Shop-hopping - 7 Nov 2011[Shan Radcliffe] This morning, the winners of Jump Shopping's annual E-Commerce Awards were named, in what organisers say has been the biggest year for the competition yet. Bid or Buy was voted as the public's favourite site as well as Best E-Commerce Services Website, while Yuppiechef won Best E-Commerce Store Award and Best Shopping Process Award for the second year running. Although the findings of the SA Competition Appeals Court hearings for the Wal-Mart/Massmart merger have yet to be released, the US retail giant has scored a win over the border in Namibia. read more Shuffling déjà vu - 31 Oct 2011[Shan Radcliffe] I'm getting a peculiar sense of déjà vu at the moment - ah, that's right, it's almost the start of a new month and the petrol price is going up. Again. read more Trials and negotiations - 24 Oct 2011[Shan Radcliffe] The hearings into the Wal-Mart/Massmart merger finally got underway in the Competition Appeals court last week and have centred around efficiencies and labour. Three government ministers maintain that the Tribunal erred in its decision, while Judge Dennis Davis has said that the merger will set a precedent in SA law. read more Open silly season! - 17 Oct 2011[Shan Radcliffe] It's hard to believe the year is winding down already and, as festive decor creeps into stores, I find it hard to utter this shocker: "It's only 10 weeks till Christmas...!" And while I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from most industries looking forward to winding down for the holidays, it's eclipsed by the sound of retailers kicking into overdrive and ramping up their arsenal in time for the shopping onslaught. read more Cheque, mate! - 10 Oct 2011[Shan Radcliffe] I suspect the R-word is officially verboten in most SA households after yesterday's narrow defeat... and many of us are doing what South Africans do best in these situations - drowning our sorrows in an ice cold beer. read more Going, growing, gone! - 3 Oct 2011[Shan Radcliffe] Another month, another petrol price hike. But that's not going to dampen the spirit of growth as the end of September welcomed new stores across Africa for Pick n Pay and Builders Warehouse. read more SA Fashion Week in-store - 26 Sep 2011[Shan Radcliffe] SA Fashion Week has come and gone but its presence will linger longer for those fashionistas who want to get their hands on designer treasures. Having proven so successful last year, the Pop Up Shops will hold pride of place in the Sandton City Fountain Court for three days this coming weekend. read more Auctions, conventions, consumers and awards - 19 Sep 2011[Shan Radcliffe] Wine by the case-load went under the hammer this past weekend in the annual Nederburg Auction, now its 37th year. This year's record sale was a whopping R68000 for a single case of 1948 Monis Collectors Port that was snapped up by Obi Josephat Ndibe - the same importer who set the record last year for a case of 1964 Nederburg Port. In other news, Paul Jooste is raising concerns about consumer indicators, but SMMEs can expect to get a little guidance at next year's International Small Business Congress which is going to take place in Africa for the first time. To end on a high note, South Africa's tourism industry shone brightly at the 2011 World Travel Awards Africa - bringing home a plethora of awards. read more Season of new growth - 12 Sep 2011[Shan Radcliffe] During the season representative of new growth, many retailers are celebrating the opening of new stores: Clicks has just celebrated the opening of its 400th outlet, while Kauai hits its 100th. Woolworths is expanding further into Africa through a joint venture in Tanzania and Uganda. read more It's getting hot in here... - 5 Sep 2011[Shan Radcliffe] Spring is springing and fashion season is hotting up with the Spring/Summer collections on show in the coming months. Edgars is getting in on the gig as the official partner of of SA Fashion Week, which kicks off at the end of September. read more And... strut! - 29 Aug 2011[Shan Radcliffe] Coming up on the catwalk this September are the creations of the 2011 Elle New Talent Design Award finalists. One young designer is no stranger to the competition - Kutloano Molokomme made the top 7 in last year's awards. read more Salutations and celebrations! - 22 Aug 2011[Shan Radcliffe] In the next couple of weeks, Unisa's Personal Finance Research Unit will launch its study into the financial well-being of SA households, with the aim to answer the question: Are we income poor and asset rich? June's retail trade figures would suggest we're not in saving mode, however economists expect retail sales growth will slow during this next half of the year. As we head into the last part of Women's Month, two ladies have been recognised by Businesswomen's Association's as outstanding leaders in the business world. Congratulations to the BWA's businesswomen of the year, Philisiwe Buthelezi and Nondumiso Mzizana! Lastly, our marketing mothership is celebrating a decade of being the Biz this week - there's some fabulous prizes to be won, so check out the competition details and send us your wishes here: The Biz Bang Theory. read more Women's Day - 10 Aug 2011[Shan Radcliffe] read more Want it, need it, gooi it - 1 Aug 2011[Shan Radcliffe] Gemgem, a new group buying site specifically aimed at moms and tots launches today. Mike Abel reckons all these deal-of-the-day and "couponeer" sites are teaching consumers "...to pay less, to wait for the sale, the cut-price, the special. read more Don't be scared, be safe - 25 Jul 2011[Shan Radcliffe] Last week at SAITEX, which was running in conjunction with AB7, global retail expert Simon Mathers told the group attending the networking breakfast not to be scared of Walmart, just do things right. Government has other ideas though, having lodged a review application of the merger between the big US retailer and Massmart, after the public hearing was rendered all but completely irrelevant. In other conference news, Retail Risk is coming up in Sandton next week. read more |
