New research underscores the enduring strength and intricate dynamics of South Africa’s independent grocery trade, from big wholesalers to spazas, thriving amid two decades of retail shifts. When retail research business Trade Intelligence was founded in 2004, the formal grocery retail space was dominated by the ‘Big Six’ – Pick n Pay, Shoprite, SPAR, Woolworths,
Tu-sort Garage na Shell Lubricants is a countrywide promotion that is empowering garage owners and mechanics by rewarding them with an upgrade of tools at their locations to elevate their workspace and educate them on genuine Shell Lubricants. The mechanics and garage owners can register by dialing 459200# and following the prompts to participate in
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
On the first Friday of each month, SPAR Zimbabwe retailers take part in a clean-up in their local communities. This initiative further engrains SPAR Zimbabwe’s roots in the local community. Monthly clean-upSPAR Supermarkets take part in this clean-up alongside other stakeholders over a period of two hours. As well as keeping the local community clean,
Founded by 20 professional black women from diverse backgrounds in viticulture, Women in Wine marks a shift in the traditionally male-dominated wine industry, committed to opening doors for women, including vineyard workers and their families. Advocating for women’s inclusion in leadership roles, Women in Wine have established the Farm Worker Women’s Trust, collaborating with strategic
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
In October 2024, Forge stores, operating in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), are changing to Agrimark, a move which promises exciting opportunities for both customers and communities. This change is part of Agrimark’s strategic drive to create a unified brand identity across all regions, integrating the KZN branches with Agrimark. “Forge and Agrimark share a similar product range
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 bi-annual Global Retail Development Index (GRDI), which is a study of the global retailing landscape has revealed Africa is poised to move away from traditional retail models and become the fastest-growing, richest, and most sophisticated market in the world. Prashaen Reddy, a partner at management consulting firm Kearney says that this is thanks to
By Peter Ludi, Business Development Executive at redPanda Software A point of sale, commonly referred to as POS, is a vital cornerstone of any retail business, regardless of whether it sells products or services. However, a misunderstanding of the definition of POS sees many small and medium-sized retailers fall into the trap of buying a
By Lauren Samaai, senior manager within the Retail business at Accenture, Africa It was just four years ago during the pandemic – with consumers restricted to their homes and mall doors tightly shut, that online commerce began its unprecedented rise. This phenomenon left retailers thinking about the role of the actual store moving forward. Today,
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
By Quintin van der Linde, Head of Business Development & Don Lange, Partner Manager at Ecentric Payment Systems Even as more retailers turn to setting up online storefronts to extend their presence and cater to shoppers looking for convenience, the majority of South Africans still prefer to shop at physical stores, and retailers are looking
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
As shopper behaviours evolve, brands and retailers are working hard to catch up, using tools to connect with a new generation of increasingly demanding and informed shoppers. South African shoppers are not what they used to be. They’re tougher, savvier, and more in tune with what they are looking for. A combination of COVID and
The rising cost of living is significantly straining South African consumers’ budgets, with food expenses alone exhausting approximately one-third of their income. In response, The SPAR Group has announced its ‘R1 Billion in Savings’ shopper promotion, exclusive to SPAR Rewards customers. Until 22 July, the promotion aims to provide significant financial relief to consumers struggling
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
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
Following a disappointing full year performance for FY24, Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers unveiled the new board-approved six-point strategy to restore the Group’s core Pick n Pay supermarket business to profitability. The Group delivered a weak FY24 result to 25 February 2024, driven by a substantial trading loss in the Pick n Pay business,
Leading fuel company Astron Energy has signed a 10-year partnership extension agreement with one of South Africa’s leading forecourt retail brands, FreshStop. The deal sees Astron Energy, which operates a retail network of over 800 service stations in South Africa, continuing its 15-year journey with FreshStop, part of the Food Lover’s Market group of companies.
Fintech company, iKhokha, one of the market leaders in the South African SME payments space, are this week opening their eighth retail store, where their point-of-sale devices are sold and where merchants can access support, networking opportunities and other business enhancement tools. Since launching in 2012, iKhokha has developed a deep understanding about the complexities
Game and Makro are thrilled to announce the return of the beloved ‘Top Rated by Kids’ event, bringing together young toy enthusiasts to vote for the country’s top toys for 2024. Once again, a group of 250 testers between the age of 6 and 10, will have the exclusive opportunity to rate, test, and play
Fintech company, iKhokha has this week opened their first Pietermaritzburg retail store, where their point-of-sale devices can be purchased and where merchants can access support, networking opportunities and other business enhancement tools. Since launching in 2012, iKhokha has become one of the market leaders in the South African SME payments space, and have developed a
Despite South Africans doing all they can to stretch every rand when they buy food, according to Stats SA, the country is wasting about 10.3 million tonnes of food, valued at billions of rand across the production and consumption process, each year. Ensuring your purchases are well-planned and that food is stored and refrigerated correctly
By Nicola Allen, Senior Retail Analyst, Trade Intelligence Earlier this year, social media was abuzz with outrage at an announcement which was misinterpreted to mean that Woolworths was going to stop accepting cash in its stores – it was in fact Woolworths’ WCafés only that were going to stop accepting cash. Trade Intelligence partnered with
Construction has commenced on the redevelopment of Parkdene Boulevard, a retail centre in the burgeoning suburb of Parkdene in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. It is set to open in October 2024. The 32,000sqm centre is being upgraded by Abland Property Developers and Retail Africa, which are both known for their innovative development approach, and is a collaboration
Pick n Pay has set a new standard in affordability and accessibility with the launch of its store-to-store Domestic Money Transfer service. At R8.00 per transaction, it is the cheapest price for customers within retail stores. The informal cash usage in the country remains high, and this service will be interoperable across all Pick n
Pick n Pay Smart Shopper customers are increasingly spending their points on airtime and data, a popular loyalty reward exclusive for retailer Pick n Pay. Over R1 million worth of points has been switched for airtime and data. Since the Pick n Pay Smart Shopper app relaunch last October, which introduced a seamless points-to-airtime/data conversion
98.7% of South Africans accessed the internet using a mobile phone, according to Statista’s 2024 data. Recognising this trend, PEPKOR, which has the largest retail store footprint in southern Africa, has launched +more, a new digital loyalty programme spanning over 5 000 stores. By introducing this digital platform, the company aims to make customers’ lives
The retail sector has faced a gauntlet of challenges: a rise in megatrends that are reshaping the sector, and increasingly innovative and competitive markets over the past four years that have significantly shifted shopper behaviour. In turn, retailer strategies have had to be agile enough to handle the unpredictability and fluctuations. Serena Ho, Director and
As the Easter break approaches, Massmart unveils exclusive insights into consumer spending habits for the upcoming holiday season. The study, conducted by Vice President of Brand Marketing Katherine Madley, sheds light on how consumers are prioritizing their retail spend, particularly at Makro and Game stores. Groceries and Fresh Products Remain Top Priorities According to the
In today’s digital world, retailers are looking for more innovative ways of optimising operations, increasing employee efficiency, and enhancing customer experiences. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) provides them with an invaluable tool to do so especially when it comes to data analysis to augment existing employee skills. Retail modernisation by enhancing productivity in
By Max Oliva, CEO, The SPAR Group Southern Africa South Africa’s economy may be stagnating, but at The SPAR Group Southern Africa, we are pressing forward and making major inroads into creating growth, opportunities, and jobs that are desperately needed. Despite the challenges, which included long bouts of load shedding, tragic wars overseas impacting global
By Karen Keylock | National Retail Services Manager at Nedbank Commercial Banking South African consumers are under financial strain and, consequently, the way they shop has changed. And with further economic uncertainty expected in the coming year, we expect this evolution to continue. A few trends emerged during last year’s holiday season, which we believe
Bob Group Managing Director Andy Higgins believes 2024 will be the year online retail in South Africa will start to accelerate and catch up with international uptake. Higgins, who took the reins when marketplace giant bidorbuy (now Bob shop) and logistics powerhouse uAfrica (now Bob Go) amalgamated to form the Bob Group ecommerce ecosystem last
Once upon a time (literally like last week!) a shopper popped in for a quick pre-holiday shop. Welcomed by a Bot that offered personalised suggestions based on previous purchases – a hassle free push to make their experience “more than”. Drawn into the clothing section, smart mirrors gave them the option to virtually try on
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
Group CEO Sean Summers has appointed his senior leadership team as a key step in the drive to return Pick n Pay supermarkets to growth whilst ensuring the Online, Boxer and Clothing growth drivers continue to deliver. Pick n Pay will undergo an immediate structural adjustment to allow it to focus with clarity on customers,
Somerset Mall, a prominent player in the retail and commercial property sector, is marking its 30th anniversary this year, and it’s an occasion worth recognising not just for nostalgia’s sake, but for the profound strategic milestones it represents. From its humble beginnings with just a handful of stores, Somerset Mall has expanded into a formidable
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
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
The Greenery, the much-anticipated convenience shopping centre in Polokwane, Limpopo, celebrated its grand opening today, 26 October, offering an eagerly awaited stylish one-stop shopping experience to the community. Co-owned and developed by the Moolman Group and Networth Group, the 11,000sqm centre will bring a fresh, upmarket and vibrant neighbourhood shopping experience right to the doorsteps
Massmart has and continues to invest significantly in eCommerce as a strategic growth vector. This initiative has been supported by Walmart, including through the services of approximately 300 full-time Massmart technologists based in Walmart’s Tech Development Centre in Bangalore and the three-year secondment to Massmart of Sylvester John from Walmart US, where he was responsible
Trade Intelligence, a respected market intelligence and research firm in the consumer goods sector, has announced its official foray into the Kenyan market with a Retail Trends presentation by Business Development Lead, Andrea Ellens. The presentation, held at the recent Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) forum, provided an in-depth analysis of Kenya’s evolving retail
Massmart opened two new Builders Express stores last week, one near Mall of The North in Polokwane and the other, in Vergelegen, Western Cape. The Group first announced its intention to expand the footprint of its high returning assets, which include Builders stores, in 2021. Commenting on the expansion, Jonathan Molapo, Massmart CEO said, “Following
