Jumia Food, a unit of New York-listed e-commerce platform Jumia Technologies is offering cheaper menu options in its African home market to attract lower income earners as it seeks to boost growth, the delivery company said. The platform, which delivers food and drink in 11 African countries, joins other international companies such as ride-hailing firm
Consumers are embracing the use of retail technology to improve their shopping experience, according to the latest issue of the Consumer View report released today by the National Retail Federation. “Technology has become part of our everyday lives, and consumers are open to adopting technologies that make shopping easier,” NRF Vice President for Research Development
“THIS WAS A TRANSFORMATIONAL YEAR FOR NASPERS. WE ENTERED FY20 WELL-POSITIONED AS A GLOBAL CONSUMER INTERNET GROUP,” CONFIRMED BOB VAN DIJK, GROUP CEO. Group highlights for the year Revenues increased 29% year-on-year to US19.0bn (2018: US$16.4bn). Trading profit grew 22% year-on-year to US$3.3bn (2018: US$3.0bn). Core headline earnings grew 26% to US$3.0bn (2018: US$2.4bn). Transition
Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across Middle East, Africa and Asia, is set to open its first Carrefour stores in Uganda in the upcoming months, as the retailer seeks to cater to evolving customer needs and accommodate the growing demand for modern retail in Kampala and its surroundings.
87% of Magento e-commerce websites at ‘high risk’ from cyber criminals says new report New research has found 87% of SME websites using the Magento platform are currently at high risk from cyber attacks. By contrast, under 10% of websites using other major e-commerce platforms surveyed register in the same high risk category. The research,
The Carter App Simplifies Automobile Purchasing for Consumers. The Carter platform was developed with the express purpose of helping consumers successfully make one of the biggest purchasing decisions they will ever make: buying a new car. “The whole process of buying a new car is extremely complex and user-unfriendly. Our app aims to help consumers
RFG has recently completed the acquisition of a protein snack food business from RCL Foods Consumer (Pty) Ltd for R30 million. The business produces a range of protein snacks for Woolworths, including meat balls and chipolata sausages. The new business has been integrated into the Western Cape ready meals factory at the Groot Drakenstein production
It’s hard to imagine that just 10 years ago, the consumer’s experience of shopping in a forecourt convenience store (c-store) was completely different. In the 2000’s, forecourt convenience retail was still dominated by garage stores that specialised in the 5c’s – cigarettes, chips, chocolates, instant coffee and cool drinks. However, the industry was about to
MACMobile, an innovator of niche mobile technology solutions for the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, has launched its new FIELDPromote app which revolutionises the last mile of customer loyalty. FIELDPromote offers a complete, intelligent solution for managing activations from conception to execution and beyond, to ensure maximum return on promotional spend. It can be deployed
Venture-backed technology company KOKO Networks has launched its first network of 700 “KOKOpoints” inside neighbourhood shops across Nairobi. KOKOpoints are multi-purpose consumer access machines, combining a fuel ATM, an e-commerce kiosk and an in-store digital media experience. KOKO builds technology for life in the world’s fastest-growing cities. The first consumer solution on the Network is
· Almost 40% of those surveyed are moving away from consuming entertainment through traditional channels and rather streaming daily or more. · More than 50% of Gen Z consumers are streaming daily or more. · 33% of South African consumers go to social media first to hear about current events. Consumers are increasingly using digital
South Africa’s leading online retailer takealot.com has launched over 25 highly anticipated collection facilities across the country. Its flagship Takealot Pickup Point at the New Road off-ramp in Midrand spans the N1 highway, the busiest highway in Africa, allowing motorists travelling in both directions to easily collect their online orders. The newly renovated, 1 177
SPAR Zimbabwe is excited to announce the launch of its new SPAR Online Shop – becoming the first major supermarket in the country to offer such a service. Online shopping, particularly for grocery and food items, is a relatively new concept in Zimbabwe, with much of the population having no or limited access to the
Dis-Chem results for the 12 months ended 28 February 2019 Highlights • Group revenue up 10% to R21.4 billion • Headline earnings up 7.4% Midrand, 16 May 2019 – Despite a tough economic environment and prolonged industrial action, which affected almost a third of the financial year, Dis-Chem reported positive results with improved market share
Health conscious consumers are increasingly turning to supermarkets and local convenience stores to meet their day-to-day health needs. Tapping into this growing market is the pioneering new concept, SPAR Natural, which breaks new ground in the area of Health & Wellness, offering a holistic approach to customers seeking better healthcare. SPAR Natural provides health and
After a six month trial in four of its Western Cape stores, including the launch of their first plastic bag free store, Woolworths confirms that it will be rolling out its new low-cost, reusable bag to more stores across the country as well as announcing three more ‘plastic shopping bag free’ stores. During the trial,
An article by Rachel Thompson, Insights Director at GfK South Africa originally published here. We’re seeing the needs, expectations and behaviours of young South African consumers evolve at a pace that threatens to leave brands behind. As centennials – or Generation Z – move into the workforce and become the next wave of consumers, brands
New research from inRiver reveals 55% of shoppers research products online while in store, and this number is higher for 16-24 (nearly 70%) and 25-34 (67%) age groups. Leading product information management company, inRiver, has unveiled a research report that focuses on the generational differences in consumer shopping habits and outlines the steps brands must
Zambeef’s Kitwe Processing Plant to decentralise operations and further increase company’s efficiencies on the Copperbelt and neighbouring markets Zambeef Products’ new Kitwe Processing Plant is set to decentralise some of the food retailer’s operations and logistics from its base at Huntley Farm in Chisamba in a move to streamline operations, and improve efficiencies and economies
The purchasing power of South Africa’s 18-millionfemale consumers is undeniable given that 71% of them are responsible for grocery shopping, while 60% are the primary purchaser within South African households making them a force to be reckoned with, in the local retail sector. It’s clear that this influence will only grow, with 21-million female consumers
Group revenue increased by 4.1% to R4,4 billion (up 7.3% excluding the impact of IFRS 15) Sales volumes grew 5,6% and selling prices increased 3.1% Sugar taxes and sharp increase in fuel impacted profitability Significant investment in marketing and selling campaigns, research and development and expanding the sales force Headline earnings up 5% to R236
As more consumers embrace multichannel shopping, retailers are diversifying their investments online and offline to meet customers’ needs, according to the annual State of Retailing Online study released today by the National Retail Federation and Forrester. “Retailers are evolving with customers’ shopping behaviors by creating a seamless shopping experience online and in store,” NRF Vice
Nielsen has launched its 2019 Changing Consumer Prosperity Report which highlights how global consumers think and feel about their financial situation and reveals that when it comes to feeling prosperous, mindset matters more than income. Executive Director, Thought Leadership Nielsen Global Markets Ailsa Wingfield comments; “What we found is that financial factors like income and
2018 was a transformational year for the Group, whose interim results were affected by a number of factors. While the first half performance is below expectations it is not a reflection of the fundamental strength of the business. The decline in headline earnings per share for the six months ending December 2018 must be viewed
Plastic manufacturing and recycling company, Verigreen, has been awarded a multi-million rand contract to supply 25 different products under the Shoprite Group’s Ritebrand and Housebrand labels. Owned by husband and wife team Mike and Thina Maziya and established in 2001, Verigreen has been manufacturing a range of drawstring refuse bags since 2012 and has expanded
Woolworths has joined hands with its supplier, Spier wine farm; the Sustainability Institute and its AgroEcology Academy to launch the Living Soils Community Learning Farm, in the Lynedoch valley of the Stellenbosch Winelands. The partners have agreed to a three-year pilot project that aims to establish a learning farm that demonstrates ecologically-restorative methods to grow
Spur Corporation reported a competitive performance for the six months to December 2018 as increasing demands on disposable income and declining confidence impacted the group’s middle-income customer base. Total franchised restaurant sales across the local and international operations increased by 4.8% to R3.9 billion. Comparable profit before tax, excluding exceptional and one-off items, increased by
The Shoprite cross-border money remittance product reached the R1 billion mark in January, after just three years of it being implemented between SA and Lesotho. The cost of a transfer of R900 is 2%, which is one of the cheapest cross-border products in the world. A remittance is when a person sends money, usually small
South Africa’s latest Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for the fourth quarter of 2018 shows a two point decrease to 88, presenting a relatively stable, though still slightly negative, quarter on quarter picture for consumer sentiment in South Africa. This is supported by a decrease in the number of South Africans who view their job prospects
OK Power Express is a new-age retail furniture brand that focuses on price sensitive consumers. In small-format stores, it specializes in selling a selected range of appliances, home entertainment and cellphones as well as base sets, bedding and carpeting. The brand offers financing options to its customers. OK Power Express opened its first outlet in
Zambeef Products has continued to build up on the momentum of its macro rollout with shoppers in Chaisa hailing the company’s return to the area and those in Ndola excited about the new Ndola City Centre Macro. “Zambeef macros are built and centred around the community – as are all our other outlets – because
Makro Strubens Valley in Gauteng became the sixth Massmart store to make use of renewable energy. The store has a 480 kilowatt (kWh) peak plant that consists of 1476 car park-mounted polycrystalline PV panels. The plant provides nearly half of the stores daily energy requirements and is estimated to provide 24% of the stores total
Pernod Ricard, the world’s second largest wine and spirits’ company present in 13 African countries, and Jumia, the leading e-commerce player on the continent, today announced the strengthening of their partnership. In this context, Pernod Ricard will invest into Jumia, thus becoming a strategic shareholder. Pernod Ricard will share its deep knowledge about consumer and
Accenture, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated and Kellogg Company have collaborated to develop and pilot a solution that embeds eye tracking technology in a mobile virtual reality (VR) headset to reinvent how brands and retailers gather critical consumer data and perform market research. The Accenture Extended Reality (XR) practice developed the VR
Over 7 800 of Clicks Group employees will share in a R1.5 billion payment that has been created through the Group’s employee share ownership scheme (ESOP). This is in addition to the R1.3 billion already paid out under the scheme to beneficiaries in 2018. Vikesh Ramsunder, CEO of Clicks Group, says that this is the
Africa’s economy has seen modest growth in the wake of falling commodity prices, slowing revenues and volatile currencies. The moderation in growth impacts a range of industries and sectors, including retail and consumer products that must contend with rising costs, and a fall in prices. Despite the decline in growth, the long-term outlook remains positive.
eCommerce in Africa is booming but that doesn’t leave out any struggles which include uncertainty around receiving orders satisfactorily. There are currently 65.4 million eCommerce users in Africa and the Middle East, with an additional 20 million users expected to be shopping online by 2021. When it comes to eCommerce sales in Africa, three of
From data breaches to fake news to state capture to corporate failures, issues of trust and transparency ruled the headlines in South Africa and the rest of the world throughout 2018. As we move into 2019, the central challenge brands will wrestle with is that of embracing new roles and business models that build trust
Kenya’s second largest telco Airtel, Equity bank and pay TV service provider DSTV have emerged to be among major brands offering their customers remarkable services and satisfaction. In a recent integrated customer experience company mSurvey has revealed the results for the year 2018 in their quarterly Customer Loyalty Benchmark Report. The report which highlighted the
TFG (The Foschini Group), a South African retail group operating in thirty-two countries across five continents, has chosen Oracle to support its digital transformation strategy with the consolidation of twenty-two brands into one online marketplace. With close to 3000 stores, TFG migrated its brick-and-mortar offering to a hassle free digital platform and now offers the
Kellogg Company will continue its School Feeding Program and launch two new initiatives in Egypt Kellogg Company, the world’s leading cereal company; second largest producer of cookies, crackers and savory snacks; a leading North American frozen foods company; and owner of Bisco Misr, Egypt’s leading biscuits company and Mass Food company, recently signed a partnership
South African multi-chain retailer chooses Centric PLM to support rapid growth, integrate suppliers and enhance visibility Cape Union Mart, the South African outdoor company, has selected Centric Software’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to fashion, retail, footwear, outdoor, luxury and consumer goods companies to achieve strategic and
Latest consumer confidence levels remain unchanged compared to previous quarter Job prospects continue to haunt South Africans with only 34% seeing them as positive in the next 12 months The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for South Africa for Q3, 2018 remains unchanged compared to the previous quarter, remaining at 90 with South Africans seemingly in
Shoprite is helping to ease the burden of rising education costs by offering its customers a basic school uniform for under R100 and giving more than 460 learners the opportunity to have their 2019 school fees paid for. For less than R100, customers are able to buy a basic school uniform consisting of a shirt,
French multinational retailer, Carrefour has entered into a definitive agreement with Jumia, a Nigeria-based e-commerce platform to boost online grocery, beverages and other sales. A Business Daily report indicates that the deal will allow Carrefour customers purchase a wide selection of products from its six Nairobi stores on Jumia’s online platform starting January. Carrefour is
Kenya has recorded a 6.78% increase in milk production between the months of January 2018 to October 2018 as compared to last year attributed to favourable weather conditions during the period under review, reports Business Daily. This is equivalent to an increase to 517.6 million liters from 484.3 million liters recorded in the year 2018
The Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) has suspended over 60 workers from its Athi River based factory for allegedly participating in a work go slow that had seen the slaughter operation in the factory impaired, reports the Kenya News Agency. The commission through the Managing Commissioner, James Ole Serian issued an interdiction letter to the workers
Unilever Ghana, the country’s largest producer and retailer of consumer goods has appointed Mrs Gladys Amoah as the new Managing Director effective November 1, 2018. Prior to her appointment, the new MD was the Customer Development Director of Unilever Ghana, a position served since 1 November 2016, according to GNA. She succeeds Mr Ziobeieton Yeo
Consumers are expected to purchase $2.65 trillion of physical goods on websites, mobile apps and other digital platforms globally in 2018, up from $2.24 trillion in 2017, according to Juniper Research. While digital commerce has become a preferred way to shop for many consumers, we continue to hear from consumers and merchants that the online
A first for social media networking site, Facebook is opening up pop-stores however, only in the United States of America. Facebook has announced the opening of its first pop-up retail outlets in the USA, in partnership with Macy’s stores. Facebook is showcasing wares from 100 “most-loved” small businesses and digital-native brands on Facebook and Instagram
