| 23 Jan 2012 |
| Retail | South Africa |
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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
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Onwards and upwards!If you listened carefully on Thursday, you were sure to hear the collective sigh of relief from homeowners countrywide as the Monetary Policy Committee announced it was keeping the repo rate unchanged, thereby keeping the interest rate stable at 9%. Retailers, too, have been smiling all the way to the bank as news of increased turnovers comes in, though some faired better than others. Retail trade sales for November also increased year-on-year, but were down month-on-month. The Bureau of Market Research released its 2012 retail sales forecast yesterday, predicting only moderate growth as high inflation is expected to eat away at consumer purchasing power. Pick n Pay is beefing up its team with the introduction international retail pro, Helmut Hoerz, as head of merchandising. Edcon, meanwhile, has appointed 21-year Edgars veteran Mark Richard Bower as its new CFO and deputy chief executive. Best wishes to the two in their new posts. Onwards and upwards! 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.
Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.netTop stories
Retail |  |
There was something inevitable about the mandatory buyout offer by empowerment giant Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI) to minority shareholders of Paarl-based liquor group KWV Holdings. Read more >>
Armed with cash or backed by readily available credit, SA consumers continued on a merry shopping spree during the Christmas season. This is according to trading updates from Mr Price, Massmart and Shoprite. Read more >>
 Product of the Year, one of the world's largest consumer-voted awards for product innovation, currently operates in 28 countries and aims to guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers and innovation. Two of the South African winners have announced their triumphs - Dr Robert Rey Sensual Solutions and Twinsaver. Read more >>
 [Zeenat Moorad] Despite coming off a very high base, The Foschini Group on Wednesday, 19 January, reported sales growth of 17.3% for the period 27 November to 31 December 2011. Read more >>
 The Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained at 6.1% in December, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Wednesday, 18 January. Read more >>
 WASHINGTON, USA: US retail sales growth will slow to 3.4% this year, but still outpace the country's GDP growth, the National Retail Federation said on Monday, 16 January. Read more >>
Banking & Finance
 Much to the expectation of analysts, the Reserve Bank has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.5% at the first meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee this year. Read more >>
Brand news
NEW YORK, USA: The founders and CEOs of Canadian telecommunications company Reseath in Motion, Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis, announced on Sunday, 22 January, that they were leaving their posts. Read more >>
In what is described as the formation of Africa's biggest intellectual property practice, Bowman Gilfillan and Adams & Adams have agreed in principle to merge Bowman Gilfillan's intellectual property (IP) law practice with Adams & Adams on 1 March 2012. Since its founding days 104 years ago, Adams & Adams has grown into a multi-award winning South African law firm with an ever-expanding African presence throughout Africa. Read more >>
Tiger Brands announced on Tuesday, 17 January, that its chairman and director, Lex van Vught, will step down with effect from next month. Read more >>
Commercial property
 Commenting on the Reserve Bank's decision not to lower interest rates, Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property (PGP) group says a reduction in the interest rate would have been welcome, not only from a general perspective, but to have provided a further confidence boost in South Africa's residential property market, given the continued lethargic economic growth prospects. Read more >>
Corporate Social Investment
CRM
e-Commerce
 GlossyBox, an affordable service that allows women to own their favourite beauty products at a reduced price or try out new products without spending too much money on products they will not use again after initial trial, is now available in South Africa. Read more >>
Exhibitions & Events
Renewable Energy World Africa will be launched alongside POWER-GEN Africa 2012 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg on 6-8 November 2012, with a dedicated conference stream featuring three days of presentations and debate about the strategic challenges and technical solutions for expanding renewable energy power generation across sub-Saharan Africa. Read more >>
 ProWein 2012, being held in Dusseldorf from 4-6 March 2012, will offer a collaborative series of master classes, involving five normally competing New World wine producers, Argentina, California, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa, under the guidance of three high profile wine personalities from the Old World. Read more >>
FMCG
Franchising
 Taste Holdings (TAS) on Wednesday, 18 January, reported that both its food and jewellery divisions experienced positive sales growth in December. Read more >>
Green sustainability
 The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA)'s waste management conference - WasteCon2012 is calling on all interested parties to submit papers for consideration in respect of original content for this year's conference before 1 February 2012. All submissions will go through a peer-review process carried out by a local review panel and each abstract will appear in the abstract book, which will be handed out at the conference. Read more >>
Hospitality
Informal retailing
Packaging
Research
Prof DH Tustin, executive research director of the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) has compiled a forecast of economic indicators and formal retail sales, by product group, for 2012. The report forecasts an annual growth of 4.5% for formal retail sales in 2012. Retail trade projections are expected to be moderate, as higher retail inflation will erode the purchasing power of consumers, should economic growth in particular lose momentum. Read more >>
Measured at constant (2008) prices, retail trade sales increased by 6.8% year-on-year (y/y) in November 2011, Statistics SA reported Wednesday, 18 January. However, seasonally adjusted retail trade sales decreased by 0.3% in November 2011 compared with October 2011. This followed month-on-month changes of 0.7% in October 2011 and 1.5% in September 2011. Read more >>
 [Craig Kolb] We are in the middle of an exciting period in the marketing research industry, with a number of major shifts taking place that affect how research is done. The web in particular has led to multiple developments which threaten to topple the cherished technologies and techniques that have dominated the last two decades. Read more >>
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Woza Online is a joint initiative, by Google, the dti, Vodacom, the Human Resources Development Council and other organisations, to help SMEs create their first free website and help them make the most of the opportunities offered by the Internet. Read more >>
Retailers
Clothing, footwear and textiles retailer Edcon on Tuesday, 17 January, announced the appointment of Mark Richard Bower as deputy chief executive and chief financial officer following the resignation of Stephen Robert Binnie. Read more >>
 [Zeenat Moorad] After posting an 11.4% increase in 26-week sales, shares in upmarket retailer Woolworths Holdings (WHL) advanced over 3% to R42.95, hitting an all-time high on Tuesday, 17 January. Read more >>
 International retail professional Helmut Hoerz is joining Pick n Pay for a two-year assignment as head of merchandising, the retail giant announced today, 17 January. Hoerz will also sit on the Group Exco and report to CEO Nick Badminton. Read more >>
Shoprite Holdings said on Monday, 16 January, that for the six months ended December 2011 it grew turnover by 13.2% to some R41.1 billion. Read more >>
Shipping & Transport
Supply chain
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: Swiss chocolate and cocoa giant Barry Callebaut on Monday, 23 January, announced a new partnership agreement with Unilever that will double the Anglo-Dutch company's cocoa and chocolate volumes. Read more >>
Technology
 LONDON, UK: More than 1.5 million searches were made for consumer electronics online in November and in terms of visibility, Amazon dominated in both search and social media according to the latest research, Brown Goods - Issue 10, by leading independent specialist search and social media marketing agency, Greenlight. Read more >>
 NEW YORK, US: Camera pioneer Eastman Kodak, which brought photography to the masses over a century ago, filed for bankruptcy early yesterday, 19 January 2012, after years of failing to keep pace with the digital age. Read more >>
 SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL: comScore, Inc, a leader in measuring the digital world, today released data showing that Facebook assumed the top position in the Brazilian social networking market following a year of exceptional growth. In December 2011, Facebook.com attracted 36.1 million visitors - representing an increase of 192% in the past 12 months - to surpass Orkut as the leading social networking destination in the market. Read more >>
 LONDON, UK: Leading specialist search and social marketing agency, Greenlight, expects search giant Google to overtake Yahoo! and become king of display advertising by the end of the year. Greenlight also predicts 2012 will be will be the year of social link building and that social media sites will take on a multi-faceted identity. Read more >>
LAS VEGAS, US: Smartphone cameras have been getting better all the time and accessory makers are now offering a variety of lens options for the devices, intensifying their rivalry with the compact "point-and-shoots." Read more >>
More International...
2012 J&B Met launches at Cavendish Square
More
 The government has undertaken to meet the financial commitments and debt obligations of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) after the e-tolling project was indefinitely suspended. Read more >>
 President Jacob Zuma is to depart for Qatar today to strengthen political and economic relations between South Africa and that country as well as promote peace and security in Africa. Read more >>
 Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, has described allegations that South Africa was to procure a warship as wrong, unfair and unethical. Read more >>
The Gauteng government has denied that a sheriff was detained when she arrived at the offices of Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane's office with an attachment order to remove furniture from the premises. Read more >>
 Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has accused the Limpopo provincial government of sabotage because it advised its service providers not honour their contracts, as they might not be paid, according to Times Live. Read more >>
 [Paul Vecchiatto] The blackout by an estimated 10 000 US internet companies including online encyclopaedia Wikipedia as an objection to proposed US anti-piracy laws mirrors the SA government's attempts to control the low of information through its Protection of State Information Bill (POIB), experts say. Read more >>
 The South African government has expressed optimism that Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will be elected to lead the African Union (AU) Commission. Read more >>
 [Francis Hweshe] Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee looking into the Protection of State Information Bill has adopted what it believes to be an ambitious public hearing drive aimed at getting maximum input from as many South Africans as possible. Read more >>
According to a Fin24 report, municipalities around South Africa are preparing for the next large-scale property valuation assessment, which may drive municipal rates higher according to Ben Espach, valuations director at Rates Watch. Read more >>
 [Sithembele Sakati] Young people from the Eastern Cape wanting a career in air traffic control have been urged to apply for study opportunities being offered by provincial government. Read more >>
 It's difficult to know exactly how much taxpayers' money has been wasted in the past year because media reports all vary wildly on the subject. News24, for example, says that Auditor-General Terence Nombembe has unearthed R25bn in wasteful expenditure in national and provincial government departments for the 2010/11 financial year. Read more >>
 A new Bill gazetted today aims to boost job creation and industrialisation in outlying areas through the licensing of special economic zones (SEZs). Read more >>
 Preliminary figures for the 2011/2012 festive season road death toll report show a decrease in road fatalities compared to the previous festive season's report. Read more >>
More Government news...
 Used vehicle sales gained ground in the last quarter of 2011 compared with new cars sales, boosted by price inflation which dropped to its lowest level in two years. Read more >>
 About 3 350 customers in SA would be affected by a worldwide technical recall of Mini Cooper S and Mini John Cooper Works models. Read more >>
 [Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Bet there aren't many people out there who can brag about sharing a race track experience with famous Formula 1 racing drivers, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa... Well, I can because all three of us have driven the sizzling new limited edition 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari on a race track. Read more >>
More Motoring news...
 [Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] Red Carnation Hotels take their Guest Preference Forms seriously. Would you like foam or feather pillows; neck and back support pillows; an ironing board; a bed board; extra hangers or an extra bed? Would you like a yoga map and an instructive DVD or a fax/copier/printer? Then there's the menu of extras available at the tick of a box and the swipe of a credit card - rose petals and chocolate dipped strawberries? Check... Read more >>
 Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, carried a record 8.29 million passengers in 2011, a 17% increase on the previous year. The jump represented an extra 1.197 million passengers on the carrier's global network covering 82 passenger and cargo destinations. Read more >>
 [Siphiwe Nyathi] The Kruger National Park has warned visitors not to use the Crocodile bridge entrance as heavy rains have caused the Crocodile River to overflow. Read more >>
The Department of Home Affairs is adamant that Cape Town's Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is not a "designated point of entry" and is standing by its decision that all cruise ships must berth in Duncan Dock, according to a report on Business Live. Read more >>
 [Sindy Peters] You need a digital detox? I happen to know the perfect place to get away from your mobile, the Internet and the idiot box. Go to Duinepos! I spent two nights in one of their self-catering chalets and, while I spent the first of them trying to angle my phone towards the night sky in an attempt to "update my status", I quickly realised that Angry Birds was the only joy that I was going to get out of my tech appendage. Read more >>
 Hotel and resort magnate Sol Kerzner has stepped down as CEO of Kerzner International. Read more >>
More Travel news...
 [Duan Wanty] I have the idea that whenever people of different ages, races and genders gather in a certain space, and ABBA's songs start playing, you will have a party. I am yet to be proven wrong. Read more >>
 [Sindy Peters] Art and music collided in Woodstock recently at We Are Beautiful Losers #2, hosted at /A Word of Art in Woodstock. Derelict Woodstock is still coined as "up and coming"; I'd like to think she's just about ready to be crowned a fully fledged member of the Cape Town creativity club; well, that's if Ricky-Lee Gordon, aka Freddy Sam, has anything to do with it. Read more >>
 [Ruth Cooper] Punk arises in times of strife, when the status quo needs a serious kick in the crotch and a spit in the face; not surprising then that there was a small, but dedicated, group of punk rockers playing in southern Africa at the height of the apartheid madness in the 70s and 80s. Daring life and "freedom" to question and protest the unjust system. Read more >>
 [Sindy Peters] I imagine being a ventriloquist takes hard work, dedication, a creative imagination, and some deep-seated psychosis. Conrad Koch's trio of puppets - Chester Missing, Hillary and Ronnie - are all indeed a little left of centre, reflecting a bit of madness in the puppeteer himself, which is fine as his comedic method is in his madness! Read more >>
 [Eugene Yiga: @eugeneyiga] "We are the 99 percent!" So screamed many a protester who "occupied" the world. Clearly, there's still a lot of anger following the 2008 financial crash. That probably explains why Inside Job won last year's Oscar for the best documentary (despite coming across as a manipulative vendetta a few too many times). But what about the other side? What do the bankers think and feel? And what was going through their minds while the mess was going on? Margin Call is here to answer these questions. Read more >>
More BizLounge news...
Designer quality furniture and homeware retailer seeks qualified visual merchandiser. Must have previous relevant experience and good brand synergy. Read more >>Excellent opportunity for sales focussed interior decor specialist for sales consultant position in top brand in Kramerville. Must be able to identify with brand and range of national/international clients. Read more >>Designer furniture retailer seeks energetic and qualified candidate for senior role managing warehouse and logistics function nationally including inventory. Must have good relevant experience. Read more >>
Click here to customise your jobs section
- Bridal oasis tasting - Cradle of Humankind, 26 January
- Old Mutual summer sunset concerts Hippo Communications - Cape Town, 29 January
- Gatecrasher summer music festival - Cape Town, 4 February
- Effective speaking and presentation skills Maurice Kerrigan - Northriding, Johannesburg, 6 February
- Rak investment authority roadshow Rak Investment Authority - Johannesburg and Cape Town, 7 February
- E-marketing/social media for hospitality/tourism Britefire - Cape Town, 7 February
- Valentine's Day at the Grande Roche Hotel Grande Roche Hotel - Cape Town, 11 February
- Trainer development programme Maurice Kerrigan - Northriding, Johannesburg, 13 February
- Creative negotiation skills Maurice Kerrigan - Northriding, Joahnnesburg, 20 February
- Effective speaking and presentation skills Maurice Kerrigan - Northriding, Johannesburg, 20 February
Click here to customise your events section
"It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes. (via Quote Garden)" - Henry David Thoreau "However far modern science and techniques have fallen short of their inherent possibilities, they have taught mankind at least one lesson: Nothing is impossible. (via Book of Famous Quotes)" - Lewis Mumford "Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher. (via Book of Famous Quotes)" - Oprah Winfrey "Always think of your customers as suppliers first. Work closely with them, so they can supply you with the information you need to supply them with the right products and services. (via Book of Famous Quotes)" - Susan Marthaller "Money won't create success. The freedom to make it will. (via Directory Journal)" - Nelson Mandela
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