RCS Continues to Revolutionise SA Credit: Expanding their Retailer Network & Payment Options for Greater Customer Choice and Convenience

Posted on by africanretailteam | 55393 Views | 12 min read

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’s Back-to Pulse: Unveiling 2024 Trends and Shopper Sentiments

Posted on by africanretailteam | 41336 Views | 11 min read

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

6 Ways Payment Technology Has Revolutionised Opportunities for Companies – Paystack

Posted on by africanretailteam | 91999 Views | 28 min read

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

Spar’s “More for Sho” Campaign Redefines Festive Season Shopping With Affordability at Its Core

Posted on by africanretailteam | 52483 Views | 17 min read

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 Opens Vereeniging’s Ultimate DIY Express Hub

Posted on by africanretailteam | 43502 Views | 9 min read

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

Tarsus on Demand Launches Digital on Demand Division, Aimed At Accelerating Digitalisation for SMB Businesses

Posted on by africanretailteam | 60298 Views | 14 min read

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

Shoprite Calls for Action to Counter Food Insecurity

Posted on by africanretailteam | 51597 Views | 16 min read

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

Is It Time to Re-Imagine Black Friday in the African Context? – Absa

Posted on by africanretailteam | 51318 Views | 27 min read

Chipo Masawi-Butayi, Coverage Banker: Consumer Goods & Services at Absa CIB and Pauline Manyoki, Product Manager at Absa Bank Kenya American novelist, Herman Melville once wrote: “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” This quote felt apt as we review consumer habits and the annual “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday”

The Power of the Scaffolding Software Development Approach in Retail – redPanda Software

Posted on by africanretailteam | 45973 Views | 12 min read

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

Pick N Pay Reports Disappointing Result for the Six Months but Delivers Good Growth in Key Areas

Posted on by africanretailteam | 53333 Views | 15 min read

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

Tetra Pak Partners With Clover to Launch New Packaging to Boost Product Differentiation

Posted on by africanretailteam | 80945 Views | 8 min read

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

South African Consumers Forge a New Shopping Path – NIQ

Posted on by africanretailteam | 58163 Views | 10 min read

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 Smart Shopper Innovates With New Digital Platform

Posted on by africanretailteam | 88530 Views | 12 min read

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

Pick N Pay Works to Further Reduce Emissions With Help of WWF South Africa

Posted on by africanretailteam | 38863 Views | 10 min read

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

Shoprite Group Recognised for Transformative Youth Employment Initiatives at Esg Awards

Posted on by africanretailteam | 46521 Views | 5 min read

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

Sean Summers to Return as Pick N Pay CEO

Posted on by africanretailteam | 74237 Views | 12 min read

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

Pick N Pay Pilots First Zero-Waste Supermarket Store

Posted on by africanretailteam | 57406 Views | 14 min read

Pick n Pay has launched its first zero-waste supermarket pilot in Cape Town, reinforcing its commitment to reducing food waste. The pilot tests a net-zero waste model by diverting food waste to local farmers, composters or waste-to-energy facilities. All edible surplus food – food that has passed its sell-by date but not its use-by date

How Can Embedded Payments Drive Better Online Retail Customer Experiences? – Paystack

Posted on by africanretailteam | 85596 Views | 20 min read

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

RFG Revenue Up 10% Despite Slower Consumer Spending

Posted on by africanretailteam | 40404 Views | 9 min read

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

Checkers Xtra Savings Plus on a Mission to Make Additional Savings Possible for Customers

Posted on by africanretailteam | 66823 Views | 6 min read

In an African retail first, Checkers has launched Xtra Savings Plus, a monthly subscription offering unlimited free Sixty60 grocery deliveries, even more personalised offers and an additional in-store discount. After a successful beta trial with customers, the subscription offer is now being made available to all its consumers, at the same price of only R99

How the Shoprite Group is Redefining Shopping in South Africa

Posted on by africanretailteam | 79005 Views | 13 min read

The ‘Retail Store of the Future’ is no longer a distant concept. With the integration of cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), digital advancements and data science, it’s already a reality. To be at the forefront of this evolution, the synergy between business and technology is critical. Technology and business should not

Rentoza Secures Funding from Vumela Enterprise Development Fund and Edge Growth

Posted on by africanretailteam | 49502 Views | 10 min read

Started by 4 friends with the goal of enabling more South Africans to access premium products and technology, Rentoza has become the country’s first pure play subscription model for digital goods and appliances. Their bold mission to democratize and dematerialize ownership of technology devices and appliances has enabled them to secure R 18m in finance

Pick n Pay Customers Can Now Buy Selected Products and Pay Later

Posted on by Initiator | 72619 Views | 10 min read

Selected Pick n Pay formats are ushering in a new era of shopping convenience and affordability with the launch of PayJustNow, one of the fastest-growing Buy Now Pay Later providers in South Africa. PayJustNow empowers customers to split payments into three convenient instalments – through a completely digital application process – which is free of

Omnichannel Strategies: One Size Does Not Fit All In South African Retail – NIQ

Posted on by Initiator | 52235 Views | 21 min read

By Nikki Quinn, retail lead for South Africa at GfK – an NIQ company South African consumers face a difficult economic environment, characterised by high inflation, low economic growth and persistent load shedding. These challenges have helped to exacerbate the already wide divide between different population groups, making it more important than ever for brands

NIQ Analysis Reveals The Price is Still Not Right for Many South Africans

Posted on by Initiator | 37829 Views | 18 min read

The latest findings from NIQ’s State of the Retail Nation analysis for Quarter 2, 2023, based on its comprehensive *Retail Measurement Service (RMS) shows that South Africa’s FMCG sector has achieved R621-Billion in annual sales in 2023 reflecting a 13.5% increase. These results unfold against the backdrop of continued global inflation, which has reached record

Makro and Unilever are Saving You Money On Your Favourite Products.

Posted on by Initiator | 50152 Views | 7 min read

With petrol prices set to soar, now’s the moment to make your money go the extra mile. Makro has partnered with Unilever to help South Africans get their favourite products for the best possible prices, until the end of September. Additionally, Makro, South Africa’s one-stop-shop for affordability and convenience, is running a competition to make

Amplifin Launches Heavyweight Solution for Small to Medium Business

Posted on by Initiator | 87547 Views | 18 min read

In the dynamic business landscape, growing enterprises encounter an escalating array of challenges that demand innovative solutions. Amplifin recognises that as businesses expand, their concerns multiply – from financial intricacies to operational complexities. The organisation understands that these enterprises require access to cutting-edge technologies, akin to those embraced by larger corporations, but without the financial

Pioneering South African, Raymond Ackerman, Dies at 92 – Pick ‘n Pay

Posted on by Initiator | 37558 Views | 18 min read

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death at the age of 92 of visionary South African, and founder of Pick n Pay, Raymond Ackerman. He is survived by his wife, Wendy, children Gareth, Kathy, Suzanne, and Jonathan, his 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Raymond Ackerman founded Pick n Pay in 1967 along

Easily Pay for Groceries at all Pick n Pay Tills Using Bitcoin

Posted on by Initiator | 103300 Views | 8 min read

South Africans who have a Luno wallet will be able to pay at Pick n Pay with crypto in one easy step by simply scanning a QR code. Crypto payments have been available at over 1 500 Pick n Pay stores since February 2023. But the payment process required customers to download two apps to

Shoprite Group 2023 Financial Results Announcement

Posted on by Initiator | 54350 Views | 13 min read

By Pieter Engelbrecht, Chief Executive Officer In many aspects our 2023 year was extraordinary. The Group gained record levels of market share, saved customers over R13.5 billion in Xtra Savings and still managed to increase profits and dividends, despite the prohibitive cost to the business as a result of unprecedented levels of load-shedding. Sales growth

Scan to Pay Vouchers: a New Way to Reward Loyalty – Ukheshe

Posted on by Initiator | 125629 Views | 12 min read

With the holiday season fast approaching, many businesses are working on gift lists and incentives to thank employees and reward loyal clients. And while the reliable (if somewhat boring) box of chocolates is still appreciated by some, what better way to thank someone than to let them choose their own perfect gift? That’s just one

A Taste of Tomorrow: Spur’s New Restaurant Concept Elevates Joy

Posted on by Initiator | 67001 Views | 14 min read

For over five decades, Spur Steak Ranches has been committed to meeting the changing needs of its customers. Spur’s iconic restaurants are getting a refreshed look, promising new experiences, and allowing for even greater moments of joy. The brand concept will be showcased at a pilot site in the Vaal Mall, Vanderbijlpark on 1 September

AI Transforms CX and Service Delivery

Posted on by Initiator | 187009 Views | 16 min read

Helping companies deliver excellent customer service has been at the heart of 1Stream since the business was launched 15 years ago. While much has changed over the last decade and a half, the essence of what makes 1Stream Southern Africa’s leading CRM and cloud-based contact centre provider remains the same: a commitment to delivering leading-edge,

SPAR Zimbabwe Rainbow Run 2023 Raises $20,000 for Childline and ZNSPCA

Posted on by Initiator | 64030 Views | 9 min read

More than 2,500 people took part in the 2023 SPAR Zimbabwe Rainbow Run, which raised $20,000 for two of its long-time charity partners Childline and Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Zimbabweans of all ages and walks of life came together to take part in the SPAR Zimbabwe Rainbow Run. More

New ‘Smart Store’ Paves the Way for 21st Century Supermarkets – Danfoss Climate Solutions

Posted on by Initiator | 55860 Views | 18 min read

As the world’s population continues on its course to reach 10 billion people by 2050, investments in sustainable food retail and storage are urgently needed to ensure we are able to feed the growing number of people on the planet. The pressure is growing, both on energy demand and costs, and on the need to

Woolworths Invests In Eco Mannequins

Posted on by Initiator | 34117 Views | 5 min read

To align with Woolworths’ vision of achieving ZERO packaging waste to landfill and its commitment to environmentally friendly practices, the retailer has made a significant investment in eco mannequins. These eco mannequins have been deployed in the newly launched WEdit stores and a selection of eco ‘plus size’ mannequins have been introduced into 80 selected

Spur Corporation Earnings Up 76% as Business Strategy Gains Momentum

Posted on by Initiator | 85148 Views | 21 min read

Spur Corporation overcame mounting pressure on consumer spending to deliver a resilient trading performance in the year to June 2023 as franchised restaurant turnover grew 23.0% to R9.5 billion and revenue increased by 27.4% to pass the R3.0 billion mark. Headline earnings increased by 75.9% to R213 million. The group increased sales in retail company

PAYM8 Expands E-Commerce Offering, Empowering Merchants with Seamless Payment Solutions Amid Surging Demand

Posted on by Initiator | 111360 Views | 11 min read

Leading tech and financial gateway service provider PAYM8, announced the expansion of its e-commerce offering. This comes in response to the South African e-commerce market’s projected growth of 11.89% in the next five years, reaching a market volume of US$9.97 billion, roughly R75 billion, by 2027. As consumers increasingly value the convenience, time savings, and

Mobicred Launches Convenient, Accessible, Mobile Credit Facility within The Shoprite Group

Posted on by Initiator | 84922 Views | 12 min read

As of August 2023, Shoprite customers will now be able to purchase non-food items using leading digital credit provider, Mobicred. The fully digitised system will give shoppers access to credit offerings via their Money Market accounts, enabling them to pay off higher ticket items over a period of up to 12 months. Commenting on this

Unleashing the Retail Revolution Through the Power of Data – redPanda Software

Posted on by Initiator | 73276 Views | 14 min read

By Gerhard Nortjé, MD of redPanda Software Data has emerged as a vital asset for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge. The ability to leverage customer and operational data has become crucial in shaping the customer experience and driving sales. Data has the potential to revolutionise retail if used effectively. Personalisation It all begins

SPAR Women’s Challenge in Johannesburg to Welcome Thousands

Posted on by Initiator | 32593 Views | 10 min read

Consistently growing in popularity, the SPAR Women’s Challenge Jozi has witnessed a surge in participants in recent years. It provides an opportunity for women of all ages, fitness levels and backgrounds to participate over 10km or 5km distances. The event also forms part of the SPAR Grand Prix series, in what is expected to be

Discover the All-New Somerset Mall: Elevating Your Shopping Experience to New Heights!

Posted on by Initiator | 48934 Views | 12 min read

Attention all shopping enthusiasts! Get ready to experience your favourite retail destination in a whole new way! Somerset Mall, located in the heart of the picturesque Helderberg region in the Western Cape, understands the need to continually evolve and enhance the shopping environment. This inspired the mall to embark on an ambitious redevelopment project. Brace

SA’S Traditional Trade Sector – Small Format Big Growth In 2023

Posted on by Initiator | 45618 Views | 16 min read

The Traditional Trade sector in South Africa has experienced an impressive post COVID-19 resurgence, reaching new heights in total FMCG sales (incl Liquor & Tobacco) in 2023 according to the latest NIQ South Africa analysis. The sector achieved R187-Billion in annual spend in the 12 months up to the end of June 2023 compared to

AI Has Simplified and Smartened Contact Centres – 1Stream

Posted on by Initiator | 172263 Views | 8 min read

You’ll be hard pressed surfing news sites without reading about the age of AI and the rise of the bots. While the impact of AI on our lives is debated, the jury is in on AI in contact centres and the verdict is unanimous. AI is transforming contact centres in profoundly positive ways. Here are

CCBSA MD Velaphi Ratshefola Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Posted on by Initiator | 62890 Views | 9 min read

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa’s Managing Director, Velaphi Ratshefola has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in the country’s premier awards for leadership and innovation in sustainable transformation, the Top Empowerment Awards. For the past 22 years, the Awards have showcased the businesses leading in transformation, and those who have inspired South Africa’s business elite.

Tackling Payment Fraud Head-On in South Africa’s Mining and Construction Industries

Posted on by Initiator | 62114 Views | 19 min read

As one of the top ten mining countries in the world, South Africa’s economy relies heavily on this industry as well as those closely related to it, such as construction. Yet this also makes these industries attractive targets for cyber criminals. The mining industry is among the most at-risk industries for fraud and in some

Massmart Improves Online Collection and Delivery Lead Times

Posted on by Initiator | 72790 Views | 6 min read

Massmart, in its bid to become the leading retail and wholesale eCommerce destination in South Africa, is reaping the benefits of re-setting and upgrading its online order fulfilment infrastructure. This started with creating a centralised eCommerce Pickup & Delivery capability comprising approximately 60 specialists across functions which include eCommerce Operations, Customer Operations and Inventory Optimisation.

Harnessing the Power of 360-degree Retail Technology to Create a Seamless Retail Environment – redPanda Software

Posted on by Initiator | 74142 Views | 15 min read

By Peter Ludi, MD Solutions at redPanda Software In the wake of the rapidly evolving digital landscape, retailers are continuously confronted with a myriad of software solutions. Implementing these systems often requires a considerable investment of resources, frequently resulting in a patchwork of fragmented systems and siloed operations. One can only browse through recent media

Vaal Mall Opens New Link Road Access Into the Mall From the R57 Golden Highway

Posted on by Initiator | 55619 Views | 6 min read

Vaal Mall has completed the development of a convenient new link road into the mall from the R57 Golden Highway. The new link road, with access directly off the R57 and which joins up with Helena Lochner Street, was officially opened yesterday, Tuesday, 1 August 2023, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on site. The road was