Makro Expands Footprint with 23rd Store in Gonubie, Eastern Cape

Massmart’s Makro is set to open its 23rd store on the 23rd of April, this time in Gonubie, East London. This is the first time Makro is opening a new store since 2019, and this expansion brings the retailer’s signature value, selection, and convenience to a thriving local business hub known for its family-friendly atmosphere

Bhunjun Group to Lead Engen Mauritius into a New Chapter

The Bhunjun Group is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Vivo Energy toacquire Engen’s operations in Mauritius. This milestone transaction marks a new era for the business, providing a strong foundation for growth, innovation, and continued excellence in serving Mauritian customers. On completion of the transaction, Bhunjun Group – through its

JYSK Opens in Morocco Marking First Entry in Africa

JYSK opens the first two stores in Casablanca, Morocco. The opening not only establishes JYSK’s presence in Africa but also marks a significant milestone as the company expands into its 50th country. JYSK has officially entered Africa, marking a new chapter in the Danish home furnishing company’s international expansion as the first two stores open

South Africa’s Vida e Caffè to Open In-Store Cafès at SPAR Convenience Stores

The Cape Town-based coffee chain will roll out fully staffed concession stores across selected sites within the convenience chain in South Africa. Vida e Caffè has unveiled a new partnership to open cafès within SPAR convenience stores in South Africa. Founded in Cape Town in 2001, Vida e Caffè is South Africa’s largest branded coffee

Counties Partner to Transform the Informal Dairy Sector

How do we get more safe milk into Kenyan homes while helping informal dairy vendors grow stronger businesses? This is the question driving More Milk for Lives and Livelihoods 2 (MoreMilk 2), a new county-led initiative by the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Between 25 March and 2 April 2025, the

SYSPRO Reveals Growth Insights for Manufacturers & Distributors

SYSPRO has released new research to support executives in mid-sized organisations considering the value of implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in their business. Manufacturing and distribution organisations require practical tools to drive growth and cultivate a data-driven culture that empowers decision-makers throughout the supply and value chains. “In today’s digital age, effective data

Alibaba.com and Kwik Announce Partnership to Support Nigerian Exporters

​Alibaba.com, a world leading B2B e-commerce platform and Kwik, a leading digital platform for logistics services in Nigeria, announced a partnership to support Nigerian exporters. Kwik is now an official Authorized Channel Partner of Alibaba.com in Nigeria, the first such partnership signed by Alibaba.com in Sub-Saharan Africa. Kwik will market the Alibaba.com platform to Nigerian

Fuel Retailers, It’s Time to Think Bigger – Insights from Nedbank

Fuel retail is experiencing a massive evolution: Here’s how to maximise new opportunities By Karen Keylock For a variety of reasons, the fuel retail sector has been in decline for several years, which is expected to continue. The long-term expectation is a 9.2% decline in global value to $79 billion in 2030, driven by efficiency improvements,

Shoprite Report Unveils Key Strategies to Boost South Africa’s SMMEs

A report commissioned by the Shoprite Group reveals the critical need for targeted support for female entrepreneurs and improved access to markets and resources in underrepresented regions of South Africa’s Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprise (SMME) sector. World Wide Worx conducted the research via a survey, which gathered insights from 800 SMME owners nationwide. It

Pick n Pay Celebrates New Store Opening as Turnaround Takes Shape

Pick n Pay opened a new supermarket at Westown Square, a mixed-use development in Shongweni, KwaZulu-Natal. A Pick n Pay Clothing and Liquor store will also open in the centre. The new store introduces key features that Pick n Pay is incorporating into its refreshed store format, aimed at enhancing the customer experience. These include

Retailability Sells Legit, Swagga, Style and Boardmans to Pepkor

Retailability Limited, a private owned retail group that specialises in affordable apparel and lifestyle products has entered into a transaction agreement with Pepkor who are seeking to expand their market share in adult wear. The transaction includes 462 stores that operate across South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini. “This is a great deal for

Retailer’s Market Day Creates Unique Opportunity for Emerging Farmers 

Small-scale farmers from more than 60 community food gardens across Southern Africa will have a unique opportunity to sell their fresh, organically grown produce directly to customers at selected Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets at the retailer’s Market Day on 3 April 2025. By providing a direct route to market, Market Day helps emerging farmers generate an income, develop critical

Lewis Group is SA’s Company of the Year for 2025

Lewis Group has been named Company of the Year in the prestigious News24 Business Awards 2025 which recognise excellence in corporate South Africa. The award recognises the JSE-listed company that has created strong shareholder value over the medium-term, while also excelling in performance, transforming the business landscape in South Africa through strategic leadership and innovation

KAL Group Fuel Offering Rebrands to Strengthen Market Position

The Fuel Company (TFC), a division of KAL Group, has rebranded to PEG Retail Operations (PEG), consolidating its fuel and convenience businesses under a single brand identity. The transition strengthens PEG’s market position, aligns its operations, and creates a more integrated supplier and partner collaboration platform. PEG Managing Director, Xolisa Bangazi, said the rebrand enhances

Bayer Opens Maize Seed Facility in Zambia

Bayer has announced the opening of a new maize seed facility in Kabwe, Zambia. Through the 32-million-euro facility alongside further investments in organization and the grower network, Bayer triples its existing capacity for high-quality maize seed production in the country in 2025. This capacity ultimately converts into annual maize consumption of approximately 30 million people

The Checklist: What Retailers Need to Know Before Embarking on SaaS Journeys – redPanda Solutions

Modern retail is dependent on technology to deliver the type of frictionless experience consumers demand and employees need. Over and above this, seamless integrations are the lifeblood of operational efficacy and efficiency in the race to win and retain market share.  Peter Ludi, Managing Executive at redPanda Solutions, a leading retail software solutions partner, says

iKhokha Elevate: Introducing a New Operating System Built for SMEs

iKhokha, the fintech company dedicated to fostering growth for South African small businesses amid challenging macroeconomic conditions, hosted its first iKhokha Elevate event in Durban on Wednesday, 12 March. The event, which saw hundreds of merchants attending in person and thousands more joining online, centered around discussing the challenges and successes of small businesses. It

Malawi Launches Digital Portal to Streamline Trade and Expand Market Access

The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), in collaboration with TradeMark Africa (TMA), has today launched the Single Digital Platform (SDP), a digital solution that automates MCCCI’s trade facilitation and membership management processes to enhance service delivery for businesses. The launch was officiated by Malawi’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Eng.

A New Player in Forecourt Logistics

Vector Express – a new offering from Vector Logistics – is enabling the channel to market for servicing forecourts and non-major retail customers nationally across South Africa. The solutions are enabled via the implementation of a dedicated fleet of vehicles optimised for the forecourt solution. “With a network of nearly 3000 sites across the country,

AliExpress Elevates Online Shopping in Africa with More Local Payment Options

AliExpress, an international online retail marketplace, announced today a significant expansion in its payment options for shoppers across Africa to elevate online shopping in the continent. This initiative follows AliExpress’ introduction of various local mobile payment methods last year, which was welcomed by consumers seeking better access to global products. Starting this March, AliExpress has

South Africa’s Top Brands Thrive in 2025, Led by Retail and Banking Giants

In 2025, the collective brand value of the Top 100 South African brands reached R688.6 billion, with banking, retail, and telecoms contributing over 62% of the ranking’s total brand value, as is often the case in emerging markets. This underscores the important role that the South Africa’s services sector plays in the economy and daily

Taco Bell Expands into South Africa as Part of Global Growth Strategy

Taco Bell has a plan to ignite international growth, expanding its global footprint from 1150 locations to more than 3000 restaurants outside the US by 2030. The brand plans to enter nine new countries including France, Greece and South Africa, and accelerate growth in its existing India, Australia, Spain and UK markets. The other six

ISF, AFSTA, and STAK Unite to Advance Africa’s Seed Sector and Food Security

The International Seed Federation (ISF) has convened its Board Meetings in Nairobi, bringing together national, regional and global seed industry leaders to reinforce their commitment to Africa’s agricultural development, especially in the face of climate change and a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. “Africa is on the verge of unlocking the transformative power of quality seeds,”

POP Warehouse Integration Enhances Provantage’s Retail Offering

POP Warehouse, a respected leader in South Africa’s retail display and logistics sector, has announced its incorporation into Provantage, one of Africa’s largest integrated media and marketing companies. This integration enhances Provantage’s retail services offering and capabilities, strengthening its ability to provide clients with a seamless end-to-end integrated point-of-purchase (POP) supply chain solution. Founded by

AGRA and Rwanda Launch Food Innovation Hub to Support Farmers

The Rwandan Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Innovation has partnered with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to establish a Food Innovation Hub aimed at strengthening food systems across the continent. The initiative seeks to support smallholder farmers, improve access to markets and financing, and enhance agricultural systems to increase food

GMG Partners with Frasers Group to Launch Sports Direct in MENA

GMG, a global well-being and retail conglomerate, announced a 10-year strategic retail partnership with Frasers Group, to bring leading sports retailer, Sports Direct, to the region. This partnership is a bold stride in GMG’s strategic vision to be the number one sports player across all markets it operates in, and bring inspiration and innovation through

Tiger Brands Boosts Sustainability of Township Enterprises

Two emerging black-owned enterprises have been assisted in growing their presence in the local township economy through Tiger Brands’ business support and market access initiative. Local start-up creative agencies, Bloodline and Barcode, are the recipients of a Tiger Brands Enterprise Supplier Development business support and mentorship package designed to help grow informal businesses into sustainable

Shoprite & Standard Bank Partner to Boost Customer Rewards

Africa’s biggest bank and Africa’s biggest retailer have teamed up to offer customers Africa’s biggest grocery rewards. This comes as the Shoprite Group doubles down on transparent partnerships that offer shoppers real value.  From April 2025, qualifying Standard Bank UCount Rewards members will receive the following benefits on every product, every day:  The Standard Bank

FNB Expands Partnership With Pick n Pay, Naming It as eBucks’ Primary Retail Partner

FNB and Pick n Pay are proud to announce the expansion of their partnership to add more value for all their FNB and RMB Private Bank’s customers. The bank’s retail and commercial customers will all earn up to 30% of their spend back in eBucks when using Pick n Pay’s asap! on-demand delivery service, and up

Massmart Growth Summit Generates Interest From Suppliers Across Africa

Last month, retail group Massmart announced that it would be hosting its inaugural Growth Summit in partnership with parent company, Walmart. The summit provides opportunity for Africa-based suppliers who manufacture, grow or assemble on the continent to connect directly with the appropriate Massmart buyers. Altogether, over 300 suppliers based in countries across the continent completed

Italtile Sees Higher Earnings on Internal Gains & Stronger Demand

Chief Executive Officer Lance Foxcroft, says, “At the year‑end, we committed to our ‘fighting‑fit’ mantra, which stood us in good stead for the review period. Our operators once again displayed their perseverance and resilience. Our stores are profitable and the franchise network is healthy. Our vertically integrated manufacturing and import businesses underpinned the retail operations’

SA’s Hi-Tech Irrigation Footprint Can Counter a Hotter, Drier Future

South Africa’s status as a net exporter of food and a leading player in high-value horticultural export markets belies the fact that it has always been a water-scarce country, subject to periodic droughts and erratic rainfall patterns. A cornerstone of its success has been South African farmers’ eagerness and willingness to adopt the latest agriculture

Vivo Energy Zambia Partners with VP’s Office to Restore Kanakantapa Livelihoods

Vivo Energy Zambia, the company that distributes and markets Engen fuels and Shell lubricants in Zambia, is proud to announce its collaboration with the Office of the Vice President of Zambia in launching the Tree Restoration Project in Kanakantapa Resettlement Scheme, Chongwe District. This initiative marks a significant step towards environmental sustainability and the restoration

Farmers and Agribusinesses Unite to Fight Against SA’s Hunger Crisis

One third of all food produced in South Africa goes to waste, but food insecurity remains rife. Now, farmers and agribusinesses are teaming up to address this problem. Food insecurity remains a formidable challenge in South Africa, with one in four children suffering growth stunting because low-income families often cannot afford the fresh fruit and

UPD Launches South Africa’s First Solar-Powered Refrigerated EV Fleet

The Clicks Group and United Pharmaceutical Distributors (UPD) have partnered with Everlectric and Investec Sustainable Solutions to introduce South Africa’s first fleet of zero-emission, pharma-compliant electric vehicles (EVs) with solar-powered refrigeration. Rolling out in Gauteng and the Western Cape, the fleet of 42 Maxus eDeliver 3 panel vans, manufactured by SAIC Maxus and supplied by

AW Rostamani and Groupauto MEA&I Forge Strategic Partnership

AW Rostamani Trading Company, the strategic arm of AW Rostamani Group’s mobility services division, and Groupauto Middle East, Africa & India, a regional subsidiary of Groupauto International, one of the world’s largest international automotive trading groups, have entered a strategic partnership to drive innovation and growth in the automotive aftermarket sector. The agreement was formalised

Mr Price Foundation and Zapper Launch Initiative to Combat Youth Unemployment

In a bold new partnership, Mr Price Foundation and Zapper have joined forces to address South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis. Mr Price Foundation is leveraging Zapper’s streamlined digital payment solutions to raise awareness and drive donations for its Hope4Youth campaign. Founded by Mr Price Group 20 years ago as a registered non-profit, Mr Price Foundation

AFC and CEXIM Strengthen Africa Trade and Infrastructure

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM) to deepen collaboration in financing strategic infrastructure and trade projects across Africa. The agreement builds upon an existing relationship between the two institutions, dating back to 2018, and reinforces a shared commitment

Mall of Africa Achieves EDGE Advanced Certification for Sustainability

Attacq Limited (“Attacq”), the JSE-listed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and strategic development partner of Waterfall City, proudly announces that its flagship retail asset, Mall of Africa, has achieved the prestigious Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) Advanced Certification. This milestone, achieved through ongoing collaboration with Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (Nedbank CIB), makes

Sahel Capital Backs Nigeria’s Agriarche to Boost Farmers’ Market Access

Sahel Capital, through its Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA), has provided a $500,000 working capital loan to Agriarche, a company focused on improving market access for smallholder farmers in Nigeria. The investment aims to enhance connections between farmers and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural supply chains. Agriarche plays a

KAL Group Delivers Promising Quarterly Performance

KAL Group, one of South Africa’s leading agri, fuel & convenience speciality retailers listed on the JSE, has delivered a solid start to the first three months of the 2025 financial year (Q1 or this period), and, encouraged by green shoots emerging in the operating environment, is cautiously optimistic about the 2025 outlook. “Our streamlined

Dairyland Unveils Fresh Look for Ice Cream Tubs

Dairyland, a renowned Kenyan dairy and chocolate brand, has unveiled a fresh new look for its ice cream tubs, offering a blend of innovation and flair.  The transformation, which the company describes as a “glow-up,” promises not only a visual upgrade but an enhanced experience in both looks and flavor.  Dairyland’s new packaging features updated

Invictus Investment Acquires Mozambique’s Largest Flour Miller Merec Industries

Invictus Investment Company Plc (ADX: INVICTUS), a leading agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and Africa, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Merec Industries, Mozambique’s largest flour milling company. The deal was made through the purchase of Merec Industries’ holding entity, Stratton Africa Holdings Limited, Mauritius, from current shareholders Amethis Fund II and

Highlighting SPAR Brand Growth Across Africa

The SPAR brand is present across more than 48 countries with over 14,000 stores operating worldwide. On the African continent, new store openings in various formats across Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and South Africa reflect how local retailers continue to meet the needs of their customers. SPAR South AfricaIn mid-December, the SUPERSPAR Supermarket Mondlo celebrated its grand

Touchsides Rebranded as Kazang Insights Following Lesaka Acquisition

Kazang Insights provides analytical and predictive solutions that empower FMCG firms, wholesalers and other companies to thrive in South Africa’s informal market. Leading data analytics, insights and merchant services company, Touchsides, is rebranding as Kazang Insights and integrating into Kazang—the prepaid value-added services (VAS) and card acquiring business within JSE-listed fintech Lesaka Technologies. Integration of

UK’s Pret A Manger to make South Africa debut in February 2025

UK coffee and food-to-go chain Pret A Manger will make its South Africa debut on 14 February 2025 with an outlet in Johannesburg’s up-market Melrose Arch neighbourhood. Pret, which signed a licensing agreement with private equity firm Millat Group in February 2024, said the upcoming launch marks a significant milestone in its international expansion and

Infobip | Shifting Expectations – Steering through the Logistics of Change in South Africa

By Pia Knežević, Squad Lead for Mid-Market at Infobip Rapidly evolving customer expectations are putting the logistics and transport sector under pressure to enhance customer engagement by focusing on providing real-time updates and rapid responses across multiple channels. What we have noticed is that consumers have more choices than ever before in selecting the transport

Engen Petroleum Achieves Industry-First RTMS Certification for National Heavy Vehicle Fleet

Engen Petroleum has set a new benchmark in road transport safety, becoming the first and only oil company in South Africa to achieve Road Transport Management System (RTMS) certification for its entire national fleet of heavy vehicles. Awarded by JC Auditors (JCA), this prestigious certification underscores Engen’s unwavering commitment to good governance, safety, and compliance

Doomaket: A Game-Changing Marketplace Connecting African Merchants to Global Markets

Logidoo announced the launch of Doomaket, an innovative marketplace platform poised to transform African e-commerce by addressing critical challenges in global trade. This solution is a powerful tool to empower African merchants, enabling them to expand their businesses worldwide and overcome traditional barriers to international commerce. Doomaket stands out from similar platforms through a comprehensive

Varun Beverages Invests Rs 412 Cr in South African Subsidiary

Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL) has announced an investment of Rs 412.80 crore in its South African subsidiary, The Beverage Company Proprietary Limited (Bevco). The development aligns with VBL’s strategy to strengthen its presence in international markets while bolstering its operations in India and retail globally. Bevco is engaged in manufacturing and distributing PepsiCo’s licensed products