SPAR Saves 3.5 Million Meals with TooGoodToGo

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

Time for Retail 2.0: How Android Can Help Take Retail to the Next Level

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

Trading Statement for the Year Ended 28 February 2023 – Famous Brands

The Board of Directors is satisfied that a reasonable degree of certainty exists that the Group’s financial results for the year ended 28 February 2023 will differ by at least 20% from those reported for the year ended 28 February 2022 (“the prior comparable year”) and is therefore required to issue this trading statement in

ACI Worldwide and MagicCube Partner to Deliver Tap to Pay Acceptance for Mid- to Large Retailers

ACI Worldwide, a global leader in mission-critical, real-time payments, has teamed up with MagicCube, the creator of i-Accept™, to deliver secure and seamless contactless payments on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) smartphones and tablets using Tap to Pay—with or without PIN. The solution will provide mid-size and large retailers operating in complex environments with device-agnostic control and visibility of

SPAR Zimbabwe Campaign Supports Children

Customers truly embraced the spirit of SPAR’s Stuffed with Love campaign which ended on 31 March. Shoppers and local institutions were encouraged to donate items and toys for children in need. This netted many more donations than the retailer had anticipated, with great diversity of items being collected. SPAR Zimbabwe has a multi-pillar responsible retailing

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

Disclosure of Acquisition of Securities by JP Morgan Chase & Co

In accordance with the JSE Limited Listings Requirements and Section 122(1) of the Companies Act, No 71 of 2008 (“the Act”), shareholders are advised that JP Morgan Chase & Co. has formally notified Shoprite Holdings that it has acquired ordinary shares in the Company, resulting in the total beneficial interest of Shoprite Holdings ordinary shares

PayFast: Unifying Channels is Critical if Retailers Want to Tap into Growth Opportunities

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

Game Named One of SA’s Top Ten Strongest Brands

Local retailer, Game, was this month named South Africa’s tenth strongest brand according to Brand Finance’s 2023 ‘South Africa 100’ report – up from 92nd place just last year, after a 36-point increase in its Brand Strength Index score. This is the first time the 53-year-old brand has entered the top ten, amongst other brands

Clicks Group Retial Turnover Up 11.9% as Clicks Gains Market Share

Clicks Group proved its resilience and defensiveness in challenging trading conditions as retail turnover increased by 11.9% in the six months to February 2023, with Clicks reporting market share gains in all product categories. Group turnover increased by 6.8%, excluding vaccinations, to R20.0 billion for the half year. Diluted headline earnings per share, adjusting for

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

Pick n Pay Sparks Retail Revolution with Powerful SAP Deployment

In today’s highly competitive retail environment, access to accurate real-time transaction and inventory data is critical to meeting customer demands. For one of South Africa’s leading retailers, a fast-tracked digital transformation of its transaction and reconciliation processes built on SAP S/4HANA has unlocked immense benefits and efficiency across the business. “We have seen a huge

SAPICS: Supply Chain Optimisation Offers Big Benefits For Retailers

The prevailing business environment is more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) than ever before, and today’s consumers are more demanding and unpredictable. To keep customers satisfied and to ensure that the right goods are available where and when they are needed, regardless of the latest local or global disruption, supply chain management has become

Celebrate Innovation in Africa’s Thriving Food and Beverage industry

Africa’s Big 7 returns with entries open for the inaugural Innovation Awards According to Statista, revenue in South Africa’s e-commerce food sector is projected to reach US$522.90 million this year, with an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of 5.47% over 2023-2027.[i] Ordering food online is just one facet of this booming industry, packed with tasty

Clickatell Announces World’s First Chat Commerce Platform as a Service (CCPaaS)

Brands utilizing CCPaaS can provide rich commerce experiences for consumers in any mobile messaging channel Clickatell (https://apo-opa.info/3UKhn92), a pioneer in mobile messaging and Chat Commerce innovation, today announced the launch of the world’s first Chat Commerce Platform as a Service (CCPaaS) (https://apo-opa.info/3L9mmNk) that empowers brands to capitalize on the opportunity of chat commerce, the emerging next wave of

GfK: Tomorrow’s Leading Brands are Busy Writing the Omnichannel Rulebook

By Zak Haeri, Managing Director – South Africa, GfK South African brands have spoken about omnichannel customer experiences and engagements for years. Yet despite the massive growth of digital sales and marketing channels during the pandemic, true omnichannel strategies remain far and few between. Many retailers and consumer brands are still struggling to catch up

Comcorp South Africa: Five Digital Business Trends to Keep Up With Consumers in 2023

It’s hard to think of life without technology. From being able to stream movies on Netflix, asking Alexa to play our favourite songs or just being able to Google the weather, latest soccer scores or answers to life’s most puzzling questions – technology is playing a central role in the way we work, play, and

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,

Retailability Grows its Brand Portfolio

Founded in 1984, Retailability is a South African based group of retail brands including Edgars, Legit, Swagga, Beaver Canoe and Style. Retailability operates over 580 stores across Southern Africa in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini. Delivering authentic and affordable fashion and beauty to the market remains the core focus of Retailability. Retailability continues

Jumia Appoints Charles Ballard as New Kenya CEO

Jumia has announced today that Charles Ballard has been appointed as the new CEO of Jumia Kenya, effective from March. Charles takes over the mantle from Juan Seco who left after eight years at Jumia to join a pan-African player in the FinTech space. “I am excited to continue driving the e-commerce narrative in rural

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

The Golden Rules to Scale Sustainable Packaging

Driven by digital technologies and changing consumer habits, delivery platforms across online food, grocery, and etail are growing steadily. From a new dress or a secondhand bike to a Margherita pizza or bottle of shampoo, the packaging is a critical element of the success of any delivery. With the sector’s growth, the need for more

A New Era of Digital Retail in Africa

Exploring innovation coupled with cutting-edge tech is on the up as brands and retailers consider what, when and how to ride the new wave of consumerism in Africa. With the future of digital retail in Africa an exciting and ever-changing landscape. Africa Overview Customer expectations are forcing retailers to reassess the service they provide, not

Secondary Listing of Shoprite on A2X

Shoprite is pleased to advise shareholders that its ordinary shares will be traded on A2X with effect from Tuesday 11 April 2023 (the “A2X listing date). Shoprite will retain its listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) and Lusaka Securities Exchange (LUSE) and its issued share capital will be unaffected

Absa Hosted Made in Africa Event to Ignite African Business by Connecting the Continent’s Buyers and Sellers

“It is time for Africa. It is time for Africa to harness its people, its resources, and its resilience for the betterment of all. It is time for large corporates and public sector entities to open up their supply chains for the betterment of local businesses. It is time for financial institutions to support this

Pick N Pay Clothing Store Awarded Green Status

Pick n Pay Clothing becomes the first clothing retailer recognised by the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) for its sustainable approach to refurbishing the interiors of its growing store network. The Pick n Pay Clothing store in Blue Route Mall, Cape Town, was awarded a 4 Star Green Star Interiors v1 rating, which indicates

RCS: The Impact of Blockchain Technology on the Retail Sector and its Role as the ‘Fuel for Africa’s Innovation Economy’

During its formative years, blockchain technology became synonymous with the advent of cryptocurrency. Today, its use cases have transcended the world of finance, expanding into sectors such as retail. In Africa, its application in payment technology has demonstrated blockchain’s ability to revolutionise several touchpoints from supply chain to final sale. These developments herald good news

Jumia Kenya Announces New Packaging Measures Ahead of World Zero Waste Day

Jumia Kenya consumers will now receive their online orders in their original packaging from the manufacturer without any extra wrap from Jumia. This follows the company’s recent announcement, which aligns with its ESG strategy aimed at environmentally friendly activities in the countries it operates in. “In line with our sustainability agenda, we will continue cutting

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

The Shoprite Group Opens First Clothing Store

The Shoprite Group has launched UNIQ, its new clothing brand fashioned on simplicity, comfort, superior fabrics and value. The first standalone UNIQ store opened in Cape Town’s Canal Walk shopping centre with another eight stores scheduled to open in the next month. Catering for the entire family, the UNIQ range consists of premium basics in a variety

5 Insights From 5 Major Players in Retail and E-Commerce for 2023

e-Commerce is one of the fastest evolving industries in the world. The growth has been unprecedented, and in Africa the appetite for online business and retailing is higher than ever.  In 2021, retail e-commerce sales amounted to approximately 5.2 trillion U.S. dollars worldwide. This figure is forecast to grow by 56% over the next few

RCS: Three Years After COVID: The Biggest Trends Driving the Evolution of SA’s Retail Sector

By Gavin Lomberg, Chief Commercial Officer, RCS South Africa’s retail sector was undoubtedly one of the hardest hit by the onset of COVID-19. Lockdown regulations, reduced trading hours and the sudden, unexpected limitation of face-to-face contact required retailers to rethink the rules, in unprecedented circumstances. The industry saw retailers entering new product territories, pivoting their

Nielsen Reveals Key Brand Lift Drivers for Emerging Media Channels

Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics, has identified for the first time the drivers of brand lift on emerging media, illuminating common factors that drive campaign performance. While a body of research exists on brand lift drivers for traditional media such as TV, Nielsen’s new research uncovers where advertisers can focus

Checkers Sixty60 Launches New Delivery Guarantee – a SA Retail First

Checkers Sixty60 will now give customers their delivery for free if an order arrives more than 30 minutes after the estimated time of arrival. Delivery will also be free if an order contains fewer than 80% of a customer’s first-choice products. This Service Guarantee is a first in the South African on-demand grocery delivery space. “Sixty60 is

Pick n Pay Reduces Food Waste by Nearly a Third with the Help of New Technologies

In the past four years, the retailer has reduced the volume of food waste in its operations by nearly 30% (28%) as it works towards its target of 50% by 2030. It has also successfully donated over 880 tonnes of edible surplus food to FoodForward SA, valued at over R35 million. Pick n Pay is

A2X Welcomes Shoprite Listing

Shoprite Holdings Limited has been approved for a secondary listing on A2X Markets. Its shares will be available for trade on A2X from Tuesday, 11 April 2023. The Shoprite Group is the largest South African retailer by market capitalisation, sales, profit and number of employees and customers. Its core business is food retailing, complemented by

A Guide to Selling Regulated Goods in Uganda

Uganda has emerged as one of Africa’s rapidly developing economies, with an impressive annual growth rate of 6% for over three decades. As a result, Uganda presents great opportunities for retailers and brands looking to tap into its lucrative market. However, like other African countries, Uganda has regulations that businesses must comply with, such as

How Telephony Integration Improves CRM Performance

From improved team efficiency to greater sales success, an integrated telephony system can help boost your company’s success. However, choosing the right partner to oversee the integration process is essential to avoid frustrations and to ensure that productivity is not negatively impacted. “Successful integration requires a unique skill set as well as technical expertise that

Account-to-Account Payments Set to Revolutionize Shopping, with E-commerce Payments Reaching $525 Billion Globally: Worldpay from FIS 2023 Global Payments Report

Key facts: Emerging trend: Account-to-account payments continued to gain momentum in 2022 to account for US$525 billion in global e-commerce transaction value. Global forecast: Global e-commerce market is set to be worth nearly US$8.5 trillion in 2026. Shift in balance of U.S. payments: For the first time, digital wallets surpassed credit cards to become the leading payment method

RFG Accelerates Renewable Energy Programme

RFG is accelerating its renewable energy infrastructure programme in response to load shedding, with solar installations planned for a further seven manufacturing facilities over the next two years. Solar energy has already been installed at the group’s fruit juice plant in Wellington and vegetable products factory in Limpopo. The first of the seven new installations

Clean Drinking Water for 18 000 People Through Shoprite’s Support of PlayPumps

The Shoprite Group is increasing the availability of clean drinking water in rural communities by expanding its support of PlayPumps to 50 sites across South Africa benefitting more than 18 000 people. PlayPumps are “merry-go-rounds” that pump water from boreholes into reservoirs as children play on them, providing a reliable source of clean drinking water

Akhona Qengqe to Become KFC Africa’s New General Manager

KFC Africa proudly appoints first black female GM  KFC (www.global.KFC.com) today announced the appointment of its very first black female General Manager for Africa – Akhona Qengqe – who will step into this role on 01 April 2023. She will replace outgoing GM – Dhruv Kaul, who is moving into a GM role for KFC

SPAR Zimbabwe Invests in Retail Experience Transformation

In an ongoing programme of retail experience transformation, SPAR Zimbabwe invested in another of their core stores. The renovation was completed in just four weeks and has increased the area dedicated to fresh and frozen foods as well as the food service offer. The SPAR Supermarket which reopened on 22 February is located in the

Konga Partners Verve to Delight Customers with Free Shopping Vouchers

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform has partnered with Verve International to reward customers with free shopping vouchers. Tagged Season of Rewards, the campaign, which kicked off on March 1, 2023 will see shoppers receive free vouchers when they shop on Konga.com with their Verve cards. The partnership underpins the commitment of both brands to

Future Dairy Products Will Be Sustainable and Focused on the Consumer

By Sasha Ramjathan, Leader of the CPG Segment for Southern Africa at Schneider Electric The consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry stands to benefit greatly from digital innovation advancements. According to a paper entitled the next frontier in consumer goods: digitally enabled innovation by the strategy firm McKinsey & Company, digitisation can bring new products to market

Pick N Pay Taps into ‘Show-Webrooming’ Influence to Grow its Omnichannel Offering

“The future of retail is the ability to create a seamless shopping experience across online and offline” As online shopping continues to grow in the country, customers are spoilt for choice on how and where they shop. Trends show that many South Africans are increasingly choosing to shop both in-store and online, or often simultaneously,