Almost 500 franchised systems currently operate in South Africa. They produce 12.5% of GDP and 87% of them represent local brands. Surprisingly, a third of SA's franchises are non-foods systems, with the biggest growth areas being service-based and mobile or “man-in-a-van” concepts. 13 Mar 2008
Report reveals the firms that have proven themselves to be among the leaders in providing contact centre outsourcing services. 13 Mar 2008
The Paraffin Safety Association is urging all household energy consumers to support its consumer rights campaign which calls for government to formulate and implement the Low Income Household Energy Safety Policy. 13 Mar 2008
Members of eight agro-processing projects in Limpopo are in Japan to take part in the annual food and beverage exhibition, Foodex. 13 Mar 2008
Over the next three years the Pam Golding Property (PGP) group will invest in excess of R30 million in training all its agents. 13 Mar 2008
According to a new report, retail banks' spend on business intelligence technology expected to reach US$9bn by 2012. 13 Mar 2008
In a bid to create awareness about consumer rights, the National Credit Regulator (NCR) has announced March as Consumer Rights Month with special focus on credit and consumer protection mechanisms. 12 Mar 2008
Stellenbosch-based Spier Wines has won flawless quality ratings in an audit conducted by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). The audits were conducted against standards set by the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) and the British Retail Consortium (BRC). 12 Mar 2008
Douglas Green Bellingham (DGB) has once again taken ownership of a vast majority of the TLC Nightlife washrooms for most of 2008, to make use of TLC's indoor billboards, Talking Frames and newly launched Mirror Media for popular brands, Tang Apple Sours and Jagermeister. 12 Mar 2008
With more than two million users in South Africa, mig33 has launched a new prepaid calling card service that reduces the cost of international calls by up to 95%. 12 Mar 2008
Bill McCloskey writes of the US experience of email drives around special days in the calendar and reckons the trick is to co-ordinate the drive with when interest peaks. 12 Mar 2008
Nestlé has recalled a batch of Lactogen infant formula over concerns regarding its iron, zinc and copper content. 12 Mar 2008
Building materials retailer Iliad Africa is set to achieve turnover of R5bn in its next financial year after very good results. 12 Mar 2008
The South African direct marketing landscape faces many difficulties not present in the broader global environment. 12 Mar 2008
From its humble beginnings in the 1950s, fair-trade has developed into a global movement. A new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor, ‘The Next Step in The Ethical Consumer Revolution', reveals fair-trade sales across Europe, the US, Australia & New Zealand and Japan have experienced double digit growth since 2002. 12 Mar 2008
Kauai has embarked on an aggressive growth plan that includes opening 20 franchises over the next year. 11 Mar 2008
Smart Automotive Components (SMAC) introduces the Parrot PMK5800, an installation-free alternative to over-the-speaker hands-free car kits. 11 Mar 2008
Many people associate oily skin with the teenage years, but it's not – and while skin problems don't usually begin until around puberty, in some cases oily skin persists long after the matric dance has faded into memory. For some, the condition can last a lifetime. 11 Mar 2008
The 2008 edition of South Africa's most authoritative supply-chain research study, being released today, reveals that SA companies making the right moves to cope with global complexity in their supply chains, as well as ensuring they have the right skills and capabilities on board to do so, are up to six times more profitable than their competitors and peers. 11 Mar 2008
Hewlett-Packard has galvanized thousands of its retirees into an auxiliary army of senior marketers, goodwill ambassadors and volunteer sales people. None are paid; they do it, they say, because of their affection for the company. 11 Mar 2008
