Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL) has announced an investment of Rs 412.80 crore in its South African subsidiary, The Beverage Company Proprietary Limited (Bevco). The development aligns with VBL’s strategy to strengthen its presence in international markets while bolstering its operations in India and retail globally. Bevco is engaged in manufacturing and distributing PepsiCo’s licensed products
Lesaka Technologies highlights that merchants in South Africa’s cash-driven township and rural economy remain underserved by mainstream financial services. This gap creates a significant opportunity for fintech companies to develop solutions addressing these merchants’ specific pain points, enabling them to serve their customers more efficiently and effectively. Lincoln Mali, CEO of Lesaka Technologies, emphasised this
ZURU is reshaping the South African toy retail landscape with its innovative in-store branding across major outlets such as Checkers, Toys R Us, and Toy Kingdom. This strategic move highlights ZURU’s commitment to creating visually impactful spaces within retail environments, driving shopper engagement, and enhancing the customer experience. “We are thrilled to be the first
NIQ reports that South African consumers have spent R214 billion on Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Technology & Durable products in the third quarter of 2024, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 4.1%. This insight comes from the NIQ Retail Spend Barometer, sourced from GfK – an NIQ company – which tracks the turnover in sales
Pick n Pay, South Africa opens a new tab. On Monday, it reported a wider half-year loss, reflecting trading losses in its core supermarket business alongside higher borrowing costs. Still, it said its full-year performance would be stronger. The country’s third-biggest grocery retailer reported a loss before tax and capital items of 1.1 billion rand
Pargo, a South African eCommerce logistics startup, has announced its expansion into Egypt following a successful $4 million funding round. The funding round was led by 3Capital Ventures formerly part of Allan Gray), Endeavor, SAAD Investment Holdings, and UW Ventures. The startup has launched its collect and return services at over 500 Pargo Points in
Jumia, the Africa-focused e-commerce retailer, will close its South African online fashion platform Zando and its Tunisian operations by year-end to concentrate on other markets, the CEO told Reuters. Jumia is aggressively cutting costs to try to turn profitable, including by reducing head count, exiting everyday grocery items and food delivery and cutting delivery services
South African farmers need to adopt new approaches and technologies to combat the country’s food security pressures Up to 20 million South Africans experience severe food insecurity, with the volume of food and beverages sold per capita across the country declining by more than 3% in 2023. South African agribusiness is at a crossroads. After
Retail and relationship-building have always been the key drivers behind Gerhard Nortjé’s evolution towards becoming an IT business leader. Today, Nortjé is more than three years into his highly successful tenure as MD at redPanda Software, the leading retail software partner in South Africa. Nortjé’s journey to tech was facilitated by retail, a shared passion
Kinola Pather, CEO of Randgo Royalty rewards programmes are becoming essential, with 76% of South Africans participating in them, prompting brands to leverage this opportunity for customer engagement and business growth. As technology evolves, these programmes have grown in sophistication, with the most successful offering real-time rewards and personalised experiences. Given the vast amount of
Float, Africa’s first card-linked instalment platform has unveiled the latest shopping trends among credit card holders using its payment method. With an impressive average order value of close to R10,000, order values through the platform significantly exceeds those of the regular buy now pay later model, which typically ranges between R1,000 and R1,400. The latest
World Food Day on 16 October marks the 79th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and this year’s theme – Right to foods for a better life and a better future – will be the focus of events in more than 150 countries. In South Africa, the theme is
NakedCherry is excited to announce the opening of its newest franchise store in the vibrant V&A Waterfront, located at The Pavilion, Corner Portswood and Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001. This expansion marks a significant milestone in NakedCherry’s mission to deliver high-quality beauty and skincare products across South Africa and beyond. Known
Rainbow of Hope, an NPO based in Goodwood in Cape Town, is once again able to host its annual ‘Knight for a Princess’ event thanks to a donation from Engen. Engen employee, Pranisha Mehilal utilised Engen’s Employee Community Partnership Programme (ECPP) to raise essential funds for Rainbow of Hope for the fifth consecutive year. Rainbow
Trade Intelligence (Ti) marked its 20th anniversary by hosting the annual Ti Retail Conference on the 12th of September. With an impressive lineup of speakers and panellists, the conference once again demonstrated Ti’s role in bringing the industry together, offering practical insights and creating a space for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Four key themes emerged
By Eleni Fourie, Corporate Sales Executive at Workforce Staffing The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) space sees the movement of everyday essentials with short shelf lives, which as a result requires a well-functioning supply chain from procurement to retail. As this fast-paced sector prepares for peak shopping periods such as Black Friday and the holiday season,
redPanda Software and Loyal Guru partner to bring global best practice to South Africa Modern retail strategies focus on customer attraction and retention, which are crucial as consumer behaviour shifts. Increased options and ongoing financial distress among South African consumers highlight the need for retailers to adapt to what customers want and need, according to
The world-renowned **International Customer Experience Awards UK (ICXA™) is thrilled to announce the launch of the South Africa Customer Experience Awards (SACXA™), a groundbreaking initiative set to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in customer experience (CX) across various industries in South Africa. This prestigious inaugural event marks the homegrown edition of the well-known International Customer
By Junaid Kleinschmidt, digital marketing strategy and intelligence lead for Accenture, Africa The South African retail landscape is contending with a range of challenges, such as high unemployment, severe inflation, shrinkflation, and the lingering effects of Covid-19. These pressures have transformed consumer expectations and added layers of complexity to their shopping decisions. Retailers must now
South Africa’s e-commerce landscape has arrived at an important juncture. The explosive growth observed during the pandemic years has slowed down somewhat and consumer spending power has faltered amid low economic growth and a global cost of living crisis. At the same time, competition is heating up. Asian retailers such as Shein and Temu are
LG Electronics South Africa recently took a giant leap into the future of shopping with their online store which will forever change how South Africans buy their favourite tech. This is not just another e-commerce site—it is a bold move, changing the digital landscape and marking a new chapter in LG’s South African journey, says
South African retail has experienced profound transformation over the past few years, with digital platforms and ecommerce reshaping consumer expectations. However, we are just in the earliest phases of digital transformation and SME retailers will need to be agile to keep up with emerging customer demands and new competitors. Steven Heilbron, CEO of Capital Connect,
In a landscape where economic pressures weigh heavily on household budgets, South African consumers are setting a global precedent in their approach to value, particularly when it comes to their beverage choices. According to the latest findings from CGA by NIQ, a remarkable 51% of South African consumers now prioritise value over price in their
Engen, South Africa’s biggest fuel and convenience retailer, opened its 700th Quickshop & Co store at Engen Summit Convenience Centre in Midrand on 1st August 2024. Located at 386 Olifantsfontein Rd, Engen Summit is designed to serve the early risers, the late-night cravers and the busy bees navigating life’s hectic schedules. Operating 24/7, the site’s
bp Southern Africa (bpSA) has announced three initiatives in response to market demands – a revamped store design and offer, an inhouse loyalty programme as well as a low carbon battery rental service “Our investment in new convenience offerings, in the year bpSA celebrates 100 years of doing business in South Africa, is testament to
The Pick n Pay Group has successfully completed its Rights Offer. The retailer has raised R4-billion in capital with a high subscription rate and overwhelming market support. The Rights Offer was 106% oversubscribed, with total subscriptions reaching over R8-billion. 98.7% of shareholders followed their rights, and the Group received R4.3-billion in excess applications, underscoring shareholders’
Mzansi’s most preferred noodle brand, MAGGI, as recognised by the Ask Afrika Icon Awards, is set to elevate South African kitchens with its latest campaign, “Cook the Difference!” Unveiled at an exclusive media luncheon on 25 July, VIP media guests experienced the brand’s magic and versatility. MAGGI showcased its potential to be both a complete
As the pace of digital adoption increases in our country, more and more South Africans are browsing and shopping online to ensure they get the best prices. In light of this rise in comparative shopping behaviour and the current challenging consumer environment, Makro has redoubled its efforts to help customers save money so they can
As the pace of digital adoption increases in our country, more and more South Africans are browsing and shopping online to ensure they get the best prices. In light of this rise in comparative shopping behaviour and the current challenging consumer environment, Makro has redoubled its efforts to help customers save money so they can
Backed by 20 years of tech expertise, leading IT solutions provider Braintree has seen their retail turnover increase by 1,200% since launching their e-commerce offering two years ago. With the objective of supporting business professionals in both home and office environments, Braintree brings to the tech e-commerce market over 3 000 premium products across 30
Vodacom Eastern Cape region is spending R500 million this financial year on modernising the network, energy projects and accelerating broadband coverage across the region, particularly in townships and deep rural areas of the province. This investment forms part of the company’s commitment to drive digital inclusion in the communities in which it operates. In 2023–2024
Standard Bank is proud to announce that it has provided PepsiCo South Africa with a sustainability-linked working capital facility to support the company’s renewable energy commitments and support their broader localisation aspirations in relation to their procurement spend in South Africa. PepsiCo is one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies, with a global
The cost of living remains challenging for South African consumers many of whom are hard pressed to meet monthly expenses for basic food items. This situation is typically exacerbated in winter where people need to consume more calories. Consistent with its objective to ‘help customers to save money and live better’, Massmart continues its drive
The expansion of Döhler South Africa’s plant in Paarl introduces new, state-of-the-art production lines for compounds and emulsions as well as powdered and liquid flavours. In addition, it substantially increases the company’s capability for processing bulk juice concentrate. From now on, customers will have direct access to the complete portfolio of compounds, which shows Döhler’s
SHEIN, the global online fashion and lifestyle powerhouse, is thrilled to announce the launch of its first-ever pop-up store in South Africa. Set to take place from 2 – 11 August 2024, at the prestigious Johannesburg Mall of Africa, this ten-day event promises an interactive experience for fashion enthusiasts and casual shoppers alike. Drawing inspiration
Bob Group’s Ship Logic platform is helping the country’s courier companies overcome faulty address details, failed delivery attempts and poor communication with customers South African ecommerce ecosystem Bob Group is playing a leading role in optimising courier services around the country through its Ship Logic platform, a software solution that enables delivery specialists handling high
Business interruption is the primary concern for the retail and wholesale sector in 2024, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer. It is followed by Natural catastrophes (31%), Cyber incidents (25%), Fire, explosion, and Macroeconomic developments (both with 20%). The report, based on insights from over 3,000 risk management professionals and business leaders, highlights the growing
By Thomas Kingombe, Managing Director and Partner and Vishakha Chopra, Project Leader, BCG Johannesburg As global e-commerce giants like Amazon, Shein and Temu set their sights on South Africa’s growing e-commerce space, local retailers may find themselves feeling the pinch. Will South African stalwarts rise to the challenge, or crumble faced with international competition? Although
InstaPay, a cutting-edge new merchant application, has been launched to transform the payments landscape in South Africa. This innovative solution offers unique functionality and competitive rates that surpass traditional card providers, setting a new standard in the industry. InstaPay is the result of combined expertise and technology between Omnea and Amber Pay, two industry leaders
The informal sector has a crucial role in the global economy, and it needs to be connected to government and businesses properly so that opportunities to collaborate, learn and grow are created. This was the key message discussed during the e-Kasi talks theme on the first day of SAITEX 2024. Driven by micro enterprises across
A new report by Trade Intelligence reveals a growing forecourt retail sector despite declining fuel sales. The report examines the forecourt retail market, key players and shoppers. As shoppers become increasingly time-pressured, convenience is a growing necessity, and South Africa’s forecourt stores have positioned themselves effectively to meet this need. Understanding the dynamics of this
Despite the global move towards digital transacting, 1.4 billion people worldwide remain unbanked. It’s these individuals that payment service providers like Spenda are empowering through the use of innovative payment solutions that address the financial inclusion gap. In its latest move to do so, Spenda has integrated Scan to Pay to launch Spenda Scan to
The South African franchise sector is by far the largest in Africa – and it continues to flourish. So much so that the Franchising Association of Southern Africa’s (FASA’s) 2023 South African Franchise Market Survey reveals that its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) has grown from 10% to 15% over the past 10 years.
With Amazon’s South African operations now up and running, the question on everybody’s lips is what the impact will be on homegrown online shopping platforms. The ecommerce giant has market capitalisation of more than a trillion US dollars, and there are fears it will crush local competitors. What some may not realise, however, is that
The current economic climate presents slowing growth, characterised by high inflationary pressure, increasing costs of property rates, the lack of delivery of basic utilities such as electricity and water, as well as consumer pressure. Notwithstanding the challenging environment, L2D’s assets continue to stand out. L2D’s retail assets delivered market leading trading performance, recording portfolio trading
Investing in solar power was a strategic decision taken by Liberty Two Degrees (L2D), as it provides a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly means of generating electricity. L2D’s sustainability strategy includes the reduction of its reliance on the grid, which has improved operating efficiencies. L2D has made significant investments in renewable energy as part of
As the world celebrates World Environment Day, Massmart has shared its ongoing commitment to saving water in its operations. This is motivated by the fact that South Africa is a water scarce country where it is estimated that 70 million litres of clean drinking water are lost, each day, to leaking infrastructure. The group’s water
Picture this: More than 460 homes running on clean energy year-round. Buildings saving enough energy to power 2,500 homes. A community saving 200,000 litres of water a day, enough to meet the needs of 1,300 people. A place where residents’ reduced CO₂ emissions are equivalent to taking 6,600 cars off the road. In a world
Fortress Retail recently hosted the Collective Impact event, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss collaborative strategies to combat urban decay, improve infrastructure and integrate new technologies for the benefit of communities surrounding shopping centres. The event, moderated by renowned journalist Jeremy Maggs, featured insights from prominent industry experts including Julius Kleynhans (OUTA), Alan Dinnie (Profica),
bp Southern Africa (bpSA) notches up one hundred years of fueling South Africa this month, on 9 May 2024 to be precise, and will use the milestone to refresh and re-energise for the next century and beyond. A programme of centenary events is planned over the coming months to thank employees, partners, dealers and stakeholders
