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. On Friday, Judge Davis appeared to reject union Saccawu's demand to become the central bargaining representative with the retailer and, while showing his concern for suppliers who were not multinationals, Davis said that Wal-Mart would not be a threat if SA had a serious manufacturing sector. It is not yet clear when the judgment will be handed down and, should any party be unhappy with the ruling, whether the case could be taken to the Supreme Court of Appeal. After seven years, SA is a step closer to concluding trade negotiations as the EU has agreed to improve market access for over 80% of the agricultural products SA has submitted. Trade on!

Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor
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