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Gearing for growth Autumn has arrived, and with it, the minefield of school and public holidays. Of course, this is usually a good thing as far as retail is concerned, but we'll have to wait and see which way this weather drives us - home or in-store. Meanwhile, the retail trade stats have come in for January, showing meagre growth month-on-month, but with a 6.8% increase year-on-year. On the subject of growth, Shoprite has stepped foot into northern Nigeria, Futurelife is expanding into the UAE, and Steinhoff has made an offer for the JD Group. For any retailer looking to invest in Africa, the African Retail Development Index shows the Rwanda is the place to go. Franchising in South Africa is continuing to prove its worth, so any entrepreneurs looking to start-up under an established brand should hop along to the International Franchise Expo in Sandton next month to see what opportunities await. Shan Radcliffe, Group Head - Retail (@Biz_Retail)
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Comment online in our ed's column archive. Go mobile with apps and m.bizcommunity.com. Engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+. Subscribe to YouTube and via RSS. Send all your retail news and event invitations to retailnews@bizcommunity.com, exclusive opinion pieces to contributors-retail@bizcommunity.com and international news to internationalnews@bizcommunity.com. Read "How to contribute to Biz, from op-ed pieces to news". | Today's top stories |
According to Suzanne Ackerman-Berman, director of transformation at Pick n Pay, it is not acceptable for big players in the supply chain to insist on exclusivity in exchange for helping smaller suppliers. Read more >> | The International Franchise Exhibition (IFE) will beheld at the Sandton Convention Centre from 10 - 12 April 2014, offering potential franchisees a platform to gain an understanding of the business opportunities available in South Africa. Over 50 different franchise brands will be exhibiting at the event. Read more >> | Thursday, 20 March 2014 saw Shoprite open its doors in northern Nigeria, adding to its already 1,800 outlets globally. Read more >> |
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 | Orlando Pirates headphones from SkullcandyCollaboration between Skullcandy headphones and Orlando Pirates Football Club will see three styles of headphones available in South Africa. The product was unveiled at the Derby match played on Saturday 15 March 2014, when players walked off the bus sporting the range of products. Ink'd earbuds, uprock onears and Hesh over ears will be available in most major retailers countrywide, distributed by Luksbrands South Africa.
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 | A selection of short items from around the business community, published in a single, easily-digested single article to provide a snapshot of developments over the past few days. Read more >>
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 | This year sees the Southern African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX) celebrate 21 years in business. Scheduled for 22-24 June at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg. Read more >>
|  | Issued by Scan Display The extensive use of fabrics on walls and ceilings of exhibition spaces - to hide the infrastructure of modular systems and to give the illusion of a custom-built space - is a major contemporary trend in exhibition spaces. Read more >>
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 | This year's Cape Legends Inter Hotel Challenge has two entrants from the One&Only Cape Town - Joyce Mesu, chef candidate, and Mercy Mwai, wine steward candidate, both of whom work as part of the Nobu Cape Town restaurant team. Read more >>
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 | Nick Hedley Plastic packaging manufacturer and beverage bottler Bowler Metcalf reported an "unavoidable" 14% fall in earnings as margins were squeezed in its beverages business. Read more >>
|  | Marc Hasenfuss Household brands conglomerate Unilever appears to be battling just as hard as its listed peers‚ Tiger Brands and AVI‚ for growth amid shrinking discretionary spending as embattled South African consumers continue to tighten their purse strings. Read more >>
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 | Wholesale trade sales rose 8.7% year on year in January compared with 6.4% year on year in December‚ Statistics SA data showed on Thursday. Sales were measured in real terms using constant 2012 prices. Read more >>
|  | Retail trade sales - measured in real terms (constant 2012 prices) - increased by 6.8% year-on-year in January 2014, Statistics SA announced Wednesday, 19 March 2014. Read more >>
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 | Motor trade sales (measured in nominal terms and current prices) increased by 2.4% year-on-year in January‚ Statistics SA has reported. Read more >>
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|  | Joan Muller BERLIN, GERMANY: The property listing boom of 2011-2013 may well have made way for a period of consolidation but new listings have not dried up completely‚ with German property player Sirius Real Estate looking to make its debut on the JSE later this year. Read more >>
|  | MUSCAT, OMAN: Oman plans to privatise its loss-making national carrier Oman Air and continue selling chunks of telecoms company Omantel to local investors, Finance Minister Darwish al-Balushi has announced. Read more >>
|  | Jon Rabinowitz NEW YORK CITY, US / KFAR SABA, ISRAEL: How you can manage costs better in retail stores: Six factors that contribute to energy waste and are raising your costs. Read more >>
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More International
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| Belvedere Vodka at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
 
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More galleries
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|  | The transitional period in respect of the new Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Codes of Good Practice, issued on 11 October 2013, has now been extended until 30 April 2015. The transitional period was initially indicated as a period of one year from the date of publication and would have expired on 10 October 2014. Read more >>
|  | Manufacturing business confidence improved in the first quarter of 2014‚ as exports benefitted from a weak rand that supported the export earnings of manufacturers. Read more >>
|  | The Department of Social Development has launched a 24-hour call centre to provide support and counselling to victims of gender-based violence. Read more >>
|  | Anton Harber A journalist has to take obscure matters and turn them into engaging and understandable stories, showing people why they should care about them. Sometimes it seems impossible. Read more >>
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More Government news
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|  | Rod Baker Feel like a getaway without the kids? Feel like getting married and need a romantic venue? Try Ambre... now Adults Only Read more >>
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|  | Head of ecommerce, BI and marketing (exec). R1.2- to R1.3-mil package. Retail management experience. Strategic person who understands customer engagement. Read more >> |
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| Decorex JoburgThebe Reed Exhibitions - 6 Aug 2014 to 10 Aug 2014 Johannesburg |
|  Don't miss CEW Johannesburg 2014 for the opportunity to hear about the latest in customer experience, share your story and learn from peers. Read more >>Japan Week - 26 Mar 2014 to 31 Mar 2014 JohannesburgJapan Week is set to showcase a range of Japanese products. The event is free to the public. Read more >> | |
| Dan Stanford "Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want." |
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