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. Follow the impact of this down the supply chain and this has consequences for everyone, most of all the consumer. And it certainly isn't going to help small businesses in Soweto, many of which are failing, according to the latest edition of the BMR's Small Business Success and Failure in Soweto: A Longitudinal Analysis. Moving on... Steinhoff International is looking to dispose of its industrial assets to KAP International in exchange for shares, while increasing its stake in the JD Group. The move, however, will find Steinhoff in control of both KAP and JD Group. Moody's Investors Service reports that the move will not impact on Steinhoff's rating. In more company shuffling, last week saw Sony buy Ericsson's stake in joint mobile company Sony Ericsson, Tiger Brands acquire a portion of Zimbabwe's National Foods, and ARB buy a 60% stake in Eurolux. A big congratulations goes out to the Sunday Times Business Times Top 100 Companies and to Gwarega Mangozhe - best of luck in your post as CEO of the CGCSA. Keep shuffling!

Shan Radcliffe, Retail editor
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