Contact centre outsourcing providers are suffering thinning margins and lower contract volumes as the downturn bites, leading to an increasing appetite for diversification into adjacent business processes. 27 Nov 2008

Retail is a tough sector to be in. The harder pill to swallow is the fact that the prevailing market conditions look set to stay that way until at very least the second quarter of 2009. 26 Nov 2008

SaleSearcher, the newly-launched online sales and specials listings site, gives South African retailers an innovative opportunity to capture additional customers during this time of economic belt-tightening. 24 Nov 2008

South Africa could have a new competitor in the IT services market if efforts being made by Spanish consulting companies bear fruit. However, the language issue could be a significant factor. 21 Nov 2008

USA: Sears Holdings is bringing layaway back to its namesake stores next week, nearly two decades after it was scrapped, after seeing a strong response to the pay-as-you-go plan at its Kmart locations. 18 Nov 2008

With organic living becoming a preference for health conscious individuals, ‘going green' and living closer to nature has received increased focus.
17 Nov 2008

Cash strapped consumers affected by the economic downturn are changing their shopping behaviour. This according to Stephen Mawby, MD of Glendinning Management Consultants, who says that retailers will have to respond to changing consumer needs as the economic climate forces shoppers to be more considered in their buying habits. 13 Nov 2008