The Africa rising business paradigm has lost a certain amount of traction due to plummeting oil prices and economic pressure globally, with many businesses shifting focus to their local operations. There is, however, still immense potential for business growth on the African continent, but companies do not have the same scope for a trial-and-error approach and have to get it right the first time. This is where business-driven market research really comes into its own. 18 Mar 2016
Wholesale trade sales measured in real terms (constant 2012 prices) were down 4% year on year in January 2016, Statistics SA data showed on Thursday. 17 Mar 2016
The forecast for retailers in Africa remains buoyant in the long term, despite the headwinds in Africa such as falling commodity prices and the slowing of the Chinese economy. This is according to the inaugural PwC's report So Much In Store, which was released recently in Johannesburg. 17 Mar 2016
Chris Logan.
Photogarpher: Hetty Zantman
Image source: BDlive
Shareholder activist Chris Logan has praised packaging group Nampak for being more transparent over the currency risks it faces in Nigeria and Angola, as well as more circumspect regarding further investments in those countries. 17 Mar 2016
Woolworths is on a journey to reduce drastically the amount of water it uses by putting water use in focus in stores, offices, distribution centres and across the supply chain. 17 Mar 2016
Empowerment group Grand Parade Investments (GPI) is pursuing its expansion of its Burger King franchise with a little less relish, as competition intensifies and cost pressures in the domestic fast-food segment increase. 17 Mar 2016
Daisy Masiangoako, marketing manager of Woolworths Foods: Long Life.
Here, Daisy Masiangoako, marketing manager of Woolworths Food: Long Life, explains 'the Woolworths difference' when it comes to branding... 17 Mar 2016
Ignorance, as they say, is bliss - except when it involves 'green' practices that are merely harming the environment in a different way, or having no effect at all. As the popularity of eco-friendly products continues to rise, manufactures and distributors are attempting to differentiate their products through the use of inaccurate statements, skewed facts and downright myths. 16 Mar 2016
Shirley Maltz, CEO of HomeChoice Holdings.
Photographer: Hetty Zantman
Image source: BDlive
Middle-class working women pressed for time were increasingly browsing through digital aisles to do their shopping, results from online retailer HomeChoice showed on Tuesday. 16 Mar 2016
Face-to-face engagement is the way to speak to our young people, says Mokebe Thulo, portfolio manager of HDI Youth Marketeers, who recently spoke on the Sunday Times Generation Next study at the Future-Ready Marketing Conference on Thursday, 10 March at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg. 16 Mar 2016
Choppies CEO Ramachandran Ottapathu.
Photographer: Calvin Anderson
Botswana-based retailer Choppies has missed targets to break even in SA this year due to the rapid deterioration in consumer spend in the country's mining areas, where most of its stores are located. 16 Mar 2016
SAN FRANCISCO - Online retail colossus Amazon is seeking a US patent on using selfies - instead of passwords - for shopping when using smartphones. 16 Mar 2016
The first spaza-to-store conversion, Monageng Market, is owned and run by Solly Legae.
The grocery retail sector inquiry launched last year by the Competition Commission was very significant and could address issues of food prices and market access, the economic development minister said on Tuesday. 16 Mar 2016
Despite fears that local coffee prices will drastically increase due to a shortage of beans from Brazil, coupled with the entrance of Starbucks into the local market, prices will remain stable and steadily increase at realistic levels. 15 Mar 2016
Mauritian business representatives descended on Durban on Monday, and will be in Johannesburg later this week, to promote the country's trade opportunities in textile manufacturing, accessories, jewellery, and agricultural products. 15 Mar 2016
Jannie Durand, CEO of Remgro.
Photographer: Hetty Zantman
Image source: BDlive
Investment heavyweight Remgro hiked its interim dividend 9.5%, despite seeing its intrinsic net asset value dribble down, and being in the unfamiliar position of carrying a meaningful debt load on its balance sheet. 15 Mar 2016
Despite the fact that the digital age has encouraged more people to shop and browse products online, physical stores are still, surprisingly, the number one destination for shoppers, according to the global PwC consumer survey: "Total Retail: Retailers and the Age of Disruption". 15 Mar 2016
The Cape Brewing Company is challenging traditional perceptions of craft beer by introducing its newest creation in the latest generation of aluminium can. CBC, which has not previously used a can for any of its beers, felt that the quality of the latest generation of aluminium can was finally good enough for its customers, and its beer. 14 Mar 2016
Venturing into Switzerland was a major coup for the Spar group, CEO Graham O'Connor said on Friday, adding that he had turned down deals in two other geographies, having chosen the developed market, which was "an exceptional fit". 14 Mar 2016
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