Fairview Introduces A Plant-Based Dairy Range That Is Rooted In Nature

Famous for its artisan cheeses, its wine, and well, its adorable goats and their residential Goat Tower, Fairview has now launched a plant-based range of cheeses and ice cream too. Fairview has built its reputation as a business that is rooted in family and heritage, and the new plant-based range tells a story of how

Positive Retail | Adapting & Thriving – Driving Success

It can be a slippery slope – loadshedding, the economy, post-pandemic aftershocks, communities facing hardships and even the chill of winter. However, as we ease into spring the retail pendulum is shifting as an optimistic breeze starts blowing in South Africa (SA). Joanne Gould CEO, Smollan South Africa plugs in to this renewed energy, highlighting

Easily Pay for Groceries at all Pick n Pay Tills Using Bitcoin

South Africans who have a Luno wallet will be able to pay at Pick n Pay with crypto in one easy step by simply scanning a QR code. Crypto payments have been available at over 1 500 Pick n Pay stores since February 2023. But the payment process required customers to download two apps to

Shoprite Group 2023 Financial Results Announcement

By Pieter Engelbrecht, Chief Executive Officer In many aspects our 2023 year was extraordinary. The Group gained record levels of market share, saved customers over R13.5 billion in Xtra Savings and still managed to increase profits and dividends, despite the prohibitive cost to the business as a result of unprecedented levels of load-shedding. Sales growth

Scan to Pay Vouchers: a New Way to Reward Loyalty – Ukheshe

With the holiday season fast approaching, many businesses are working on gift lists and incentives to thank employees and reward loyal clients. And while the reliable (if somewhat boring) box of chocolates is still appreciated by some, what better way to thank someone than to let them choose their own perfect gift? That’s just one

A Taste of Tomorrow: Spur’s New Restaurant Concept Elevates Joy

For over five decades, Spur Steak Ranches has been committed to meeting the changing needs of its customers. Spur’s iconic restaurants are getting a refreshed look, promising new experiences, and allowing for even greater moments of joy. The brand concept will be showcased at a pilot site in the Vaal Mall, Vanderbijlpark on 1 September

AI Transforms CX and Service Delivery

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,

Vivo Energy Uganda Expands Shell Network with 10 New Fuel Stations

Vivo Energy Uganda, the company that distributes and markets Shell-branded fuels and lubricants in Uganda, is thrilled to announce the addition of ten new Shell fuel stations to its network. The newly opened fuel stations are Shell Ndagire Road, Shell Nabweru, Shell Rushere, Shell Mayuge, Shell Zana Shell Nakiyanja, Shell Kira Mulawa, Shell Mityana Highway,

Spur Corporation Earnings Up 76% as Business Strategy Gains Momentum

Spur Corporation overcame mounting pressure on consumer spending to deliver a resilient trading performance in the year to June 2023 as franchised restaurant turnover grew 23.0% to R9.5 billion and revenue increased by 27.4% to pass the R3.0 billion mark. Headline earnings increased by 75.9% to R213 million. The group increased sales in retail company

Mobicred Launches Convenient, Accessible, Mobile Credit Facility within The Shoprite Group

As of August 2023, Shoprite customers will now be able to purchase non-food items using leading digital credit provider, Mobicred. The fully digitised system will give shoppers access to credit offerings via their Money Market accounts, enabling them to pay off higher ticket items over a period of up to 12 months. Commenting on this

Unleashing the Retail Revolution Through the Power of Data – redPanda Software

By Gerhard Nortjé, MD of redPanda Software Data has emerged as a vital asset for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge. The ability to leverage customer and operational data has become crucial in shaping the customer experience and driving sales. Data has the potential to revolutionise retail if used effectively. Personalisation It all begins

Discover the All-New Somerset Mall: Elevating Your Shopping Experience to New Heights!

Attention all shopping enthusiasts! Get ready to experience your favourite retail destination in a whole new way! Somerset Mall, located in the heart of the picturesque Helderberg region in the Western Cape, understands the need to continually evolve and enhance the shopping environment. This inspired the mall to embark on an ambitious redevelopment project. Brace

How ERP Can Help Retailers Better Understand Their Customers – Times 3 Technologies

Have you ever heard the saying: “Good customer service costs less than bad customer service”? This is particularly true today because modern customers aren’t afraid to share a negative experience and they have plenty of options when looking for places to do so. Here’s where the right ERP solution can help. When retailers deploy an

AI Has Simplified and Smartened Contact Centres – 1Stream

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

Massmart Improves Online Collection and Delivery Lead Times

Massmart, in its bid to become the leading retail and wholesale eCommerce destination in South Africa, is reaping the benefits of re-setting and upgrading its online order fulfilment infrastructure. This started with creating a centralised eCommerce Pickup & Delivery capability comprising approximately 60 specialists across functions which include eCommerce Operations, Customer Operations and Inventory Optimisation.

The Rise of the Hybrid Retail Model – a New Dawn for South African Shoppers – Mobicred

The pandemic years catalysed a shift in the local retail sector, driven by the dramatically accelerated pace of digitisation. In the wake of COVID-19, greater adoption of online shopping was limited only by the fact that South Africa remains a predominantly cash-based economy. But, with the launch of the ‘cash-like’ payment system, Payshap, this picture

Pick N’ Pay Smart Shoppers ‘Sit On’ R250 Million In Their Wallets

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

Spur Corporation Strengthens Position in Day-Time Specialty Dining and Enters Coffee specialty Market

Spur Corporation is to acquire a 60% stake in the Doppio Group, owners of speciality restaurant brands Doppio Zero, Piza e Vino and Modern Tailors with a portfolio of 37 franchised and company-owned restaurants as well as a bakery and central supply business. The business is being acquired from founders Paul Christie and Miki Milovanovic

Makro Marketplace, Retail Capital Partner to Educate SMEs on Business Funding Options

Last week, Massmart, together with Retail Capital, a division of Tyme Bank, hosted a Business Funding Information session for its Marketplace seller base. The webinar provided these small business owners with key insights about the funding options available to them. The partnership initially began in 2021 and has, since inception, provided significant funding to enable

Leveraging Unified Commerce Solutions for Customer-Centric Retail Success – redPanda Software

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.’

Massmart’s Bolstered Tech Capability Powers an Improved Experience for Online Shoppers

Following Massmart’s 100% acquisition by Walmart, the company now has gained improved access to technical capabilities focused on enhancing the customer shopping experience across its Makro, Builders, and Game websites. The latest move in Massmart’s eCommerce strategy has involved shifting the Makro website onto a new micro-services based platform which has delivered new features, improved

Ballito Home to KwaZulu-Natal’s Second Standalone Checkers Little Me baby Store

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

Drinking It All In | Beverage Trends in Africa – Smollan Tanzania

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 Partners with Standard Bank’s UCount to Drive Savings on DIY Renovations and Building Materials

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

High Investment in Self-Checkout, as Demand Grows Beyond grocery

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

Boardmans is Back – Online

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

Tingg by Cellulant Automates Payments for Petrol Stations in Ghana

OMCs can now track and reconcile transactions easily, increasing their operational efficiency by 50% Tingg by Cellulant In-Store solution is transforming the digital payments space in Ghana by providing Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) with a single payment collection point across multiple payment options and channels, ensuring real-time settlement. This advancement allows OMCs in the country

Carrefour Partners With Visa to Provide Customers With Online Discounts

KES 400 discount for goods worth KES 3,000 and above when customers shop on the MAF Carrefour Mobile app and pay with locally issued Visa cards The campaign will run every Tuesday for three months starting June 2023 Carrefour, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Kenya, has announced its partnership with Visa, the

South African FMCG Retail – Undercovering the Current State of Play – Trade Intelligence

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

Explosive Growth in Mobile Self-scanning, Reaching New Countries and Retailers

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

Channel Overload is Hurting Full-Funnel Marketing Effectiveness and ROI Confidence

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

Thirteen Awards for Shoprite and Checkers Private Label Products at SA Dairy Championships

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,

The Rise And Rise of the Township Economy – AKELO

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

Boost Sales, Drive Revenue With 1Stream CRM

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.

Making Touchscreen Terminals Accessible to People With a Visual Impairment – Ingenico

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

Pick N Pay to Pay For 17,000 Customers’ Shopping Baskets

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.

How Innovative Payment Solutions are Shaping South Africa’s Retail Sector – Ecentric

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

KongaNow: Guaranteed Same Day Delivery for Launch

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

Convenience Retailing: A Massive Opportunity Close to Home – Trade Intelligence

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

NIQ Report Shows Significant Tactical Manoeuvres by SA Consumers

• 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

Building Customer Loyalty Using Click-and-Collect – Pargo

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

Massmart Welcomes Thembani Biyam, Drives eCommerce Further

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

Propelling Retail eCommerce in Africa With Trust

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

World Wide Worx: Retailers Need to Invest in Customer Satisfaction as ECommerce in South Africa Eclipses R50 Billion Milestone

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

New Report by Harvard Business Review Analytic Services with Mastercard Says Balancing Act Between Digital Innovation and Customer Trust Crucial in Africa

• Consumers in Africa are often early adopters of new products and services—especially when they are offered by brands that share their values and do good. • Businesses in region serve an increasingly young population who are eager to embrace digital experiences and online services—provided they feel safe and secure while doing so. • Balancing

1Stream Ticks All the CRM Boxes With its All-in-One Solution

When it comes to CRMs, not all platforms are created equal. At 1Stream, we have an all-in-one solution that enables your team to grow revenue, improve service and boost sales while empowering your team members and helping them to connect more effectively with each other and with your customers. And it is this connectivity that

RBR: Global E-Commerce Card Purchases Rocket to Record $8.1 Trillion

E-commerce card purchases continue to gain momentum as pandemic-driven habits remain popular and e-commerce card payments have become increasingly convenient, secure and widely available Online payments account for a fifth of payment card spending  RBR’s study, Global Payment Cards Data and Forecasts to 2027, reveals that $8.1 trillion was spent using payment cards in 2021,

BDO South Africa: Don’t Discount Low-Cost Retail in South Africa

For retailers, relevance is reflected in a mirror of realities that must be understood with respect and met with dignity, especially in a diverse market such as South Africa. Low-cost retailers do this well, writes Faheem Hoosen, Audit partner at BDO South Africa. Discount supermarkets enable consumers to ‘buy two’, ‘buy three’, even ‘buy more’.

Konga Named Most Innovative E-Commerce Brand in Africa

A new consumer-focused survey has projected Konga as the most admired and innovative e-commerce company on the African continent. The survey, which was published on March 15, 2023, coincided with the World Consumer Rights Day. The market-wide consumer-based survey examined the current state, performance and growth path of e-commerce in Africa. The poll, which cut

Local and Cross-Border Retail Trading Shine at Limpopo’s Musina Mall

Musina Mall, the dominant shopping centre in Limpopo’s heritage-rich town of Musina, is notching up excellent performance and continues to increase its trading metrics, shopper appeal and convenience. Despite the background of the prevailing tough times in South Africa, Musina Mall continues to show significant growth. The mall’s total turnover grew a whopping 34% in