Following an escalation in the number of Covid-19 cases in the Witzenberg municipal district and the ninth positive case at its site, RFG has dramatically scaled down production at its fruit products factory in Tulbagh. The company has further confirmed the death of two employees although these have not been linked to Covid-19. At this
Each one of our restaurants is independently owned and operated under franchise. It is important to note that as our restaurants are largely sit down and the overhead structures associated with this business model are significant (measurably more than a quick service restaurant). Opening the doors for trade is not an inexpensive exercise and therefore
Heeding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for greater private sector support in the fight against Covid-19, the Massmart Board and Executive Committee will personally fund, through a waiver of a portion of their monthly remuneration, 230 tons of food for distribution to vulnerable communities. This personal contribution will be made to FoodForward South Africa via deliveries
The Edcon group have announced, that the Board of Edcon has passed a resolution authorizing it to file for business rescue in the course of the next few days. Following the coronavirus outbreak in South Africa, and the President’s first announcement on Sunday, 15th March Edcon has lost R2bn in sales. The sales miss, and
A number of innovative new online services recently launched by the Shoprite Group have been making life a whole lot easier. And the good news is, they’re here to stay – even beyond the national lockdown. Virtual Vouchers South Africans who wish to reach out and help those in need can now purchase a virtual grocery
“As a group, we operate across eight geographies and run various businesses across the value chain in the FMCG space, from distribution to in-store execution. MACmobile software allows us to enhance our capability within our organisation and offer our clients increased efficiency and effectiveness. Acquiring a shareholding in the businesses allows us to develop a
New e-commerce store provides free website with integrated digital payments African digital payments company, DPO Group, has launched an e-commerce store. Powered by Mastercard’s payments gateway technology, the platform will enable merchants across Africa to swiftly move their businesses online and continue to trade with their customers. The end to end e-commerce solution, called
South Africans who want to reach out and help fellow citizens who are economically destitute, in a time where physical contact is severely restricted due to the lockdown, can now buy virtual vouchers via an electronic funds transfer (EFT). The EFT functionality adds to the convenience of buying virtual vouchers, which were recently introduced and
The annual South African Dairy Championships is one of Agri-Expo’s most prestigious events. This year, eighty independent judges were called on to appraise 975 dairy products from 74 producers. The winning products are crowned SA Champions and only a few products are awarded the celebrated Qualité Mark of Excellence. It is noteworthy that these championships
The Argility Technology Group (ATG) has announced a strategic investment in Neo Retail Solutions – a company that specialises in the development; design and build, plus marketing, of automated retail technology solutions. This is the enterprise software solutions group’s sixth investment in just over two years. Neo develops smart, integrated selling platforms for high risk
As South Africa moves into its fourth week of a national lockdown, the citrus industry continues to focus on ensuring consumers have access to fresh citrus fruit while safeguarding the health of its workers. In this regard we are pleased to have seen an increase in demand for lemons from overseas markets, with 4,5 million
Tiendeo launches a cool new tool to avoid long queues and crowds in South Africa responding to the unique needs of RSA consumers and retailers “Is there a queue?”, integrates the data obtained from Tiendeo’s advanced geotracking technology with feedback from actual consumers in supermarkets. In this way, a real-time estimate of waiting times is
The Shoprite Group’s customers can now pay for groceries with their phones as the retailer continues to find new ways to keep its stores, customers and employees safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the first South African food retailer to offer dynamic QR payments which will be available at the tills in all Shoprite, Usave, Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores
Customers can download the Mr D Food app, phone their MediRite pharmacy, place an order and pay for it via EFT or medical aid. MediRite will process the order and customers can then order their delivery on the app to receive their medicine at home. The initiative will be rolled out initially across 55 of the
In keeping with its famous motto, Zambeef has vowed to continue feeding the nation, despite the Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) outbreak. The country’s largest food producer and retailer continues to stand true to its mission despite the COVID-19 pandemic that is adversely impacting the manufacturing sector in Zambia and beyond. The viral disease is threatening the
SPAR’s core values incorporate family, community, and the ability to inspire people to do and be more. Here, we share just three examples of community support in South Africa given by independent SPAR retailers in response to challenging circumstances of the national lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Support for orphaned children in
Vivo Energy Uganda has announced the introduction of a free home delivery solution for Shell Gas. This is in a bid to bring services closer and offer greater convenience, safe transportation and doorstep delivery of Shell Gas to customers. The move follows restrictions put in place by the Uganda government to stem the spread of
In light of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the retail sector is facing unprecedented challenges, as is every other industry to a greater or lesser degree. However, ScanZone, a technology supplier to the industry, believes that the current slowdown may be a window of opportunity for retailers to retrospectively look at their journey into e-commerce platforms.
SPAR Nigeria operates 14 hypermarkets in several major cities around the country. A government lock down from 3rd April in response to the corona virus COVID-19 outbreak, led to them changing their store opening hours and introduce online ordering for home delivery. Having seen that shoppers were purchasing larger volumes than normal of many products,
South Africa can expect significant growth in contactless payments on the back of Covid-19. It is also likely that the public’s newfound (and sensible) aversion to contact will spur additional innovation, especially given the uncertainty around second and third waves, says South Africa’s largest payment solution provider, DPO SA. “There is no doubt that an
Vivo Energy Uganda, the distributor and marketer of Shell branded fuels and lubricants in Uganda, has contributed 50 Million Uganda shillings worth of fuel (about 13,000 litres) to support the mobility of the Ministry of Health Emergency teams countrywide in a bid to further mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. In addition, the
Stanchion Payment Solutions, a global specialist in payments systems and integration, has announced that it has appointed Steven Kirrage as its global CEO with effect from the 16th March 2020. Graham Williams, the outgoing CEO, will assume the position of Chairman and will continue to provide strategic guidance to the board. Based in Dubai, Kirrage
Fair Cape Dairies is delighted to announce that it has won seven Qualité Awards at this year’s South African National Dairy Championships. A Qualité Award is a symbol of outstanding quality for dairy products which is only awarded to South African Dairy Champions which have obtained a specific minimum point on the international scorecard. The Fair
Massmart announces a price freeze in all our Makro, Cambridge Food, Game and Cash & Carry stores for the duration of the 21-day nationwide lockdown. This will involve suspending price adjustments that were scheduled, as part of the normal course of business, before the lockdown was announced. Fresh produce, which is procured daily from fresh
Africa’s leading eCommerce platform Jumia has announced the implementation of ‘contactless’ delivery for prepaid packages on the platform. The company is taking additional measures to keep consumers, delivery agents and partners safe in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. To drive the initiative, the ‘contactless safe delivery’ option has been implemented on JumiaPay, the payment
RFG increased turnover by 7.6% for the five months to February 2020 as the group’s regional business lifted sales by 9.3% while international turnover declined by 1.7% owing to a marked slowdown in exports to China following the outbreak of COVID-19. Regional fresh foods turnover increased by 15.9% for the five months, with the performance
Shareholders have approved the change of the listed holding company’s name from Rhodes Food Group Holdings to RFG Holdings. CEO Bruce Henderson said the objective of adopting the name RFG is to create an identity and branding for the holding company which is distinct from the main operating subsidiary, Rhodes Food Group, and the group’s
The Board of Directors and management of Famous Brands have been vigilantly monitoring the Covid19 situation since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020. Across all our trading jurisdictions, we fully endorse the various governments’ decisive actions to contain the spread and impact
The impact of the Coronavirus on Tiger Brands’ manufacturing capability has been minimal thus far. We are monitoring the spread of the virus and its impact very closely, and at this stage, we do not believe that there is a major threat to the availability of food in the country or our ability to produce
The Edcon Group has announced, following the President’s first announcement on Sunday, 15 March, that Edcon’s turnover has declined 45% in comparison to the same period last year and will be R400m below forecast for sales and cash for the month of March – when COVID-19 started to profoundly impact the South African economy. The
In response to government’s call on citizens to refrain from excessive purchasing and stockpiling goods as it intensifies its efforts to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19), Dis-Chem Pharmacies has advised that it will be limiting the number of items consumers can purchase. With immediate effect, shoppers will be able to purchase a maximum of six units
“Feeling the Pinch? Buy a Business” is possibly one of the most juxtaposing statements off the back of a dismal 2019 GDP performance, the Rand’s current position, consistent rolling blackouts and now, coronavirus having hit South African shores. Yet, when asked to repeat himself, Sean Stegmann – CEO of SA’s largest second-hand retailer, Cash Crusaders
The Shoprite Group is committed to adhere to the strict measures put in place by the South African government following President Cyril Rhamaphosa’s announcement of a National state of Disaster, and are following any directives to stay abreast of information and required actions to be taken in relation to the effect of Covid-19 on its
Restaurants can survive Covid-19 and play a key role in communities says Mozambik Group chief executive Manny Nichas. While some restaurants have announced temporary closures in lieu of the outbreak, Nichas believes that the pandemic should be dealt with head-on. Stringent preventative regimes and innovative solutions will protect the interests of employees, customers and business.
With growing trends in digital evolution, personalisation and having a socio-economic impact, financial services cards and payment solutions have to evolve beyond swipes and complicated rewards. Iemas Financial Services has been in the game for over 80 years and has grown into the largest financial services co-operative in South Africa. One of Iemas’ flagship products
Africa’s leading e-Commerce platform Jumia has offered the support of its integrated ecosystem which include a marketplace, logistics and online payments to governments in Africa, as part of the global action against the COVID-19. “We are proud to partner with relevant authorities to help fight against COVID-19 and support our communities which continue to support
The Competition Tribunal has issued an order, giving approval to PepsiCo Inc.’s (“PepsiCo”) indirect acquisition of Pioneer Food Group Limited (“Pioneer”), through PepsiCo’s South African subsidiary, Simba (Pty) Ltd. The merger, one of PepsiCo’s largest acquisitions outside the US, is subject to several public interest conditions. It is also the first major transaction in which
Rhodes Food Group is the second local supplier on Massmart’s new export programme to get listed with Walmart US. The South African based canned food company will be supplying Walmart US with an initial order of three canned pear variations. These include premium export quality 425 gram cans of pear slices in heavy syrup, 425gram
The Shoprite Group’s Portfolio Management Office (PMO) will represent South Africa at the 2020 Global PMO Awards after beating other top SA companies to take home the 2019 PMO of the Year Award. This annual competition is hosted by Project Management SA (PMSA), the industry body that represents the interests of project management professionals, and recognises the best resources,
The Shoprite Group will be the first supermarket retailer to offer an OUTbonus, following a partnership between Africa’s largest food retailer and OUTsurance, to bring consumers more accessible and affordable insurance products. A very competitively-priced funeral policy is the first product to launch under this new partnership, with numerous additional offerings in the pipeline. The
In a first for Shoprite Botswana, local producers sold their produce directly to the public at selected Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets in the country. Dubbed Market Day and held on 29 February, this initiative saw eight (8) farmers, who already supply to the retail group, being hosted at Shoprite Gaborone, Shoprite Kgale Hill and Checkers
RCL FOODS has reported underlying EBITDA and headline earnings increase of 11.1% and 24.1% respectively versus the comparative period, showing resilience amidst a weak operating environment. The company attributed the underlying improvement to a significantly better performance in Sugar, albeit off a low base, and consistently strong performance in Groceries. As a result of increased
The Commission has approved with conditions the proposed transaction in which Kwande Capital (Pty) Ltd, through Isanti Glass 1 (Pty) Ltd (Isanti), intends to acquire the glass packaging business and plant Nampak Glass, a division of Nampak Products Limited (Nampak Products). Isanti is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed for the purpose of the proposed
The Competition Tribunal has found that global beer brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (AB InBev) did not breach conditions relating to its merger with SABMiller PLC (SAB) through its exclusive branding rights with outlets. However, the Tribunal has ordered the Competition Commission to re-investigate AB InBev’s exclusive pouring arrangements related to stadia. This, after local alcoholic
Albert Louw, Lasher Tools Marketing Manager, said that the company had gained new business as a consequence of the outbreak of coronavirus in China and the closure of manufacturing in the country in an attempt to stem the spread of the deadly virus. “For the first time, a big local retailer placed a multi-million-rand order
Responding to the opportunity to continue providing better nutrition to consumers, Tiger Brands has officially opened its brand new, state-of-the-art Oat Mill for its first and oldest product – Jungle Oats – in Maitland, Cape Town. Speaking at the opening event on Friday, 21 February, unit manager, Rees De Villiers outlined some of the innovative
Massmart has reported a total sales of R93.7 billion for the 52-week period ending 29 December, representing total sales growth of 3.0%, comparable sales growth of 1.5% and year-to-date internal sales inflation of 2.5%. Sales from our South African stores increased by 2.7%, with comparable store sales increasing by 1.3%. Total sales from our rest
Armed with its customer first approach, an aggressive pricing structure and a wealth of knowledge of the industry by the two partners, ScanZone, a 100% Level 1 female-owned ICT company, has opened its doors to provide Point of Sale and Auto Identification Solutions to the African market. Two sales and service industry giants have joined
Key information – Sale of merchandise increased by 7.0% to R81.2 billion. – Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 5.3% to R6.8 billion. – Trading profit excluding hyperinflation increased by 7.0%. – Trading profit on a reported basis decreased by 3.9% to R4.0 billion. – Diluted headline earnings per share, excluding
Richard Hirsch who has been the Managing Director of the Hirsch’s Group for the last eight years has been announced as Chief Executive Officer of this family owned Appliance and Electronics business. He takes over the reins from his father, Allan, who has moved into the position of joint Chairman of Hirsch’s together with his
