The inaugural FoodNext.Africa conference kicked off last week, a B2B food event where startups, food innovators, foodtech businesses and investors who are redefining the food industry from farm-to-fork are able to connect and share ideas. In the first of a number of articles from the conference, we report on Gauteng startup MyBraai, which has taken a popular South African past-time and turned it into a thriving online business. In the same vein, Ruth Cooper chats to Hannerie Visser about Food XX, a new food conference set for 2019 that aims to support womxn in the food, drinks and hospitality industries. In other top news, French hardware retailer Leroy Merlin opened the doors to its first store on the African continent in Edenvale, Gauteng on Friday. With a modern store environment and value-adding services, will it give local home improvement retailers a run for their money? In fashion, Michael Kors is acquiring Italian luxury house Versace for $2.1 billion. While the deal hints at the making of a US luxury conglomerate, many fans of the Italian brand are calling it 'the end of Versace". GfK South Africa's latest report shows that South Africa's connected consumers still gravitate towards brick-and-mortar shops for their purchases, with more shoppers practicing "webrooming" than "showrooming". And contributor Daniella Shapiro shares advice on how to stay afloat when fake online reviews could sink your business. Finally, September means that we're gearing up for #BizTrends2019. For editorial contributions mail us on retailnews@bizcommunity.com; Subject: #BizTrends2019; Final deadline: 16 November! For sponsorship opportunities contact sales@bizcommunity.com. Until next week, enjoy! Lauren Hartzenberg Retail Editor: Bizcommunity.com

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