Tiens Group, a Chinese group specialising in retail, tourism, finance, international trade and e-business in more than 190 countries, opened a Banner Store in Randburg in Johannesburg on Friday, its first retail store on the continent. 21 Jul 2008
The corrosive effects of spiralling inflation and food prices were confirmed on Friday when retail giant Woolworths confirmed middle-income earners had been pushed to the wall by the rising cost of living. 21 Jul 2008
Will artificial DNA be the future of computers and ‘green IT' after a team in Japan creates artificial DNA, furthering hopes in DNA computing? 21 Jul 2008
Does a lack of transparency exist in UK current account market, as that country's Office of Fair Trading claims? 21 Jul 2008
It is gratifying to see the increasing popularity of marketing measurement. You can barely get through an article on marketing these days without seeing "ROI" or "metrics" in the copy. Google search on "Marketing ROI" and you will get 16.5 million hits. 21 Jul 2008
Customer service is as important in the B2B space as it is in the consumer sector. It can be a differentiator for debt collection firms, which often are among several firms a customer deals with. 21 Jul 2008
Trendsetter Paul van der Spuy, winner of multiple fashion awards and the creator of the legendary Frank B. Ernest and Wylde Oscar clothing stores, has now launched bluecollarwhitecollar, a bespoke shirt shop in Cape Town. 21 Jul 2008
Kumkani added another trophy to its case recently when Lanner Hill Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2007 was named the best Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa at the SA Terroir Wine Awards. 21 Jul 2008
The rising interest rates and credit squeeze mean significant things for retailers. With less disposable income to spend, customers are becoming that much more selective. As such, retailers need to start using their IT software that much more effectively. 21 Jul 2008
More call centre operators are changing their attitudes on having customer service representatives work from home, swayed by the reduced operating costs and increased productivity associated with a home-based agent design. Plus, technological advances have enabled home-based agents to communicate more effectively with customers. 21 Jul 2008
With a new international pavilion and more than 600 domestic and international exhibitors, over 50,000 people are expected to visit this year's Decorex Joburg 2008. 18 Jul 2008
Business process flexibility versus the cost of technology in the supply chain is an ongoing debate within many companies. Jane Thomson, MD of Softworx, an EOH company and distributor of Infor in Sub-Saharan Africa, says savvy manufacturers have recognised the effectiveness of an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in enabling effective response to change and, reducing long-term IT costs. 18 Jul 2008
Results of the latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence for the second half of 2008 show that South African consumers remain stubbornly optimistic, despite a significant decrease over the last six months. The survey shows that Johannesburg consumers are more optimistic than those in Durban and Cape Town. 18 Jul 2008
Being "connected" sucks. It is highly overrated and getting old fast. 18 Jul 2008
Not too long ago, it seemed as if "smart appliances" would be everywhere by now. The technology certainly is there, but the desire - on the part of both manufacturers and customers - simply isn't. Too bad, because the customer relationship is suffering as a result, experts say. 18 Jul 2008
Nintendo continues to innovate with its motion-sensing Wii controller, displaying a few new options at E3 this year. With WiiMotion Plus, the controller more accurately reflects the user's movement for functions like swordplay. 'Wii Music' allows gamers to play virtual instruments, though the results can be a little rough on the ears. 18 Jul 2008
Addressing the media on Wednesday, MEC for Housing Paul Mashatile announced that plans for the establishment of the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct as part of the OR Tambo Industrial Development Zone were at advanced stages, with the business plan for the precinct have already been developed. 18 Jul 2008
Digital Mall, one of South Africa's longest standing online retailers, is set to launch a host of new stores on its site with the addition of consumer electronics and IT goods to its product offering. 17 Jul 2008
Gauteng Finance MEC Paul Mashatile says the R3bn Heineken plant and depot which is being constructed in Sedibeng, southeast of Johannesburg, will be a catalyst for economic growth as it would inject about R7bn into the provincial economy. 17 Jul 2008
Retail sales fell by an annual rate of 3,6% in May — its steepest fall in nine years — backing evidence that consumer spending has slowed sharply and weakening the case for another interest rate hike this year. 17 Jul 2008
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