The year-on-year (y-o-y) growth of South Africa's food and beverage industry slowed to 0.1% as at July 2018, according to Broll Property Intel's Retail Snapshot Q3:2018. Restaurants and coffee shops experienced a y-o-y decline of 1.6%, catering services declined by 1.6%, while takeaway and fast food outlets experienced the highest y-o-y growth, achieving a growth of 2.8% and have been recording a positive trend line since January 2008 with regards to total income recorded. 5 Nov 2018
The hammam towel, also known as a pestamal, is a perennial Turkish accessory that's prized for its myriad of uses. Said to have been traditionally used in the super-hot hammams (Turkish baths), they needed to be durable, soft and good at drying in humid conditions. 5 Nov 2018
For many people there is something irresistible about chocolate. But in the hungry rush to make it part of our bodies there is a missed opportunity to meditate on the different gestural experiences chocolate affords. 2 Nov 2018
Pharmacy and beauty retail is leading the charge when it comes to loyalty programmes in South Africa. Clicks Clubcard has remained at the top as the most used loyalty programme at 72%, 12% points ahead of number 2, Pick n Pay Smart Shopper at 60%. Dis-Chem Benefit Programme ranks as the third most used programme - and together with Clicks shows that loyalty for pharmacy and beauty retail is strong. 2 Nov 2018
Yuppiechef triumphed at the inaugural Online Retailer of the Year awards, which recognises online stores in South Africa that grow trust amongst digital shoppers. 2 Nov 2018
Pick n Pay has introduced two reverse vending machines into the vicinity of its V&A Waterfront store, into which visitors can throw their discarded waste for recycling. The trial project is set to run from 1 November 2018 to 28 February 2019. 1 Nov 2018
Woolworths will be dropping the David Jones brand in South Africa, with plans to rebrand the range under its in-house Classic Collection. 1 Nov 2018
With the population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, the search has intensified for alternative protein sources to not only feed us all, but to do so sustainably by minimising the environmental impact of food production. 1 Nov 2018
Real Bicycle Co. (RBC), a wholly owned subsidiary of not-for-profit organisation Qhubeka, has moved from perfecting its first locally-produced commuter bicycle prototype to full-scale production, with the aim of re-shoring bicycle manufacturing in South Africa. 1 Nov 2018
UK books and stationery retailer WH Smith has announced plans to acquire InMotion, a US travel retailer, for $198 million. The transaction marks a significant step in WH Smith's international travel growth strategy. 31 Oct 2018
In just two years, Black Friday has become a mega shopping phenomenon in South Africa and the occasion is more heyday than hype for the country's fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) retail sector, according to findings from Nielsen's Advanced Analytics division. 31 Oct 2018
NEWSWATCH: A set of mugs engraved with the phrases 'the maid' and 'the gardener' sold at a Pick n Pay store has sparked outrage on social media, with members of the public describing them as offensive and reminiscent of apartheid. 31 Oct 2018
South African pre-owned luxury retailer, Luxity, will be extending its offering across the southern African region, into Namibia, Zambia, Angola and Botswana. 30 Oct 2018
In #FreshOnTheShelf, we round up some of our favourite food and beverage products that have hit the shelves recently. 30 Oct 2018
Australian supermarkets phasing out single-use plastic bags is just one example of how retailers are fiercely engaged in a race to be "green". Other examples are dumping plastic straws, buying back used products and reducing unnecessary packaging. 30 Oct 2018
A new study by global market research company Euromonitor International highlights emerging restaurant concepts around the world. 30 Oct 2018
McDonald's South Africa has committed to invest R3 billion into the country over the next five years, the company announced at the South African Investment Conference in Johannesburg on Friday. 29 Oct 2018
How honest can two artisanal dark chocolate makers be? Well, that's the question Honest Chocolate founders Anthony Gird and Michael de Klerk tried to unpack at the recent Creative Mornings talk at the Friends of Design Academy in Cape Town. 29 Oct 2018
Whether you do your shopping online or in store, your retail experience is the latest battleground for the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning revolution. 29 Oct 2018
Swiss luxury goods group Richemont, owned by SA billionaire Johann Rupert, has announced a global strategic partnership with Alibaba Group which will see the launch of a luxury goods platform for the Chinese market. The joint venture will bring the luxury retail offerings of Richemont's recently acquired Yoox Net-a-Porter (Ynap) brand to to Chinese consumers. 29 Oct 2018
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