South African consumers entered 2026 with a mindset shaped by prolonged uncertainty. Years of rising living costs and constant adjustment have fundamentally changed how people shop, plan and prioritise. A perfect storm of economic volatility, new consumer expectations and rapidly evolving lifestyle choices will redefine the FMCG sector in the year ahead. For FMCG retailers and brands, this moment requires a clear-eyed understanding of how value, affordability, convenience and lifestyle choices are being redefined across income groups and categories. 5 Feb 2026
New research from global tech strategists Juniper Research has found that e-commerce fraud will rise from $56bn in 2025 to $131bn in 2030; posting a 133% increase over the period. 5 Feb 2026
Mattel, the global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, recently revealed that Mattel Brick Shop will collaborate with three new partners Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Toyota in 2026, marking a significant expansion the Hot Wheels vehicle lineup. 4 Feb 2026
The programmes that reward shoppers with points and plastic cards aren’t keeping pace with how rapidly retailers and customers are changing. 4 Feb 2026
In the high-stakes arena of South African retail, the currency of loyalty is undergoing a fundamental revaluation. For decades, the industry standard was the slow accumulation of points, a delayed gratification model that often felt like a tedious savings account yielding negligible interest. But as the cost-of-living crisis bites harder, consumers have stopped waiting. They want value, and they want it now. 4 Feb 2026
Customers continue to spend more than R120m a month on Shoprite Savings Stamps, which have seen yearly growth of more than 20%, in a time when fintech apps and digital wallets are the norm. 4 Feb 2026
Brewers in South Africa are stepping into 2026 with caution. The beer industry continues to invest, innovate, and maintain one of the nation's most significant agro-processing value chains in spite of persistent economic pressure and governmental uncertainty. 3 Feb 2026
There’s an exponential shift in global apparel commerce. I’ve witnessed the change first hand, walking the floor of New York City’s stores, and experienced the sheer scale of it while attending ‘Retail’s Big Show’ put on by the National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade association, in the Big Apple. 3 Feb 2026
Leroy Merlin South Africa will officially launch the Leroy Merlin Retail Academy in Centurion, Johannesburg, on 6 February 2026 - making it a permanent training facility designed to professionalise retail skills and improve workforce readiness across the retail and home improvement sector. 3 Feb 2026
Pepkor Holdings reported a 12.9% rise in first-quarter revenue to R29.9bn, benefiting from acquisitions and growth in core clothing brand Pep and demand for tech products. 3 Feb 2026
As online fashion retail becomes increasingly influenced by AI-generated search and shopping experiences, South African fashion platform, Superbalist, is actively investing in Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) — a new frontier in e-commerce visibility. 2 Feb 2026
One of South Africa’s largest grocery retailer, Shoprite Holdings has released an operational update covering the six-month period to 28 December 2025, showing continued sales growth and strong performance amid ongoing economic challenges. 2 Feb 2026
In 2026, South Africa’s payments landscape is moving into a new phase. This phase is defined by speed, choice, and continued growth in digital payments. 2 Feb 2026
Mattel has unveiled a new line of toys and collectibles inspired by Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. 30 Jan 2026
For decades, brand growth was built around a single idea: find the hero and push it harder than anyone else. Today, that model is starting to crack. 30 Jan 2026
South African retailer Woolworths Holdings expects an up to 12% rise in half-year headline earnings, on strong demand for its upmarket food, clothes, beauty and home products over the Black Friday and Christmas period, it said on Thursday, 29 January 2026. 30 Jan 2026
A survey by consumer insights agency KLA, using YouGov Profiles, shows that South African consumers approach fashion and grooming as tools for confidence and well-being rather than vanity or trend-following. The results show that 84% of South Africans try to take care of themselves physically, with the majority viewing personal care as fundamental to emotional stability and self-identity. 29 Jan 2026
Amazon has officially launched Amazon Lens in South Africa, bringing its visual shopping tool to more customers seeking a faster, easier way to shop online. 29 Jan 2026
The South African tradition of cooking with fire is under severe price pressure. Over the past year the Braai Index has increased by 1.6% – and without the 43% fall in the price of potatoes, it would have risen much more sharply. 29 Jan 2026
Woolworths is urging consumers to be cautious when using social media after a fake advertisement purporting to provide a "meat box" for R200 made its rounds, especially on Facebook. 29 Jan 2026
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