Wasoko, the African e-commerce company using innovative technology to transform the informal retail supply chain, has today announced its expansion into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) leveraging its existing ecommerce hub in neighboring Rwanda. With the announcement marking the startup’s second country expansion this year after launching its Zambia operations in May 2023, it
Helping companies deliver excellent customer service has been at the heart of 1Stream since the business was launched 15 years ago. While much has changed over the last decade and a half, the essence of what makes 1Stream Southern Africa’s leading CRM and cloud-based contact centre provider remains the same: a commitment to delivering leading-edge,
By Johan du Toit, Strategic Sales Executive for SYSPRO Africa Simply put, consumers must be able to trust the food they buy. Quality control issues can easily and quickly lead to consumer dissatisfaction and negative sentiment towards a brand or product line. They may also lead to a costly product recall, or in the worst-case
By Nevo Hadas, Partner at DYDX Smartfill Packaging costs can contribute significantly to the overall price of products and services, with estimates suggesting that it can account for up to 40% of the total cost, although some products may see as low as 10%. However, groundbreaking experiments conducted in Tembisa by retailing services powerhouses Smollan
The Traditional Trade sector in South Africa has experienced an impressive post COVID-19 resurgence, reaching new heights in total FMCG sales (incl Liquor & Tobacco) in 2023 according to the latest NIQ South Africa analysis. The sector achieved R187-Billion in annual spend in the 12 months up to the end of June 2023 compared to
You’ll be hard pressed surfing news sites without reading about the age of AI and the rise of the bots. While the impact of AI on our lives is debated, the jury is in on AI in contact centres and the verdict is unanimous. AI is transforming contact centres in profoundly positive ways. Here are
The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) has successfully interdicted the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (the Department) and its assignee the Food Safety Agency (FSA) from seizing any meat analogue products presented for sale in South Africa, pending the outcome of the CGCSA’s application to review the decision to seize
Cash-strapped consumers might unknowingly have extra cash in their wallets. Pick n Pay has reported that over 11 million customers have unclaimed Smart Shopper points already loaded on their card, totalling over R250 million in cash-back rewards. The retailer issues around four billion Smart Shopper points every month for each shop, boosted through its Clubs
Amidst a sea of uncertainty and a raft of price increases NIQ’s latest State of the Retail Nation analysis has presented a more focused picture of food inflation and reveals that interesting shifts are shaping the South African FMCG (incl. Liquor and Tobacco) sector that is now worth R593-Billion in annual sales (to end March
Understanding the changing consumer journey is paramount in today’s ever-evolving retail landscape. Retailers must embrace agile and responsive strategies to meet rising customer expectations and seamlessly navigate a vast array of shopping experiences. This is particularly crucial in South Africa, where intermittent power supply often requires shoppers to adjust their habits to ‘follow the power.’
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) is making significant investments in capabilities to create an agile workplace that is engaging and productive, developing the skills of employees to compete in a digital age of artificial intelligence and big data. “CCBA’s digital transformation journey is an integral component to take us into the future, remain relevant and future-proof
Ballito parents can now shop the best local and international baby brands at KwaZulu-Natal’s second standalone Checkers Little Me store which opened at the Ballito Junction this week. It is the retailer’s ninth standalone Little Me store, and the very first one with a ‘shop in shop’ concept from Norwegian baby furniture maker Stokke and
By: Warren Brett Cluster Executive, SEA Region, Smollan Tanzania African beverage trends are driven by innovation and culture. From the cherished rituals of traditional tea and coffee to the emerging popularity of carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices. Africa’s beverage market is evolving rapidly, reflecting changing consumer preferences and the impact of various socio-economic factors.
Builders has partnered with Standard Bank UCount nationwide, to offer members more when shopping for Do-It-Yourself (DIY), home improvements or building materials – in-store or online. Standard Bank customers can now earn and redeem UCount Rewards when shopping at Builders. The new partnership makes Builders the only DIY category retailer on the UCount program offering
Bolt, the leading on-demand mobility platform in Africa, and its partner SAPIN, property academy, joined forces last year to provide over 50 young people with trips for their youth internship programme. Bolt has since provided SAPIN with over 700 trips to those who had difficulty accessing transportation for their daily commute. For SAPIN, the partnership
The size of a small, informal, or rural business shouldn’t be an obstacle to them attaining the same growth rate as larger, more formal enterprises. In fact, their smaller scale should be an advantage with fewer bureaucratic hurdles and greater flexibility. But in reality, rural businesses and informal traders are often limited by access to
By Quintin van der Linde, Senior New Business Developer at Ecentric Payment Systems Africa is projected to have more than half a billion e-commerce users by 2025. In part, this can be attributed to the growing adoption of alternative payment methods in the wake of the pandemic. With 45% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa
Mike Smollan, Chief Growth Officer Exactly how did we get to July in what feels like a blink of an eye? Pondering on that often-used analogy, I had to check in with Google. To learn that there are 1000 milliseconds in each second, so a blink of an eye takes around 1/3 of a second.
Agrikool, a small agricultural business, is showing exponential growth after securing a deal with the Shoprite Group, delivering fresh produce worth over R3 million to the retailer in just over a year. The Pietermaritzburg-based business solves challenges in the farming value chain, develops small to medium-scale local farmers, and sustains regional food security, by connecting
Celebrating 20 years of Africa’s Big 7and festive foodie features The local food and beverage market was abuzz at the twentieth edition of Africa’s Big 7, which wrapped up in Johannesburg at the Gallagher Convention Centre last week, co-located with SAITEX. “Recognising a two decade-long commitment to delivering top quality and reasonably priced, trendy food
More than a quarter of global self-checkout shipments went to non-grocery stores as the technology penetrates new segments Wider range of retailers adopting self-checkout 2022 was the second highest year for self-checkout shipments globally, according to Global EPOS and Self-Checkout 2023, the latest report from strategic research and consulting firm RBR. More than 193,000 units
As a preferred enterprise payments partner for Shopify, Adyen will provide large-scale customers the agility to succeed in the fast-moving ecommerce industry Adyen, the global financial technology platform of choice for leading businesses, announces a new global partnership with Shopify, a provider of essential internet infrastructure for commerce, to strengthen ecommerce capabilities, simplify the customer
A new report from Trade Intelligence reveals an FMCG retail trade that is under enormous pressure – but that continues to innovate, to serve shoppers, and even to turn a profit. South Africa’s economic landscape is challenging for any business, but particularly so for players in the consumer goods industry. The complexity in this sector
Research reveals frontline workforce underserved by IT tools, and which cites communication and access to information as key areas for digital transformation Most South African retail workers are feeling overworked but the vast majority believe technology is the answer to their situation, a Microsoft-sponsored IDC study has revealed. “We often refer to them as ‘the
Jumia, Africa’s leading e-commerce platform, released a new report, “Expanding E-Commerce in Rural Areas in Ivory Coast,” highlighting its successful penetration into underserved regions and success in bringing e-commerce opportunities to rural populations. The report draws on Jumia’s 2022 non-financial data and provides insights into its expansion strategies to rural communities in Ivory Coast. Physically
Consumers in South Africa are experiencing escalating levels of financial stress and are actively seeking alternative forms of payment due to the country’s rising cost of living. The use of developing digital payments are gaining pace in South Africa and statistics show that there is a rising desire for credit among consumers with digital payment
Up and coming retail group, Retailability, says the online launch of one of South Africa’s most revered and much-missed brands, Boardmans is not only timely but will fill a gap for value conscious consumers looking for that special touch in home décor. South Africa’s familiar kitchen and home brand, Boardmans, is set for re-launch as
A new report from Trade Intelligence reveals an FMCG retail trade that is under enormous pressure – but that continues to innovate, to serve shoppers, and even to turn a profit. South Africa’s economic landscape is challenging for any business, but particularly so for players in the consumer goods industry. The complexity in this sector
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
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,
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
