrated Group with 17 restaurant brands and a network of 2 887 restaurants. We operate franchised, master licensed and Company-owned restaurants. Our business model comprises four core
Pick n Pay helping to feed South African families with R10m of free groceries Pick n Pay, one of South Africa’s leading retailers, has launched an exciting initiative to reward their Smart Shoppers by randomly selecting one winner from every store nationwide every day until 18 June 2023 to win their entire shopping for free.
Friction at checkout remains a major challenge for businesses, many of which are doing everything they can to reduce cart abandonment and ensure a great customer experience. At the same time, banks face their own challenges as they are the last defence for both customer and merchant when it comes to fraud protection. However, when
By Shaun Holley, Deputy CEO & Head of Innovation & Rory Bosman, Sales & Marketing Executive at Ecentric Payment Systems Today’s consumers have access to a myriad of convenient experiences through mobile apps and online platforms, and they expect a similar level of ease when interacting with businesses and specifically payment interactions. Indeed, consumer demand
Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce group, after two years of extensive research and test-running, is set to further raise the bar of service delivery in the industry with the launch of KongaNow, guaranteed same day delivery of verified products, for which Konga will take complete responsibility. All you need to do is go to www.Konga.com/konga/now
Paratus is branding three existing shops in Soweto, Otjomuise and Okuryangava selling Paratus products and services to a previously untapped market; community members given training, jobs, and commission; community site owners receive income; convenience for informal sector residents to buy telco services. In a clever partnership deal, telecommunications operator, Paratus Namibia, has now branded three
Convenience retail is an unstoppable force in South Africa’s consumer goods market. A new report from Trade Intelligence examines the size of the prize for retailers and brands, and the forces shaping this dynamic and rapidly evolving sector. The local tearoom or café was once the cornerstone of suburban South Africa, much as the spaza
Africa’s Largest B2B E-commerce Network Launches First Location in Southern Africa Wasoko, the African e-commerce company leveraging innovative technology to transform the informal retail supply chain, has today announced its expansion into Zambia – the company’s first location in Southern Africa. Following the launch, Wasoko will invest over $1mn in its first year of operations
• 32% have turned to online to get better deals, save on petrol and minimize shopping trips • 26% claim they only have enough money for food, shelter, and the basics Amidst a financial pressure cooker and a continued barrage of power cuts, the 2023 NIQ Consumer Outlook Report for South Africa has found that
Growthpoint Properties has announced a major redevelopment project for Bayside Mall, the iconic Cape Town shopping centre located in the heart of the Table View and Parklands areas. The R352m project commences this month (May 2023) and will introduce new retail choices, a revamped food court, improved shopper flows and better access to the centre
In line with its strategic intent to be a digitally powered business that is committed to transformation, Absa Bank has acquired a minority stake in the agritech start-up, Khula! App Pty Ltd. Through its award-winning app, Khula! has built an ecosystem of three platforms that addresses challenges across the agricultural value chain. This includes a
Bata is a household name globally with a reputation for affordable, reliable footwear. It currently produces over five million shoes a year at its manufacturing facility in Loskop, Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal, mainly comprising Toughees school shoes, Bata Industrials safety footwear, Safari for the outdoor adventurer, and the Tomy Takkies line. Country Manager, Michael Wyatt, says
The Futuregrowth Community Property Fund (“Comprop”) has acquired Sam Ntuli Mall, which brings the Comprop portfolio to 24 shopping centres, with a total gross lettable area of more than 420 000m2, valued in excess of R7.3 billion. Sam Ntuli Mall is a recently developed, high quality regional shopping centre situated in the large township of Katlehong,
How smart-tech companies kill two birds with one stone – order fulfilment and marketing Happy customer, happy business. It’s an old adage but one that rings true even with all the changes that have occurred in retail. Whether you’re running a brick-and-mortar store or e-commerce business, enabling shoppers to conveniently buy quality goods at affordable
E-commerce shoppers have been promised a frictionless checkout for years, but new moves by the card schemes will take South African consumers a step closer. Soon, local merchants will be able to offer online shoppers a faster checkout experience giving them a seamless experience, much like the ones already available on Amazon and other global
SPAR’s partnership with social impact company Too Good To Go, has saved 3.5 million meals from going to waste in 14 countries. Since the launch of the international partnership in 2020, over 3,000 SPAR stores have actively been curbing food waste with the innovative digital solution across 14 SPAR countries. This has supported Too Good
Francisco Gil, Managing Director Ingenico Iberia & Africa Markets, explores the added value that Android technology brings to the retail sector. He sets out through various examples how Android can not only help to improve the customer experience, but also generate additional revenues in sales. The covid pandemic was a challenging time for the traditional
The Board of Directors is satisfied that a reasonable degree of certainty exists that the Group’s financial results for the year ended 28 February 2023 will differ by at least 20% from those reported for the year ended 28 February 2022 (“the prior comparable year”) and is therefore required to issue this trading statement in
ACI Worldwide, a global leader in mission-critical, real-time payments, has teamed up with MagicCube, the creator of i-Accept™, to deliver secure and seamless contactless payments on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) smartphones and tablets using Tap to Pay—with or without PIN. The solution will provide mid-size and large retailers operating in complex environments with device-agnostic control and visibility of
Customers truly embraced the spirit of SPAR’s Stuffed with Love campaign which ended on 31 March. Shoppers and local institutions were encouraged to donate items and toys for children in need. This netted many more donations than the retailer had anticipated, with great diversity of items being collected. SPAR Zimbabwe has a multi-pillar responsible retailing
In 2021 Massmart announced a renewed commitment to eCommerce as a strategic growth vector and the owner of Makro, Game and Builders has invested significantly in this area over the last two years. In 2021 Massmart announced a renewed commitment to eCommerce as a strategic growth vector and the owner of Makro, Game and Builders
In accordance with the JSE Limited Listings Requirements and Section 122(1) of the Companies Act, No 71 of 2008 (“the Act”), shareholders are advised that JP Morgan Chase & Co. has formally notified Shoprite Holdings that it has acquired ordinary shares in the Company, resulting in the total beneficial interest of Shoprite Holdings ordinary shares
As online retail growth pushes into the double digit territory, companies that are holding onto a purely face-to-face business model will lose out. Companies under pressure to deliver the revenue growth their investors are looking for shouldn’t just be focusing on adding an ecommerce play, but should rather be looking at the opportunities presented by
Local retailer, Game, was this month named South Africa’s tenth strongest brand according to Brand Finance’s 2023 ‘South Africa 100’ report – up from 92nd place just last year, after a 36-point increase in its Brand Strength Index score. This is the first time the 53-year-old brand has entered the top ten, amongst other brands
Clicks Group proved its resilience and defensiveness in challenging trading conditions as retail turnover increased by 11.9% in the six months to February 2023, with Clicks reporting market share gains in all product categories. Group turnover increased by 6.8%, excluding vaccinations, to R20.0 billion for the half year. Diluted headline earnings per share, adjusting for
At the recent Digital Retail Africa 2023 Conference, held in Johannesburg, experts agreed that eCommerce is gaining great momentum across the continent. Especially due to the propulsion to digitise by the Covid 19 pandemic, businesses are innovating, embracing digitisation. According to SABS News’ coverage of the event, it is estimated that nearly half of the
Online retail in South Africa has hit a major milestone, eclipsing R50 billion in annual sales during 2022. Research from World Wide Worx records a 40% increase in the total number of South Africans shopping online since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Yet many retailers are struggling to turn this trend to their
In today’s highly competitive retail environment, access to accurate real-time transaction and inventory data is critical to meeting customer demands. For one of South Africa’s leading retailers, a fast-tracked digital transformation of its transaction and reconciliation processes built on SAP S/4HANA has unlocked immense benefits and efficiency across the business. “We have seen a huge
The prevailing business environment is more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) than ever before, and today’s consumers are more demanding and unpredictable. To keep customers satisfied and to ensure that the right goods are available where and when they are needed, regardless of the latest local or global disruption, supply chain management has become
Africa’s Big 7 returns with entries open for the inaugural Innovation Awards According to Statista, revenue in South Africa’s e-commerce food sector is projected to reach US$522.90 million this year, with an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of 5.47% over 2023-2027.[i] Ordering food online is just one facet of this booming industry, packed with tasty
Brands utilizing CCPaaS can provide rich commerce experiences for consumers in any mobile messaging channel Clickatell (https://apo-opa.info/3UKhn92), a pioneer in mobile messaging and Chat Commerce innovation, today announced the launch of the world’s first Chat Commerce Platform as a Service (CCPaaS) (https://apo-opa.info/3L9mmNk) that empowers brands to capitalize on the opportunity of chat commerce, the emerging next wave of
By Zak Haeri, Managing Director – South Africa, GfK South African brands have spoken about omnichannel customer experiences and engagements for years. Yet despite the massive growth of digital sales and marketing channels during the pandemic, true omnichannel strategies remain far and few between. Many retailers and consumer brands are still struggling to catch up
