The government should consider extending aid to the job-intensive clothing sector and small businesses when their competitiveness came under pressure from the strong rand, Seardel CEO-designate Stuart Queen said on Friday, 6 November 2009. 9 Nov 2009
Analysts last week gave a thumbs up signal to Tiger Brands for its impressive trading update in which SA's largest foods company told shareholders to expect much higher earnings when it reports its annual results later this month. 9 Nov 2009
As Gill Marcus takes over as Governor of the Reserve Bank today, Monday 9 November 2009, economists have praised her experience in the banking sector. 9 Nov 2009
While recent reports don't predict a major recovery for retailers this holiday season, the outlook for e-commerce sites is slightly more optimistic: 2009 will post an 18% increase in online holiday shopping over last year, according to Information Resources. For many consumers, though, the convenience of online shopping comes with a hefty price: their identity. 9 Nov 2009
FNB announced last week the launch of its Send Money, an instant solution for the bank's customers to transfer money to anyone with a South African cellphone. The receiver does not need to have a bankcard or a bank account to access the money sent to them, they simply withdraw their money from one of the 4300 FNB ATMs across the country. 9 Nov 2009
A competition to find the spicy face of Nando's in the Western Cape has opened and entries close on 1 December 2009. Branded as its own Spice group, consisting of Mediterranean, Lemon and Herb, Mild and Peri-Peri, it is looking for young people to represent the brand for a year. 9 Nov 2009
“The Magic of Bubbles” Cap Classique and Champagne Festival in Franschhoek will take place on the weekend of the 4-6 December 2009. Sponsored by Investec Private Bank, visitors will get the opportunity to sample both Champagne and Cap Classique wines. 9 Nov 2009
Ambiente, reputedly the largest consumer goods trade fair in the world, which takes place in Frankfurt Germany from 12-16 February 2010, will feature 14 Western Cape crafters. The craft products, ranging from jewellery and textiles to leather and metalwork, will be displayed on the Department of Trade and Industry's (dti) South African pavilion in the Gift and Loft Showcase areas of Ambiente. 9 Nov 2009
Woolworths opened at Cape Town International, the airport's first retail food and fashion store on Saturday 7 November 2009. This follows its successful launch in the new shopping concourse at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International in April. 9 Nov 2009
Sovereign Foods has confirmed a possible merger with Country Bird had collapsed. 6 Nov 2009
Savile Row Auctions' property sale at the end of this month at Summer Place in Hyde Park will bring a strong commercial property portfolio to the market, with properties on the East and West Rand going under the hammer. 6 Nov 2009
Fruit & Veg City is the latest retailer to partner with a fuel business to run forecourt shops at its garages. 6 Nov 2009
Customer relationships are damaged when companies hear too late about customer concerns or issues to do anything to repair them. Even worse, many crucial concerns aren't being heard by the right people at an organisation. For example, are managers aware of which customers are unhappy? Did an employee treat a customer unfairly? What are the specific factors that caused a customer to leave? Which of your organisation's services matter most to customers, by priority? 6 Nov 2009
Google has launched a new cloud-based search tool targeting enterprise-level e-commerce operations, just in time for the 2009 holiday selling season. Commerce Search provides a set of features designed to improve the relevance of results for consumers searching a retailer's own product catalogue, while boosting cross-selling opportunities. 6 Nov 2009
Business, focused on money, needs also to focus on true innovation if success is to be maintained. Therefore, a balance between technology and marketing is essential. 6 Nov 2009
The Macallan introduces the new Fine Oak range and the extension of the Sherry Oak Expressions to the South African market this season. 6 Nov 2009
Exhibition Management Services, organisers of Africa's Big Seven (AB7), is launching DrinkTech Africa, a dedicated exhibition and conference designed to service the continent's growing beverage and liquid food markets, the company announced on Wednesday, 4 November 2009. The inaugural DrinkTech will run alongside AB7 2010. 6 Nov 2009
Craig Hounsom was the winner of the 2009 Peroni Chef title. 6 Nov 2009
In response to an application brought by the National Credit Regulator (NCR), the National Consumer Tribunal (NCT) cancelled the registration of Zolile Senior Njokweni, who has been registered as a debt counsellor since June 2007, on Monday 2 November 2009 with immediate effect. 6 Nov 2009
Absa Group Chief Executive Maria Ramos has been appointed to the Barclays Group Executive Committee with immediate effect, in a restructuring announced by Barclays Group Chief Executive John Varley. 5 Nov 2009
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