Tetra Pak South Africa announced that it has officially become a member company of Proudly South African organization at an event that took place at Monte Casino on 30 January. In attendance was 1st Secretary of Trade and Economic Affairs, Swedish Embassy Mr. Martin Jornrud, representatives from various South African Government departments Department of Trade
The Human Face of Retail By Peter Ludi, Business Development Executive at redPanda Software There’s widespread acceptance that improving customer experience will go a long way towards attracting and retaining customers, especially at a time when there’s increased competition for valuable consumer spend. Naturally, all eyes turn to technology to remove friction, add convenience, automate,
Once upon a time (literally like last week!) a shopper popped in for a quick pre-holiday shop. Welcomed by a Bot that offered personalised suggestions based on previous purchases – a hassle free push to make their experience “more than”. Drawn into the clothing section, smart mirrors gave them the option to virtually try on
As businesses across the globe work towards making culture and employee wellbeing an integral part of their organisations, the retail industry should consider this when it comes to their retail employees says Serena Ho, head of consumer market at BDO South Africa Inc. Here they discuss the important role of retail employees in powering the
The Merchants Payments Coalition today welcomed the announcement that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Durbin, D-Ill., has invited the CEOs of Visa and Mastercard to testify at a hearing on the lack of competition in the credit card market. “It’s time for the CEOs of Visa and Mastercard to answer for decades of their companies
By Sheetal Patel, Retail lead and Junaid Kleinschmidt, Digital Marketing Strategy and Intelligence lead for Accenture, Africa In the span of a year, the landscape of artificial intelligence has undergone a remarkable transformation. Until late 2022, few people outside of cutting-edge artificial intelligence had heard of Large Language Models (LLMs) or Generative AI. Now, it’s
By Joel Bronkowski, South Africa Country Lead at Paystack In the ever-evolving landscape of retail, a notable turn has taken centre stage as multiple brands continue their transition from traditional brick-and-mortar sales to a dynamic fusion of ecommerce platforms. This move has not only redefined the way businesses operate but has also enhanced their capacity
South African shoppers want choice and convenience. Recognising this, retail consumer finance provider, RCS, is offering real, tangible value to its customers. By expanding its partner network, payment options and embracing cutting-edge technology, RCS is not just keeping up; it’s leading the way towards greater financial inclusion in South Africa. Credit extended to healthcare products
Makro South Africa has unveiled the findings of its latest survey – which finds South Africans are feeling positive about the new year. “We embarked on this consumer survey to get insights and sentiment on how consumers are feeling about the new year and ascertain their preparedness in terms of their shopping priorities, channels they
Group CEO Sean Summers has appointed his senior leadership team as a key step in the drive to return Pick n Pay supermarkets to growth whilst ensuring the Online, Boxer and Clothing growth drivers continue to deliver. Pick n Pay will undergo an immediate structural adjustment to allow it to focus with clarity on customers,
Global cloud communications platform Infobip has launched AI Hub, a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) overhaul of its platform to help businesses to create seamless end-to-end conversational experiences across the whole customer journey. Integrating advanced analytics, AI, and generative AI features with Infobip’s core Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) portfolio, AI Hub supports digital transformation. It enables businesses and
Somerset Mall, a prominent player in the retail and commercial property sector, is marking its 30th anniversary this year, and it’s an occasion worth recognising not just for nostalgia’s sake, but for the profound strategic milestones it represents. From its humble beginnings with just a handful of stores, Somerset Mall has expanded into a formidable
Two of Africa’s most prominent e-commerce companies, Wasoko and MaxAB, announced today that they have signed preliminary merger terms to join together as a combined entity to drive the transformation of Africa’s informal retail sector. This merger-of-equals will bolster the growth and development of the e-commerce pioneers to establish the most successful digital retail platform
As the digital payment revolution gains momentum, Binance, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, is over the moon to announce its partnership with CryptoConvert which will see its users able to make payments cashless, contactless, and incredibly secure at all Pick n Pay till points. CryptoConvert partnered with Pick n Pay last year to trial making
It doesn’t matter whether a company is a small to medium-sized enterprise or a large corporation, or where it’s based, we are all now operating in a global economy. Irrespective of the size of an enterprise, its location or what its product offering is, with the right payment and transaction mechanisms, it can compete equally
AbaQulusi Plaza, formerly Vryheid Plaza, has reopened its doors after an 18-month redevelopment programme. On 22 November 2023, Cllr Khehla Mkhwanazi, the Mayor of the AbaQulusi Local Municipality, officially opened the centre at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In his speech, Cllr Mkhwanazi commented that the shopping centre was an essential boost to the economy of Vryheid,
South Africans have faced countless economic challenges over the past year, including numerous interest rate hikes, fuel price escalations, and a surge in food costs. Considering the growing consumer focus on personal welfare and financial survival, SPAR has committed to ensuring that this festive season is one of both joy and financial ease. Historically, this
Builders has opened its latest express format store at River Square Mall on 23rd of November 2023 to bring all the latest and innovative DIY, building materials and alternative energy solutions to Vereeniging. The brand-new express store will be a paradise treat for avid home improvement and DIY-enthusiasts’ to swing by for a visit and
Engen has donated fuel to the value of R20 000 to the Reach for a Dream foundation to help fulfil the dreams of children fighting life-threatening illnesses. Reach for a Dream has been making dreams come true for children for 35 years; dreams ranging from meeting someone famous to going to the seaside for the
In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, the concept of consumer consent has taken centre stage for companies. Gone are the days when consent was assumed; today, the control is firmly in the hands of the consumer. For those companies who handle consumer data, consent has to be a priority. While consumers want the services they can
By Mark Wilson, CEO, SYSPRO EMEA & APAC The manufacturing industry is a tough industry, vulnerable to impacts from the economy, geo-political events such as conflict and pandemics, and other stresses that impact the global and local supply chains and markets. Manufacturers constantly need to seek out a competitive advantage to stay at the forefront
Clickatell, a pioneer in mobile messaging and Chat Commerce innovation, today announced the launch of Clickatell AI, an innovative addition to its Chat Commerce Platform. This conversational AI solution uses artificial intelligence and messaging to create personalized conversations, improving customer engagement and building stronger relationships. Clickatell AI utilizes natural language processing (NLP) to grasp the
In a strategic move to bolster the digital transformation of small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across South Africa and Africa, Tarsus On Demand is proud to announce the launch of Digital On Demand, and it’s Digital Business Hub Marketplace. This comprehensive digital business hub is designed to empower SMBs on their digitalisation journey, addressing the unique challenges
Belva Digital, a marketing technology company based in Kenya has expanded and enhanced its product portfolio through its participation in the Infobip Partner Connect Programme, which has enabled it to widen its customer network. Client background Belva Digital is a marketing technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It was founded over a decade ago and
By 2025 nearly half of South Africa’s population will be food insecure, with 48.96% of the population potentially not having enough to eat. Provincially, Limpopo will suffer the worst food insecurity with 54% of the population not sure about where their next meal will come from. Although in the Western Cape and Gauteng the numbers
The Greenery, the much-anticipated convenience shopping centre in Polokwane, Limpopo, celebrated its grand opening today, 26 October, offering an eagerly awaited stylish one-stop shopping experience to the community. Co-owned and developed by the Moolman Group and Networth Group, the 11,000sqm centre will bring a fresh, upmarket and vibrant neighbourhood shopping experience right to the doorsteps
Massmart has and continues to invest significantly in eCommerce as a strategic growth vector. This initiative has been supported by Walmart, including through the services of approximately 300 full-time Massmart technologists based in Walmart’s Tech Development Centre in Bangalore and the three-year secondment to Massmart of Sylvester John from Walmart US, where he was responsible
Trade Intelligence, a respected market intelligence and research firm in the consumer goods sector, has announced its official foray into the Kenyan market with a Retail Trends presentation by Business Development Lead, Andrea Ellens. The presentation, held at the recent Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) forum, provided an in-depth analysis of Kenya’s evolving retail
DP World has extended its long-standing partnership with leading pan-African bank, Standard Bank, by concluding a US$365.1 million facility agreement to support its logistics and market access expansion across the sub-Saharan (SSA) region. The facility offers DP World’s SSA logistics and market access businesses access to a multi-product, multi-jurisdiction, and multi-currency facility. This solution has
Massmart opened two new Builders Express stores last week, one near Mall of The North in Polokwane and the other, in Vergelegen, Western Cape. The Group first announced its intention to expand the footprint of its high returning assets, which include Builders stores, in 2021. Commenting on the expansion, Jonathan Molapo, Massmart CEO said, “Following
Niel Coetzee, Head of Engineering at redPanda Software In recent years, many South African retailers have come to rely on no-code and low-code solutions which ostensibly simplifies the software development process. While the appeal is undeniable, these methods often trap businesses in a web of unoptimised code, vendor lock-in, and restricted adaptability. Traditional low-code and
The Group experienced a particularly challenging period, delivering a disappointing result at a time of high load shedding costs and increased competitive intensity. The Group spent just under R400-million on diesel which added to expense growth, and limited its ability to respond to strong competitor promotional activity. Group turnover growth was 5.4% (like-for-like 2.3%), with
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group. Mauritius Telecom, the number one telecom operator in Mauritius, and MultiChoice, Africa’s leading entertainment platform, are pleased to announce their partnership to bring DStv Stream to Mauritius. A signing ceremony between Mauritius Telecom, represented by its CEO Kapil Reesaul and MultiChoice Africa, represented by Jose Escobar,
For the first time in South Africa Clover Tetra Pak’s long-standing customer will produce their premium custard “Clover Bliss Double Cream” using the new Tetra Pak® Tetra Brik® Aseptic 1000 Square Metallic packaging material which will help products stand out on the shelf. Clover is one of the largest branded consumer goods companies in South
According to NIQ, 99% of South African consumers have changed the way they shop for FMCG (95% globally) and have adopted a range of strategies to manage their spending. The three top saving strategies are buying whatever brand is on promotion (34%), shopping more often at discounters (40%) and focusing on essentials (46%). These findings
Pick n Pay, a trailblazer in the loyalty space, celebrates its pioneering spirit as it embarks on a digital transformation journey with the launch of the Pick n Pay Smart Shopper app. This marks the start of a new era of customer engagement and convenience for Smart Shopper as it aims to become South Africa’s
A little-known fact about Pick n Pay relates to the size of its franchise network, and over the next few years the group will further strengthen the division. Nearly half of Pick n Pay stores in South Africa (excluding Boxer) are owned and run by franchisees. This large footprint emphasises the important role these stores
By Marius Wessels, Manager: Professional Services for SYSPRO Africa In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, staying ahead of the competition requires constant adaptation and optimisation. Tempting as it is to stick to the ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ credo, one crucial aspect of maintaining a competitive edge lies in regularly updating Enterprise Resource
Pick n Pay has extended its partnership with WWF South Africa as it works to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its Group by 2050. The collaboration with WWF was initiated in 2006 to restore over-exploited fish stocks and evolved into a long-term, transformative partnership. While initially focused on fisheries improvement projects, Pick n Pay and
Meet Sbu Khumalo, a Senior Graphic Designer for the Do More Foundation. Since joining RCL FOODS in 2022, Sbu has made an impact in both the office and beyond, having recently illustrated a children’s book for underprivileged Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. In 2022, non-profit organisation, Book Dash, came to Durban, seeking local artists to
Jumia, the leading e-commerce platform in Africa, has announced an agreement with Starlink, a satellite internet service, to retail the Starlink Residential Kit in Africa. With this partnership, Jumia aims to bridge the digital divide by delivering Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet to previously underserved regions of Africa. The agreement will initially cover Nigeria, with plans
South Africa’s largest private sector employer, the Shoprite Group, has been honoured for its outstanding contribution to the ‘Social’ component of ESG at the Youth Employment Service (YES)’s inaugural Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) Awards this week. The YES programme is a business-driven initiative in partnership with government and labour to build economic pathways for
In its latest move to become the leading eCommerce player in South Africa, Massmart has launched a bespoke business (B2B) website to meet the needs of business customers, who are facing similar economic challenges to end consumers. This ‘Makro Business’ branded website will offer businesses of all sizes, an online platform tailored to meet their
Most of us have engaged in eCommerce one way or another and are likely to frequent our tried and tested online providers for years to come. We can navigate B2C eCommerce comfortably and enjoy the ease of finding great products, seamless services, and fast delivery. In fact, the eCommerce user experience (UX) continues to get
Pick n Pay asap! has relaunched its fast-growing on-demand delivery app, and to celebrate, it is offering unlimited free delivery for its customers in October. More and more customers are enjoying shopping with Pick n Pay asap!, which has delivered exponential growth into 2023. The upgrades will give customers a smoother, faster and ‘fresher’ way
Pick n Pay announced today that Pieter Boone is stepping down as Group CEO and will be replaced by Sean Summers. Sean returns to the Group following a previous, highly successful, tenure as CEO between 1999 and 2006. Pieter will assist Sean through a short handover period. Chairman Gareth Ackerman commented: “I want to thank
By Joel Bronkowski, Country Lead, South Africa at Paystack With South Africa’s online retail space now worth more than R50 billion and growing continuously, the sector is only going to become more competitive. That’s true for online retailers of all sizes too. At the top of the market, online-only players that have long been dominant
Confidence levels in the manufacturing sector improved by 6 points to 23 on the back of better business conditions, but the sector remains under pressure, the Q3 Absa Manufacturing Survey shows. Overall, respondents to the survey noted an increased level of sales (domestic and export sales up 27 and 31 points respectively) and production (up
RFG overcame challenging trading conditions to increase revenue by 10.0% in the 11 months to August 2023. Growth was driven by price inflation of 13.5% as the group continued to recover the higher input costs encountered over the past two years. CEO Pieter Hanekom said slower consumer spending and increased competitor promotional activity created volume
Investing in early childhood development is known to be one of the most effective means of eradicating poverty, which is why the Spur Foundation focuses on projects that put the young child first. The Spur Foundation supports early childhood development with a focus on training of principals and teachers at under-resourced day care centres. We’ve
