Independent retailers generate half the sales in SA's R250bn grocery market and service three-quarters of the population. “Only a quarter of the population is serviced by the formal sector,” says Massmart CEO Grant Pattison. “And the lower end consumer is still in good shape, though this may change.” 20 Mar 2009
Brewing giant SABMiller has signed an agreement with its JV partner, Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (Vinamilk), to acquire Vinamilk's 50% interest in SABMiller Vietnam JV Company Limited, the group said on Friday, 20 March 2009. 20 Mar 2009
As SA joins other countries mulling rescue plans for companies reeling from the global economic crisis, it is worth considering SA's policy interventions before the crisis. The interventions in the ailing clothing and textiles industry provide an apt case study. 20 Mar 2009
One thing has been constant about Stellenbosch winemaker Martin Meinert's traditional Bordeaux-style red, Devon Crest: change. After numerous name and look alterations, this unsung wine has finally found its niche as the classically styled maverick in the esteemed Meinert collection. 20 Mar 2009
Deputy President Baleka Mbete has expressed concern at the slow ticket sales for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and has urged South Africans and Africans to start buying more tickets. 20 Mar 2009
The National Treasury has assessed the impact of rebasing and re-weighting the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and the changes that will need to be made to the Government's Inflation-Linked Bonds. 20 Mar 2009
Cell C CEO Jeffrey Hedberg has confirmed to staff that he will not be renewing his contract in November, but the US-born turnaround artist has told them that he will remain in SA. 20 Mar 2009
The introduction of a dividends tax is likely to make SA a more attractive foreign investment destination. 20 Mar 2009
TOKYO: Fujitsu has launched the world's first e-book with a colour display in Japan, the company said on Thursday. 20 Mar 2009
BEIJING: China has rejected a plan by Coca-Cola to acquire the nation's top juice maker Huiyuan over fears that it would damage competition, the commerce ministry said Wednesday, 18 March 2009. 20 Mar 2009
Two Eastern Cape business tycoons, who have been friends for over 26 years with joint business dealings, are at war over a shopping centre development in Grahamstown. 20 Mar 2009
TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp. plans to halve recruitment of full-time workers in the next fiscal year starting in April to around 1,800 employees, the Nikkei business newspaper reported on Thursday, 19 March 2009. 19 Mar 2009
In comparison to the massive scale of music in Europe and the United States, the South African music industry, unmistakably crowded with talented musicians, has a poor reputation when it comes to guaranteeing the commercial success of local artists. SA online store, WantItAll, has a passion for music and aims to improve this perception. 19 Mar 2009
South African retailers are seeing a rapid growth in the number of Chip and PIN cardholders at pay points, and are already upgrading their systems to accept these cards. 19 Mar 2009
USA: Apple on Tuesday, 17 March 2009, unveiled next-generation iPhone software with copy-paste and multimedia messaging features but no sign of much-coveted Flash for digital video. 19 Mar 2009
Absa has started a countrywide pilot to introduce foreign languages on its ATMs to take advantage of international events, the listed commercial bank said on Monday, 16 March 2009. 19 Mar 2009
Solidarity has welcomed the SA Reserve Bank's decision to bring forward the date of its meeting for the adjustment of interest rates, the trade union said on Wednesday, 18 March 2009. 19 Mar 2009
South African retail trade sales at constant (2000) prices for January increased by 1.7% year-on-year (y/y) from a revised drop of 0.2% (-0.1%) in December, figures released on Wednesday, 18 March 2009, by Statistics South Africa show. 19 Mar 2009
Following eight months of successive declines, retail sales surprised on the upside in January, posting a 1.7% annual increase that was helped by lower interest rates, petrol prices and base effects. 19 Mar 2009
The Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to hold its regular meetings more often to allow for more effective planning and quicker reactions to changes in the economy. 19 Mar 2009
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