The slow online retail shift - 9 May 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] Our big focus this week is on big SA retailers slowly making their move to the Web, with Colleen Goko writing that World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck confirms SA is still five to 10 years behind the major Western markets in terms of online retail uptake and innovation. There's little wonder online retailers have become more popular locally over the past decade as consumers look for convenience in a continuously connected world. We also find out about a development that's set to send even more consumers online -Amazon's new air cargo deal, which will provide more independence from freight firms for delivery of online purchases. read more Mall of Africa opening - 3 May 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] A short week, but not short of big news... Top story is the opening of the highly anticipated Mall of Africa in Midrand, said to be the largest shopping centre on the continent. At 131,038m², "it is still far smaller than malls in many developing Asian countries, which tend to average around 300,000m²," reports Alistair Anderson. read more Starbucks in your eyes - 25 Apr 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] Top story is the opening of the first Starbucks store in South Africa, which saw fanatics lining up from the night before. A second Starbucks store will open in Attacq's R5bn Mall of Africa in Midrand on Thursday. read more Key insights driving change - 18 Apr 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] The Broll Shopper Segmentation Report 2016 Volume 1 was released at the 2016 South African Council of Shopping Centres Research Conference held in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Of those surveyed, 83% of South African respondents said trading hours are inadequate, suggesting that ideal trading hours would be from 7am to 8pm. read more Investing in African retail - 11 Apr 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] In international news, Gold Brands Investments has secured the exclusive rights to roll out Britain's Harry Ramsden's restaurant chain (world famous for its fish 'n' chips) across South Africa, and Orange has acquired a €75m equity interest in Africa Internet Group. This investment will enable Orange to assist Jumia and other websites owned by the internet group to accelerate their growth and seize development opportunities. In light of #CommerceMonth, Jovago takes a closer look at e-commerce being both a problem and a solution to businesses in Africa. read more A new paradigm of retail - 4 Apr 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] Nic Criticos, head of store design at Woolworths, says that the South African chain of retail stores is about to undergo a paradigm shift and will soon launch the 'store of the future'. He shares some of the trends leading the innovation. read more Acquisitions and collaborations - 29 Mar 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] Nigerian online shopping portal DealDey has been acquired by Ringler Africa, including DealDey's couponing platform Promohub and discovery platform Lyf (both part of the larger company). Then in the fashion category, to coincide with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg, Jockey announced its launch of a luxury range of underwear in collaboration with David Tlale. And The Foschini Group has acquired (through its UK subsidiary, Phase-Eight) the entire share capital of Whistles, a contemporary fashion brand based in London. For #BrandManagerMonth, I interviewed Silke Bucker, a brand manager at SAB, on the recent launch of Carling Blue Label beer. read more So much in store, in more ways than one - 22 Mar 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] This week, #BrandManagerMonth saw Mokebe Thulo from HDI Youth Marketeers speak on how to market to millennials at the Future-Ready Marketing Conference, and Marina Loubser from Coca-Cola SA share on how they're localising the new 'One Brand' global marketing strategy. While Daisy Masiangoako explains 'the Woolworths difference' when it comes to branding for the leading retailer's private label brands. Big news for Spar and marking its second investment in Europe, is its venture into Switzerland where it will be rolling out a "relatively large international expansion". read more The way to brand and rebrand - 14 Mar 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] As part of #BrandManagerMonth, I interviewed Yuppiechef's marketing team because for them it's all about teamwork in getting the brand message across. Then Leigh Andrews interviews New Media Publishing's Elmari Rautenbach and Andrew Nunneley on how Ackermans rebranded itself with the February edition of the Ackermans Club magazine. read more A taste of things to come - 7 Mar 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] Taste Holdings has announced that the first Starbucks stores in South Africa will be opened in Rosebank and the Mall of Africa in Midrand next month. Asked if it was the right time to introduce the brand into an economy projected to grow less than 1% this year, Taste CEO Carlo Gonzaga said: "Business is a long-term game. read more Not all good things come to an end - 29 Feb 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] #DesignMonth comes to a close with Trevyn McGowan explaining the new retail concept of Work Shop New Town, Oona Scheepers on SA's auto design export and the Nando's award-winning interior design at its Maponya Mall outlet in Soweto. Also in Soweto, Monageng Market has been transformed from a spaza shop into a fully-fledged store as part of Pick n Pay's pilot project in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development. In other news, Gold Brands Investments, owner of Chesa Nyama, has signed an agreement with private investors, Red Hornbill and The White Family Partnership, whereby they will establish Chesa Nyama Holdings USA LLC. If successful, the newly-formed company will franchise the South African braai brand across the US. Leigh Andrews covers the BrandLove CX event on why you need to support your customer support staff. read more All to do with e-commerce - 22 Feb 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] On day one of the eCommerce Africa Confex (17-18 February), Nicci Botha interviewed advisory panelist Emilian Popa on raising venture capital and securing investment in e-commerce. She also covered PayPal's Efi Dahan on a recent survey conducted by the company, which expects significant growth in the use of mobiles for e-commerce. read more Hashtag much: #DesignMonth #JetLoveYourself #FreshOffTheShelf - 15 Feb 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] This week our #DesignMonth special section features the lovely Trevyn McGowan on some of the extraordinary things she and her husband Julian are doing in support of local design. Whilst Brandon Williams foresees three retail design trends for 2016. Speaking of trends, Dave Nemeth is loving the #JetLoveYourself' campaign. read more Design Month well under way - 8 Feb 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] One week into Design Month, I chat to Adrian Morris of Design Partnership on localising design in the international retail and services market, and Beverley Klein interviews La Mode Fashion's Leah Misika on fashion design in Namibia. In other news, Leigh Andrews investigates Pick n Pay's new TV ad, where John Robbie looks at its Brand Match incentive, questioning whether this form of 'consumer benefit' over 'brand push' promotion will win out in the retail future. read more Introducing Design Month - 1 Feb 2016[Jessica Taylor, Retail Editor (@Biz_Retail)] Today marks the official launch of David Jones Classic Collection at Woolworths, to be followed by David Jones Premium Collection later in the year. Meanwhile, Grand Parade Investments has signed a franchise agreement with Nasdaq-listed Dunkin' Brands and Baskin-Robbins to bring the coffee/doughnut chain and that of ice-cream specialty shops, respectively, to South Africa. The first Dunkin' Donuts outlet will open in Cape Town by the end of June. Wrapping up BizTrends 2016 with a summary of Vend's 2016 Retail Trends and Predictions report, highlighting that omnichannel is still the key focus for retailers in 2016, we introduce Design Month. read more |
