The newly designed Vodacom World officially launched, Friday 07 December 2018. For six months, Vodacom worked on reinventing Vodacom World and now the facility offers new and exciting technologies. Inside the new facility, there is a Vodacom Shop as well as retail space. There is an Internet of Things (IoT) section where customers can get
With the opening of its new store in Mams Mall, Pretoria, Shoprite created 60 new jobs. The store’s total staff complement is 140, which includes 106 women. Customers eagerly gathered to be amongst the first to benefit from the store’s fantastic opening specials and were also treated to in-store competitions and delicious product tastings. Shoprite
Traditional retailers cannot compete with online retailers when it comes to price and merchandise and need to bring something to the table that online retailers cannot. This is according to Gareth Hawkey, Group CEO at redPanda Software, who notes that traditional retailers will, therefore, have to find technology that will change the whole in-store experience
South Africans are under pressure as indicated by the latest results of The Conference Board® Global Consumer Confidence Survey, conducted in collaboration with Nielsen, which reflects a 5-point decrease in South African consumer confidence to 90 in Q2, 2018. Nielsen Sub-Saharan Africa MD Bryan Sun comments; “Consumer confidence in South Africa dropped in Quarter 2,
South African consumers are facing an increasingly stressful, time-starved lifestyle which has created a burgeoning demand for convenient solutions that can help simplify their lives and points to a host of untapped opportunities for South African manufacturers and retailers. This stems from the latest report from global measurement company Nielsen, which focuses on the Quest
Fees Cost Consumers Nearly as Much as Christmas Presents or School Supplies The National Retail Federation has said a proposed new class action settlement, which purports to resolve claims that Visa and MasterCard set credit card swipe fees in a multi-billion dollar price-fixing scheme, largely resembles part of an agreement that both a federal appellate court
The South African consumer is experiencing a severe wallet squeeze thanks to a raft of rising costs including spiraling petrol and electricity prices, the implementation of sugar tax and a value added tax (VAT) increase to 15%. To manage their expenses, consumers have had to make some tough choices and adjust their consumption patterns. The
Ingenico Group, the global leader in seamless payment, has announced a partnership with Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, the market share leader in retail store technology, that will enable grocers and other retailers to better serve their customers by enhancing the customer experience at the point of sale. With growing pressure from new entrants and existing
Over the past year, South Africa’s independent retailers enjoyed sales volumes 25% higher than the global average, according to data from retail management software leader Vend. Vend’s Retail Benchmark Report for 2018, which compared data from over 13,000 retailers using Vend around the world, reveals that globally the average independent retail store makes $22,300 per
E-commerce retailers grew their share of the South African technical consumer goods market by 52% in 2017, accounting for 6.9% of total consumer spending by rand value for the year. This means they have nearly doubled their share of the market since 2015, according to research from GfK South Africa. GfK South Africa’s new report,
South African retail sales for June 2018 grew by 2.9 percent year-on-year excluding the effects of inflation, marking the weakest pace of growth since October 2017. This is according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse June 2018 report, which provides a macro-economic analysis of retail spending trends in South Africa. June’s retail sales volume was slightly below
It’s no secret that South African shoppers are beset by a storm of rising prices and it seems their shopping baskets are definitely feeling the pain with the average consumer now hyper aware of what they’re purchasing. As a result, the latest Nielsen Shoppergraphics Report – which looks at shifts in consumer purchasing behaviour within
In a recent study, it was established that the current size of the South African retail market is estimated at around 23.4 million square metres (sqm) of gross lettable area (GLA) across 1959 individual shopping centres (as of July 2017). The study was conducted by MSCI on behalf of the South African Council of Shopping
Total South African retail sales for May 2018 grew by three percent year-on-year excluding the effects of inflation, compared to the 3.1 percent year-on-year growth recorded in May 2017. This is according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse May 2018 report, which provides a macro-economic analysis of retail spending trends in South Africa. The report shows that
Research shows that monetary rewards are not the only drivers of customer-loyalty programs. Experiential rewards provide greater long-term benefits. Loyalty programs are supposed to unlock great value for companies by driving higher sales and boosting brand affinity. So why aren’t they doing this? Although more and more companies now have loyalty programs (they’re growing at
The signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement by President Ramaphosa on 1 July, at the 31st African Union Summit in Mauritania, is considered a significant step towards increased intra-African trade and growth in regional value chains on the continent. The AfCFTA, if effectively implemented, will drive down the cost of trading
Total South African retail sales for April 2018 grew by 3.7 percent year-on-year after removing the effects of inflation, showing the highest growth rate seen in April in the past six years. This is according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse April 2018 report, which provides a macroeconomic analysis of retail spending trends in South Africa. The
Nielsen has announced that it will release Consumer Panel data fused with 2017 PAMS data in August this year, this is an enhanced survey that will provide the industry with rich information on 200 consumer goods categories and more than 5 000 brands. The study is being funded by the Publisher Research Council (PRC) and
Mastercard has revealed the insights from its research into the opportunities and challenges of Conversational Commerce. In its report – Is anybody there? Giving Conversational Commerce a voice, Mastercard reveals that consumers value convenience above all else and meeting their expectations is key to driving mass adoption of Conversational Commerce. With Conversational Commerce, consumers engage
SPAR South Africa’s Eastern Cape (EC) division has declared war on plastic bags as the retailer spearheads a significant step forward in the battle to protect the environment. In a move which has been hailed by environmental groups as a major development, the SPAR EC team have launched an initiative to urge customers to consider
Taking a look at the fast-changing reality of retail, Ericsson Consumer & IndustryLab presents: “Beyond smartphone shopping – the rise of smart assistants”. This report describes how connectivity is driving two major shifts in how people shop. The ongoing surge to use smartphones to pay for goods and services is leading to a second shift
Total South African retail sales for March 2018 grew by four percent year-on-year after removing the effects of inflation, marking the highest growth rate for retail spending since May 2013. This is according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse March 2018 report, which provides a macroeconomic analysis of retail spending trends in South Africa. March’s retail performance
As millennials reach their late 20s and 30s, many are reaching their next step in life: parenthood. And findings from the spring edition of the National Retail Federation’s quarterly Consumer View report released today provide insight into how these new parents shop, spend and engage with brands differently than parents in other generations. “The millennial
Adyen, the payments platform of choice for many of the world’s leading companies, released survey findings based on consumers’ and retailers’ wants and needs across the U.S. The survey was conducted by 451 Research in March 2018 and covered 1,003 US consumers aged 18 and above and 250 B2C retailers that operate in the US.
Mother’s Day spending is expected to total a near-record $23.1 billion this year, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. A total 86 percent of Americans will celebrate Mother’s Day and spend an average of $180 per person. “This year’s Mother’s Day forecast is one
Total South African retail sales for February 2018 increased 3.5 percent year-on-year, after removing the effects of inflation. Compared to each of the five previous months of February, sales volumes were 4.6 percent higher on average. This is according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse February 2018 report, which provides a macroeconomic analysis of retail spending trends
How many times have you tried browsing for the perfect product but had to settle for a decent value purchase? Have you ever wished you knew how your mind works when it comes to determining whether a purchase has a good price-quality ratio or not? Obviously, we’ve all been there, and the grass always looks
Easter spending is expected to total $18.2 billion this year, almost on par from a record $18.4 billion in 2017 but still the second-highest level on record, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. A total of 81 percent of Americans will celebrate the holiday
Mastercard SpendingPulse reports that South African consumer spending showed a healthy improvement over the festive season, with retail sales volumes rising 3.8 percent year-on-year after removing the effects of inflation. This marks the strongest monthly performance for South African retail spending since May 2013. The latest SpendingPulse South Africa report details holiday shopping in December
Nielsen South Africa MD Bryan Sun comments: “South Africa is slowly turning around from recent economic declines to low levels of growth. As inflation is contained, grocery prices have stabilised, with additional relief in many food commodities due to the end of the drought, in certain regions. However, there is declining sentiment regarding job prospects
U.S. consumers are expected to spend an average $143.56 on Valentine’s Day as 55 percent of the population celebrates this year, an increase from last year’s $136.57, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. Total spending is expected to reach $19.6 billion, up from $18.2
According to the latest FAO Food Price Index, global food prices declined in December, led by a decrease for vegetable oils and dairy products. The index stood at 169.8 points in December 2017, down 3.3% from November. However, the index averaged 174.6 points in 2017, up 8.2% from 2016 and reaching the highest annual average
South African consumer spending showed a modest uptick in October this year, with total retail volumes for the month rising 2.3 percent year-over-year after removing the effects of inflation, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse™ October 2017 report. Including the effects of inflation, total retail sales for October 2017 grew 6.4 percent year-over-year, reflecting a welcome
A new study released today by Salesfloor explores the growing demand for sales associates to service and connect with shoppers, both online and in-store. The study, “The Evolving Customer: Connecting Today’s Shoppers with Store Associates,” finds that today’s shopper expects personalized, one-on-one shopping experiences both in-store and online, and say they are twice as likely to make
As holiday shopping results are tallied from the Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday time period, Urban Airship has released preliminary results of its fifth annual Mobile Retail Trends study of more than 100 retailers’ apps that reveal year-over-year increases in every major statistical category related to apps and notifications. In addition, Cyber Monday was the biggest
Today’s customer expects to engage with retailers in an engaging and digitally interactive way in-store and retailers are focusing on this customer journey to develop the relationship and increase sales. Moving Tactics, South Africa’s leading digital signage solutions company, has recently partnered with Clicks, the largest health and beauty-focused retail chain in South Africa with
Everyone’s Welcome at Tesco this Christmas – so prosecco and beer for cats and dogs are among the treats available to the rocketing number of Brits who now include their pets on the gift list. This year, Tesco’s Christmas campaign celebrates the many ways we come together at Christmas, and including a pet on the
Reputation.com has released its 2017 Retail Reputation Report, revealing which retailers lead — and which lag — on the aspects of in-store experience most frequently cited by consumers in online reviews, including wait times, quality of service, value, staff competence and other key customer satisfaction factors. The 2017 Retail Reputation Report gives in-store retailers systematic
Changes in customer preferences and the path to purchase are driving the need for Canadian retailers to respond and future proof their business to ensure they do not become another Canadian casualty in the retail industry. Today, Deloitte released a report – Future-proofing your retail business: Balancing the art and science of advanced analytics in
Despite Nigeria’s retail sector being dominated by independent formats like open markets and kiosks in terms of absolute store numbers, the Nielsen Shopper & Retail World Conference held in Lagos, Nigeria, has revealed that modern trade formats like supermarkets and hypermarkets are stepping up to fulfill the needs of consumers. Speaking at the event, Nielsen
Smartphones are the new hub from which tech-savvy consumers run their financial lives. In the developed world, bank branches are closing at an accelerated rate due to a decline in the use of cash and the huge uptake of digital payment systems. In the UK, the number of physical branches has more than halved since
Nominal retail sales for August 2017 grew a substantial 8.1 percent versus the same month last year, marking the quickest pace of growth the retail industry has seen in the past three months. This is according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse August 2017 report, which provides a macroeconomic analysis of retail spending trends in South Africa.
Shoppers are demanding that every aspect of their experience be quick, easy and free of friction. That’s why Walmart is transforming retail with unique, technology-powered offerings like Online Grocery Pickup, Pickup Towers, Mobile Express Money Services and free two-day shipping without a membership fee. Walmart is now focusing its attention on returns, with the introduction
Mastercard and Swarovski have launched a virtual reality (VR) shopping app for the Atelier Swarovski home décor line, a collection of functional and decorative crystal home accessories designed in collaboration with world-renowned architects and designers. The app immerses consumers in a tastefully decorated home where they can browse and purchase the pieces with Masterpass, Mastercard’s
Customer-facing digital technology is driving digital transformation in retail, supported by lower-key, enabling and function-specific technologies and solutions that provide the foundation for the retail system to function and live up to customer-facing technologies’ promise. Retailers that fail to engage with the technologies that are reshaping and upending their industry will fall behind and become
Financial technology and online sales are rapidly changing the retail space, sparking debate on what lies ahead for physical shopping environments. Retail is not suffering from a lack of data — in fact, we’re drowning in it. Rather than continuing to speculate on what’s noise and what’s useful, I founded Movvo to help businesses make
Marie Claire magazine is partnering with Mastercard to launch The Next Big Thing Concept Shop, a first-to-market, hands-on retail pop-up experience bringing to life the newest innovations in fashion, beauty, entertainment, technology and wellness. Open to the public from September 23-October 12, The Next Big Thing Concept Shop will offer consumers the opportunity to experience
Mother and daughter duo, Patricia and Samantha Taylor of Life Retreat, have combined their love for all things health and wellness to bring the Cape an experience unlike anything else. Situated at Lourensford Wine Estate in what has been referred to as one of the most beautiful places on earth, the duo have created a
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has released the latest consumer inflation data, as well as a report on poverty trends. The inflation data indicated a continued downward move in price pressures, which will be welcomed by consumers. The poverty report was significantly less positive, showing that poverty is on the rise in South Africa. In
Kalon Venture Partners, formerly Grotech, and Smollan Group SA both acquired a minority stake in South Africa’s fastest growing shopping community, SnapnSave. Kalon, a venture capital fund and Smollan Group, a leading international retail solutions business invested R7 million each. SnapnSave, founded by Mark Bradshaw is South Africa’s leading cashback coupon app that gives shoppers
