| 12 Dec 2011 |
| Retail | South Africa |
|
Retail, Associations, Banking & Finance, Brand news, Clothing & Textiles, Cold chain, Commercial property, CRM, CSI, Distribution, e-Commerce, Exhibitions & Events, FMCG, Franchising, Green sustainability, Health & Safety, Hospitality, Import/Export, Informal retailing, Instore, Logistics, Manufacturing, Merchandising, Packaging, Refrigeration, Regulatory, Research, Retail marketing, Retail services, Retail trends, Retailers, Security, Shipping & Transport, Shopfitting, Supply chain, Technology, Training
|
|
| |
So long 2011 We've been counting down the weeks And at last the time has come The final newsie of year But fans, please don't be glum We'll be back by January 9 Till then we wish you well And for our loyal readers, These few items on which to dwell... Food prices are a easin'More forecasts for the seasonMake the best of festive spendingOr see what you will be missingAnd so we bid you a fond adieuMay the shoppers empty your shelves You know you'll need the space To welcome 2012! Until then, to all our subscribers, clients, contributors, business partners and visitors to our sites, may you all have a restful, peaceful, safe and enjoyable festive season! Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor
Please send retail news to: retailnews@bizcommunity.com
Responses to this column welcomed in our new online editor's column archive. Top stories
Retail |  |
The food price index was virtually unchanged in November from its October level, according to the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Read more >>
Advertisement:
Quick service restaurant group Taste Holdings announced on Thursday, 8 December, that Brimstone Investment Corporation had agreed to subscribe for 24 million ordinary shares in the authorised share capital of Taste at an issue price of R1.54 per share, resulting in an aggregate subscription price of R36,96 million. Read more >>
Spur CEO Pierre van Tonder still hopes to convince institutional investors who vetoed the restaurant chain's proposed 40% hike for nonexecutive directors that the increase is not excessive. Read more >>
South African retail trade sales at constant (2008) prices for October rose 7.4% year on year (y/y) after downwardly revised growth of 7.7% (8.3%) in September, figures released on Wednesday, 7 December, by Statistics SA showed. Read more >>
Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) says it expects South Africa's economy to grow by 3% in 2012. Read more >>
Associations
 The Cape Winemakers Guild has added two new members to its ranks, Bartho Eksteen of Hermanuspietersfontein Wingerde and Miles Mossop of Tokara, bringing the total up to 45. Read more >>
Banking & Finance
As at end of September 2011, credit bureaus had records for 19.10 million credit-active consumers, an increase of 1.4% over the 18.84 million reported for the quarter ended June 2011. Consumers classified in good standing increased by 232 000, a 0.5% increase in proportion to the total number of credit-active consumers. The number of consumers with impaired records increased by 24 000 to 8.83 million, a 0.5% decrease quarter-on-quarter and 0.1% year-on-year. Read more >>
The average cash withdrawal values across South Africa for November 2011, as measured by the Spark Cash Index (SCI), reflected a 2.18% year-on-year increase from R412 to R421, while month-on-month cash withdrawal values also reveal a positive increase of 0.72% from October to November 2011. Read more >>
Brand news
Clothing & Textiles
The SA Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) on Wednesday welcomed the announcement by government of the first wave of products designated in terms of the new preferential procurement regulations, which came into effect today, 8 December. Read more >>
Corporate Social Investment
CRM
 [Chris Moerdyk: @chrismoerdyk] Walk up to the average South African retailer and whisper the magic words "customer service" and he'll react as though you stuffed a terminally venomous South American crotch eating spider down his shorts. And I really don't understand why. It isn't a stringent set of rules and regulations. In fact, customer service is nothing more than an extremely simple way of making lots of money. No more and no less. Read more >>
e-Commerce
 [Luke McKend] Listening to Bruce Whitfield recently on 702 Radio, I was surprised by an on-air conversation that suggested that it wasn't possible to do all of your Christmas shopping online in South Africa. I decided to find out whether this was true based on three simple tests: Could I find the product online? Was there sufficient information to help me make a buying a decision? Could I buy the product online? Read more >>
 Having launched in-store in August 2011, 46664 Fashion is now reaching into e-tail, with its online store officially open for trading in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland. Read more >>
Exhibitions & Events
FMCG
Green sustainability
It will take government four years to change South Africa's light bulbs. Read more >>
Hospitality
Manufacturing
 The R670-million state-of-the-art savoury Unilever dry food plant, at Riverhorse Valley in Durban, was opened by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies on 8 December 2011. He endorsed it as one of the largest private investments in South Africa since the 2010 World Cup. Read more >>
Merchandising
[Kathryn Aquadro] Following the results of Deloitte's Christmas Spending Survey 2011, which contained statements such as "South African shoppers are undoubtedly stressed and looking for options that allow them to spend less", my group set out to explore who is doing what and how the past year is going to influence shoppers this festive season. Read more >>
Packaging
Regulatory
 [Herman Manson: @marklives] The advertising and media industries are bracing for stricter government regulation of alcohol advertising. It is an incredibly complex and global issue, so here is a framework to help contextualise what is actually going on. Read more >>
Annually, counterfeit goods worth an estimated US$600 billion (6% of world trade) are traded around the world and, unfortunately, Africa has become a popular dumping ground for such goods. Cheap, low quality goods, which often do not meet local safety or health requirements, are flooding African markets including South Africa. Such goods range from pharmaceutical products, to shoes and clothing to electronic goods and foodstuffs, to name but a few. Read more >>
Research
Wholesale trade sales at constant (2000) prices for October grew 8.9% year on year (y/y) compared with a revised 9.4% (9.5%) in September, Statistics SA data showed on Wednesday, 7 December. Read more >>
The South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) has noted that festive consumer spend is set for marginal growth in 2011, citing opinions from Christo Luüs, Economist at EcoQuant and Alf Kippen of Resolutions Retail. Read more >>
[Zeenat Moorad] Growth in SA's retail trade sales at constant (2008) prices for October is expected to lose a bit of momentum to a decrease of 7.6% year on year (y/y), from a y/y growth of 8.3% in September, according to a survey of leading economists by I-Net Bridge. Read more >>
Retail marketing |  |
 Here they are, Bizcommunity.com Retail's 2011 lists of most popular articles and those that drew the most comment. So, do you agree with the numbers - or do you have your favourites (and not-so-favourites)? Read more >>
Retailers
On 8 December 2011, the shareholders of TM Supermarkets voted unanimously to allow Pick n Pay to purchase an additional 24% of shares, bringing its holdings up to 49%. The Competition and Tariff Commission of Zimbabwe agreed, subject to certain conditions pertaining to labour and local procurement of goods. Read more >>
Security
The direct cash cost due to cybercrime in South Africa amounting to R4 billion in the last twelve months according to the Norton Cybercrime Report and each attack takes on average 16 days to resolve. With this in mind, there is a renewed need for local users to become more vigilant when banking and carrying out everyday tasks online. Read more >>
Technology
The Econet Solar Home Power Station is a revolutionary, standalone electricity solution designed for around 70% of Africa's people, who live in off-grid communities. It has been designed to supply, on a pre-paid basis, affordable lighting for small homes and cellphone charging. Read more >>
 PARIS, FRANCE: The MIPFormats Pitch 2012 call for entries is now open. Warner Bros International Television Production (WBITVP), the exclusive sponsor of the competition, will oversee pre-selection to choose the final competition contestants and will spend up to €25 000 to develop the winning project of the MIPFormats Pitch. Read more >>
 CHICAGO, US: Consumers are quickly becoming fed up with banking fees. If your financial institution began charging US$2/month for the convenience of having a debit card with your cheque account, what would you do? Read more >>
 NEW YORK / RESTON, US: comScore, Inc, a leader in measuring the digital world, and Buddy Media, the social enterprise software of choice for eight of the world's top 10 global advertisers, have announced a strategic partnership to help brands and agencies measure and maximise the value of their social marketing programs. Read more >>
 NEW JERSEY, US: Apps have become essential for businesses seeking to extend the life of their brands and products, and they have become part of the overall marketing plans for many major corporations and industries. Celebrities are also benefiting by being able to extend and enhance the life of their "brand". Read more >>
 RESTON, US: comScore, Inc, a leader in measuring the digital world, has released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the US mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending October 2011. Read more >>
More International...
Corporate Social Investment
 Elizabeth Arden MD Corne Nel recently put himself in a bit of a compromising position in order to raise much-needed funds for charity. Read more >>FMCG
 Stimorol Infinity: The Rage Party took place as part of the Plett Rage Festival 2011 on Wednesday 7 December. Read more >> Old Spice introduces a new frangrance - Kilimanjaro. Read more >> On Saturday 3 December, Stimorol hosted the "Stimorol Infinity: The Rage Party", one of the main attractions of the 4U Rage Festival 2011. Read more >>Franchising
 Tiger Wheel & Tyre and Michelin are preparing for the holiday rush and together are offering specials as road users prepare for their getaways. Read more >>Logistics
 170 IMPERIAL Logistics employees, in partnership with global non-profit organisation, Stop Hunger Now last week packed 40,000 meals for distribution to early childhood development centres in and around the Group's Germiston-based Head Office. Read more >>
 [Kemantha Govender] Governments, including 38 industrialised countries, have agreed to a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol from January 2013 as the COP17 drew to a close on early hours of Sunday morning. Read more >>
 [Kemantha Govender] COP17 president Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has congratulated all the delegations at the United Nations climate talks for "their leadership and rising to the occasion when it was most required". Read more >>
 [Caiphus Kgosana] The ANC in parliament has blasted Public Protector Thuli Madonsela over her alleged comments on the Protection of State Information Bill. Read more >>
 Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe, human settlements minister Tokyo Sexwale as well as the former director-general for the Department of Minerals and Energy, Sandile Nogxina, had not contravened any South African law concerning the United Nations' Iraqi Oil-for-Food Programme. Read more >>
 Cabinet has announced that it will intervene in the financial administration of three provinces in the country. The move, which was taken after a special Cabinet meeting on Monday, aims to address under-spending, overspending and challenges with supply chain management. The three provinces are Gauteng, Free State, and Limpopo. Read more >>
More Government news...
 [Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] General Motors SA has launched a nifty new small bakkie called the Chevrolet Utility to take over the market leadership role held by South Africa's favourite small bakkie, the Opel Corsa which has come to the end of its life cycle. Read more >>
 [Graham Anderson] Make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit to deal with any minor injuries that could befall your family this holiday season. Read more >>
More Motoring news...
 [Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] As Rezidor Hotels prepared to open newly built Park Inn-brand hotels in Gauteng they withdrew their brand from their Green Market Square, Cape Town location because, according to a previous Rezidor executive, the owner wasn't willing to spend what would be required to bring it up to Park Inn's upgraded code. Read more >>
 [Joanne Adolphe] It's that time of year when many of us take our annual holiday - and for the lucky ones among us, that means an overseas trip. It also means negotiating airports, which can be a bewildering, time-consuming and frustrating exercise, especially if you're not a frequent traveller. Read more >>
 An international poll conducted by British Airways shows that Cape Town is the fifth most desirable destination in the world among eager travellers keen to get away for the festive season according to a report published by IOL Travel. Read more >>
More Travel news...
 [Eugene Yiga] Ryan Gosling is fast becoming one of my favourite actors. Who can forget his performance as a drug addict teacher in Half Nelson or as a delusional guy in love with a life-size doll in Lars and the Real Girl? And then there was his amazing work opposite Michelle Williams in Blue Valentine. Well, we can now add Drive to the list of his accomplishments. Read more >>
 [Eugene Yiga] Around 15 000 people are expected to attend the 15th annual Obs Arts Festival from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th December. It all takes place at the Observatory Village Green and surrounding roads and venues in Observatory, Cape Town. The festival first began when local musicians got together 15 years ago to raise funds for the suburb's library. It has now grown into a memorable showcase Capetonians look forward to every year. Read more >>
 [Nicholas Cavaleros] Young money representative Lil Wayne kicked off his I Am Still Music Tour in front of a capacity crowd at the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town. Fans of the entertainer had no problem queueing outside of the venue for hours in the pouring rain in order to get a close up glimpse of Weezy, many of which were fooled by impersonators and lookalikes of the fastest growing commercial rapper alive. Read more >>
 The Die MK Avontoer rock 'n roll tour, featuring a host of musicians, photographers, troubadours, magicians, pirates, fans and wild cards will be appearing at five coastal venues between 21 and 31 December, 2011. Read more >>
 Canadian superstar Michael Bublé will be bringing his Crazy Love Tour to the Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town on 1 and 2 May and the Superbowl, Sun City on 5 and 6 May, 2012. Read more >>
 [Eugene Yiga] It's 2020 and a lot has changed. Apparently, all we ever wanted from boxing was to watch two guys beat each other up. And as mixed martial arts and other brutalities in a cage can only go so far, we've switched over to the next best thing: robot boxing. Read more >>
More BizLounge news...
Click here to customise your jobs section
- Social media marketing Niche Training - Centurion, 12 December
- Psychology of selling Paton Personnel - Johannesburg, South Africa, 15 December
- Year end extravaganza Venom Designz - Cape Town, 16 December
- Bokaap open air foodcourt Bokaap Foodcourt - Cape Town, 16 December
- Kloovenburg Wine & Olive Christmas Market Day Kloovenburg Wine & Olive Estate - Riebeek Kasteel, 17 December
- True reflection of arts festival Stepahead Productions - Jo'burg (Soweto), 23 December
- Elizabeth Arden Sun Protection for Summer Campaign CLE Communications - Cape Town, 26 December
- People management skills Alusani Skills & Training Network - Johannesburg, 24 January
- Influential business communication Maurice Kerrigan Africa - Johannesburg, 25 January
- Business management and leadership excellence NDJ Consultants - Pretoria, 6 February
Click here to customise your events section
"A big part of financial freedom is having your heart and mind free from worry about the what-ifs of life. (via Brainy Quote)" - Suze Orman "The future of retail is the integration of Internet and digital services with the retail network. (via Warc)" - Charles Dunstone "To keep the body in good health is a duty - otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. (via Joy of Quotes)" - Buddha "Clothes and manners do not make the man; but, when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance. (via Dumb.com)" - Henry Ward Beecher "Advertising moves people toward goods; merchandising moves goods toward people. (via Brainy Quote)" - Morris Hite
Print - Print any item in this newsletter.
Email - Email any item in this newsletter.
Comment - Comment on any item in this newsletter.
Sponsors:
|
|
Advertisement:
ActivRetail-fmcg.co.za provides information on retail sector companies, their brands, products and services, plus an extensive range of information on related subjects including research, certification, regulations, and much more. |
|
Nampak has opened a press office on Bizcommunity.com! Nampak is Africa's largest packaging company, manufacturing a diverse range of paper, plastic, metal and glass packaging productsClick here to visit Nampak's press office.
New people on biz
PortalsMarketing & Media | South AfricaMarketing & Media | AfricaAgriculture, Horticulture & ForestryArts & EntertainmentAutomotiveEnvironment & ConservationFinance, Accounting & BankingFishing & MaritimeGovernmentHealth & BeautyHuman Resources & RecruitmentIT & TelecommunicationsLegalLifestyleLogisticsManufacturingMedicalRetailScience & TechnologyTourism, Travel & Hospitality
|
|
|
