Arielle Horwitz is the engineering manager at Halo Dot. Source: Supplied.
Over the past year, I’ve been immersed in retail transformation — working with my team at Halo Dot to develop SoftPOS solutions, delivering live, in-store demonstrations, and witnessing first-hand how the right technology can change the way sales teams operate. 8 Jan 2026
A Swiss flag flutters on the headquarters of Nestle in Vevey, Switzerland, November 25, 2024. Reuters/Denis Balibouse/File Photo.
Nestle's recall of some batches of infant nutrition products has widened beyond Europe to Africa, the Americas and Asia, including Brazil, China and South Africa, a tally from the company and national food safety statements show. 8 Jan 2026
Amazon is facing pushback from some online retailers who say that it has, through its AI-powered Shop Direct and Buy for Me tools, listed their products on its marketplace without permission, using artificial intelligence tools that scrape information from other websites. 7 Jan 2026
With Stats SA announcing that inflation hit a 10-month high in July, and that annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages continues to rise, the harsh reality of South Africa’s spiralling food prices is hitting home. New consumer research reflects this situation, showing that shoppers are meticulously planning their shopping and are no longer loyal to a single store as they search for the best deals on food and grocery items. 7 Jan 2026
Old School has entered into a five-year agreement to deliver the official Liverpool FC retail experience across South Africa, with plans to roll out both online and offline channels, including a new e-commerce platform and multiple shop-in-shops within the first year. 7 Jan 2026
Edward Snell & Co., one of South Africa’s leading independent spirits companies, has appointed Grant Pereira as managing director, effective 1 November 2025. 6 Jan 2026
E-commerce growth has temporarily slowed to roughly 1–2% in 2025, down from nearly 9% the year prior. Far from signalling decline, forecasts show a rebound to approximately 7.2% growth in 2026, marking the start of a more competitive and unforgiving era for digital retail. The catch? That growth won’t lift all brands equally. 5 Jan 2026
Starbucks is teaming up with YouTube megastar MrBeast in a high-profile collaboration designed to blur the lines between screen and store, bringing surprise-driven fan moments to coffeehouses across the US and online audiences worldwide. The partnership is timed to coincide with the launch of Beast Games: Strong vs. Smart on Prime Video on 7 January, one of the world’s biggest competition shows. 30 Dec 2025
The Canal Walk Retailer of the Year award was won by Silki (Image supplied)
The Canal Walk Retailer of the Year award, which comes with R30,000 in Canal Walk gift cards, was presented to Silki, a locally founded skincare brand that has distinguished itself through expert-led customer service and science-backed products. 29 Dec 2025
A December 2025 report on celebrity fashion businesses has ranked Kim Kardashian’s Skims as the world’s most successful celebrity-owned clothing brand. The analysis, conducted by social media growth company Socialplug, assessed celebrity fashion labels using metrics including revenue performance and overall brand value. 23 Dec 2025
With temperatures starting to climb as we usher summer in, Samsung is reminding South Africans that its Air Conditioners (AC’s) are more than just a way to beat the heat - they’re a year-round lifestyle essential. Designed for the different seasons, Samsung’s innovative WindFree™ Air Conditioners offer not only cooling relief in summer but also warmth in winter, cleaner air and smart, energy-efficient comfort all year long. 22 Dec 2025
Diageo has agreed to sell its 65% stake in East African Breweries to Japan's Asahi Holdings for $2.3bn, divesting its last direct African beer holding. 22 Dec 2025
New 250ml bottle pack brings South Africa’s favourite drinks to people, at a recommended retail price of R6, delivering greater access and affordability for consumers nationwide. 19 Dec 2025
Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut Ice Cream is now available in a multipack, created for family time, hang-outs with friends and every sun-soaked moment in between. 19 Dec 2025
Zuru has announced the expansion of its acclaimed Ballers range with the introduction of the Fifa World Cup 2026 Ballers Series, set to kick off a new and exciting chapter of sports collectibles. 19 Dec 2025
South Africa’s food and beverages industry posted strong year-on-year growth in October 2025, reflecting sustained consumer demand across restaurants, coffee shops, and takeaway outlets, despite ongoing cost pressures facing the sector. 19 Dec 2025
FNB and Pep have announced the return of their popular 99c school shoes initiative as part of the 2026 Back-to-School campaign, helping South African families prepare children for the new school year without added financial strain. 18 Dec 2025
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