CPI rises in January

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) continued its upward trend, rising to 6.3% in January, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) announced today, Wednesday 22 February 2012. 22 Feb 2012 14:42

South Africans' views researched for Budget Day

As South Africans ponder the Budget, due out today 22 February 2012, Ipsos has released two research reports on how South Africa shows the most improvement as part of a global outlook on the national economies but that its people's perceptions on cost of living and the government's control are not high. 22 Feb 2012 14:28

Food and beverage sales rise 6.2%

The total income generated by the food and beverages industry rose 6.2% to R4.595 billion in December 2011, from a year earlier, according to Statistics SA data released yesterday, 20 February 2012. 21 Feb 2012 15:19

Strong retail could raise 2011 GDP

[Helmo Preuss] Higher than expected retail sales in December could prompt an increase in the Treasury's gross domestic product (GDP) estimate for 2011, when the Budget is tabled on 22 February 2012. 16 Feb 2012 14:37

Retail trade sales increase across the board

Measured at constant 2008 prices, retail trade sales for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2011 increased 7.9% when compared with the 2010 Q4, Statistics South Africa announced today, 15 February 2012. This follows an increase of 8.7% year-on-year (y/y) in December 2011 and a month-on-month (m/m) increase of 1.3%. 15 Feb 2012 15:11

Construction industry not out of the doldrums yet

[Warrick Robertson] In its latest worldwide construction review, international credit insurer, Coface, says there is a glaring shortage of affordable housing in South Africa the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Emirates, Israel, Egypt), Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey and the Maghreb, at least in the major urban centres. 15 Feb 2012 13:55

Townships not over shopped, wealthier Gauteng suburbs are

According to an accessibility study of large shopping centres in Gauteng done by AfricaScope, Maponya Mall is the closest to the largest number of people and within the shortest travelling time in Gauteng. 1.2 million people have access to the mall, within approximately five minutes travel time by road using a car or taxi. 14 Feb 2012 14:40

December retail trade growth seen at 6.7%

[Zeenat Moorad] Growth in SA's retail trade sales at constant (2008) prices for December is expected to ring in at 6.7% year on year (y/y), from a y/y growth of 6.8% in November, according to a survey of leading economists by I-Net Bridge. 13 Feb 2012 15:52

Valentine's Day results in retail focus

[Helmo Preuss] Valentine's Day on Tuesday will make sure that this week the focus is on the consumer, as online retailers are likely to say how well this year's sales were compared with last year, while the official data will show how much consumers spent last year with the retail sales due on Wednesday, while the following day the Bureau of Market Research will release its fourth quarter 2011 Consumer Financial Vulnerability Index. 13 Feb 2012 13:54

Shoppers going back to basics - Kalahari.com

Close to 50% of shoppers plan to splurge on their partners this Valentine's Day, this in spite of the global economic downturn, according to online retail giant Kalahari.com. 13 Feb 2012 13:48

2012 salaries for the retail and manufacturing industries

CareerJunction, one of South Africa's leading online recruitment solutions, has released industry-related salary figures for 2012 based on the FMCG, retail & wholesale and manufacturing, production & trades industries. 9 Feb 2012 13:47

Webinar on 'Macro to Micro Implications of Top Mega Trends in India to 2020'

A free webinar, entitled 'Macro to Micro Implications of Top Mega Trends in India to 2020' and hosted by Sarwant Singh, partner at Frost & Sullivan, together with Archana Amarnath, program manager at Frost & Sullivan, is available for download. 8 Feb 2012 14:03

Global consumer confidence increases 1 point in Q4 2011

NEW YORK, US: Global consumer confidence increased one index point last quarter to 89, while Europe led confidence declines in 24 of the region's 27 measured markets, according to fourth quarter 2011 global consumer confidence findings from Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy. 8 Feb 2012 12:14

Research from SACSC indicates 4.5% growth in retail for 2012

The South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) has released its economic report for Q1 2012, which indicates that low interest rates and rising disposable incomes could push retail sales in South Africa to 4.5% growth in 2012 and even higher in 2013. It points to global uncertainties, combined with rising unemployment and crippling strikes in South Africa, as key factors hampering investment and damaging consumer confidence. 3 Feb 2012 12:29