With the seismic shifts taking place within retail, as well as the significant impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on customers’ shopping behaviour, the race for tech talent is on with retailers dialing up their investment in ensuring that they are appropriately structured to respond competitively to this changing environment. Taking this a step further, Woolworths
Standard Bank and Pick n Pay customers’ shopping experience has just become even more convenient, easy, and safe, with the launch of Standard Bank’s EasyScan – a new service that enables customers to pay for their shopping using the Standard Bank Mobile Banking app. Standard Bank customers registered on the Banking App can scan
Allowing more entrepreneurs to transact via in-person card payments, simply and securely Payments and software company, Yoco, has partnered with over 700 retail stores nationwide, to allow more merchants access to affordable and efficient electronic card machines and financial tools to start and run their businesses. Entrepreneurs are seeing a growing tapes surrounding product structures
African retailer, Game Stores, is introducing its Price Beat Promise to its month-long Black November promotion for the first time in history – guaranteeing Game shoppers the lowest possible price on all items stocked at Game, between 1 and 30 November. “This is how we are reimagining the popular shopping holiday ‘Black November’ for our customers. Not only are we giving them
Africa can be a challenging place to do business from infrastructure issues, complex compliance, fragmented markets and dispersed populations and particularly post pandemic, harder lives for ordinary people. One cannot ignore those who have gone before with Massmart announcing earlier this month the sale of Game stores in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania, citing
Combining steam and refrigeration plant utilities for an optimal outcome Exploring opportunities to streamline energy efficiencies within businesses has become a major focus for South African companies in recent years. A great business case for how this can be done with beneficial outcomes in not only energy, but also cost management while improving operational efficiencies
There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has added a further strain on South Africa’s already stagnant economy, leaving millions jobless and living in dire poverty. While more than 9 million people starve, there has been an increase in reported cases of food waste. According to National Income Dynamics Study – Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey
Checkers opened its new world-class supermarket at Chartwell Corner in Dainfern yesterday, elevating the customer experience through the introduction of brand-new in-store services and greater convenience. Named the most reputable brand in South Africa in Brand Finance’s 2021 annual report, Checkers continues to introduce more and more customers to a world-class shopping experience and is growing
When buying electronics and appliances, many consumers opt for self-installation with the perception that this will save them time and money. However, doing this runs many risks – including voiding the warranty on the item in question, says African retailer, Game. Most electronics and appliance manufacturers stipulate in their policies that the product warranty will only remain valid
Nestlé is laying out its plans to support and accelerate the transition to a regenerative food system – one that aims to protect and restore the environment, improve the livelihoods of farmers and enhance the well-being of farming communities. Nestlé will work with its food system partners, including the company’s network of more than 500,000
Clicks Group has announced that chief executive officer (“CEO”) and executive director Vikesh Ramsunder has resigned from the group with effect from 31 December 2021 to take up a career opportunity as the CEO of a listed company in Australia. He will continue as a strategic advisor to the group until 31 August 2022. Bertina
Proudly South African and leading fashion and lifestyle retailer, TFG, has acquired the beloved local bedding, duvet and pillows brand Granny Goose and the associated manufacturer, Cotton Traders. The Granny Goose products will be available exclusively to TFG’s @home brand. The acquisition will result in the over 235 Granny Goose & Cotton Traders employees joining
Spur Corporation experienced the early signs of a slow but positive recovery in the second half of the year to June 2021 as total franchised restaurant sales increased by 1% to R6 billion. Group revenue declined by 10.5% to R681 million. This was due to concessions granted on franchise and marketing fees to franchisees for
In a first for the Namibian petroleum industry, Engen have brought retail convenience to the fingertips of their customers by introducing a ground-breaking new mobile app. Available for download from Google Play, the Apple App Store and the Hauwei App Gallery, the Engen App enables customers to order groceries and take outs at the click
By Linda Eales, Robotics Division Manager at ABB South Africa The future has never looked more unpredictable for South Africa’s food and beverage (F&B) sector, as it battles a perfect storm of pressure brought on by Covid-19, changing consumer and retail consumption patterns, disrupted supply chains and ongoing scrutiny around food safety. The Food and
CEO believes in the power of his people and the ability to embrace change as a key enabler for growth. Nestlé has been recognized as one of the Top Companies at this year’s Conscious Company Awards. The awards ceremony, which was held last night, is organized annually to celebrate companies whose leadership is committed to
Update on impact of civil unrest During the widespread civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal (“KZN”) in July 2021, 52 Clicks stores and one The Body Shop store were looted and vandalised. The affected stores represented 6% of the group’s store base. By 31 August 2021, 34 of these stores had been reopened. A further 8 stores
In the month of National Recycling Day and World Clean-up Day, Woolworths is expanding its reusable bag collection trial and introducing more recycling vending machines in selected stores. After running a successful reusable shopping bag collection trial at Woolies’ Palmyra store since May, the retailer has now introduced collection points at Hout Bay and Constantia
By Andrew Dawson, MD at MACmobile ‘Line of sight’ in the supply chain has taken on a new meaning in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Rather than simply tracking stock movements and using this data to attempt to influence the end consumer to buy a product, there is now massive
South Africa’s most loved and awarded retail loyalty programme, Pick n Pay Smart Shopper, is celebrating its loyal members as the programme marks its 10th anniversary by offering them a share of more than R1 billion in rewards over the next few weeks. Pick n Pay Smart Shopper was introduced in 2011 and offered members
Excellent Engen service. No cash in your pocket. No stress. Engen’s innovative 1app now features a ‘Tip an Attendant’ function, which allows motorists and shoppers across South Africa to tip deserving Engen staff for the warm and friendly service that they have long been renowned for. In partnership with Telkom Financial Services, this new value
Key information – continuing operations for the 53-week period Sale of merchandise increased by 8.1% to R168.0 billion Trading profit increased by 24.9% to R10.3 billion Diluted headline earnings per share (DHEPS) increased by 20.1% to 952.5 cents (restated 2020*: 793.4 cents) Adjusted DHEPS** increased by 20.7% to 883.8 cents (restated 2020*: 732.5 cents) Full
Clicks has been voted the Coolest Specialist Health Store in the annual Sunday Times GenNext Awards. The GenNext Awards, now in its 17th year, is the country’s leading annual youth brand preference and consumer behaviour survey focusing on South African youth aged 8 to 30. Winning this award indicates that Clicks’ efforts to resonate with
A perfect dozen! Engen has been voted South Africa’s Coolest Petrol Station by the country’s “Gen. Z’s” in the Sunday Times Generation Next, for the 12th consecutive year. The Award comes amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and attests to the consistency of Engen’s values and commitment to client-centric offerings, innovation, and sustainability. Reflecting on the award,
Pick n Pay Clothing has launched an exciting and first of its kind partnership with online fashion retailer, Zando. Effective today, Pick n Pay Clothing fashion ranges will be available for purchase on Zando, extending accessibility beyond its physical stores across the country and online at www.pnpclothing.co.za. “Pick n Pay Clothing customers will have more
Key information – continuing operations for the 53-week period Sale of merchandise increased by 8.1% to R168.0 billion Trading profit increased by 24.9% to R10.3 billion Diluted headline earnings per share (DHEPS) increased by 20.1% to 952.5 cents (restated 2020*: 793.4 cents) Adjusted DHEPS** increased by 20.7% to 883.8 cents (restated 2020*: 732.5 cents) Full
In accordance with paragraph 3.59 of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements, the board of directors of Shoprite Holdings (the “Board”) advises of the following changes to the Board and its Board committees: Board changes Ms Alice le Roux will be retiring as an independent non-executive director of Shoprite Holdings in terms of the rotation provisions
Clicks has been voted the Top Brand for Convenience in the annual Kantar BrandZ Top 30 Most Valuable South African brands survey. The retail pharmacy chain increased its brand value 10% in the past year to US$449 million which saw it move up two places to No. 22. The BrandZ ranking is an annual survey
The NCPC-SA will provide support and technical solutions to companies in the South African beverages sector, focusing on resource efficiency and cleaner production The National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC-SA) has concluded a formal partnership with membership-based industry organization, the Beverage Association of South Africa (BevSA). The NCPC-SA will provide support and technical solutions to companies in the South
SPAR South Africa’s sustainability tagline, ‘My SPAR, Our Tomorrow’ is a public commitment to the future of the SPAR Brand and our planet. SPAR South Africa wants to reduce its overall impact and contribute to social and natural ecosystems’ wellbeing. The company has a number of own brand packaging goals to achieve over the next
Game’s Q3 consumer Price Perception Survey found that 86% of South African consumers still prioritise bargain hunting more than they did a year ago, with 66% confirming they are shopping less than they did at this time last year, despite lesser restrictions around movement. Only 11% of respondents say their shopping habits have not changed
Acquisition in line with Massmart’s intent to accelerate eCommerce growth In line with its strategic intent to accelerate growth in eCommerce, today, Massmart announced that it is in negotiations to acquire a controlling stake in OneCart PTY (Ltd) (OneCart). Negotiations are at an advanced stage and the Group hopes to conclude discussions in the coming
Results of the 88th annual general meeting Shareholders are advised that at the Mr Price Group Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) held yesterday, Wednesday 25 August 2021, all the ordinary and special resolutions as set out in the notice of AGM dated 11 June 2021 were passed by the requisite majority of votes of shareholders present
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW Turnover and concession sales +9.7% to R85.9bn Profit before tax +267.3% to R5.2bn Adjusted profit before tax +110.7% to R4.6bn Earnings per share +647.6% to 435.1cps Headline earnings per share +212.5% to 374.4cps Adjusted diluted headline earnings per share +102.9% to 341.6cps Net borrowings (excluding lease liabilities) 91.0% reduction to R1.1bn Dividend resumed
By Andrew Dawson, MD at MACmobile Spaza shops are at the heart of many South African informal communities, selling small quantities of everything, from groceries and home care products to medication and cleaning supplies. For the millions of citizens who live hand-to-mouth, the role of the spaza shop as a bulk breaker is a lifeline.
Total group trading profit grows by 266.6% to R444.2 million Today (27 August 2021) Massmart announced results for the 26 weeks ended 27 June 2021, reporting total group sales for the period of R41.3 billion, representing total sales growth and comparable store sales growth of 4.4% and 4.8% respectively. Gross margin increased by 43 basis
Consumer trend to cocoon at home after lockdowns a boon for electronic appliance sector. Spike in consumer home sales of small appliances, dishwashers and office equipment. Massive growth in solar heating on the continent expected. International home appliances maker Electrolux expects strong demand to continue as a result of the stay-at-home trend prompted by the
INTRODUCTION Shoprite Holdings’ shareholders (“Shareholders”) are referred to the announcement released on the Stock Exchange News Service by Massmart Holdings this afternoon and are hereby advised that the Company, through a subsidiary (“Shoprite Supermarkets Proprietary Limited”) of Shoprite Checkers Proprietary Limited has entered into a sale of business agreement (“Agreement”) with certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Shoprite is the first South African retailer to launch an instant electronic funds transfer (EFT) service. The EFT service enables customers to instantly send vouchers to another person in just three simple steps. Senders only need to enter the recipient’s mobile number and the amount they wish to pay. There is no need to download an app
South Africa has secured its place as the second largest global exporter of fresh citrus. Following 15% growth in 2020, the South Africa citrus industry is expected to break export records with an estimated 158.7 million cartons exported in 2021. Local citrus producers and their logistics partners must now expand their cooling capabilities in order
South African retailers looking for ways to recover from the latest lockdown, as well as recent countrywide looting and vandalism, may welcome the opportunity to cut costs on the system that makes up the bulk of their energy spend – refrigeration. The initial outlay of refrigeration machinery as well as the ongoing cost of maintaining
The Shoprite Group has launched its new ground-breaking digital business hub, ShopriteX which is combining data science, technology and innovation with its operational strength to provide increasingly enhanced customer experiences. Incubated over the past year, ShopriteX is combining data science and technology create more personalised shopping experiences for customers. ShopriteX already delivered two industry-leading innnovations – Xtra Savings, South Africa’s fastest-growing rewards programme with 20 million members to date, and Checkers Sixty60 the first on-demand 60-minute supermarket grocery delivery service in South Africa. “We are serious about being Africa’s most
With customers increasingly doing their shopping from their mobile phones, Woolworths is once again set to transform its customer experience with the launch of its Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled stores. This latest addition, another first for South African retail, extends the retailer’s digital shopping capability by allowing customers to enjoy a seamless omni-channel shopping
Local businesses affected by political unrest should use online marketplace favourites to regain losses made One of the ways South African businesses are managing to weather the economic tornado that has been Covid-19 – and more recently, unprecedented civil unrest – is by aligning with consumers’ digital buying patterns. Lockdowns brought on by the coronavirus
81% of women entrepreneurs across the Middle East and Africa have a digital business presence according to Mastercard MEA SME Confidence Index Latest research by Mastercard highlights high digitalization among women-owned businesses as opportunity for broader SME recovery and digital economy growth Despite the gender gap and social challenges, entrepreneurial women across the world and
South African e-commerce app, Reka online marketplace, is set to revolutionise the online retail experience as Africa’s first Augmented Reality (AR) online shopping platform for fashion and furniture brands. Reka aims to change consumer behavior and online buying patterns by bringing a hyper-realistic in-store buying experience for the Gen Z and millennial consumers. “Through AR
As South African consumers grapple with constrained budgets, Massmart’s Game Weekly Market Price Position Report – which conducts weekly research into the prices on goods across several South African retailers – found that Game is leading the way on the price of promotional items, outweighing its competitors by 8.54%. With this week’s petrol increase dishing
11% increase in milk production per cow, 40% reduction in energy by using solar and 45% increase in active carbon in soil Nestlé’s first dairy farm that is earmarked to reach net-zero carbon emissions in 2023, is on track to achieving its targets. The Skimmelkrans farm, located in George in the Western Cape, produces some
Pepkor has made significant strides in its recovery of affected operations since the civil unrest experienced last month. The group expects to have more than 350 of the more than 500 looted stores up and running by the end of September. This is following the announcement that around 10% of the group’s total store footprint
Imperial is pleased to advise that in F2019 and F2020, it created value of R146 billion and R98 billion for its stakeholders and communities in Nigeria and South Africa respectively, as confirmed by a recent Socioeconomic Impact Assessment study undertaken by Accenture. “Imperial plays a key role in connecting Africa and the world and improving
