A survey of 400 consumer goods retail and manufacturing executives from 27 countries has revealed that companies that want to keep in front of change and secure competitive advantage are transforming themselves into fully integrated 'omni businesses' - able to respond to the needs of customers across all channels and at any point during their shopping. 15 Jun 2016
BT has announced that it is working with Gallerie Commerciali Italia to create new digital customer experiences for shoppers in Italy. Under a new three-year contract, BT will provide Gallerie Commerciali Italia - which owns or operates 43 shopping centres and six retail parks across Italy, with a range of ICT infrastructure services, customer relationship management (CRM) and in-store solutions - to prove how digital technology can grow the appeal of retail spaces and provide new business services to retailers, as well as offer an enhanced omni-channel customer experience. 15 Jun 2016
Sara Maggioni, director of retail of WGSN, the trend authority, recently presented the Spring/Summer '17 Buyers Briefing at Source Africa, which presented key fashion trends for the season ahead, backed by extensive data. 15 Jun 2016
Customers take a break at Virgin Active's Soweto gym. Picture: The Times
Brait, the owner of UK chains New Look, Virgin Active and Iceland Foods along with South African fast moving consumer goods group Premier, reported on Tuesday that its net asset value per share grew 76.7% to R77.12 over the year to end-March. 15 Jun 2016
WASHINGTON - US consumers spent slightly more than expected in May after a strong surge in retail sales the prior month, official data showed Tuesday. 15 Jun 2016
After persistent minority shareholder pressure in the past few years, supermarket giant Pick n Pay Stores will collapse its archaic pyramid control structure Pick n Pay Holdings (Pikwik) - but the new set-up ensures voting control remains with the Ackerman family. 15 Jun 2016
Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) may be one of the older payment methods on the block, but thanks to fraud and crime they are experiencing a revival. As technology platforms evolve to make EFTs more easily managed by users and merchants alike, they are growing in popularity. EFT payments are also more cost-effective and break down significant barriers to entry. 14 Jun 2016
Makro store in Midrand, Johannesburg.
Picture: Sowetan/Antonio Muchave
JSE-listed Massmart has not given up the fight against lease exclusivity clauses which have hampered its expansion in malls around the country. 14 Jun 2016
Bounty Brands, the fast-growing consumer products distributor controlled by investment company Coast 2 Coast, has taken a big step towards securing foreign and local listings by snagging acquisitions worth a collective R1.2bn. 13 Jun 2016
Issues impacting retailers, manufacturers under the spotlight at The Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit in Cape Town from 15 to 17 June 13 Jun 2016
In a recent article I read, a woman explained how, after coming across an Instagram post of one of her favourite bloggers, she rushed to the stores in search for the very doormat she saw in the post. After searching high and low she eventually got hold of the doormat and felt compelled to share the news on social media. 13 Jun 2016
Considering the universal health benefits of tea, it seems an obvious answer. Since the majority of consumers are now looking for an alternative to sugar-rich carbonated beverages, tea presents the logical solution. After all, most herbal teas offer dietary or health benefits, whether it is aiding your digestive system, lowering blood pressure or just calming your nerves. 13 Jun 2016
The ETON Material Handling System implemented at Canvas and Tent.
At the beginning of the new millennium the South African textile and clothing sectors faced serious challenges. Following China's inclusion in the World Trade Organisation in 2001, local textile and clothing manufacturers suffered because of the cheaper imports of Chinese fabrics and finished products. Employment in the sectors slumped dramatically and more than 100,000 textile and clothing jobs were lost. 13 Jun 2016
CFO of The Foschini Group, Anthony Thunstrom.
Picture: Supplied
Even in the best of economic times it takes confidence and nerve for a company to present a five-year forecast. The Foschini Group (TFG) has done just that. 13 Jun 2016
Food producer Tiger Brands on Thursday pulled the plug on a second major African market, with the sale of its stake in an Ethiopian business - less than six months after it disposed of a Nigerian venture. 10 Jun 2016
Woolworths store at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
Image source: BDlive
By the end of June, half of all Woolworths stores will have removed sweets and chocolates from the checkout aisle, and replaced them with "better snacking options", says the retailer. 10 Jun 2016
Ocean Basket comes of age this year, bringing massive transformation and an exciting new journey for both franchisees and the consumer - a journey that promises brand longevity and exceptional growth for the local brand that has successfully taken to the highly competitive global stage... 10 Jun 2016
Hardware retailers led a fall in building confidence, a quarterly poll by Stellenbosch University's Bureau for Economic Research (BER) reported on Thursday. 10 Jun 2016
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