As cliched as it may sound, the world is now a global village. Many factors, whether individual or combined, have rippling effects on the lives of people. In the past, the effects were somehow restricted to certain sectors or certain countries. However, these days, many government policies and structures can be said to be responsible for changes in economic growth, as well as productivity, which cuts across several sectors and countries. The impact that increased tariffs and taxes have on the economy cannot be over-emphasised. One fast-growing facet of most economies in Africa is e-commerce. 8 Feb 2016
Mercantile Bank, a financial institution aimed exclusively at entrepreneurs, on Friday announced that it had entered into an agreement with wiGroup to develop a loyalty and rewards programme for its clients. 8 Feb 2016
NEW YORK - Amazon said on Thursday that its Echo wireless system will play songs from Spotify as the retail giant delves further into the booming sector of streaming. 8 Feb 2016
Online retail results for The Foschini Group (TFG) for the six-week festive trade period, from late November to the first week of January 2016, contributed 25% of the group's projected annual online revenue. On Black Friday more than 350,000 unique visitors clocked in at www.tfg.co.za. 8 Feb 2016
The 2016 The Wedding Expo shows are open for booking by exhibitors and will feature new attractions to provide inspiration. The Wedding Expo at the Ticketpro Dome on 12 and 13 March is also open for ticket sales. 5 Feb 2016
SAPICS' goal to create a skilled workforce in South Africa was enhanced by the adoption of this valuable and globally recognised supply chain certification. Since its introduction in 2006, the CSCP has evolved into a truly global certification for supply chain professionals. 5 Feb 2016
Barbie has announced the expansion of its Fashionistas line with the addition of three new body types - tall, curvy and petite - and a variety of skin tones, hairstyles and outfits. The new dolls can be viewed on Barbie.com and are available to order on Amazon internationally. The collection will roll-out over the course of 2016 at retail stores nationwide. 5 Feb 2016
BEIJING - Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is looking to turn its hundreds of millions of users into sportsmen as it seeks to cash in on the country's growing sporting market, an executive said. 5 Feb 2016
Former Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni.
Image source: BDlive
CAPE TOWN - Former South African Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni was back on familiar terrain yesterday - fielding pointed questions on currency risks when chairing the annual general meeting of Nampak. 5 Feb 2016
Pam Golding on Main shopping complex.
The Pam Golding on Main multi-use retail and office development opened mid-2015 in Kenilworth Main Road, anchored by a 510m² Pick n Pay store. Its pavement café ambience is already making the area more vibrant and cosmopolitan and boosting interest in buying up and renovating flats in the area. 4 Feb 2016
The second eCommerce Africa Confex takes place 17 - 18 February 2016 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. With eCommerce forecasted to grow by 40% annually, the two-day conference is designed to introduce the latest trends, technologies and industry developments and to facilitate networking, education and inspiration for ecommerce leaders and peers. 4 Feb 2016
E-commerce in South Africa - while still just a slice of the overall retail pie - is growing as much as 35% per year. However, of this, the lion's share still operates in the B2C space, suggesting that B2B companies - those that use the web to sell goods and services to other businesses - have yet to cotton-on to its very lucrative potential. 4 Feb 2016
Gold Brands Investments has announced that it has concluded a R100 million deal with the Circle Food Group, prior to its listing on the JSE AltX. 4 Feb 2016
Regan Adams of RSC and Karl Hammerschmidt of RunwaySale.
Most consumers are aspirational and, despite budget constraints, want to own high-end, premium brands. Having recognised this, as well as the growth in online retail shopping, the RCS Group recently partnered RunwaySale to allow its over a 500,000 RCS cardholders to shop online for the first time. 4 Feb 2016
So, you're ready to take the plunge and try online fashion shopping, but you're still a little wary of parting with your credit card details and unsure whether you'll love your purchase without physically getting to touch and feel it? 3 Feb 2016
The use of smart machines in manufacturing is growing rapidly; by 2018, 50% of the fastest growing companies in the world will have fewer employees than smart machines, according to Gartner. 3 Feb 2016
Mercedes-Benz SA is exporting nearly 90% of C-Class production at its East London assembly plant, as the addition of new foreign markets compensates for a continuing industrywide slide in domestic sales. 3 Feb 2016
The new multimillion rand Tugela Ferry Mall and Jozini Shopping Centre in rural KwaZulu-Natal have been trading very well since opening and both have had an excellent festive season, according to Gavin Tagg, CEO of Retail Network Services - the retail leasing and development company responsible for leasing both centres. He added that the performance of both centres has resulted in more top retailers take up space at the malls. 3 Feb 2016
LONDON - British tycoon Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of no-frills airline easyJet, on Tuesday opened a pilot budget supermarket in London in an attempt to crack the country's booming discount grocery sector. 3 Feb 2016
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