Smart Made Simple: Local talent solving local business challenges In less than 12 months, the Checkers Sixty60™ online shopping app has become a household name thanks to its unrivalled convenience and speed of delivery. This scalable solution, an app that accommodates hundreds of concurrent users, and thousands of orders per day, has won Best Enterprise
It has been 25 years since the Shoprite Group blazed a trail to introduce world-class shopping in Zambia with the opening of its first supermarket on Cairo Road in Lusaka on 26 October 1995. The retailer was the first to bring the “shopping under one roof” concept to Zambia, while not straying from its core
Pioneering retailers are reinventing the shopping experience by bringing technology in-store Malls with good landlords, locations, and retail mixes are first in line for retail innovations Leading retailers, including big online brands, are putting their long-term money on strong shopping malls backed by quality landlords. The widespread narrative around consumers and retailers moving online, away
The Shoprite Group’s Portfolio Management Office (PMO) has gained international recognition for its world-class project management skills as one of the top four finalists in the 2020 PMO Global Awards. The Shoprite PMO was a finalist in the coveted World PMO of the Year Award, competing with companies from Honduras (Americas), Ukraine (Europe) and the United
Retail Engage has been announced as a finalist in the 2020 DMA Assegai Awards in two categories – Integrated Direct Marketing Campaigns and CRM Programmes. In 2013 Retail Engage launched its consumer brand, bonsella® which has grown into the largest shopper rewards and loyalty programme in the independent main market in South Africa. It consists
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers across the SPAR network have reacted quickly to ensure stores remain safe spaces for shoppers and store team members. Although instore digital technologies have been on the rise for several years, they are playing an increasingly important role in maintaining a safe and comfortable shopping environment in
Partnership continues to generate significant value for customers FNB and the Shoprite Group have expanded their partnership by allowing FNB Easy Pay As You Use and Smart Option account holders to replace lost or stolen bank cards in more than 700 Shoprite and Checkers stores across South Africa. This means FNB customers will now have
The Checkers Sixty60 app is the winner of the People’s Choice Award and the Best Enterprise Solution at the 2020 MTN Business App of the Year Awards. South Africa’s first 60-minute grocery delivery service from a supermarket chain launched in November 2019 and in less than 12 months Sixty60 has become a household name thanks to its unrivaled convenience and
Massmart has announced the assignment of (Theodore) Sylvester John, the Walmart North America Vice President for Last Mile Delivery to lead the Massmart e-commerce team. John, who will report into Chief Operations Officer, Richard Inskip has extensive senior level retail experience in the US and Africa, having worked in a wide range of business development
As the climate crisis continues and natural disasters become more frequent due to global warming, the United Nations warned last week that not enough is being done to stop the world becoming an “uninhabitable hell” for millions of people. To keep the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, we will need to reduce global greenhouse gas
Clicks Group delivered a strong and resilient performance in the COVID-19 environment, increasing diluted headline earnings per share by 13.7% to 754 cents for the year to August 2020. Earnings growth was driven mainly by tight cost management, solid retail health and beauty sales and the strong performance of UPD, the group’s pharmaceutical wholesaler. Shareholders
Pick n Pay published its interim results for the six months ended 30 August 2020. The result was delivered almost entirely in the unprecedented conditions of COVID-19. The Group successfully pursued two primary goals over the period: feeding the nation in a safe and reliable way as an essential provider of food and groceries, and
Woolworths today announced its commitment to invest R1billion in its prices over the next two – three years, with a R750million investment planned in the Foods business, to ensure it continues to provide Woolies exceptional qualityTM products at great value to customers, every day. Commenting on the announcement, Woolworths SA CEO, Zyda Rylands, said, “Over the
Consumer spending has swung from total predictability to subtle shifts in product and store selection throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and understanding the whys and wherefores behind these choices is valuable to shops, brands, and even the shoppers themselves. At the behest of government, two local businesses joined forces in recent months to determine and deliver
Partnership is a game-changer in enabling contactless acceptance for smaller merchants across the continent phos, the fintech behind the first-ever software-only Point of Sale (SoftPOS), and Stanchion Payment Solutions, a global specialist in payments systems and integration, today announced that they have partnered to help payments processing companies and banks to accelerate time to market
The Competition Tribunal (the Tribunal) has conditionally approved the transaction whereby K2020211444 (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (“K2020”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Truworths Limited (“Truworths”), will acquire the business (assets and liabilities) of Barrie Cline Clothing (Pty) Ltd (Barrie Cline) as a going concern. Upon implementation of the merger, K2020 will exercise sole control over
The co-chair of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) and Pick n Pay chairman, Gareth Ackerman speaking at the virtual Consumer Goods Council of SA Summit today lauded the retail and manufacturing industries for their resilience and commitment during the trying times brought about by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ackerman said
SPAR is continuously looking to integrate sustainable solutions in their operations, with partners exploring ways to minimise CO2 emissions, energy consumption, and waste. The solar plant project at SPAR South Africa’s distribution centres (DCs) offers a prime example of the successful incorporation of sustainable, energy-efficient technologies. As SPAR continues to grow, so does our potential
Uber Eats is excited to announce a South African-first pharmacy offering locally with Medicare that will now provide users, directly from the Uber Eats App, access to over-the-counter medication (self-medication), including schedule 1 and 2 drugs for delivery without leaving home. Uber Eats is rolling out a new reimagined experience to users to find exactly
The Tribunal has confirmed, as an order, a consent agreement between the Competition Commission (the Commission) and Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd (Shoprite) whereby the retailer agrees to immediately stop enforcing exclusivity provisions in its long-term exclusive lease agreements with its landlords against small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and speciality and limited line stores such
Eris Property Group has made history with South Africa’s first-ever bilingual shopping centre websites with chatbots South African property development and services company, Eris Property Group (Pty) Ltd, have made history launching South Africa’s first ever bilingual shopping centre websites with chatbots. The websites, conceptualised, designed and developed by boutique marketing agency, The Blue Room, celebrate
The Shoprite Group is launching a rewards programme for its Shopite branded stores on Monday 12 October 2020. The new Shoprite Xtra Savings card will benefit customers with immediate cash savings and launches a year after the Checkers Xtra Savings rewards programme, with more than 5 million customers signed up for and which put more than a R1bn
South African businesses can now get an ecommerce-ready website, including a full payment suite, integrated delivery service and free hosting for just R349 per month. SA’s largest payment service provider, DPO South Africa, launched DPO Store, described as ecommerce-in-a-box, its specifically designed to help start up and small businesses move online easily, quickly and securely.
Zamleather has pledged continued support to the growth of the leather industry in Zambia and called for a crackdown on cattle rustling to help preserve the sector. The tannery and shoe division of Zambeef – and the company behind the popular Zamshu footwear brand – is committed to continue sourcing hides from local livestock farmers.
CEO Val Nichas (58) has been appointed as an executive director and group Chief Executive Officer of Spur Corporation with effect from 1 January 2021. She will succeed Pierre van Tonder who will be retiring from the group with effect from 31 December 2020 after 38 years’ service. Val is a highly experienced strategist who
Innovation has enabled the Shoprite Group to continue to serve its customers and launch new services during extremely limiting lockdown conditions. “During the pandemic, necessity has truly been the mother of invention,” says David Cohn, General Manager: IT of the Shoprite Group. “The limitations that the crisis brought about and the desperate need of businesses
South African consumers have faced a barrage of life altering events since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown in March, which has had a profound impact on what, where and why they shop. This insights stem from a new Nielsen report The Covid-19 Behavioural Reset, which delves into how shoppers are redesigning
Funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), the activity will enhance market access for women entrepreneurs through building knowledge, capacity, and skills in digital channels The High Commission of Canada in South Africa has partnered with the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org) to run an eCommerce Capacity Development Programme for Women Entrepreneurs in
While not expected to show the same growth as previous years, retail mega-event, Black Friday, could still help local retailers struggling to make up lost lockdown revenue, especially for those with an online presence, says South Africa’s largest payment gateway, DPO South Africa’s PayGate. “The bleak economy, dented disposable income and a very uncertain future
The Tribunal has approved, with conditions, the proposed merger whereby Foschini Retail Group (Pty) Ltd (Foschini) will acquire Edcon’s Jet Division i.e. the assets and business conducted by Edcon Ltd as a going concern under the “Jet” division out of certain Edcon physical retail stores in South Africa. In considering the proposed transaction, the Tribunal
OneView Cloud Expense Management, the latest module available in Nebula’s OneView Technology Expense Management platform, has launched in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. Given the incredible growth of cloud-based SaaS solutions and the rise of self-service B2B marketplaces – we wrote more about the trend here – this is a no-brainer as the geo-expansion approach for Microsoft
Edcon has announced that the sale of parts of Jet to The Foschini Group Ltd (TFG) has been concluded. TFG is home to a comprehensive portfolio of 29 retail brands that trade in clothing, footwear, jewellery, sportswear, homeware, cell phones, and technology products from value to upper market segments in more than 4085 outlets across
Private Label products experienced startling double digit growth during the initial period of South Africa’s lockdown. This was particularly evident during March where a massive 27.2% increase in sales took place, amidst pre-lockdown stockpiling, versus the same month in 2019. This positive performance continued throughout April (19.3%), May (18.5%) and June (18.2%), with broader year
SPAR South Africa has recently not only been awarded the Rural and Township Development Award at the 2020 ABSA Business Day Supplier Development Awards in South Africa, but also claimed the prize of Overall Winner for its SPAR Rural Hub Programme. The SPAR Rural Hub Programme is a collaboration between small-scale farmers, communities and retailers
The Hollard Insurance Group, one of South Africa’s largest insurers, has partnered with TymeBank, the leading South African digital bank, to offer South Africans Family Protect, a funeral cover that provides a three-month income benefit for living expenses, with no delay or paperwork. The partnership leverages TymeBank’s superior banking platform technology and Pick n Pay’s
COVID-19 continues to leave behind a trail of disruption as industry after industry has been forced to adapt to a new way of working in the face of the national lockdown. It’s no secret that the restaurant industry has faced dire challenges in order to keep food on the table. While some have had to
Edcon announced that the sale of parts of the Edgars business in South Africa to Retailability (Pty) Ltd has been implemented, with all approvals from regulatory authorities and all conditions precedent either fulfilled or waived. The sale includes the transfer of approximately 120 stores in South Africa together with the businesses conducted therein. Retailability, a
Are you a retail merchant? Getting an ATM installed in-store can position you well for the post-lockdown recovery phase. COVID-19 has not discriminated, crossing the vast oceans that separate the countries of the world and bringing the world economy to a virtual stand-still. As the pandemic has tightened its grip globally and domestically, concerns about
Checkers this week launched its Sixty60 on-demand one-hour grocery delivery service in the Eastern Cape and Free State. Sixty60 first launched in a few neighbourhoods in the Western Cape and Gauteng in late 2019. Customer response has been exceptional due to the service’s lightning fast service and ease of use. “COVID-19 has also seen a
President Ramaphosa confirmed the much publicised rumours that South Africa would indeed move to Level One as from midnight on Sunday, 20 September. While the hard lockdown saw e-commerce activity skyrocket to unprecedented levels, trade volumes in brick and mortar stores have already started to see a pick-up during the previous shift down to Level
Since the start of lockdown, Checkers Sixty60 has created 800 new jobs to meet the increased demand for this service. With delivery in as little as 60 minutes, at a fee of just R35, it is South Africa’s fastest and cheapest on demand grocery delivery service. After three months of successful beta testing, Sixty60 launched in
Long-serving director of Spur Corporation, Dineo Molefe, has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of MTN South Africa, effective 1 December 2020. This means she will step down as a non-executive director of the group and as chair of the audit committee with effect from 3 September 2020. “On behalf of the board, I thank
The Competition Tribunal (the Tribunal) has dismissed a case of alleged cartel conduct against processed frozen foods company, Irvin & Johnson (I&J) due to a lack of evidence. The Competition Commission (the Commission) had accused I&J and beef processing company, Karan Beef, of allegedly dividing markets in the supply of processed beef products such as
NESTLÉ KITKAT, NESCAFÈ RICOFFY and NESTLÉ DESSERT AND COOKING CREAM join the festivities Each September, South Africans come together to reflect and celebrate their shared national identity. This year, Nestlé, through its three iconic brands: NESTLÉ KITKAT, NESCAFÈ RICOFFY and NESTLÉ DESSERT AND COOKING CREAM have come together to celebrate #YourHeritageYourPride linking food, music, language, fashion and art
The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), in partnership with its members in the manufacturing and retail industry, has launched a toll-free hotline number the public can use to anonymously report information related to illicit and counterfeit manufacturing and trading of products in South Africa. Abraham Nelson, CGCSA Head for the Crime Risk Initiative
SPAR South Africa has announced the appointment of Brett Botten as its new CEO and Graham O’Connor as non-executive Chairman – both changes to be implemented following the retirement of chairperson Mike Hankinson on 1 March 2021. Brett Botten first joined SPAR South Africa in 1994 and has great experience in the retail sector, having
wiGroup has launched a new self-service digital rewards and gifting platform. Wrapped links South African individuals, SMEs and corporates looking to seamlessly issue digital rewards and gifts, with some of the country’s leading fashion, electronics, pharmacy, hospitality and lifestyle brands. wiGroup currently issues over R100 million in digital rewards value per month assisting corporates who
Shoprite’s new transactional Money Market Account enables private and public sector businesses and institutions to make safe bulk mobile payments to thousands of people without incurring massive bank charges. Businesses of any size can use the Shoprite Money Market Account to process bulk payments to any number of recipients who just need a cellphone to access their
Key information Sale of merchandise increased by 6.4% to R156.9 billion Excluding the impact of hyperinflation trading profit increased by 10.4% to R8.3 billion Diluted headline earnings per share (DHEPS) increased by 2.5% to 765.8 cents (2019: 746.9 cents) Adjusted DHEPS* increased by 16.6% to 717.5 cents (2019: 615.2 cents) Full year dividend, in line
The logistics behind implementing real-time resolution into the modern, digitised contact centre. The Microsoft Global State of Multichannel Customer Service Report underscored the value of resolving customer issues at speed and the importance of equipping contact centre staff with the right knowledge. This customer demand is dictating the rise in real-time resolution solutions at contact
