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Retail

Keep your customers happy

The Cell C banner has caused quite a splash since it's prominent placement outside the Worldwear Shopping Centre over a week ago... and subsequently all over social media. The "little guys" have been applauding its creator ever since. Is this the beginning of the Great Consumer War? Aki Kalliatakis reckons it is, if customer service standards don't improve. Catherine Milward-Bridges says we need to take a whip to bad service if we want to avoid this kind of negative exposure. And while it's long been considered that the business world is no place for feelings, your customers would disagree. So how can you win with social customer care this festive season? Paul Roberts gives us some insight...

Shan Radcliffe, Group Head - Retail (@Biz_Retail) Image: © DOC RABE Media - Fotolia 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
Winning with social customer care this festive season
[Paul Roberts, Issued by Why Satisfy]

Summer is upon us and I for one am looking forward to chilling by the pool or heading out to the beach. Whilst my thoughts are firmly set on winding down, retailers and e-tailers, of course, are heading in the opposite direction...

Read more >>



Exclusivity clause makes waves again at Enterprise Development Conference

The 5th annual EDC found many entrepreneurs in the audience able to relate to a live case study regarding the subtle barriers blocking SME butchery, Braeside Meat Market, from entering a number of shopping malls...

Read more >>



Woolies and the frog that croaked

NEWSWATCH: Woolworths is in the news because of a frog a customer claims to have found in his Woolies salad, reports Times Live, which also reports Siyaya TV is finally open for business...

Read more >>





Brand News
Brewer follows trend to US premium beer

Nick Hedley

SABMiller (SAB) has managed to grow its share of the market for "premium" beers in the US with help from recent brand launches‚ but still has "a long way to go"... read more>>
E-commerce
What are consumers buying on mobile?
One of South Africa's fastest growing online retailers, takealot.com has revealed that nappies topped the mobile shopping list by far, with Pampers taking first place and Huggies a close second... read more>>
Bringing luxury online

Rory Dennis

While the majority of retailers recognize the power of e-commerce, there remains a specific subset of sellers that are hesitant to hop on the online bandwagon: luxury brands... read more>>
Fashion, Clothing & Textiles
Sketches outpace stitches
Two weeks after SA Fashion Week (SAFW), Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa (MBFW) delivered its collection of African and local designers... read more>>
Retailers
Pawn is king in a crunch

Dominic Skelton and TJ Strydom

Rolexes, large diamonds, brass saxophones and art works by William Kentridge and Walter Battiss are popping up in pawn shops as the middle-class and even the rich feel the pinch... read more>>
Supply Chain
Shift in energy sector demands new supply chain models
The global energy industry is undergoing a seismic shift, in part driven by the development of new, unconventional sources of energy... read more>>
International
The flying 'dirtbox' spies on mobile users
SAN FRANCISCO, US: US spies on mobile phones from the sky: report... read more>>
US village is cell phone free and loving it
GREEN BANK, US: In this rural speck of hyper-connected America, it's easier to hear a cow moo than a cell phone ring... read more>>
Paper giant UPM slashes European paper production, cuts 550 jobs
HELSINKI, FINLAND: The world's leading maker of magazine paper, Finland's UPM-Kymmene, announced 550 job losses in Europe on Thursday in an industry hard hit by readers moving to digital publications. read more>>
More International
Government
How to build an inclusive South African economy

Sulaiman Philip

Like most of the world, South Africa's economy faces challenges. This much was agreed upon at the latest panel discussion hosted by the South African Civil Society Information Service... read more>>
Finance Minister Nene highlights challenges facing SA
The need to encourage greater private sector investment is one of the major challenges facing the economy, says Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene... read more>>
SA holds solemn reception as deceased return home
Two months since the tragic collapse of a guesthouse in Lagos, Nigeria, the bodies of 74 of the deceased have arrived home to a poignant and emotional reception ceremony. read more>>
Irish president to engage with youth of Soweto
The president of Ireland, President Michael Higgins is visiting the University of Johannesburg's (UJ) Soweto campus today Monday, 17 November to address the youth on Challenges and Opportunities in Africa... read more>>
More Government news
Jobs offered
Buying Manager - Ladieswear - Cape Town
Ready for a new challenge? An exciting and stimulating buying manager opportunity has become available within the Ackermans ladies business unit. Read more >>



New events to diarise
Claim Your Space
True Media - 23 Nov 2014 Green Point, Cape Town

Creative Hustle: street culture pop up
Live SA - 27 Nov 2014 Cape Town

Winners' Den: international business
cedric holdings - 28 Nov 2014 to 29 Nov 2014 Johannesburg

Route 24 Magalies 'Countryside Classics' car show
Route 24 Pub and Grill - 30 Nov 2014 Magaliesburg

LeKap Lifestyle Fair 2014
Vivid Luxury - 6 Dec 2014 Cape Town

Stokvelex Bokone Bophirima (North West) 2015
7colors Communications - 20 Feb 2015 to 21 Feb 2015 Mafikeng

PetroForum Africa
OpenRoom Events Ltd - 2 Mar 2015 to 3 Mar 2015 Johannesburg

Wholesale Banking Conference 2014
Trade Conferences International - 11 Mar 2015 to 12 Mar 2015 Johannesburg

Gauteng Outdoor Expo
Outdoor Events and Exhibition Organisers - 29 May 2015 to 31 May 2015 Johannesburg

IFAT Environmental Technology Forum
MMI South Africa (Pty) Ltd - 15 Sep 2015 to 18 Sep 2015 Johannesburg

Upcoming events
Retail Congress Africa - 18 Nov 2014 to 19 Nov 2014 Johannesburg
The Retail Congress Africa offers a truly high level strategic retail congress specific to the Pan-African markets. Read more >>


Retail Congress Africa 2014
i2i Events - 18 Nov 2014 to 19 Nov 2014 Johannesburg

Call Centre Excellence Summit
IQPC South Africa - 18 Nov 2014 to 20 Nov 2014 Johannesburg

Advanced carbon footprint masterclass
GCX Africa - 19 Nov 2014 to 20 Nov 2014 Cape Town

Limpopo Youth Franchise Expo
Seven Colors Communications - 19 Nov 2014 to 21 Nov 2014 Polokwane (Pietersburg)

Advanced carbon footprint masterclass
GCX Africa - 19 Nov 2014 to 20 Nov 2014 Cape Town

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