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

Posted on by africanretailteam | 53327 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

South African Consumers Forge a New Shopping Path – NIQ

Posted on by africanretailteam | 58157 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 | 88524 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’s Army of Franchisees Sees the Future of Retail

Posted on by africanretailteam | 49144 Views | 21 min read

A little-known fact about Pick n Pay relates to the size of its franchise network, and over the next few years the group will further strengthen the division. Nearly half of Pick n Pay stores in South Africa (excluding Boxer) are owned and run by franchisees. This large footprint emphasises the important role these stores

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

Posted on by africanretailteam | 38860 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 | 46518 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

Makro Launches New Online Offering to Serve Businesses Across South Africa

Posted on by africanretailteam | 77163 Views | 6 min read

In its latest move to become the leading eCommerce player in South Africa, Massmart has launched a bespoke business (B2B) website to meet the needs of business customers, who are facing similar economic challenges to end consumers. This ‘Makro Business’ branded website will offer businesses of all sizes, an online platform tailored to meet their

Pick N Pay ASAP! Launches New Fresh Way of Shopping, With Unlimited Free Delivery!

Posted on by africanretailteam | 69920 Views | 8 min read

Pick n Pay asap! has relaunched its fast-growing on-demand delivery app, and to celebrate, it is offering unlimited free delivery for its customers in October. More and more customers are enjoying shopping with Pick n Pay asap!, which has delivered exponential growth into 2023. The upgrades will give customers a smoother, faster and ‘fresher’ way

Sean Summers to Return as Pick N Pay CEO

Posted on by africanretailteam | 74234 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 | 57403 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

OneCart Enables Comparative Shopping for Cash-Strapped Consumers

Posted on by africanretailteam | 53376 Views | 5 min read

In the face of rising food, fuel and electricity prices, recent Walmart acquisition OneCart has unveiled a revolutionary new shopping app that allows customers to instantly compare pricing between multiple retail stores. They can then place an order from as many stores as they’d like, and have their curated basket delivered in a single transaction,

How the Shoprite Group is Redefining Shopping in South Africa

Posted on by africanretailteam | 78999 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

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

Posted on by Initiator | 72616 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

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

Posted on by Initiator | 50149 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

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

Posted on by Initiator | 37555 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

Positive Retail: Adapting & Thriving – Smollan South Africa

Posted on by Initiator | 51913 Views | 17 min read

It can be a slippery slope – loadshedding, the economy, post-pandemic aftershocks, communities facing hardships and even the chill of winter. However, as we ease into spring the retail pendulum is shifting as an optimistic breeze starts blowing in South Africa (SA). Joanne Gould CEO, Smollan South Africa plugs in to this renewed energy, highlighting

Shoprite Group 2023 Financial Results Announcement

Posted on by Initiator | 54347 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 | 125626 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 | 66998 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

Woolworths Holdings Annual Results for the 52 Weeks Ended 25 June 2023

Posted on by Initiator | 31790 Views | 22 min read

Woolworths Holdings Limited (WHL) has announced strong full-year results for the 52 weeks ended 25 June 2023. HIGHLIGHTS Turnover up 7% to R85.7 billion Profit before tax up 29.5% to R6.7 billion Adjusted diluted headline earnings per share up 35.6% to 508.3cps Total dividend declared up 36.4% to 313.0cps Return on capital employed up 6.7

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

Posted on by Initiator | 64024 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 | 55854 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 | 34114 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 | 85145 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

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

Posted on by Initiator | 84916 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

Women in the Lead in E-commerce – Mr D

Posted on by Initiator | 78289 Views | 13 min read

As e-commerce grows globally with online shopper numbers expected to continue to increase by 18 percent annually in Africa, a report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) projects that such growth could be higher if we invest in the women entrepreneurs on e-commerce platforms. The industry presents South Africa with a clear opportunity for women

Innovative Unpackaged Retailing Shows Promise for Mass Market Affordability – DYDX Smartfill

Posted on by Initiator | 43329 Views | 12 min read

By Nevo Hadas, Partner at DYDX Smartfill Packaging costs can contribute significantly to the overall price of products and services, with estimates suggesting that it can account for up to 40% of the total cost, although some products may see as low as 10%. However, groundbreaking experiments conducted in Tembisa by retailing services powerhouses Smollan

New CEO Appointed to Cape Union Mart Group

Posted on by Initiator | 40944 Views | 4 min read

The Board of Directors of the Cape Union Mart Group this week announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Mike Elliott. Elliot brings almost 30 years of retail experience, having held various senior leadership roles in retailers like Edgars, Sunglass Hut, Luxottica and Naartjie. “As we celebrate our 90th birthday with Mike at

SPAR Women’s Challenge in Johannesburg to Welcome Thousands

Posted on by Initiator | 32590 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

SPAR Community Clean-Ups Tackling the Waste Issue

Posted on by Initiator | 25717 Views | 11 min read

With waste being increasingly recognised as a serious issue in many cities around the world, SPAR volunteers roll up their sleeves and undertake community clean-ups. Not properly disposed or recycled waste pose a great threat to the environment, animals and humans, with decomposing waste impacting both the soil and animal habitats. Furthermore, significant volumes of

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

Posted on by Initiator | 48931 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

Massmart Improves Online Collection and Delivery Lead Times

Posted on by Initiator | 72787 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.

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

Posted on by Initiator | 55613 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

The Rise of the Hybrid Retail Model – a New Dawn for South African Shoppers – Mobicred

Posted on by Initiator | 80709 Views | 19 min read

The pandemic years catalysed a shift in the local retail sector, driven by the dramatically accelerated pace of digitisation. In the wake of COVID-19, greater adoption of online shopping was limited only by the fact that South Africa remains a predominantly cash-based economy. But, with the launch of the ‘cash-like’ payment system, Payshap, this picture

Pick N’ Pay Smart Shoppers ‘Sit On’ R250 Million In Their Wallets

Posted on by Initiator | 58772 Views | 11 min read

Cash-strapped consumers might unknowingly have extra cash in their wallets. Pick n Pay has reported that over 11 million customers have unclaimed Smart Shopper points already loaded on their card, totalling over R250 million in cash-back rewards. The retailer issues around four billion Smart Shopper points every month for each shop, boosted through its Clubs

Makro Marketplace, Retail Capital Partner to Educate SMEs on Business Funding Options

Posted on by Initiator | 51311 Views | 5 min read

Last week, Massmart, together with Retail Capital, a division of Tyme Bank, hosted a Business Funding Information session for its Marketplace seller base. The webinar provided these small business owners with key insights about the funding options available to them. The partnership initially began in 2021 and has, since inception, provided significant funding to enable

Kyosk Acquires KwikBasket to Accelerate its Farm & Fresh Line of Business, Transforming the Distribution of Fresh Produce in Africa

Posted on by Initiator | 48785 Views | 20 min read

Kyosk Digital Services, a digital-first and data-led distribution platform, is pleased to announce its expansion into the African fresh produce market with the launch of its Farm & Fresh line of business. This follows on the back of Kyosk’s recent acquisition of KwikBasket, a prominent player in the agricultural industry known for its expertise in

Leveraging Unified Commerce Solutions for Customer-Centric Retail Success – redPanda Software

Posted on by Initiator | 67937 Views | 9 min read

Understanding the changing consumer journey is paramount in today’s ever-evolving retail landscape. Retailers must embrace agile and responsive strategies to meet rising customer expectations and seamlessly navigate a vast array of shopping experiences. This is particularly crucial in South Africa, where intermittent power supply often requires shoppers to adjust their habits to ‘follow the power.’

RMB Partners with Pick n’ Pay on its Inaugural Sustainability-Linked Loan

Posted on by Initiator | 44277 Views | 8 min read

RMB has played an integral role in securing Pick n Pay’s inaugural sustainability-linked loan, acting as sole mandated lead arranger (MLA), bookrunner and sustainability coordinator on a syndicated debt facility to the value of R4.5 billion. As one of South Africa’s leading retailers, Pick n Pay is committed to a sustainable future. The sustainability-linked features

SPAR South Africa’s North Rand Region Celebrates Women in Sport

Posted on by Initiator | 36125 Views | 11 min read

SPAR South Africa’s North Rand region proudly sponsors Tshwane Women in Sport Awards. This year, esteemed guests included renowned sportswomen Caster Semenya and Cllr. Peggy de Bruin, MMC of Recreation and Social Development. The 2023 ceremony celebrating the Tshwane Women In Sport Awards dedicated to honouring women in sport was held on the morning of

Dis-Chem Appoints ESG Executive

Posted on by Initiator | 48238 Views | 6 min read

In line with the growing importance of ESG across all business parameters Dis-Chem Pharmacies has appointed Lesiba Kgoogo as ESG Executive. He will focus on the development and delivery of a centralised group ESG strategy linked to business imperatives to ensure compliance, standardised reporting, and audit process for non-financial assurance across Dis-Chem. Kgoogo is a

Massmart’s Bolstered Tech Capability Powers an Improved Experience for Online Shoppers

Posted on by Initiator | 83261 Views | 8 min read

Following Massmart’s 100% acquisition by Walmart, the company now has gained improved access to technical capabilities focused on enhancing the customer shopping experience across its Makro, Builders, and Game websites. The latest move in Massmart’s eCommerce strategy has involved shifting the Makro website onto a new micro-services based platform which has delivered new features, improved

Talented Technology Students and Experts Wanted at Africa’s Largest Retailer

Posted on by Initiator | 47798 Views | 6 min read

The Shoprite Group invites technology students and seasoned Information Technology (IT) professionals to join Africa’s largest retailer by applying for its bursary programme or various available job opportunities. The retailer’s comprehensive bursary programme covers tuition fees and on-campus accommodation, provides a grocery allowance, and guarantees employment upon graduation. Youth studying scarce and sought after skills

Ballito Home to KwaZulu-Natal’s Second Standalone Checkers Little Me baby Store

Posted on by Initiator | 68664 Views | 3 min read

Ballito parents can now shop the best local and international baby brands at KwaZulu-Natal’s second standalone Checkers Little Me store which opened at the Ballito Junction this week. It is the retailer’s ninth standalone Little Me store, and the very first one with a ‘shop in shop’ concept from Norwegian baby furniture maker Stokke and

The Future of SA Grocery E-Commerce: Can It Still Deliver?

Posted on by Initiator | 102579 Views | 10 min read

The heady days of triple-digit e-commerce growth are over, but the rewards are there for the taking for the savvy e-marketer. Local e-commerce growth is slowing, which was inevitable considering the huge leaps made during and post-COVID, but the sector is still growing and is driving total retail growth  both here and abroad. Locally, fast-moving

The Netball World Cup Goes to Cape Town

Posted on by Initiator | 52475 Views | 4 min read

The Netball World Cup is on a South African tour in preparation for the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 tournament. SPAR South Africa has sponsored national and international competitions for over 20 years and regards netball as its flagship sponsorship. The tournament trophy recently arrived, to much excitement, on South African soil. This highly-anticipated world

Drinking It All In | Beverage Trends in Africa – Smollan Tanzania

Posted on by Initiator | 135699 Views | 16 min read

By: Warren Brett Cluster Executive, SEA Region, Smollan Tanzania  African beverage trends are driven by innovation and culture. From the cherished rituals of traditional tea and coffee to the emerging popularity of carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices. Africa’s beverage market is evolving rapidly, reflecting changing consumer preferences and the impact of various socio-economic factors.

Builders Partners with Standard Bank’s UCount to Drive Savings on DIY Renovations and Building Materials

Posted on by Initiator | 137772 Views | 11 min read

Builders has partnered with Standard Bank UCount nationwide, to offer members more when shopping for Do-It-Yourself (DIY), home improvements or building materials – in-store or online. Standard Bank customers can now earn and redeem UCount Rewards when shopping at Builders. The new partnership makes Builders the only DIY category retailer on the UCount program offering

Unlocking Africa’s E-Commerce Potential With Alternative Payment Methods – Ecentric Payment Systems

Posted on by Initiator | 108784 Views | 17 min read

By Quintin van der Linde, Senior New Business Developer at Ecentric Payment Systems Africa is projected to have more than half a billion e-commerce users by 2025. In part, this can be attributed to the growing adoption of alternative payment methods in the wake of the pandemic. With 45% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa

Mid-Year & the Current State of Play | Retail Trends 2023

Posted on by Initiator | 106038 Views | 17 min read

Mike Smollan, Chief Growth Officer Exactly how did we get to July in what feels like a blink of an eye? Pondering on that often-used analogy, I had to check in with Google. To learn that there are 1000 milliseconds in each second, so a blink of an eye takes around 1/3 of a second.