The African Women in Supply Chain Association (AWISCA) launches this week to bolster South Africa's supply chain skills through functional mentorship and coaching, and to address the numerous technical and practical issues that continue to hinder the country's supply chain industry. It also aims to create better industry balance between the country's universities, businesses, professionals, women and entrepreneurs. 28 Jun 2017
Cape Town-based 'slow fashion' brand Jota-Kena recently released its AW17 collection, which combines a colour palette reminiscent of the 1970's with design inspiration drawn from the Ivy League lifestyle. 28 Jun 2017
The Appletiser plant in Elgin is ready to almost double its annual production by October, following its merger last year of the non-alcoholic ready-to-drink bottling operations of the Coca-Cola Company, SABMiller plc and Gutsche Family Investments to form Coca Cola Beverages SA (CCBSA). 28 Jun 2017
Conventional wisdom has had it that luxury retail - including clothes, shoes and accessories - is immune to movements in the economy, especially the downward kind. But the casualties at the top end of the retail sector point to a marked decline in that market and analysts warn that this could be a continuing trend. 27 Jun 2017
A giant spinning pot game show marked the launch of the Rajah 'One Pot for Everyone Campaign'. The consumer engagement activity, built by Mbongiworks, is designed to introduce the Rajah Flavourful and Mild flavour with a fun activity that entertains and rewards. 27 Jun 2017
As part of the Springs Mall grand opening, McDonald's opened its 250th outlet in partnership with one of its franchisees, Peter Moyanga, who was opening his ninth store. 27 Jun 2017
Locnville brothers, Andrew and Brian Chaplin have launched an online store for their ContraBanned clothing label. The site offers apparel for both men and women, with an array of everyday wear that reflects the brand's image. 27 Jun 2017
The ‘Brands of China African Showcase' was launched at Gallagher Convention Centre, alongside the Southern African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX) to enhance Sino-South Africa trade relations. 27 Jun 2017
Allen Ambor
When Spur ended its popular Monday Buy One Get One Free burger special at the end of March this year, cash-strapped diners mourned the loss. But according to the restaurant chain's founder and executive chairman, Allen Ambor, Spur was in the grip of over-discounting and it was hurting the business. 27 Jun 2017
Contrary to a generation ago, for many households fast food has become more of a staple diet than a treat. “South Africans spend close to R2-billion a month on fast food, which represents more than 10% of total discretionary spend. Some households buy takeaways up to three times a week, while others might treat themselves once a month. It all depends on income level and proximity to a fast food outlet.” says Linda Reid, chief commercial officer at Lightstone Explore. 26 Jun 2017
Image credit: 5M2T
More than 20% of consumer spend sits in informal retail channels, an opportunity largely unnoticed by brands due to the complex landscape, wide spatial distribution and route-to-market distribution complexities. 26 Jun 2017
Allen Ambor, founder and executive chairman of Spur Corporation.
Iconic South African restaurant chain, Spur Steak Ranches, will be 50-years-old in October this year. Since its humble beginnings in Newlands, Cape Town, Spur has grown into an internationally recognised brand with more than 250 outlets in South Africa and abroad employing over 15,000 people. Mother company, Spur Corporation, now houses eights restaurant brands, including Panarottis Pizza Pasta, Captain DoRegos, RocoMamas and The Hussar Grill. 26 Jun 2017
Liquor giant Distell, which owns best-selling brands such as Savanna, Hunters, Nederburg and Klipdrift, has uncorked a proposal that fortifies the position of its biggest shareholder, investment giant Remgro. The proposed deal could potentially also boost Distell's international deal-making and investment appeal by collapsing an archaic and unpopular pyramid holding company structure. 23 Jun 2017
According to research by TMR, an increasing awareness among consumers about the importance of a protein-rich diet has had a positive influence on the growth of the pulse flour market. 23 Jun 2017
China and Hong Kong are overwhelmingly the largest shipment centres for fake goods sold around the world, in a growing, complex battle against sophisticated counterfeiters, Europe's police agency said Thursday. 23 Jun 2017
At the recent South African Nursery Association (SANA) awards, Stodels Nurseries achieved a hat trick, winning the coveted Gold Medal for Nick Stodel, as owner of the nurseries, Young Retailer of the Year for Joseph Dzviti and Best Garden Centre in the Western Cape for the Belville branch. 23 Jun 2017
Online spend is forecasted to grow to over R53bn by 2018 according to the PayPal and Ipsos third annual cross-border commerce report. Their research states that 58% of adults in South Africa with internet access shopped online over the past 12 months, amounting to an estimated total spend of R37.1bn. 23 Jun 2017
Checkers has added a specially developed augmented reality app to its second collection of Little Shop mini products, which enables users to unlock funny filters for each of the 30 participating brands. 23 Jun 2017
Township spaza shop owners should either be given shares or space in township malls, which are bankrupting them, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema said. 23 Jun 2017
South Africa's struggling retailers are significantly lagging behind other sectors and their international counterparts when it comes to appointing customer experience officers (CXOs) to their top teams. 22 Jun 2017
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