Celebrating continental excellence - 29 May 2017

Africa Day is celebrated on 25 May to mark the formation of the African Union (AU). But for many on the continent, the day is used to highlight and celebrate African success stories in a much broader sense.

Here at Bizcommunity we've spent the month of May focusing on booming African businesses and the people that make them work. In line with this, I interviewed Kevin Lennett from the Crazy Store, a retailer that has shown impressive grown and has just expanded its footprint into Botswana. View our #AfricaMonth special section over here.

Back on South African soil, today's top story is all about Jessica Bonin - founder, blender and owner of Lady Bonin's Tea. The award-winning entrepreneur shared her success story at this month's Startup Grind event in Cape Town. Read about how she set out in a 1975 Jurgens caravan with the aim to evolve our idea of tea.

I also report back from an IRI South Africa event, which offered guidance to retailers and manufacturers on using shopper data strategically to refine a price and promotion strategy. They shared some valuable practical tips that are well worth a read.

In other top news, TFG acquired Australian menswear group RAG and former Massmart CEO, Grant Pattison, is to replace Bernie Brookes as Edcon CEO early next year.

Here's to a successful week!

Lauren Hartzenberg
Retail Editor: Bizcommunity.com